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

Vehicle Strikes Home in Surprise

As the population in Phoenix has skyrocketed over the last few decades, the number of drivers has increased, as have the number of vehicles in the state. This all has led to greater traffic, greater congestion, and a greater risk of car accidents as a result. If you live in or work in the Phoenix area, odds are that you, a family member, a friend, or a coworker you know has been involved in a car crash at some point during a lifetime.

The word “accident” often is not an accurate way to describe a collision because in most cases, a crash happens because one or more individuals involved made a mistake. When a driver acts in a negligent or reckless manner and causes a collision, the laws in Phoenix can hold that driver responsible for any injuries that result to the victims involved. This means that a victim of a car accident may be entitled to recover for damages including any medical and surgical bills incurred, pain and suffering, permanency of injuries, and time missed from work. Speaking with a lawyer who handles personal injury claims for victims may help you understand whether you have a valid claim if you have been involved in a crash.

After many accidents, it can be difficult to determine exactly what factors combined to lead to the impact. Police and investigators often look into whether a driver violated a traffic or criminal law when a crash occurs. Officials in Surprise are still looking into a vehicle-related incident that took place on Tuesday night and that left one person injured.

Authorities have reported that a pickup truck in the area of Litchfield Road and Waddell Road was exiting a parking lot when something went wrong. The truck allegedly crossed a sidewalk, drove through landscaping and a block wall before entering a private residence’s backyard. The truck did not stop until it struck the house where at least one person was home.

The individual in the home reportedly was sleeping and was injured as a result of the collision. The extent of the individual’s injuries are not clear at this time and it is unknown whether the individual was also the owner of the home.
Continue reading “Vehicle Strikes Home in Surprise”

Elderly Driver Causes Crash with 3 Bicyclists in Cornville, Killing 1

by Dave Abels

Bicycling is a popular activity in Phoenix and across Arizona as the weather in the area makes it possible year-round. Though you are more likely to see cyclists when the temperatures are mild than you are during the mid-summer heat waves, bike riders are present in the valley every month of every year. One reason for this is that the laws in Arizona authorize cyclists to ride in the roads much like a car is authorized to drive on them, leading to the legal riding of a bicycle across Phoenix.

But even though it is legal for bicyclists to ride, and even though it is an affordable and efficient means of transportation, there are inherent dangers to those on a bike, often taking the form of vehicular traffic. If the driver of a car, truck, or van fails to notice a bicycle or fails to acknowledge the rights of the rider, a bicycle accident can result, potentially leading to injuries. When this is caused by the negligent or reckless conduct of a driver, an injured bicyclist may be entitled to relief for his or her damages that result from the crash, including medical and surgical bills that may be incurred. Speaking with a lawyer in Phoenix who has experienced representing victims of bicycle accidents may help you understand your legal rights if you have been hurt in a crash.

A collision between bicyclists and a minivan took place at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Saturday in Cornville and one rider lost her life as a result. Police investigated the incident and believe that a 90-year-old man driving a minivan approached three bicyclists on Cornville Road, west of Beaverhead Flats Road. The man allegedly told authorities that he believed he had room to pass the bicyclists and attempted to do so as he drove, striking the rear-most rider and causing a crash. The rider, a 48-year-old woman, was thrown from her bicycle and onto the driver’s windshield before being thrown to the ground. The driver reportedly ran over the victim’s bicycle and dragged it for some distance following the first impact.

A 52-year-old man and his 16-year-old daughter were riding a tandem bicycle some distance in front of the 48-year-old woman and both the man and his daughter were also thrown off their bicycle, though the cause of that remains unclear. Emergency medical crews responded to the crash and transported the 48-year-old woman by air ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center while the 52-year-old man and his daughter were transported to Valley Medical Center. The man and his daughter were not seriously injured but the damage done to the 48-year-old woman was extreme, leading to her death on Saturday evening.
Continue reading “Elderly Driver Causes Crash with 3 Bicyclists in Cornville, Killing 1”

Officer Killed in Wrong-Way Phoenix Crash

by Dave Abels

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 26 percent of adults ages 16 and older will be injured in a car accident at some point in their lives. Many of those injuries stem from collisions that take place in Phoenix, other areas of Arizona, or that involve residents of the area. Those who are fortunate enough not to be involved in an accident likely know someone who has been hurt in a crash, or worse, who lost their lives in a motor vehicle collision.

In a city as large as Phoenix, multiple car accidents happen every day. They range anywhere from a minor collision where no one is injured to fatal accidents where one or more individuals are killed. Often, the person hurt in the crash is not the one responsible for causing the accident and is merely in the wrong place at the wrong time.

