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

Phoenix Motorcycle Accident Kills Driver

Motorcyclist in Phoenix and across the Valley face constant threats while riding, some from other drivers, some from other motorcyclists, some from the road themselves, and possibly some from a motorcycle itself. When a motorcycle accident occurs, it is common for a Phoenix-area driver to claim that they did not see the motorcycle or did not notice it prior to impact due to the bike’s small size, poor visibility, or distraction. Other common excuses are that a driver was attempting to pass a motorcycle because that driver was in a hurry, but the driver passed when it was not safe to do so.

Thousands of excuses are given every year in an attempt to explain the conduct of an at-fault driver when a motorcycle accident occurs in Arizona. But they are rarely valid as it is every driver’s duty and responsibility to operate a vehicle, whether it is a truck, car, van, or motorcycle, in a safe and reasonable manner. Failing to do so may cause a collision and may lead to significant consequences for the driver responsible.

Local authorities, including police officers and prosecutors, can issue traffic tickets, citations, or bring criminal charges against a driver who causes a crash. In addition, the victims of those accidents may be able to seek personal relief that is separate and distinct from any action brought by the State of Arizona or a local municipality. Victims have the right to seek compensation for their damages, including the medical expenses they incur, when they are hurt by the actions of another. Consulting with a lawyer who handles personal injury actions may help you understand whether you have a valid claim if you have been involved in a crash.

Unfortunately, a motorcycle accident in Phoenix turned tragic yesterday when the biker involved lost his life. According to local officials, a 51-year-old man was riding his motorcycle on Grand Avenue when he lost control of the bike and collided with a curb. That initial impact caused a second impact between the motorcycle and a post supporting a guard rail in the area.

The crash was strong enough to throw the man off of his bike and to the ground where he remained until emergency authorities responded. He was evaluated and transported to an area hospital but the extent of his injuries were too severe and he died shortly thereafter. Police also responded to the scene of the collision and began an investigation into the crash. At this time, their investigation is ongoing and they are trying to determine why the man lost control of his bike and whether any outside factors played a role.
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Olympian Michael Phelps Arrested, Charged with DUI, Speeding

by Dave Abels

Though three months remain in the 2014 calendar, Arizona has already experienced a number of high-profile car accidents this year, including several that proved to be fatal. Many of these collisions occurred on highways, freeways, and expressways in the Phoenix area and a number of them are believed to have been caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Drunk driving accidents in Phoenix are a serious issue. Alcohol slows a motorist’s ability to make critical decisions, to focus on the road, to notice changing traffic trends and to obey traffic-related rules and laws. Drunk driving collisions affect not only impaired motorists but also those who may be in the same area because drunk drivers risk the safety of everyone when they take to the roads. When a collision occurs, an innocent victim is just as likely as the drunk driver to be injured and too often, the injuries sustained require medical treatment, surgical intervention, and rehabilitative care.

When you are involved in a car accident that is not your fault, it can seem like no one is on your side and that no one is working for your interests. But in Arizona, that does not have to be the case because Arizona laws enable victims to seek financial relief for their losses from a collision, including one caused by a drunk driver. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your accident and your options if you have been injured in a crash.

Michael Phelps, best known for his success as an Olympic swimmer, was arrested early this morning on charges of driving under the influence in Maryland. According to local authorities, Phelps was driving on I-95 in Baltimore when an officer noticed the vehicle speeding and crossing lane lines. Phelps was pulled over and reportedly showed signs of intoxication, leading to his arrest. According to the arresting officer, a radar gun clocked Phelps traveling 84 miles per hour in an area with a 45 mile per hour speed limit. The results of any blood tests performed have not been released at this time.
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NFL Receiver Da’Rick Rogers Arrested for DUI, Released from Colts

by Dave Abels

Numerous drivers in the Phoenix area are unaware of the complex laws that govern drunk driving behavior. Yet all drivers are charged with knowing, understanding, and following the laws and claiming ignorance is never an excuse. It is a criminal offense to drive a motor vehicle in the state of Arizona while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and doing so may lead to significant charges, penalties, and fines.

Drunk driving accidents in Phoenix and across the Valley of the Sun are the cause of thousands of injuries every year. In addition to the injuries they cause, these accidents claim the lives of many and affect families, friends, and loved ones in addition to the victims themselves. In many cases, it is an innocent victim, an unsuspecting mother, or a young student who is hurt through the actions of an impaired motorist.

The medical bills, lost wages, and other financial damages incurred due to a drunk driving accident can be monumental and can be too much for many victims to endure. Fortunately, the laws in Arizona are designed to place that monetary burden on at-fault drivers, including those who drink and choose to drive or those who take drugs and then operate a vehicle. The use of a civil claim for damages can help a victim obtain an adequate recovery to compensate for any losses that occur. A personal injury lawyer who practices in the area of victim’s rights can help you understand your options or bring your claim if you have been hurt in a collision.

