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

Tempe Hit-and-Run Crash Still Being Investigated

The greater Phoenix are experiences more hit-and-run accidents every year than most residents realize. In 2013 alone, there were 11,679 hit-and-run collisions in Arizona – nearly 11 percent of all traffic-related incidents across the state.

The reasons given by fleeing drivers vary but often share some of the same themes. Some running drivers claim they were afraid of the punishment that might result if they remained at the scene. Other drivers are under the influence of alcohol or drugs and flee so that their intoxication cannot be proved. Yet in other instances, drivers claim ignorance and state they did not realize they were involved in a collision.

The victims of these crashes may be entitled to relief if they sustain injuries, regardless of whether the at-fault driver is apprehended. Arizona laws entitle car accident victims to seek compensation against those responsible for an accident, and if the responsible driver flees and cannot be identified, the victim may be able to seek relief against his or her own insurance company. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who has experience representing accident victims may help you understand whether you have a valid claim for your injuries if you have been injured in a collision.

Tempe police have reached out to the public to ask for their assistance regarding a hit-and-run crash on Monday night. Officials say a man was walking his bicycle on the north side of Broadway Road around 9:00 p.m. against traffic. According to the victim and eyewitnesses, a car in the area appeared like it was going to pass the pedestrian without issue but then veered at the walker, colliding with him and causing a crash. The driver of the car fled the scene and has not yet been identified.

Police believe that the vehicle involved was possibly a Dodge Stratus or a Chrysler Sebring manufactured between 2001 and 2006. An exact color is not known but witnesses describe the vehicle as dark. It may also have some damage from the collision. Anyone with information regarding the accident or the suspected driver is asked to call the Tempe Police Department.
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Coconino Rollover Accident Leaves 1 Dead

by Dave Abels

Rollover accidents in Phoenix often begin with a specified incident, usually a tripped or untripped event that leads to an imbalance in the weight distribution of the vehicle, causing an initial roll onto the vehicle’s side or roof. Several factors combine to determine whether an incident will lead to a rollover with a chief factor being speed. The faster a vehicle is traveling, the more likely that it will roll if an incident does occur.

Tripped rollovers are those that being with an initial impact, like an initial collision with a car or striking a curb. At a high speed, the force of these crashes can propel a vehicle off its center of gravity and cause it to roll. Untripped rollovers can be just as dangerous as tripped but they do not begin with an initial impact. Rather, an incident like a blown tire or taking a sharp corner at a high rate of speed can lead to an untripped rollover.

When the actions of another lead to a rollover accident, whether it is the actions of another driver, the driver in the vehicle in which you are riding as a passenger, the entity who manufactured or installed your tires, or even a municipality who designed an unsafe road, the victims of those accidents may be entitled to legal relief in Phoenix. A civil claim for damages can help a victim seek a financial recovery to properly compensate him or her for all financial losses experienced, including payment for any medical bills incurred. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a crash.

Sheriffs in Coconino County confirmed a rollover crash on Monday evening. The incident, which involved a single vehicle, occurred east of Bar Heart Ranch near Williams and may have involved speeding. Police believe that the driver was near the bottom of a hill and possibly traveling over the speed limit when the driver lost control and crashed, leading to a rollover. The driver, a 32-year-old man, initially survived the incident and was taken by air ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center where he died from his injuries. Officials believe the driver was thrown from his vehicle during the incident.

A second individual was riding in the car as a passenger and sustained injuries in the crash. That person was taken to Yavapai Regional Medical Center for treatment and is expected to survive though the extent of the passenger’s injuries are not known.
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Hit-And-Run Punishments Becoming Stricter in Arizona with New Law

by Dave Abels

It has always been against the law in Arizona to leave the scene of a car accident without being cleared by police or other officials first. These laws are designed to hold drivers responsible when they cause collisions but they are also designed to promote safety. In the event that the driver or a passenger involved in a crash is unable to call for help themselves, others involved in the collision may be able to do so, speeding up a potential response time and decreasing the odds of death or permanent injury.

