Dave Abels, Author at Abels & Annes, P.C.

Pedestrian Killed in Chandler Hit-and-Run Accident

It is the job of local and state police officers to investigate traffic collisions and to determine whether mistakes were made in those accidents, leading to a conclusion of whether traffic citations should be issued. Some, if not many, accidents can present challenges as the drivers involved may be prone to present information in a light that favors their conduct as opposed to the truest light possible. Further, if a victim is hurt in a crash, that victim may not be able to recount fully the events that preceded the impact and may be unaware of what actually caused a crash.

Fortunately for those who are hurt in a Phoenix car accident, the laws of the state enable them to obtain legal counsel, like a personal injury lawyer, who will represent their interests and seek a financial settlement for their injuries. Often, these lawyers are skilled at sorting through the jumble of information that results from a collision and can determine the facts that matter for a victim’s civil case for relief. Monetary payments may be possible to help these victims obtain the healthcare they need or even to provide payment to surviving family members when a victim is killed, though no amount of compensation can ever be considered adequate in these situations.

Victims do not need to be in a car to have a valid claim for relief. Those who ride bicycles, walk, or travel by motorcycle may also have valid claims if they were injured in an accident and they may be able to obtain the payment they deserve by speaking with an attorney.

On Wednesday night, a 47-year-old female was walking along the road near the intersection of Dobson Road and Canyon Way in Chandler when an unidentified vehicle approached and collided with the woman, leaving her critically injured. Police believe that the victim may have been walking in a marked bicycle lane when the car struck her and that the driver of the vehicle, whose identify is not known, fled the scene without stopping to render aid or to call local authorities.

Police were alerted to the incident and responded to the scene shortly after the 9:30 p.m. collision. They found the victim with significant injuries and though medical officials attempted to render aid, the woman died as a result of the crash. Police have not released a description of the vehicle at this time but they believe that it may be a sedan and that the car may have sustained damage to its front bumper and windshield as well as damage on the passenger side. Anyone with any information is asked to call the Chandler Police Department on this incident to aid in the investigation which is ongoing at this time.
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Phoenix Crash Leaves 2 Pregnant Women, 2 Others Injured

by Dave Abels

According to Forbes magazine and the insurance industry, the typical American driver is involved in a car accident every 17.9 years. This means that if you begin driving on your 16th birthday and you have the luck of an average American driver, you will be involved in a crash by the time you are 34 at the latest. Certainly, some drivers are luckier than others and may be involved in fewer collisions while some seem to be involved in many more. Regardless of your personal history, Phoenix motorists cannot deny it – car accidents pose a threat to the safety of anyone and can leave anyone a victim on any given day.

Automobile collisions may involve injuries to those involved depending on the facts of the crash. Speed, impact, directionality, design of a car, safety restraints and devices, and the weather may all play a role in whether injuries result. But one factor that is not analyzed as closely is the nature of the person involved. Children, the elderly, and pregnant women may be more likely to be harmed than others when a car accident occurs due to underlying medical conditions or simply because of their age. When this happens, these victims, regardless of who they are, may be entitled to financial compensation for their losses that can include payment for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Speaking to a lawyer who handles personal injury accidents may help you understand your options and your rights if you have been hurt in a collision or if your loved one was injured or killed.

On Tuesday afternoon, two cars collided near the intersection of 19th Avenue and Roeser Road in Phoenix and several people were hurt. Authorities responded to the scene around 4:30 p.m. and confirmed that at least four people were hurt and that two of them were pregnant women. While authorities began their investigation, emergency medical personnel assessed the four victims and transported each of them to an area hospital where their current conditions remain unknown.

There has been no information on what may have caused both vehicles to collide or whether the crash was due to an error made by one of the drivers but authorities have confirmed that they are reviewing all available information and that tickets may be issued based on the results of the review.
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Woman Arrested in Suspected DUI Accident that Killed Daughter, Injured Son

by Dave Abels

When a motorist choose to drink and drive or to drive under the influence of drugs, anyone can suffer the consequences of that one decision. The driver may be injured personally, those in the same vehicle may be hurt, or those in other cars may be injured if a collision occurs. Unfortunately, even pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists in the area may suffer in a Phoenix drunk driving accident because they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The devastation that may result from a DUI crash in Arizona cannot be overstated. In addition to the damage done to the vehicles involved, victims may suffer from personal injuries that range from minor to severe or even permanent. In the worst collisions, a victim may lose his or her life and that victim’s family may be left behind to suffer the loss forever. While nothing can turn back time and prevent these accidents once they take place, victims may be entitled to seek financial compensation for their losses against a drunk driver, the owner of a vehicle, a company, a city, or even the victim’s own insurance company. If you have been hurt or if your loved one has been injured, you may better understand your options by speaking with a personal injury attorney in Phoenix who has experience helping the victims of car accidents.