Local police have confirmed that NFL receiver Da’Rick Rogers was arrested last night on charges of driving under the influence. The incident reportedly occurred on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. An officer in the area reportedly stopped the vehicle driven by Rogers shortly after 3:30 a.m. when the vehicle crossed the center yellow line. During the stop, the officer suspected that Rogers had been drinking alcohol and allegedly, a breathalyzer confirmed the officer’s suspicions.

Rogers was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. It is unclear at this time whether he remains incarcerated or whether he has been released on some form of bail. According to reports, Loucheiz Purifoy, cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts, was a passenger in Rogers’ vehicle at the time of the arrest.

Hours after the news of the arrest broke, the Indianapolis Colts, for whom Rogers played this season and last, reportedly released Rogers from the team.
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Swimming Pool Incident Leaves Toddler in Critical Condition

by Dave Abels

For most in Phoenix and across the Valley, school is back in session and summertime activities have officially come to a close. But unlike many other areas of the country, the swimming season is still alive and will be for many families for months to come. With a large number of private homes in Phoenix utilizing private swimming pools and many others taking advantage of public pools across the Valley, time in the water is common for many adults and many children.

Unfortunately, along with the fun that comes with hitting the water, risks also are present when a child uses a swimming pool. Swimming pool accidents occur every year in Phoenix and the surrounding metro areas and they leave children seriously injured or even dead. The damages done by these accidents cannot be erased and some families will suffer for a lifetime due to these incidents but the financial toll may be eased through the use of a civil claim. A civil claim can help a family recover funds to cover the monetary damages experienced by these incidents including the medical and rehabilitative bills that may be incurred. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer who represents children and minors in Phoenix may help you understand whether your family or your loved one has a valid claim for relief.

Around 5:00 p.m. yesterday, a mother in Mesa reportedly called 911 after finding her 20-month-old toddler submerged in a backyard swimming pool. Officials responded to the scene and provided emergency medical care to the child while transporting the toddler, a girl, to Cardon Children’s Medical Center. At this time, the toddler is unable to breathe on her own and is listed in critical condition with doctors unsure of the child’s prognosis.

Local officials investigated at the scene of the near-drowning which occurred on West Naranja Avenue and they believe that the adult in charge of watching the child lost track of her for a few minutes. During that time, officials believe the child walked into the garage and through an exterior garage door that led to the backyard. There, a fence surrounded the swimming pool but it appears that the latch may have been broken or may have not functioned as designed and therefore did not prohibit the toddler from accessing the water. Though no determinations have been made, authorities believe the child could have been submerged for up to 15 minutes in the water before she was found.
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Rollover Crash in Chandler Ends with Driver Fleeing

by Dave Abels

Traffic in Phoenix and the rest of the Valley can be treacherous at any moment of any day but most drivers believe that highway traffic during rush hours is some of the worst. The large number of cars traveling in the same direction with the limited number of available lanes means that traffic can move from a high rate of speed to stop-and-go with very little warning. If you drive regularly in Phoenix, you may anticipate these sudden changes and you may be used to adjusting your driving in response. But many on the roads are not as familiar with the peculiar nature of Phoenix traffic, are distracted or otherwise not paying attention to the changes in traffic speed, or are visiting the Phoenix area and are unaware of how heavy traffic can be.

Regardless of whether a car accident occurs on a highway, freeway, city street, alleyway, or a dirt road, injuries are likely to result to those involved in the crash. Common injuries may include back or neck damages, broken bones, or even internal bleeding. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who practices and represents clients in the Phoenix area may help you understand the implications of your collision, including whether you have a valid claim for your damages.

Police officers in the Valley began to follow a car in the westbound lanes of I-10 near Ray Road shortly after 3:00 this morning for reasons that are not yet clear. Reportedly, the driver of the car did not pull over but continued driving for some time before losing control of the vehicle and causing a collision. The car rolled over at least once before coming to a stop.

Officers approached the vehicle once it stopped and noticed that the driver had fled on foot from the scene. At this time, officials are still looking for the driver and for any information that witnesses may have regarding the accident. Upon looking into the car, officers allegedly found drugs in an unknown quantity but they are not revealing whether the presence of drugs was the reason they attempted to stop the vehicle initially.
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Arizona Driver Kills Bicyclist in Bike Lane, Flees Scene

by Dave Abels

Police and local officials attempt to stop dangerous driving behaviors before they cause collisions. But unfortunately, every year, thousands of bicycle accidents continue to occur in Phoenix and across Arizona. These collisions cause significant damage to the vehicles and the bicycles involved but often, the worst damages stem from the personal injuries that are caused by a collision. Whether the injuries include broken or fractured bones, head or neck injuries, injuries to the shoulders, hips, or extremities, cuts and abrasions, or even scarring, these damages can lead to serious or even permanent conditions that require significant medical care.

