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

1 Killed in US 60 Car Accident

In 2013, there were 107,348 traffic accidents in the State of Arizona. Of those, 777 were fatal and 34,047 collisions resulted in injuries to one or more individuals involved. Statistically, nearly one out of three Arizona car accidents resulted in injuries or death in 2013 alone. Not only were the lives of those involved affected by these accidents but their children, parents, siblings, neighbors, coworkers, and loved ones may all have felt a loss due to injuries or a death.

The victims of these crashes have to deal with doctor’s appointments, pain and suffering, and potentially permanent damages like scarring. But the laws in Phoenix and the rest of the state are on the side of victims when it comes to the financial burden sustained in a car accident. Victims of these crashes who suffer injuries may be entitled to seek financial compensation for their losses, including any medical and surgical bills, through the use of a civil claim for damages. These claims are separate from any traffic-related charges that may be brought by authorities and the right to seek this relief belongs to the victims who have been harmed. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a collision.

Shortly before 7:00 a.m. yesterday, two cars collided on US Highway 60 near 99th Avenue, leaving one person dead. The accident closed eastbound lanes for several hours as emergency crews tended to the victims of the crash and officers investigated at the scene. Authorities have not yet confirmed what factors led to the collision or whether either driver involved in the incident erred or acted negligently prior to the impact. It is also unknown how many passengers, if any, were traveling in the vehicles.
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Cyclist Killed in Phoenix by Fleeing Driver

by Dave Abels

Riding a bicycle is no longer just for children. In Phoenix and across the Valley, adults are also taking to the streets to ride on two wheels both for exercise and for transit. In response to an increased interest in bicycling and an increase in ridership, several Arizona cities have made their roadways more bike-friendly by adding bicycle only lanes, designating bicycle trails, and adding cycle-specific traffic lights.

In fact, bicycling.com recently ranked the top 50 cities in the United States for riding a bicycle and three Arizona cities made the list. Tucson was ranked 12th, Scottsdale was ranked 15th, and Tempe was ranked 18th. If you live in or work in these areas, that may not surprise you as you are likely to see riders on a daily basis. Yet it is a good reminder of the great advantages facing cyclists in these towns and in many other parts of the Phoenix metropolitan area.

With bicyclists taking to the roads, unfortunately bicycle accidents take place in Phoenix and across the rest of Arizona. These collisions are often severe and may result in serious injuries or even death. Though the victims of these crashes may be forced to deal with the damages, they may be entitled to seek financial relief to help ease the burden of their losses, including the medical expenses they must incur. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in an accident.

A cyclist riding in Phoenix was killed in a hit-and-run accident last night, according to local police. The incident took place in the area of Osborn and 43rd Avenue at approximately 8:30 p.m. and involved two separate vehicles. Witnesses reported a dark Jeep in the area striking the cyclist and knocking the rider to the ground. A second vehicle approached the site and was unable to avoid the cyclist and struck him a second time. Witnesses reported that the driver of the Jeep fled the scene of the accident without stopping to check on the condition of the rider or without alerting authorities.

The driver of the second vehicle remained at the scene of the crash and spoke with police. At this time, police believe that impairment was not a factor regarding that driver and have reported that the second driver is cooperating fully. Police instead are looking for any information regarding the dark colored Jeep that was involved in the crash, including any information on who may have been driving that vehicle.
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Motorcycle Accident in Mesa Seriously Injures 1

by Dave Abels

Arizona motorcyclists are likely to encounter a variety of road surfaces from multi-lane expressways to rural back roads. The changing seasons mean that bikers may be out in scorching heat or during a rain storm, and if riding north, even greater weather changes may occur. But bikers in Arizona tend to be experienced and tend to be prepared for the circumstances that will present themselves on any ride, whether it is to work, to the grocery store, or simply to visit friends.

Unfortunately, bikers are at a high risk for sustaining serious or even fatal injuries in the event that a motorcycle accident occurs. In fact, Arizona is one of about a dozen states that regularly experiences more than 100 fatal motorcycle accidents every year which means that many family and friends are left to suffer serious losses when their loved ones are killed. Numerous factors contribute to lead to a motorcycle accident including distracted driving, speeding, failing to stop, and failing to yield the right-of-way. The thing most accidents have in common is that they are caused by a mistake on the part of one or more motorist involved.