Earlier in January, a fatal accident occurred on I-10 near Marana that left one person dead and two people seriously injured. Now, local authorities have alleged that the 36-year-old woman behind the wheel at the time was impaired and is now facing criminal charges.

The crash involved one vehicle leaving the surface of I-10 and rolling over, according to authorities who responded to the scene. Three people were inside and all were hurt. Emergency crews were able to remove the victims and assess them for injuries before transporting them to area hospitals. Though physicians tended to a 16-year-old female, the girl’s injuries were critical and she died as a result of the crash. An 18-year-old male was critically injured but survived and the driver was listed in serious condition following the crash.

In addition to reporting the suspected intoxication of the driver, local authorities have also stated that the woman behind the wheel was the mother of both the 16-year-old female and 18-year-old male who were in the car at the time. Due to the female’s death, the driver is now facing one count of second degree murder and may face additional charges when the investigation is completed and the results of any toxicity screens are confirmed.
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Car Collision in Phoenix Injures 4 People

by Dave Abels

When it comes to car accidents in Phoenix, not all days of the week are equal. In fact, collisions are more likely to occur at certain time and on certain days and are not spread out equally as some may believe. Weekend collisions are more likely than those that happen during the week even though weekday conditions tend to see a lot of employment-related traffic and congestion.

Many accidents that take place between Thursday evening and late Sunday morning involve impairment of one or more drivers involved, whether the impairment stems from alcohol or drugs. Other factors like speeding and driving while distracted are likely to occur on the weekends and also can pose a threat to the safety of all those in the area. Regardless of the cause of the impact, collisions in Phoenix may cause injuries or even death to those involved and may require surviving victims to obtain medical help for their damages. Relief may be possible for these victims through the use of a civil claim and speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand that process and what options may be available to you if you have been hurt.

In the early morning hours on Sunday, two vehicles collided for reasons that are not yet clear, leaving four people seriously injured in a Phoenix car accident. Police are still reviewing the facts involved to determine what led the two vehicles to be in the same place at the same time and they are trying to determine whether either driver erred prior to the collision.

The crash happened near 51st Avenue and Elliot and may have occurred when one vehicle T-boned the other, striking the second car on the driver’s side. There is a traffic light at that intersection but police have not stated whether one driver may have ignored or missed a red light, causing a crash in the middle of the roads.

Police have noted that their investigation began on the scene and that it continues at this time with all lanes of traffic open in the area. Additional reports indicate that four people were hurt and that the crash left two of them in extremely critical condition; the other two victims were in serious condition but were not facing life-threatening injuries as of Sunday.
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Serious Phoenix Car Accident Possibly Involved Impairment

by Dave Abels

This week’s upswing in temperatures and record highs have sent many people in Phoenix out of their homes where they had holed up during the cold days last week. Now, people are out and about again and some children are heading back to school which is leading to an increase in the amount of traffic on the streets of the Valley of the Sun. Increased traffic can make driving stressful but it does not have to make it unsafe as long as all those on the roads follow posted traffic laws and act in a reasonable and prudent manner.

Unfortunately, though, every day, drivers choose to operate their vehicles in an unsafe manner. When they do this, they threaten not only their own safety but the safety of all those in the area, including those in separate cars. Drunk driving accidents and collisions caused by impaired drivers are examples of some of the most dangerous actions exhibited on the roads on Phoenix and a leading cause of injury accidents. When these crashes happen, victims may feel like they are suffering because of the conduct of another motorist and that nothing can help ease their pain. However, in Arizona, it is possible for car accident victims to obtain the relief they deserve through the use of a civil claim which can provide payment for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. These claims can be pursued with the help of a personal injury lawyer who handles collisions and who represents the victims of those accidents.

Around 8:00 p.m. Thursday night, police believe that a pickup truck ran a red light on Greenway Road at the intersection with 35th Avenue and collided with a vehicle in the intersection. Officials suspect that excessive speed played a role and that the driver of the pickup truck may have been intoxicated at the time of the impact but that has not been confirmed at this time.

Police and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and evaluated both drivers involved. Both were injured and were taken to area hospitals for treatment. The driver of the pickup truck survived and the nature of his injuries are unknown but they do not appear to be life-threatening at this time; however, the driver of the second vehicle was critically injured and was placed on life support and is not expected to survive.

The serious nature of the collision and the resulting injuries caused officials to close the area to through traffic for several hours into Friday morning. While the investigation is ongoing, police have confirmed that charges are pending against the driver of the pickup truck and it is possible that more charges will be brought.
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Phoenix Car Crash Leaves 3 in Critical Condition

by Dave Abels

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 26 percent of all Americans aged 16 or older have been injured in a car accident at some point in their lives and needed medical treatment as a result. More than half of those who are hurt require additional, follow up treatment and some will suffer from their injuries for the remainder of their lives.

