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

Crash between Motorcycle and Truck Injures at least 1

Do you live in Phoenix or elsewhere in the Valley of the Sun? If you do, odds are good that you see motorcyclists on the road on a regular or even daily basis. In Arizona, motorcycles are legally authorized to ride in city streets and on state highways just like any other vehicle, and these bikes and their riders are protected with the same rights as other drivers. But too often, drivers fail to notice or recognize bikers as they ride, leading to actions that may place multiple vehicles in the same area at the same time.

When a motorcycle collision occurs, the riders on a bike are more likely to be injured than others in a vehicle, like a car. The force of a crash may disproportionately harm riders and leave them in need of medical treatment. This treatment can be expensive and can be coupled with other damages like lost wages, meaning that a victim may suffer long after the dust settles. While nothing can erase injuries once they occur, a civil claim for damages may enable these victims to obtain financial relief for their losses. Consulting with a Phoenix personal injury lawyer may help you learn about your options if you have been injured or if your loved one has been hurt or killed.

A collision occurred on Sunday morning near the intersection of Seventh Avenue and Bell Road in Phoenix and at least one person was seriously injured. Local police confirmed that a truck and a motorcyclist collided but the cause of the crash is not yet clear. Officials responded to the scene and took the biker to an area hospital for treatment of unknown injuries. He was listed in serious condition and it is not known what kind of outcome the rider is facing at this time. It is also unclear whether the driver of the truck was injured in the accident.

Police are still in the process of investigating the incident and determining whether either motorist involved erred or acted negligently prior to the impact. The outcome of the investigation may determine whether anyone will face charges in this incident or whether any tickets will be issued.
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How to Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving this Year

by Dave Abels

Many of the people who call Phoenix home did not start out here but rather chose this part of the Valley to live. Regardless if you were born here or whether you moved here later in life, though, chances are good that you must commute on a regular basis to get to work, to school, or to other places you frequent, leading to a larger amount of driving. Holiday weekends make the hours we drive all the more apparent as nearly 50 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles for Thanksgiving this year – you and your family might be among them.

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and be grateful for the year and for all you have in your life, but few things can take away your joy quite like being involved in a car accident while on your way to or from a celebration. The word “accident” often hides the truth that the majority of the collisions that occur are due to an error or a mistake on the part of one or more drivers involved and often constitute negligent conduct. When a crash happens, victims who are injured may be entitled to seek financial compensation for their losses, but the best option is always to prevent a collision whenever possible.

To increase your odds of a safe Thanksgiving, consider the following tips if you will be driving:

– Avoid traffic congestion: If you have lived in Phoenix for any length of time, this may seem like an obvious tip. Traffic can back up in many parts of the Valley at several different times every day. But Thanksgiving weekend is primed to see even more vehicles on the road as the AAA anticipates an increase of more than four percent from last year’s traffic. Greater traffic means greater congestion and an increased possibility of a collision taking place. While you may not be able to drive as the only car on a highway, planning your trip ahead of time can help you avoid many of the backups that will likely result in crashes this weekend.

– Travel during daylight hours if possible: Your plans may require you to drive at night, but if your schedule is flexible, consider taking to the roads during the daylight hours. Visibility is increased when the sun is up and many motorists have better vision during the daytime than they do at night. Scheduling your drive to coincide with daytime may help you reduce the risk of an accident and also may make the drive a little more enjoyable.

– Never drink and drive: If you plan to drink this Thanksgiving, do not drive. Use a designated driver or make plans to stay with family or friends. It is a crime in Arizona to drive under the influence of alcohol and doing so can lead to criminal charges, traffic citations, and even civil liability for any damages you cause if a collision takes place. Remember, there is never a good reason to drink and drive, so make sure it is not part of your holiday plans.