These accidents and injuries cannot be erased once they occur but the victims of bicycle accidents in the Valley are not without relief. Victims may be entitled to bring a civil claim for damages against a responsible, at-fault motorist who caused a collision. In some cases, multiple claims may be possible against the driver of a car, the owner of a vehicle, or even a victim’s own insurance company. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix may help you understand whether you have a valid claim, and if so, what types of relief may be possible in your case.

According to police in Tucson, a 23-year-old female was driving on Oracle Road southbound when she approached a 58-year-old riding a bicycle in a marked bicycle lane. The driver allegedly struck the bicyclist from behind, causing a collision that left the cyclist with serious injuries. According to witnesses, the driver fled the scene of the collision without calling for help or without checking on the status of the bicyclist.

Several witnesses reportedly were present when the collision occurred and one noticed authorities who responded to the scene. Emergency medical personnel assessed the bicyclist and transported the victim to an area hospital but the victim’s injuries were too severe and the cyclist was pronounced dead a short time after arrival. One witness to this morning’s collision followed the vehicle believed to have caused the crash until that vehicle came to a stop and parked in an apartment complex. The witness informed authorities of the location of the vehicle and a description of it, leading authorities to approach the 23-year-old suspect and arrest her. At the time of her arrest, authorities noticed signs of impairment and booked the driver on multiple charges including second degree murder and leaving the scene of an accident. Additional charges may be brought depending on the results of the ongoing investigation and drug tests done upon the suspect.
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16-Year-Old Killed by Van while Jogging

by Dave Abels

The City of Phoenix has nearly 1.5 million people, making it one of the largest cities in the nation. When combined with the surrounding areas, including Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Scottsdale, and Mesa, the numbers swell substantially. The makeup of the Valley includes people of all ages from the very young to the elderly, making the greater Phoenix area a diverse place to live and work.

Many of those who call the Valley home are children and minors. Unfortunately, children are some of the most vulnerable citizens when it comes to being injured in an accident. Accidents involving children and minors often occur when a child is riding a bicycle, on a skateboard, riding a scooter, walking as a pedestrian, swimming in a pool, or even riding in a car. Regardless of the nature of the accident, the results are devastating when a child is hurt by the actions of another. The damage affects not only the child but also his or her entire family, friends, neighbors, and classmates. While nothing can remove these injuries once they occur, the injured child and his or her family may be entitled to seek financial compensation for their damages. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer who has experience representing minors may help you understand your legal options if your family has been affected by an accident.

A call to 911 triggered an investigation into a collision between a 16-year-old jogger and a van in San Tan Valley on Tuesday morning. Officials have confirmed that the teen was jogging along West Combs Road at approximately 5:00 a.m. when he was hit by a van driven by a 43-year-old man. The driver of the van allegedly claimed that he did not see the teen prior to the collision but that he felt the impact, leading him to stop his vehicle and investigate the area. When he saw the teen lying on the ground, he placed a call to 911 for help.

Emergency medical crews responded to the scene to help the teen but unfortunately his injuries were too severe and the teen died as a result of the crash.

Police also responded to the scene and spoke with witnesses, including the driver of the van. At this time, no charges are pending against the driver but authorities have indicated that their investigation is still ongoing.
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Police Looking for Hit-and-Run Driver in Fatal Teen Skateboarding Accident

by Dave Abels

Skateboarding is common and popular among children and teenagers in Phoenix and the rest of the Valley, so much so that there are numerous parks dedicated to boarding and other similar activities. When the weather is nice and school is out, it is easy to see kids and others using skateboards, scooters, and inline skates for fun and for transportation.

Parents should not have to worry about their children’s safety when they are hanging out in a safe manner and within all applicable laws covering their conduct, yet every year, many children and minors are injured in accidents with cars when the drivers of these vehicles fail to pay attention. Being distracted, speeding, or running a stop sign are some of the many reasons that car accidents with children occur in Phoenix and may result in injuries.

The children hurt in these collisions may face a lifetime of consequences that can include injuries that may never fully heal. In the worst instances, a teenager or a child may lose his or her life due to the actions of another. While these collisions cannot be erased once they occur, it is possible for the victims and the families of the victims may be able to recover financially through a civil claim for their damages. These settlement can cover expenses like medical bills but no amount of money will ever be adequate when a teen loses his or her life. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who handles wrongful death claims on behalf of the families of accident victims may help you understand whether you are entitled to relief for your losses if your family has suffered from the actions of another.