While almost any activity can lead to an injury, car accidents pose a particular threat because the actions of other drivers affect everyone’s safety. Therefore, cautious and defensive drivers can still be hurt in a collision if another motorist acts in a negligent or reckless manner. When a crash strikes, those who suffer may bear no fault for the cause of the collision yet may be forced to endure pain and suffering in addition to serious injuries. Medical expenses can quickly put victims in debt and can affect their abilities to provide for their families and themselves. Following an incident, those who have been hurt may be shocked to learn that the efforts of police and state’s attorneys to punish at-fault drivers do not benefit the victims directly; rather, if an injured accident victim wants relief, it is up to that victim to seek and obtain it alone or with the help of a personal injury lawyer.

Around 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening, two vehicles collided near Interstate 17 and New River in Phoenix and caused devastation to those involved. Three people were left with life-threatening injuries and at least another two people were hurt in the collision. Police have not yet revealed a suspected cause of the crash but they have confirmed that their review is ongoing at this time.

The three victims facing life threatening injuries were transported by helicopter for emergency treatment at an area hospital while the remaining two victims were taken by ambulance. Southbound I-17 was closed while the injured were evacuated and while emergency crews removed the debris from the crash.
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20 Year Sentence for Former Teacher Convicted of Sexual Conduct with Minor

by Dave Abels

Sexual abuse and assault in the Phoenix area is a devastating crime and can affect the health of a victim for the rest of his or her lifetime. Victims of sexual abuse range in age from the very young to the very old and anyone can be a potential victim; unfortunately, many of those who are hurt come from the most vulnerable segments of our society. School children, those in daycare or who are cared for by adults without parental supervision, those who are physically disabled, and those who reside in nursing homes are some common victims of sexual assault.

Too often, these instances do not come to light immediately because victims fear what may happen if they report the conduct or because victims may not have an opportunity to report the wrongdoing. Aggressors may be in a position of power over a victim and this can further limit the victim’s ability to report. But victims of sexual abuse in Phoenix should know that they do not have to suffer alone and in silence because the law may be on their side. These victims may have the right to bring a civil claim against their abuser or against an entity who controlled the abuser and they may be able to recover for their damages. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix may help you understand your options if you have been victimized or if your loved one suffered sexual abuse.

A former teacher was recently sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexual conduct with a minor, according to authorities. The defendant, a female former physical education teacher, was arrested initially in February 2013 following allegations by a former student of physical and sexual contact with the teacher.

In late 2012, a female victim reported to police and informed them that between 2005 and 2006, the victim was 12 years old and was a student at a Phoenix school where the defendant taught. The teacher allegedly became close with the student and on several occasions had the student over to her Mesa apartment where the defendant and victim engaged in sexual contact. The teacher was 36 years old at the time.

According to police, the former teacher admitted to the alleged contact when confronted with it and she was arrested and charged with the crime. As part of a recent plea deal, the defendant will face 20 years in prison and a lifetime on probation in addition to registering as a sexual offender.
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Driver Arrested for DUI after Police Chase

by Dave Abels

Drunk driving accidents in Phoenix have been covered in depth by the media in recent weeks. It may seem like this rash of incidents is an increase from normal or perhaps that it is just a focus on the tragic by those who report the news, but in fact, it should be a reminder of the threat posed by drunk drivers to the safety of all others on the road.

In Arizona, it is a crime to drive under the influence of alcohol, and a driver will be considered under the influence if his or her blood alcohol content is .08 or higher. The law was made this way to protect the safety of everyone while holding drivers responsible for their actions should they choose to drink and drive. In simple terms, alcohol is a depressant that slows the central nervous system, making it difficult for a driver to make quick judgments and adjust his or her actions accordingly. Drunk or impaired drivers take longer to perceive chances in traffic pattern, to observe other vehicles in the area, to notice traffic control signals like stop signs and lights, and to understand hazards in the road. These drivers statistically are several times more likely to cause a collision than their sober counterparts and often drive in excess of the speed limit, meaning that the collisions that result can be more dangerous.

Common penalties faced by a Phoenix drunk driver include traffic fines and fees, loss of a driver’s license, community service, or incarceration. But in addition to these charges that may stem from the State of Arizona, these drivers may also be held financially liable for any monetary losses experienced by victims. From medical bills to lost wages and pain and suffering, victims of drunk driving collisions may be able to recover for their losses through the use of a civil claim. Speaking with a personal injury attorney in the Valley may help you realize what options are available to you and whether you have a valid claim if you have been hurt by a drunk driver or if your loved one was injured or killed in a crash.