– Obey all local traffic laws: It may sound simple but traffic rules and regulations exist for a reason. The safest conditions result when every driver obeys traffic laws, including following the speed limit, and you can do your part this weekend. Do not follow too closely to a vehicle in front of you, stop for red lights and stop signs, and make sure you yield the right-of-way. These simply actions can prevent thousands of Arizona car accidents every year, some of which will occur over Thanksgiving.
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Motorcyclist Injured after 3 Vehicle Crash on Loop 202

by Dave Abels

If you ride a motorcycle in Arizona, you are probably used to exercising a little more caution than other drivers. You may hesitate a moment longer before proceeding when a traffic light turns green or you may wait to make sure that opposing traffic comes to a stop before proceeding at a four way intersection.

No matter what steps you take, though, motorcyclists are still at a risk for being involved in a collision in the Phoenix area. Motorcycle accidents often cause personal injuries to those involved and the damages tend to be greater to motorcyclists than to drivers of automobiles because bikes offer little to no protection to their riders.

Victims of collisions may not know their legal options or where to turn for help, but if your accident occurred in Arizona, you should know that relief may be possible. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand the implications of your crash, whether a responsible driver can be held liable, and whether any other types of relief exist. As these claims turn on the specific facts of a collision, a skilled lawyer with experience representing motorcycle victims is the best person to speak with to learn about your rights.

On Saturday evening, three vehicles collided and left at least one person in serious condition. Local police responded to the crash and determined that the incident began when one vehicle attempted to avoid a second stopped car on the Loop 202 eastbound near 52nd Street. The swerving vehicle struck another car and a motorcycle in the area, causing all three vehicles to crash.

The operator of the motorcycle was seriously injured in the crash and was taken by ambulance to an area hospital with undisclosed injuries. A passenger on the bike was also hurt but was believed to have sustained minor injuries only and is expected to make a full recovery. It did not appear that anyone in the two cars involved was hurt in the accident but authorities were still investigating.

At this time, it appears that the stopped vehicle that led to the initial swerve had stopped because it ran out of gas but authorities have not confirmed whether the vehicle stopped in a lane of traffic on the Loop 202 or whether that vehicle pulled over onto the shoulder.
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Truck Driver Impaired, Asleep when Fatal Phoenix Crash Occurred

by Dave Abels

Recent decades have seen an increased focus on the effects of fatigue and tiredness among drivers on American roads and the dangers they pose. While it may surprise many, studies have revealed fatigue to be a danger along the levels of texting while driving. Tired drivers behind the wheel are a danger to themselves and to others on the roads of Phoenix and the rest of the Valley of the Sun, but despite the risks, many drivers admit to operating when they are tired. Some even admit to falling asleep behind the wheel.

These dangerous drivers are even more deadly when they operate a truck because of the large and heavy nature of a truck’s typical load. Often, truck accidents occur in Phoenix and cause disproportionately large injuries to the victims in other vehicles. Accident victims and their family members who are directly affected may be entitled to legal relief through the use of a civil claim for damages due to several Arizona laws that protect victims’ rights, but these cases can be complex, so speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your options if you have been hurt.

A Wednesday collision involving four vehicles on I-17 in Phoenix is now being blamed on the driver of a semi-truck who allegedly admitted to authorities that he took a muscle relaxant and fell asleep before the impact happened. The truck driver, a 54-year-old male, was arrested and charged with suspicion of second degree murder.

The incident took place on I-17 near Bell Road in the morning hours. Traffic was congested and officials have stated that the truck driver, hauling concrete pavers, rear-ended four vehicles that were stopped in traffic. The semi-truck continued and struck a concrete barrier which caused it to spill much of its load onto the road’s surface. At least one of the vehicles involved in the crash burst into flames, leaving a 22-year-old man dead and another person in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. Three other victims were taken to area hospitals for undisclosed injuries and several other people sustained minor injuries but did not need immediate medical assistance.