When an accident is caused by negligent conduct on the part of someone involved, whether it is a driver, owner of a car, or company or city entity operating the vehicle, those injured victims may be entitled to legal relief for their damages. Speaking with a lawyer who handles personal injury cases may help you understand the legal ramifications of your accident and whether you have a valid claim. Often, relief is possible even if no traffic tickets were issued following the accident or if an at-fault driver flees the scene, never to be located.

But in the worst cases, no amount of relief can properly compensate a family for the damages they sustain. This is always true when a crash turns fatal which unfortunately is far too often in Phoenix. Two people lost their lives after a wrong-way accident on Sunday night, leaving friends and families to mourn them and a community to be reminded of the dangers associated with driving.

Citizens began making calls of a wrong-way driver on the Loop 101 at Cactus. They reported a driver operating northbound in the southbound lanes. Police were alerted and officers attempted to stop the driver before a collision occurred; unfortunately, though, they were unable to stop the driver who allegedly merged onto 51, merged onto 10, and then collided with a second car on an on-ramp.
Continue reading “Officer Killed in Wrong-Way Phoenix Crash”

School Bus Accident in San Tan Valley Leaves One Injured

by Dave Abels

Many children who live in the Valley travel to and from school by school bus every day. Parents rely on bus transportation to pick up their kids and transport them safely, without incident, so that the kids can further their learning. Most of the time, children are kept safe and sound while on a school bus.

But unfortunately, school bus accidents do occur in Phoenix on a regular basis. Some are due to the negligence of one of the drivers involved while others may be caused by unsafe bus procedures, poorly designed vehicles, or even a defect in a tire, as examples. Regardless of what caused preceded a bus collision, if negligence or recklessness played a role, those who are injured in the accident may be entitled to relief for their losses. This relief can be sought through the use of a civil claim and can enable a minor to recover for things like pain and suffering and permanency of injuries as well as actual expenses like medical and surgical bills. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who handles claims on behalf of children and minors may help you understand your child’s rights and your rights if your child has been hurt in a bus accident.

An incident on Tuesday morning occurred that left a school bus damaged and at least one person hurt. Police were called to the scene of a collision in San Tan Valley between a school bus and a passenger car in an attempt to determine what occurred. Officials were able to determine that a car rear-ended a school bus in the morning and that the collision left the driver of the car in serious condition. Emergency crews attended to the driver, an 85-year-old woman, and transported her by air ambulance to Scottsdale Healthcare-Osborn for treatment. She is expected to survive.

Two children and a driver were on board the school bus at the time of the collision but none appeared to be injured in the collision. Police have not yet determined what caused the driver of the car to strike the bus and whether anyone involved in the crash acted in a negligent manner.
Continue reading “School Bus Accident in San Tan Valley Leaves One Injured”

Hit-And-Run in Phoenix Leaves Pedestrian Dead

by Dave Abels

Hit-and-run accidents are a serious problem in Phoenix and across the rest of the nation. Though it is illegal for a driver involved in a collision to leave the scene, it happens every day in the Valley, and often with serious results. Fleeing drivers who are later apprehended tend to face more severe charges by police and local authorities. In addition to any citations they would have received had they remained at the scene, these drivers are often charged additional for fleeing, a crime in Arizona. If the hit-and-run collision leaves a person injured or killed, the penalties facing a fleeing driver can be severe and often include incarceration.

The reasons behind the stiff punishments and penalties are clear: hit-and-run accidents are a serious problem and they often lead to fatal crashes. This is because in many accidents, a victim or victims may be too injured to call for help themselves and instead must rely on others to do so. But if the only other person involved in a collision flees, there may be no one to call for help, significantly delaying or eliminating a victim’s ability to receive medical attention in a timely fashion. This can lead to a worsening of injuries or even can result in death of a victim who may otherwise have survived if help had been obtained immediately. Whatever the results of a crash, fleeing the scene is not only against Arizona law, but it is also a real threat to the safety of all those who may be victims.

In the event that you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, the laws in Phoenix may entitle you to relief. This is true whether or not the fleeing driver is ever located and apprehended as the laws are designed to help the victims of crashes in any situation. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who has experience representing car accident victims may help you understand your legal options and whether you have a valid claim for your damages if you have been involved in a collision.