An accident between a skateboarder and an SUV turned fatal on Sunday and police are now looking for any information on the driver that may have been involved. According to witnesses, a white SUV in the area was driving erratically when it came upon an 18-year-old who was riding on a skateboard in San Tan Valley near Gantzel and Chandler Heights Road. The SUV allegedly struck the skateboarder, sending the victim into the air where he landed approximately 15 feet away from the point of impact. Emergency crews responded and transported the teen to an area hospital but the injuries were too severe and the teen died a short time later.

The driver of the SUV reportedly fled the scene after the crash without alerting authorities and without checking on the teen’s condition. At this time, police are asking anyone with information on the driver of the white SUV to come forward so that officials can speak with the driver.
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Driver Fleeing Police Pursuit Allegedly Caused Fatal Crash

by Dave Abels

As a driver in Phoenix, you may be aware that the actions of other motorists directly affect your safety while on the road. People tend to acknowledge that speeding drivers, motorists who fail to yield the right-of-way, or drivers who travel in the wrong direction are a threat to others, whether they are drivers, passengers, or even pedestrians.

But in many cases, the cause of a collision is not as simple as one mistake by a driver. Several factors may combine to lead to a dangerous situation where a collision can occur. In more than 50 percent of all accidents in the United States, speed is believed to be a factor but generally speed is combined with another action, like following too closely for safety, to lead to a crash.

Victims of car accidents in Phoenix are often left to suffer from injuries they sustained in the collision, regardless of what factors contributed to the crash. These victims may incur medical expenses, lost wages missed from time off work, and other damages including pain and suffering. While these victims cannot be returned to their pre-injury state, they can obtain financial compensation for their losses against an at-fault driver under the laws of Phoenix and of Arizona. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in the Valley of the Sun or elsewhere across the state may help you understand your options if you believe you were hurt by the actions of another.

Police in Phoenix believe that a series of bad decisions led to a car accident that claimed the lives of two people late last week. They believe that a female driver and a male passenger were in a sports car after leaving a restaurant in the area of 75th and McDowell. Employees at the restaurant indicated that the couple dined but did not pay their bill and alerted authorities, who quickly spotted the suspects’ car with the help of a helicopter. At least one officer on the ground pursued the vehicle for some distance but as the sports car increased in speed, police say the officer ended pursuit and allowed only the helicopter to keep following the vehicle.

The female driver of the sports car reportedly lost control near the intersection of 67th and Van Buren, leading to a collision with a second vehicle that turned deadly. The female driver of the sports car survived the crash but her male passenger and a male driver of the second car both lost their lives due to their injuries. It is not clear whether the female driver was hurt or whether she needed medical attention.
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Safe Driving in Phoenix when Bicycles are Present

by Dave Abels

When driving in Phoenix or the surrounding cities and towns, how often have you noticed a bicyclist in the area? If you are like many drivers, the chances are that you seek bicycles every day as you travel the streets of Phoenix. While some areas, including Tempe, have a greater number of cyclists than others, the Valley itself is home to a large number of riders who utilize bicycles as a primary or secondary means of transportation.

That may not be surprising to most: it is legal to ride a bicycle in Phoenix where cyclists are provided with all the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of cars, trucks or vans. But too often, the rights of these riders are not respected and a collision occurs, more often than not, leaving the bicyclist injured. When a bicycle accident takes place, many victims are unaware of their potential legal rights and what options may be available to them. Consulting with an attorney, especially one that represents personal injury victims, may help you understand whether you have a valid claim for your damages, and if so, what avenues of recoveries may be available to you.

Many members of local and state governments across Arizona have made it clear that a safer bicycling environment is in the best interests of all citizens, whether or not they choose to ride. Limiting or reducing bicycle accidents will safe lives, prevent injuries, and reduce the financial damages to individuals and the state, including medical expenses that may be incurred by a victim.

The law in Arizona requires that motorists, or those in a vehicle, who intend to pass a bicycle do so in a safe and reasonable manner. Providing a safe passing distance between a car and a bicycle is a requirement and failure to do so is not only hazardous but can lead to a traffic citation on the part of an offending operator. The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety uses a slogan on their website stating, “Share the streets, give a bike five feet” to help motorists remember that increasing the distance between their vehicle and a bicycle substantially reduces the odds of a collision occurring, thereby preventing injuries that may have resulted.

Some states across the nation have enacted stronger legislation to govern the required minimum space a car must leave between itself and a bicyclist when passing. For example, in 2013, California passed a requirement mandating a three-foot space between any vehicle and a bicycle when passing that cyclist. If motorists are not able to leave a three foot space, they are required to reduce their speed and pass the bicyclist slowly, putting safety first. Failure to leave either three feet of space or to reduce a vehicle’s speed when passing can trigger a traffic ticket to a motorist that begins at $35.
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