Following the impact, officials spoke with the driver of the truck who allegedly admitted that he often became tired while driving in the dark and that he fell asleep behind the wheel before the collision occurred. Further, the driver reportedly stated that he took a muscle relaxant the night before, a fact some officers on the scene said was supported by the fact that the driver had glassy, bloodshot eyes and was slurring his speech. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor at this time.
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Weekend Car Accident in Chandler Leaves 3 Injured

by Dave Abels

If you are looking to buy a new car, you might consider the availability of its safety features before you make a decision. The presence or absence of air bags, antilock brakes, and crumple zones and becoming persuasive in the minds of most automobile shoppers who desire to keep themselves and their families safe. Of course, regardless of the safety features in your car, the best way to stay safe is to avoid a car accident all together. Unfortunately, Arizona experiences more than 100,000 car crashes every year and many of those take place in Phoenix and the rest of the Valley of the Sun.

While you may think about your own actions and their role in causing or preventing a crash, you may fail to consider the actions of other drives on the road. Yet the part played by other motorists cannot be overstated as many of the Phoenix-area crashes that occur involved more than one vehicle, and often, one vehicle is full of innocent victims. When a driver makes a mistake or acts in a negligent manner, that driver not only threatens his own safety but the safety of all others in the area. These collisions may cause victims to become injured and in need of medical attention in addition to causing other financial damages ranging from lost wages to pain and suffering. While these crashes cannot be undone, Arizona law entitles injury victims to seek relief for their losses and for their damages through the use of a civil claim. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in the Phoenix area may help you understand your legal rights and options if a crash has caused you to suffer.

Shortly after 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, a collision in Chandler occurred involving two vehicles near Ray Road and Hartford Street. While the investigation into this incident is ongoing, police believe that a passenger vehicle attempted a left hand turn in the area in front of a second oncoming car, causing a t-bone crash that seriously injured three people. At least some involved in the crash may have been ejected upon impact but the nature and extent of the injuries sustained has not been disclosed. It is also not clear whether victims were from both vehicles or simply the vehicle that was traveling straight.

Authorities responded on the scene and evaluated all the injured with medical crews taking the hurt to area hospitals. There is no word yet on whether any driver involved will be cited in this incident but a decision is anticipated soon.
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Bike Lane Crash Leaves Phoenix Cyclist Dead

by Dave Abels

Bicyclists are at a disadvantage when traffic accidents occur because they tend to take up less space and have less protection than other vehicles involved. If that weren’t bad enough, though, cyclists are at an increased risk for collisions because they may be involved in all the same types of crashes facing cars but also in some bicycle-specific collisions. In addition to crashes caused by failures to yield or by speeding, a dooring incident may lead to a bicycle accident. Dooring occurs when a driver or a passenger in a vehicle opens a door into the oncoming path of a cyclist, causing the biker to strike the opened door. This is just one example of a type of crash that poses a threat to bicyclists but not to drivers of cars.

Where can a bicyclist turn once a collision occurs? This is a question often asked in Arizona and in Phoenix because many riders do not understand their rights, including whether they have a valid claim for relief. In many cases, victims of these collisions can bring a civil claim for their financial damages and can recover for any and all losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The laws can be complex so speaking with a personal injury lawyer can be beneficial in understanding your rights if you have been involved in a collision or if your loved one has been injured or killed.

Earlier this week, a crash occurred in Phoenix between a car and a bicycle, leaving the cyclist’s rider dead. The incident occurred near Pecos and 17th Avenue in the westbound lanes. Police have confirmed that prior to the impact, the bicyclist was in a marked lane for bicycle-only traffic when the collision occurred. Their investigation is ongoing at this time and officials are still trying to determine why the two vehicles collided, and whether either party involved erred prior to the crash.

It is not clear whether the driver of the car was injured or whether any citations will be issued as a result of this incident.
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Car Accident in Phoenix Leaves 1 Dead, 1 Injured

by Dave Abels

One of the most dangerous aspects of driving occurs when motorists merge from one lane into another, either voluntarily to change lanes for the driver’s preference or due to necessity because a lane is ending. Often, other traffic may be difficult to see due to a car’s blind spots on the rear sides of most vehicles, meaning that if a motorist is not extremely careful, it is possible to believe a merge is safe when it fact another car is present in the intended lane.