Police in Phoenix were called to the scene of a hit-and-run accident last night between an automobile and a pedestrian. Unfortunately, the injuries sustained by the pedestrian were too severe and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police believe that a car approached the area of 3200 West Indian School Road around 9:30 p.m., the same area where the pedestrian was walking. For reasons that are not yet clear, the driver of the vehicle struck the walker and then fled the scene without stopping to alert authorities or to see if the pedestrian was injured. At this time, police do not know the make or model of the vehicle involved and they have not been able to determine who was operating the vehicle at the time of the collision. Anyone with information regarding the accident is being asked to call the Phoenix Police Department regarding the crash.
Continue reading “Hit-And-Run in Phoenix Leaves Pedestrian Dead”

New Cell Phone Ban While Driving To Take Effect in Coconino County

by Dave Abels

Texting while driving and other forms of phone-based distractions have become a serious issue in Phoenix and across the rest of the nation. To combat the dangers posed by cell phones, many cities and states have passed legislation restricting or banning their use by drivers. Other areas have launched public awareness campaigns and many areas are beginning to address the issue with teenagers going through driver’s education training.

In the past decade, some Arizona state officials have tried to introduce new legislation that would institute state-wide restrictions on hand-held phone use as well as a ban on texting while driving, all with the hope of decreasing the number of distracted driving car accidents in the state. The measure has failed to take hold thus far with some believing that the state’s current laws give a broader definition to distracted and dangerous diving and enable police officers to enforce the laws. Those who currently text behind the wheel may be guilty of a traffic offense and may be cited for their actions. If cell phone use causes an accident, the potential punishment may be more severe.

But some counties do not feel the current state of the law is descriptive enough or limiting enough to clearly state which behaviors are banned. Coconino County officials passed a new ordinance on Tuesday night significantly limiting the legal use of a cell phone by drivers in that area. Once the ordinance takes effect on May 22, drivers will be prohibited from texting while driving and also from making calls with a hand-held device. Calls with a hands-free device will remain legal and exceptions will apply in the case of an emergency. A driver will be authorized to call the police department, emergency services, an ambulance, hospital, or a doctor’s office even if a hands-free device is not available.

The believe in Coconino is that reducing the ability of drivers to operate a car, truck, or van while on distracted will lead to a decrease in the number of distracted driving accidents that occur annually. This in turn will decrease the amount of financial damages caused by these accidents including property damage to vehicles, personal injuries sustained by victims, and time missed from work by those who are injured in these crashes.
Continue reading “New Cell Phone Ban While Driving To Take Effect in Coconino County”

Speed a Suspected Factor in Phoenix Rollover Accident

by Dave Abels

Experts believe that speed plays a factor in approximately 50 percent of all car accidents across the nation, including those that happen in the Phoenix area. One reason is that speeding is a fairly common event among a large number of drivers; many give into the temptation to travel faster than legally allowed because they are in a hurry, want to catch a green light, or simply because they like to drive fast. But being common does not make it legal and those who choose to drive in excess of posted limits risk not only a ticket but also being at-fault for a car crash.

Drivers who act in a negligent or reckless manner and cause a collision may face a number of penalties. Traffic tickets can lead to fines, loss of a driver’s license, or even incarceration. If the accident causes anyone involved to sustain an injury, those victims may be entitled to seek compensation for their damages against the at-fault driver, including fair and adequate payment to cover medical bills. These claims are separate and distinct from any charges brought by the State of Arizona and can be available to injury victims even if an at-fault driver never receives a ticket for the crash. Speaking with a lawyer who has experience representing victims of car crashes may help you understand your legal rights and your legal options if you have been injured in an accident.

Police in Phoenix responded to the scene of a one car collision on Monday afternoon near the northbound ramp from State Route 51 to the eastbound Loop 101. When they arrived, they found the vehicle on its roof with five teenage passengers inside. Police believe that a 17-year-old male was driving the car but that the driver did not have a valid license and did not own the vehicle. Authorities believe the male was speeding and lost control of the car, sending it into one wall and then bouncing off the first wall before striking a wall on the opposite side of the road. At some point after the initial impact, one of the vehicle’s tires blew and officials believe that the blown tire started the rollover process in the crash.

In addition to the driver, two 14-year-old females and one 15-year-old female were in the car as was another teen whose age and gender are not clear at this time. It is believed that the passengers in the vehicle may have been drunk at the time of the impact but there is no indication that the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Continue reading “Speed a Suspected Factor in Phoenix Rollover Accident”

Phoenix ATV Accident Leaves 2 Girls Injured

by Dave Abels

When children play, accidents happen and sometimes result in injuries. A fall from a bike or a stumble on the playground might require a trip to the doctor’s office for treatment. But not all injuries that happen to children are the result of an unintentional accident; some are due to the negligence of others in the area. Thousands of children are injured in car accidents, swimming pool accidents, or bicycle accidents with cars every year.