Financial relief may be available under Arizona laws to those motorcyclist and passengers who are injured when an accident takes place. The right to seek relief belongs to a victim and may be available even when an at-fault driver does not receive a ticket in the crash. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal rights if you have been hurt in a Phoenix area accident.

A motorcycle crash occurred in Mesa around 4:00 p.m. yesterday and left the rider in critical condition, according to local authorities. The crash shut down traffic in the area of Gilbert and 8th Avenue as police investigated and emergency medical crews tended to the victim. The rider was taken to a trauma center in Scottsdale where the nature of his injuries and current condition are unknown, though his injuries are believed to be life threatening.
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Driving Safely During Monsoon Season

by Dave Abels

Rain is infrequent in Phoenix to say the least. Throughout most of the year, rain is sporadic and might not appear for weeks or months at a time. Most people consider the lack of rain and sunny skies to be a benefit of living in the desert but it poses issues as well. When rain does strike the Valley or when a monsoon hits, flash floods can appear in moments, cascading over roads and filling up ditches.

Monsoon season in Phoenix is now defined as June 15 through September 30 every year but storms can and sometimes do occur outside of this time frame. Monsoons are dangerous because they can occur with little or no warning, transforming a day from pleasant and dry to one with heavy rain in a matter of minutes. Arizona’s dry landscape means that dust storms occur during this time as well, obscuring visibility and making outdoor tasks difficult.

When storms hit, driving becomes treacherous. Here are some tips to keep in mind when driving during wet or inclement weather:

– Slow Down: It may sound simple, but driving at a normal rate of speed can prove to be deadly once the rain begins. Instead, slow down based on the intensity of the rain, the wetness of the roads, and the ability of your car and its tires to handle the driving conditions. When it comes to water, slower drivers are less likely to be involved in collisions.

– Avoid Skids: Slamming on the brakes or taking corners at a high rate of speed are likely to cause a vehicle to skid when it is raining. Instead, apply moderate and consistent pressure to the brake pedal when you need to slow or stop and decrease your speed as necessary. Once a skid beings, do not panic but take your foot off the gas and steer your vehicle consistently until you regain control.

– Get a Tune Up: Keeping your car, truck, or van in good condition can help you in the event of poor weather. Having tires with plenty of thread on them and keeping the tires properly inflated can help reduce the risk of hydroplaning if standing water is on a road’s surface.

– Drive Defensively: Keep a lookout for other drivers in the area. Even if you are driving safely, you may be the victim of a car accident if another motorist does not put safety first. Your best bet is a good defense by watching for hazards that might appear in your path.
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Buckeye Car Crash Kills 1

by Dave Abels

In the state of Arizona in 2013, there were 107,308 traffic-related accidents. That averages out to nearly 300 accidents every day, approximately 12 crashes every hour, or one collision nearly every five minutes. Many of these collision occur in Maricopa County because of the large number of citizens and the large number of motorists in the area. With people driving to work, taking their children to daycare and school, or running errands in the greater Phoenix area, traffic gets congested and heavy traffic often leads to car accidents.

When a collision occurs, it is often due to an error or negligence on the part of one or more drivers involved. Factors including speed, distracted driving, and driving under the influence contribute to thousands of crashes every year and cause numerous injuries to those involved. When an accident results in injuries, the laws in Arizona are designed to hold drivers responsible for their actions, including the financial damages that result. The victims of these collisions may be entitled to bring a civil claim for damages to recover for their losses, including their medical expenses, and these claims can be available regardless of whether an at-fault driver received a citation in the crash. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in an accident and you were hurt.