These instances often result in side-swipe car accidents and can cause serious damage to vehicles, both of a potential at-fault driver and of any other motorist involved. But in addition to the physical damage done, injuries may result and may require medical assistance by the victims of a crash. If you have ever been involved in an accident, you may be aware that crash-related medical treatment can be very expensive and can financially harm a driver or a passenger who did nothing wrong before the crash occurred. Fortunately, the laws in Phoenix and in Arizona recognize that it is unfair to ask victims to bear these costs and instead allow victims the right to seek financial relief for their damages against an at-fault driver, an owner, a municipality, or an insurance company, among others. The facts surrounding a crash determine the availability of these claims so victims should consider speaking with a personal injury lawyer to learn about their options and to make sure their rights are protected.

Police in Phoenix have confirmed that a driver involved in a Wednesday morning accident lost his life due to injuries. At this time, they are still investigating and reviewing all relevant information.

The crash occurred near the Loop 101 and the exit ramp to 19th Avenue and involved two separate vehicles. Officials believe that a driver exiting the Loop 101 at 19th Avenue collided with a vehicle that was traveling on 19th but they are not sure what caused the two drivers to crash, including whether either driver acted negligently before the impact. The driver of the exiting vehicle was transported to an area hospital in critical condition but his injuries were too severe and he died a short time thereafter. The driver of the second vehicle also sustained injuries but was believed to be in better condition than the first. That second driver also was taken to a hospital where the driver is expected to recover, though the nature and extent of any injuries have not been disclosed.
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Semi-Truck Strikes, Kills Bicyclist in Phoenix

by Dave Abels

How do you choose to get around the Valley? Do you drive most of the time, preferring to control your own schedule and your own route as you drive? Do you prefer to take the bus or the light rail, finding public transportation to be easier and more affordable than driving yourself? If you are like a growing number of residents in the Valley, including those in Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Glendale, Scottsdale, and Chandler, you may ride a bicycle occasionally or regularly as you travel. Bike transit can be easy, efficient, and cost effective to many adults and children in the Valley, explaining some of its rise in popularity in recent years.

Yet with the increase in bicycle riders has unfortunately come a large number of bicycle accidents in Phoenix, many of which result in injuries or even death. These incidents can be complicated and the way they are treated by the law complex, leaving many victims wondering if they have any rights or whether there is anything they can do to obtain relief for their damages. Victims and their family members may want to speak with a personal injury lawyer in the Phoenix area to learn about what options may exist after a crash occurs, including whether a civil claim for monetary damages may be possible. In many bicycle crashes, relief is available if a victim seeks it within a time period specified by Arizona law.

Last week, a 23-year-old man was riding a bicycle on a sidewalk near the intersection of 59th Avenue and Roosevelt in Phoenix when a crash occurred. At this time, police believe the cyclist attempted to cross Roosevelt when a semi-truck in the area attempted to turn, crossing the intersection where the cyclist was riding. The truck struck the rider and knocked over the victim, trapping him under the truck and dragging him for a short distance before the victim became dislodged. At that time, it was apparent that the cyclists was critically injured and emergency crews ensured he was transported to an area hospital for help. Though doctors tended to him, the victim’s injuries were too severe and he died as a result of the bike crash.

Authorities are still reviewing all the relevant information in this incident to try and determine what caused the collision between the semi-truck and the cyclist, including whether either or both individuals involved erred prior to impact. It is not clear at this time whether any traffic citations will result from the collision or whether any charges will be brought.
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Taxi Cab Accident in Phoenix Leaves Passenger Dead, Another Critically Injured

by Dave Abels

Street traffic in Phoenix can be frustrating and slow, even to those residents who are wise to rush hour patterns and may know which roads to take to avoid some of the heaviest traffic conditions. But there is no way to completely keep yourself safe from the threat posed by automobiles in the Phoenix area, as the more than 100,000 annual car accidents in the state will attest.