Yet in the eyes of many, the laws as they existed were not strong enough to properly punish those involved in hit-and-run accidents. Drivers who fled the scene may have received a range of punishments based on the charges brought against them, if any. Starting Thursday, that is changing as a new law in Arizona takes effect.

Known as “Joey’s Law,” the new law will make it a felony if a driver fails to stop after an accident where someone is hurt and that driver was involved in the crash. This charge can lead to serious time behind bars as well as other forms of punishment, including substance abuse treatment if a driver is found to be under the influence at the time of the impact.

These changes to the criminal and traffic penalties facing hit-and-run drivers are not the only punishment that may result, though. Victims of these crashes will still be entitled to seek financial relief for their damages regardless of what citations, if any, a hit-and-run driver receives. That is because the right to pursue a recovery belongs to a victim and is the victim’s to bring. These claims can seek compensation for lost wages, medical and surgical expenses, pain and suffering, and even loss of a normal life, depending on the facts surrounding an individual crash. Speaking with a lawyer who has experience representing hit-and-run accident victims in Phoenix may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a collision.
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Motorcyclist Killed in Arizona Accident

by Dave Abels

Motorcycle accidents prove to be fatal more often than car accidents because riders on motorcycles are less protected and therefore more likely to be harmed in a crash. In fact, in 2010 alone, 4,500 bikers were killed in traffic accidents across the nation, averaging out to more than 12 riders killed per day. In addition, 80,000 riders were injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

With the staggering numbers of those injured and killed in motorcycle accidents, it may be easy to understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll caused by these crashes in Phoenix and across the rest of the Valley. Whether it is medical bills accumulating, wages that cannot be earned while work must be missed, loss of support for your family, or even the damage done by a loved one’s passing, these accidents can affect victims and their families in numerous, devastating ways. Though nothing can turn back the clock and erase a collision once it has occurred, victims of these crashes may be able to seek relief so that they can be properly and adequately compensated for their damages. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix may help you understand your legal options if you have been hurt in a motorcycle collision.

Police in Prescott were alerted to a downed motorcyclist near Summit Point and Senator Highway on Saturday. When officers arrived, the rider was not responsive and was on the ground, next to his motorcycle on the side of the road.

Emergency medical crews tended to the victim and transported him to an area hospital but the man’s injuries were too severe and he died as a result of the crash. Though it is early in their investigation, police believe that the man may have lost control of his bike, causing him to be thrown from the motorcycle. He may have hit his head as he struck the ground. At this time, it is not clear what caused the rider to lose control and whether any factors, including a mechanical failure or debris in the road, contributed to the crash. Authorities have reported that the man was wearing a helmet but that this helmet came off during the crash, also for reasons that are not yet clear.
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Tire Failure Likely Caused Tucson Rollover Crash

by Dave Abels

Tire blowouts and tire defects lead to numerous crashes across the nation every year. Some of those accidents take place in Arizona and result in injuries to those involved, and in the worst cases, death of a driver, passenger, or even a pedestrian in the area. Tire failures can be caused by a number of factors which can make sorting through these incidents difficult to impossible unless you have experience and some expertise in the area.

Tires may be manufactured with a flaw or defect that later leads to a blowout. But in other cases, failure to maintain the tires may be the cause, like driving on a tire that is significantly underinflated. When a tire failure leads to a collision, the victims of that crash may be entitled to relief against the manufacturer of the tire, the owner of the vehicle, or even a garage that may have improperly installed the tire on a wheel. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix who has experience representing car accident victims may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a crash.

Authorities in Tucson have reported a single vehicle collision involving a family of five traveling from California to Mexico. According to officials, a father and his five children were in the vehicle with one of the adult children, a 22-year-old male, behind the wheel when a separated tread caused a tire failure on I-10. The tire failure led the vehicle to roll over, ejecting a 15-year-old girl and injuring all five people in the vehicle. Two children suffered minor injuries, a third had critical injuries, and the 15-year-old sustained life-threatening injuries in the crash. The 50-year-old father was in serious condition immediately following the impact.