A two car crash took place in Buckeye in the western portion of suburban Phoenix shortly before midnight. While the cause of the collision has not been determined yet, police have confirmed that one individual involved was killed. The incident took place on the northbound lanes and caused officials to close all northbound lanes of traffic between Broadway and Southern while the incident was investigated and debris was cleared. Traffic was still being diverted from the area at the start of morning rush hour today but all lanes are now open.
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Two Car Crash Leaves 3 Injured in Phoenix

by Dave Abels

Car accidents are a significant threat to public safety in Arizona, including Phoenix and the rest of the Valley. Accidents happen every day and many of them are serious, resulting injuries to the drivers and passengers involved. In yet other instances, others involved in a collision may be harmed as well, like those on motorcycles or even pedestrians. The nature of driving means that even the safest motorist on the road is at risk for a collision based on the actions of others in the area. It takes only a moment’s lapse in judgment or a minor error to put a vehicle in a dangerous path towards a collision and those in the vicinity may be helpless to avoid a crash.

The laws in Arizona are designed to let victims of accidents recover for their losses so that they can return to the same or a similar state after the crash as they were in before the collision. This means that negligent drivers may be held liable for the financial tolls they enact through collisions and that victims have the right to seek relief for their injuries. The circumstances surrounding a specific crash vary and therefore each accident may lead to different rights for the victims involved. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options, including whether you have a valid claim, if you have been hurt in an accident.

Police in Phoenix were alerted to a crash that occurred shortly before 6:00 a.m. this morning in the area of Thomas and Seventh Avenue. Two vehicles collided in the incident and reportedly sustained significant damage in the crash, leading to three people involved sustaining injuries. Emergency responders including firefighters were on the scene and had to remove one victim from a vehicle when it became apparent that the victim was unable to escape the vehicle unassisted.

The victims reportedly ranged in age from 31 to 46 and all three were believed to be in serious condition. They were each transported to local hospitals where their present conditions as well as the nature of their injuries are not clear. Investigators are still reviewing the incident and trying to determine what caused the vehicles to collide and whether any driver acted in a negligent or reckless manner prior to the impact.
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15-Year-Old Drowns in Phoenix Pool

by Dave Abels

Depending on the area of Phoenix in which you live, it is possible that more of your neighbors have a pool than those who do not. Swimming pools are very common in the Valley whether they are present at a private home, an indoor swimming area, or even a public outdoor pool. During the warm seasons in Arizona, may adults and children alike take to the water to cool off and get some relief from the heat.

While pools are a great way to relax and even get some exercise, they pose a significant threat to safety of those in the area. Annually, several children in Arizona drown in swimming pools and other bodies of water across the state. Still even more children become injured or harmed in swimming pool accidents. These incidents can devastate an entire family and leave damages that are far reaching, including financial damages for medical expenses incurred and pain and suffering. The victims of these pool accidents may be entitled to seek financial compensation for their injuries under the laws of Arizona and in the event that a child is involved, his or her parents may also have a claim. Speaking to a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix may help you understand your legal options if you or your child has been hurt in a pool incident.

Local authorities were alerted to the scene of a pool accident on Saturday involving a 15-year-old male. Local firefighters received a call about a teen in a pool for an unknown period of time and responded to a private home in the area of Beardsley and 28th Street between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. When officials arrived, the teen was not breathing and was unresponsive as he was transported to an area hospital for emergency treatment. Though the male was placed on advanced life support, his injuries were too severe and he died as a result of the incident.

According to officials, the teen was in the pool with friends when the friends lost track of the boy only to find him underwater and unresponsive some time later. That is when authorities were called to help.
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Speeding Vehicle Pursued, Crashed in Phoenix

by Dave Abels

When you step into a car in Phoenix and go for a drive, you place your safety at risk. A lapse in concentration, a failure to observe a light change from green to yellow, or even distraction may lead to a collision that can result in injuries to you and to others involved. But car accidents in Phoenix are also caused by the mistakes of others, meaning that even the safest, most attentive driver in the Valley cannot be assured that he or she will remain crash-free and uninjured while driving. Being the victim of a car accident can not only cause you injuries but can also lead you to incur expensive medical bills, miss time from work, and otherwise suffer financially, all due to the actions of another on the road.