Some people, including many who are visiting the Valley, choose to trust those more familiar with the area by taking a taxi cab around town. Many passengers feel that they are making the wise choice and that by utilizing a taxi, they can focus on areas other than traffic, like talking to a friend, using a cell phone, or reading. But unfortunately, not all of these passengers will make it to their intended destinations without issue as multiple Phoenix-area taxi cab accidents happen every year, some of which leave the passengers involved with injuries.

Fortunately, Arizona laws recognize that a taxi passenger is not at-fault for an accident and therefore should not be forced to bear the financial burden caused by those collisions. Rather, the law places the onus on an at-fault driver, whether that is the driver of a cab or another driver of a car, truck, or bus, to bear the damages caused by a crash. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand whether you have a valid claim for your losses, including your medical expenses, if an accident has affected your life or injured your loved one.

Around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, a taxi cab with two passengers on board was involved in a serious accident when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle and then struck a utility pole. Reports indicate that the crash took place as the taxi exited I-10 near 40th Street in Phoenix and that no other vehicles were involved.

Police have confirmed that two passengers, a 70-year-old woman and a man in his 70s, were in the cab at the time of the crash. The woman lost her life due to her injuries and the man was left in critical condition following the accident, leading authorities to transport him to an area hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries. The driver of the cab, a female in her 30s, was also critically injured and in need of medical assistance.

Police are still investigating what led to this Phoenix car accident and are trying to determine why the driver lost control. Based upon their investigation, charges may or may not be issued in this case.
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Heavy Traffic, Congestion Expected in Phoenix this Weekend

by Dave Abels

If you drive in the Phoenix area on occasion, you probably are used to rush hour traffic, congestion, and traffic flow issues. As the population in Arizona continues to increase and the number of licensed drivers continue to grow, traffic problems become more apparent and place a strain on many drivers.

Most of these issues are worst during morning and evening commutes but can vary depending on where you are in the Valley and which roads or highways you will take. The Loop 101 and 202 are notorious for back-up related issues and for stop and go traffic but many local roads face the same problems. While traffic simply is an annoyance to most commuters, it can cause more than headaches when a car accident occurs. Heavy traffic means that rear-end crashes are very likely and so are collisions that occur due to vehicles merging into and out of various lanes.

When a car accident occurs due to traffic, it is usually caused in fact by an error or a mistake on the part of one or more drivers involved. Regardless of how congested a road may be, motorists should be able to traverse it safely without incident if all drivers act responsibly. Failing to drive in a safe and reasonable manner may have significant consequences ranging from a possible traffic ticket to a criminal charge. Additionally, the victims of Phoenix-area car accident may be able to make a financial recovery for their damages if a collision has left them hurt, and that can extent liability on the part of an at-fault driver. If you have been involved in a crash or if your loved one was injured or killed, you might get the answers you need about your legal options by speaking with a personal injury lawyer in the Valley.

Much is happening in the Phoenix area this weekend so officials are warning drivers now that streets may become congested, leading to an increased risk of a collision. The Arizona Department of Transportation believes that the West Valley may be most at risk for increased traffic but it will not be the only place. If you are attending the Arizona Cardinals game on Sunday or the Nascar event, be warned that both are expected to end at approximately the same time with those motorists using many of the same roads to exit the area. In addition to patrons of special events, those in the Valley for other purposes, like shopping, likely will experience some slowdowns due to the anticipated traffic.

While traffic is expected to be heavy on both Saturday and Sunday, it appears that Sunday will be the worst of the two at this point in time. Officials encourage motorists to plan ahead and leave extra time to get to where they are going, monitor traffic reports for current conditions, and consider alternative routes that may be less crowded. Additional information can be found on ADOT’s Twitter account.
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