A law enforcement official in Yavapai County noticed a suspected drunk driver on Saturday night and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. But according to authorities, the driver, a 57-year-old female, refused to stop and instead led a pursing officer on a five mile chase. The incident took place near Cornville Road and Mountain View Road and began with the pursuit. Reportedly, the officer involved determined that the driver’s actions were too risky and therefore backed off pursuit when the motorist drove the wrong way on the road. A short time later, the driver allegedly pulled over which enabled the officer to complete the traffic stop on Highway 89A.

The officer observed potential signs of intoxication and put the driver through a field sobriety test, which she reportedly failed. As a result, the motorist was arrested and is now facing multiple charges including driving under the influence, reckless driving, and fleeing from a police official.
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Chandler Elementary Teacher Arrested, Charged with Murder in Drunk Driving Accident

by Dave Abels

The end of the year brings with it the holiday season and many parties and celebrations. While most adults will engage in these activities responsibility, unfortunately some choose to partake in drugs or alcohol and then drive a car. This is one of the reasons that end-of-the-year accidents are so prevalent in Phoenix and across the Valley and why it is risky to get into your car during this time.

Car accidents can happen at any time and at any place, but the actions of drivers can determine whether a collision is more likely to happen. Among the most common dangerous activities while behind the wheel are speeding, following too closely, driving while distracted and driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. All of these conditions likely may occur as one year wraps and a new one begins, and unfortunately, police officers cannot stop each negligent driver before a crash happens.

If you are the victim of a drunk driving accident in Phoenix, you should know that you may be entitled to relief and to compensation against any and all responsible parties. In some cases, that means the drunk driver personally. In others, it may be the owner or a car or a bar or restaurant that served a driver too much alcohol. And still in some cases, relief may be possible against your own insurance company or an auto insurance policy owned by someone in your household through a type of claim known as an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim. The options can vary based on the unique facts of a case and therefore speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix may help you understand where you stand and the specific relief that may be available to you.

People across the Valley have expressed shock that a teacher at a Chandler elementary school was recently involved in a drunk driving accident that left another person dead. According to authorities, the woman was driving southbound on Arizona Avenue when she allegedly ran a red light and collided with a vehicle attempting a left turn at the intersection with the Loop 202. Emergency crews responded to the scene and attempted to help the driver of the second vehicle, a female, who was pinned in the driver’s seat from the crash but the woman’s injuries were too extreme and she was pronounced dead as a result.

Police at the scene noticed signs of alcohol and possible marijuana use and arrested the woman before conducting blood tests. Officers have reported that the woman had a blood alcohol content of .283 at the time of the crash, more than three times the legal limit of .08 in Arizona.

The driver is now facing charges of second degree murder for her actions and additional charges may be issued.
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General Motors Expands Ignition Recall

by Dave Abels

Though 2014 came to an end this week, the fallout from major automobile recalls continues to affect drivers across the country, including those in Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun. Recent news has focused on problems with ignition systems in several models of General Motors vehicles as fatal car accidents are believed to have been caused by underlying issues which can cause the vehicle to turn off in a collision, potentially deactivating airbags. Some models have already been repaired by now General Motors is targeting additional vehicles in their recall efforts.

This new round of recalls involves the ignition lock like prior 2014 recalls but the problem is believed to be slightly different. Even some previously repaired vehicles are included in this most recent recall because the ignition lock is too big and can make it impossible to turn the key if the vehicle is hot, according to officials. Drivers of certain 2007-2014 Chevrolet Silverados, Avalanches, Tahoes, Suburbans, GMC Sierras, Yukons, and Cadillac Escalades may be notified in the coming weeks of the need to have their vehicles repaired. Some of these owners will have been involved in the last round of ignition-related recalls issued by General Motors.

GM says the current issue has not been associated with any collisions or injuries to their knowledge but the prior ignition issues did result in 42 suspected deaths and 58 additional suspected injuries.

Drivers of any type of vehicle in Arizona should feel confident that their car, truck, or SUV is free from design flaws that may cause an accident, but as the record number of recalls in 2014 reflect, cars are manufactured each year that are unsafe. Unwitting buyers of these cars may be placed in an unsafe situation simply by driving each day. What is worse is that these drivers likely are unaware of hidden defects and design flaws which means that nothing can be done by these motorists to prevent a crash.

Car accidents happen each day in Phoenix and many of them are caused by a mistake or an error on the part of someone involved. In some cases, it is the fault of a driver. But when it comes to a defect in design, it may be the fault of a company or manufacturer involved in the process of building the car.

When a collision is the fault of another, victims of that crash may be entitled to seek compensation for their losses, including the injuries they sustain. Arizona law makes it clear that these victims are entitled to relief and that the right to obtain help belongs to the victims and cannot be prevented by a company looking to avoid liability. Speaking with a personal injury attorney in Phoenix may help you understand your options and your rights if a collision has harmed you or has left your loved one injured or dead.
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