The victims of these collisions often do not have to suffer in silence, though, as the laws in Arizona are designed to hold negligent and reckless drivers as liable for their actions, including any injuries they cause. Victims may be entitled to seek relief through the use of a civil claim for damages, an action that is separate and distinct from any charges brought by local authorities and one that can be available even if a traffic ticket is not issued. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix who has experience with car accident cases may help you understand your legal options and whether you have a valid claim.

Police say that five people were inside a car traveling over 100 miles per hour on State Route 51 around midnight Thursday morning, and that two of those people were young children. According to officials, a police officer was in the area when a car sped past, leading the officer to initiate chase of the vehicle. Upon being followed, the car reportedly tried to exit SR 51 southbound at the Bethany Home ramp where the driver lost control, drove through signs, and ended up stopped on a concrete median.

According to witnesses, two adult males in the vehicle attempted to flee the scene on foot. Both were stopped by officers a short distance from the scene and have been arrested. In addition to the males, an adult woman was in the car as were a 2-year-old child and a child reported to be either four or six months old. Police believe that the father of the two children was behind the wheel at the time of the crash and that the woman in the car was the children’s mother though that has yet to be confirmed.
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Semi Truck Kills Pedestrian in Phoenix

by Dave Abels

Truck accidents result from a number of different factors in Phoenix and across the rest of the Valley. Some collisions are caused by errors on the part of other drivers. Other crashes occur because of truck driver fatigue. And still in other instances, speeding or driving too fast for conditions may lead to a crash. Regardless of the specific factors that contributed to a collision, those involved in truck accidents are likely to sustain injuries, and in the worst cases, be killed due to the extreme forces associated with an impact.

The victims of truck accidents in Phoenix have certain protections and certain rights under the laws of Arizona which may include the right to seek a financial recovery for the losses experienced, including medical expenses incurred, lost wages missed from work, and even pain and suffering. These claims are separate and distinct from any traffic-related tickets or charges brought by local authorities and often are available even if a responsible driver does not get a ticket in the crash. These cases can be complicated so it may be a good idea to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer to learn about the effects of your accident if your have been hurt in a collision.

Police in Phoenix were called to the scene of a collision between a semi-truck and a pedestrian late this morning and resulted in the death of the pedestrian. The incident occurred on Buckeye and forced lane closures between 7th and 16th Streets shortly before noon. It is unclear whether the truck driver was injured in the accident or whether any other parties were involved.

Police are still investigating the collision and trying to determine why the crash occurred and whether anyone erred before the impact. It could take some time before officials are able to make their final determinations or before it is announced whether any charges will be issued.
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Semi-Truck Accident Kills 2

by Dave Abels

In 2013, there were 10,741 trucking accidents in Arizona, including semi-truck collisions, garbage and concrete truck accidents, tractor trailer collisions, and tow truck accidents. These collisions accounted for just over five percent of all traffic-related accidents in the state, meaning that though truck accidents are very visible, they make up only a small portion of all collisions. Yet despite the fact that truck accidents may be less common than some may have believed, they are responsible for a large number of injuries and deaths every year because when a truck crash occurs, it tends to be very serious. Among those collisions that involved trucks, 94 accidents turned fatal and another 3,181 crashes caused injuries.

The victims of truck crashes may be forced to suffer from injuries, often including broken or fractured bones, cuts and lacerations, back and neck injuries, or even death. State officials may conduct an investigation into a crash and issue traffic tickets or criminal charges as a result but any penalties associated with those charges will not go towards the benefit of those who are hurt. Instead, injury victims may be entitled to seek financial relief through the use of a civil claim for damages, a claim possessed by the victims of car accidents to enable them to recover for the wrongs done to them. These claims can provide compensation for medical expenses, surgical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages, depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding a crash. Speaking with a lawyer who handles personal injury claims, including truck accidents, may help you understand your legal options following a crash.

An early morning crash today turned deadly on I-10 in Tucson, prompting an investigation by local authorities. Police believe that a tractor trailer was traveling westbound when the driver lost control of the vehicle for reasons that are not yet clear. The truck began to roll and reportedly crossed the center median, entering westbound lanes of traffic and allegedly colliding with a westbound vehicle. The crash caused both vehicles to catch fire and resulted in the deaths of the truck driver and the driver of the westbound vehicle.
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