When a child is injured, the effect on the child and the entire family can be drastic. Medical bills may pile up and the child may have to endure pain and suffering. That is why the laws in Phoenix allow children the right to seek relief after they have been injured by another. Through the use of a civil claim for damages, a child and the child’s parent or guardian may be able to recover for actual expenses incurred as well as future expenses, like additional medical bills, that will be incurred at a later date. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who has the experience representing children hurt in an accident may help you understand your legal options and your legal rights.

Police in Phoenix have confirmed that two young girls were involved in an ATV accident on Sunday. Though they are still investigating, officials believe that a 16-year-old girl and a 12-year-old girl were riding on the ATV together and attempting to take a photograph of themselves. As they rode near the intersection of 36th Avenue and Minnezona Avenue, the girl driving the ATV lost control and struck a parked car, injuring both passengers. The 12-year-old was transported to an area hospital where she was treated and released a short time later but the 16-year-old’s injuries were severe. At this time, she remains in critical condition.
Continue reading “Phoenix ATV Accident Leaves 2 Girls Injured”

Wrong Way Crash on I-10 Leaves 2 Injured

by Dave Abels

Statistically, drunk driving accidents are most likely to occur during the nighttime hours on a weekend. Experts believe that weekends bring about a time where many people drink alcohol and then try to drive themselves home or to another location, breaking the law in the process. Though weekends might bring out a large number of drunk or impaired drivers, in truth, an accident with a driver under the influence can happen on any day of the week and at any time of the day.

When a driver operates under the influence of alcohol, that driver places his or her safety at risk and also risks the safety of everyone else in the area. Drunk driving accidents can leave other drivers, passengers in the impaired driver’s car or in another car, and even pedestrians with injuries that may last a lifetime. In the event that you are injured in a crash caused by a drunk driver, the laws in Phoenix ensure you with certain rights. You may be entitled to seek relief for your damages against those responsible so that you can recover for your losses, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Speaking with a lawyer in Phoenix who represents car accident victims may help you determine if you are entitled to relief.

Nearly all freeways and highways in Phoenix are busy and I-10 is no exception. That is why many people experienced long commutes and delays yesterday after a bad accident occurred on I-10 near Warner Road. Police believe that a 36-year-old female was driving her car the wrong way on I-10 and that she initially collided with a car before being hit by a semi-truck. Both the woman and the driver of the other car suffered injuries and needed medical treatment after the crash.

Police are still investigating and trying to determine why the woman was traveling in the wrong direction. Though no conclusive determinations have been made, officers are looking into whether alcohol played a role in the crash.
Continue reading “Wrong Way Crash on I-10 Leaves 2 Injured”

10 People Killed When Truck Hit Tour Bus

by Dave Abels

Many people choose to travel by bus, believing that the bus, bus driver, and owner will ensure a safe and convenient means of transportation. Most of the time, bus trips are safe and the passengers on board arrive at their destinations without incident. Unfortunately not everyone is as lucky, though, with some bus passengers becoming the victims of bus accidents every year.

When a passenger on board a bus is injured in an accident, that passenger may be entitled to financial relief for his or her damages. A victim can seek to recover through the use of a civil claim for damages including things like medical and surgical expenses, lost wages, and permanency of injuries. If you have been involved in an accident, speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal rights and options following a crash.

A tragic accident in California occurred today and left at least 10 people dead. At this time, local authorities have confirmed that a collision between a charter tour bus and a truck on Interstate 5. It appears that a driver of a FedEx truck crossed a barrier and continued traveling until it sideswiped a car and then collided with the bus in a head-on collision.

The bus was transporting Los Angels and San Francisco high school students to Humboldt State for a college tour. The program targets first generation and low income prospective college students to Humboldt State to introduce the students to the campus. Five of those students were killed in the crash in addition to the driver of the bus, the driver of the truck, and three chaperones. In addition to those victims that lost their lives, many others sustained serious injuries. In all, at least thirty-four people were transported to hospitals in the area by either land or air ambulance.

The force of the crash caused massive devastation to the three vehicles involved, leaving pieces of the vehicles littering the highway. Police are still sorting through the facts of the crash and interviewing witnesses to the incident.
Continue reading “10 People Killed When Truck Hit Tour Bus”