Emergency crews transported the family members to area hospitals for treatment where their current conditions are not known. The incident, which occurred on Saturday afternoon, is still being investigated by local police who remained at the scene for some time after the crash.
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Pedestrian Killed by Suspect Drunk Driver in Phoenix

by Dave Abels

Too often, pedestrians walking in Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, Tempe, or elsewhere in the Valley become the victims of car accidents when a motorist fails to notice his or her surroundings. When compared to a car, a pedestrian is small and more challenging to see, meaning that a driver in a hurry or one who is not specifically looking for the presence of a walker at an intersection might not notice foot traffic until it is too late. Pedestrian accidents in Arizona totaled 1,596 in 2013 alone. In those accidents, 158 pedestrians lost their lives.

The toll enacted by pedestrian accidents in Phoenix is staggering and very real. These victims may suffer serious or permanent injuries or may be killed, leaving behind family members and loved ones who are expected to move forward in life but who will never be the same. The laws enables these victims and family members to seek relief for the damages they are forced to incur through a legal claim for compensation. Relief can cover actual expenses like lost wages and medical bills as well as other sufferings like pain, scarring, and the permanency of damages. Speaking with a lawyer who has experience in the arena of pedestrian accidents may help you comprehend your legal options if you have been the victim of a Phoenix-area crash and you were hurt.

A collision in Phoenix on Friday night left one man dead and led to the arrest of a second. According to local police, a 66-year-old man was driving when he came upon and collided with a 53-year-old male pedestrian. Reportedly, the driver initially stopped at the scene after the crash but fled once police arrived, leading police to track down the suspected driver and arrest him. The driver has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident and driving under the influence. Police believe that impairment on the part of the driver either contributed to or was the sole cause of the collision though their investigation is open and ongoing at this time.

The pedestrian involved in the collision was tended to by emergency medical personnel at the scene. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment but the man’s injuries were too severe and he died as a result of the crash.
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Phoenix Crash Sends Car through House Wall

by Dave Abels

To an average driver, it may sound hard to believe that car accidents where a vehicle leaves the road occur with some regularity in Phoenix. But in fact, it is true, with several incidents over the last few years involving a car, truck, or van that leaves a road’s surface and collides with a building. Last year, at least one such collision proved fatal.

When a car accident spills over to involve a building, the potential reach of damage extends to include pedestrians outside and near the establishment as well as the driver and passengers inside the car. Common injuries that may result include broken or fractured bones, back and neck injuries, and head injuries like concussions. Often, the victims of these accidents require medical treatment that can last for months, years, or even a lifetime.

As the expenses incurred from an accident start to accumulate, many victims do not know where to turn. The laws in Phoenix and the rest of Arizona step in to provide a means for victims to seek relief through the use of a civil claim for damages, a legal action separate and distinct from any traffic or criminal charges that may result from a collision. If you have been involved in a car accident, speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix may help you understand your legal options, including whether you have a valid claim against an at-fault driver, your own insurance company, or another person or entity involved in a crash.

Authorities in Phoenix have confirmed that another collision involving a home occurred early this morning in the area of Campbell Avenue and 12th Street. Though the investigation into the incident is ongoing, police believe that one car with three occupants left the road and struck a home in the area, crashing through an exterior wall that led to a bedroom within the home around 1:00 a.m.

One individual reportedly was home at the time of the crash but was in another part of the house and therefore did not suffer injuries. The three occupants of the car allegedly took off running away from the scene. Police have since apprehended one of the occupants and are searching for the other two at this time.
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Glendale Motorcycle Crash Leaves Pedestrian Dead

by Dave Abels

It can be dangerous to be a pedestrian in the greater Phoenix area. In 2011 alone, 154 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in Arizona with many of those deaths taking place in the Valley. Pedestrians face threats from cars, trucks, and vans as they walk but those are not the only dangers. Motorcycles and bicycles are involved in some pedestrian accidents in Phoenix as are public transit trains.

Regardless of the vehicle involved, if a pedestrian is hurt in a traffic accident, the laws in Arizona may entitle that victim to financial relief for his or her damages. A civil claim an help a victim recover for medical expenses incurred and to be incurred in the future, lost wages, and pain and suffering among any other damages that result from the crash. A personal injury lawyer who handles claims on behalf of pedestrians can help you understand the legal intricacies of any claims you may have if you have been involved in a crash.

Police in Glendale were called to the scene of a collision near Glendale Avenue and 48th Avenue shortly after 7:00 pm last night. A motorcycle riding in the area came upon a pedestrian who was reportedly crossing the street outside of a crosswalk when a collision occurred. Emergency medical personnel responded as well and transported the pedestrian, described as a 61-year-old female, to an area hospital for emergency treatment. Unfortunately the woman’s injuries were too severe and she died as a result of the crash.

The operator of the motorcycle stayed at the scene and spoke with police officers. At this time, neither impairment nor speed on the part of the biker were believed to be a factor in leading to the impact, though authorities have not made a definitive determination as to the cause of the collision. At this time, the investigation is ongoing.
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Loop 202 Crash Caused by Suspected Wrong-Way Driver

by Dave Abels

The Valley has seen a number of car accidents caused or contributed to by wrong way drivers in 2014. Many of these collisions have resulted in injuries to those involved and some even proved fatal, including a recent crash involving a law enforcement official.

With the large number of wrong-way accidents on the Phoenix highways and elsewhere across Arizona, officials are trying to devise ways to decrease these collisions from occurring by reducing the incident of wrong-way driving as much as possible. Current suggestions include redesigning entry and exit ramps from freeways and revamped street surface painting to indicate the approved direction of travel.

Hopefully changes will be implemented that help reduce the incident of wrong-way driving but until all crashes are eliminated, drivers, passengers, and pedestrians are still at risk for suffering injuries or even death in the event of a crash. Those harmed in car accidents in Phoenix may be entitled to seek financial relief for their injuries including payment for medical and surgical expenses incurred, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who represents car accident victims may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a crash, including whether you are entitled to bring a claim for damages.

According to local police, a 33-year-old woman was driving the wrong way on the Loop 202 near Gilbert Road. The driver reportedly collided into an SUV, causing a crash that left both drivers in serious condition and in need of medical help.

The suspected wrong way driver was released from the hospital and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon among other charges. Officials are still trying to determine why she was operating in the wrong direction and whether any other factors played a role in the crash. The current condition of the driver of the SUV, described as an older woman, is not known.
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Teen Drowns in Glendale Apartment Pool

by Dave Abels

During an average summer in Arizona, multiple children drown in swimming pool accidents, and many more suffer injuries in the water. In many cases, a swimming pool may not be adequately secured, allowing unauthorized access to the water and drawing in children who want to cool off from the heat. In other cases, the pool may be designed in an unsafe manner, leading to an unreasonable risk of drowning to all those using the pool. And yet in still other cases, inadequate supervision leads to children entering the water and unable to get out on their own.

When a child is injured in a pool incident, it may be difficult to know where to turn for help. A personal injury attorney in Phoenix who has experience representing those who have been injured or killed in a swimming pool may be able to help you understand your family’s legal options, including whether a civil claim for damages is available. If a claim is possible, your child may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses incurred, pain and suffering, and even future damages if they exist. In the most tragic cases where a child loses his or her life, the child’s parent or parents may have a claim for their damages, even though no amount of compensation can ever be adequate when a child is killed.

Firefighters in Glendale were called to an apartment complex on Monday night in the area of 59th Avenue and Beardsley after teens reported that someone was unresponsive. When they arrived, officials found that a 16-year-old male had been swimming with some friends in a pool on the apartment’s premises when the teen went underwater and did not resurface. Reportedly, the teen’s friends pulled the teen from the pool and performed CPR until paramedics arrived but the injuries were too severe and the teen was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

Officials are still trying to determine the factors that led to the teen’s drowning.
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