Bicycle Accidents Archives

Advocates push safety measures aimed at reducing the number of Phoenix bicycle accidents

In a letter published Monday in the Arizona Republic, the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists encouraged riders to participate in safety classes in an effort to reduce the number of Phoenix bicycle accidents and bicycle crashes elsewhere in Arizona.Vice President Gene Holmerud said riding against traffic continues to be a primary cause of bicycle v. car accidents in Arizona. Nationwide, 716 cyclists were killed in 2008 and more than 52,000 were injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

While about 1 in 7 fatal bicycle accidents involves a child under the age of 15, the increasing popularity of cycling for recreation and fitness has steadily increased the average age of cyclists who are seriously injured or killed in bicycle accidents. Middle-aged men are now most at risk: The average age of fatal accident victims has increased from 32 to 41 in the last decade, while the average age of a cyclist seriously injured has climbed from 24 to 31.

Nineteen cyclists were fatally injured in Arizona bicycle accidents in 2008 and 1,682 were injured, the Arizona Department of Transportation reported.

The Phoenix Police Department provides the following safety tips:

-Always ride on the right side of the road.
-Ride in the same direction as traffic.
-Use a bike path whenever available.
-Ride single file.
-Obey all traffic signals.
-Stop at street corners.
-Look in every direction before crossing and make eye contact with motorists.
-Obey traffic lights.
-Wear light colored and reflective clothing.
Continue reading “Advocates push safety measures aimed at reducing the number of Phoenix bicycle accidents”

Phoenix area motorcycle rider seriously injured in accident

by Dave Abels

A Tempe, Arizona motorcycle vs. car accident has resulted in severe injuries to a biker, according to AZ Central.com. The Motorcyclist lost his right let below his knee after he was hit by a driver on Saturday morning.The Tempe accident occurred at University Drive and State Route 143 around 2:30 a.m. The Tempe Police Department is reporting that a driver from Phoenix was westbound in a Toyota when he hit the motorcycle that was stopped for a red light. The at fault driver was allegedly going more than 60 mph and witnesses told police he looked like he had been drinking alcohol.

The police are reporting that the defendant fled the scene on foot, without helping the injured biker. He was tracked down at his home the next morning, and he admitted his involvement in the crash and that he left the accident site with no intention of alerting police of the accident.

He also said he had no intention of alerting the police about the accident. He was charged with aggravated assault and leaving the scene of a serious injury accident. The Tempe Police are still investigating.

In this case, I can’t help but wonder if the defendant left the accident because he was intoxicated, or uninsured, or both. Either way, the motorcycle rider should have a policy limits case, whether it is against the defendant’s insurance carrier, or an uninsured / under-insured motorist claim against his own insurance policy.

Arizona Injury Lawyers review 2008 traffic data as state prepares to issue 2009 statistics

by Dave Abels

As the State of Arizona prepares to issue a comprehensive report on traffic accidents for last year, a look at the 2008 traffic report provides an in-depth look at traffic safety in The Grand Canyon State.

A total of 937 people were killed in 842 fatal Arizona traffic accidents in 2008. In all, 119,588 Arizona traffic accidents were reported, injuring more than 56,000, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Crash statistics for last year will be released in the coming weeks. Nationwide, more than 6 million crashes killed 41,059 people, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported.Urban accidents were responsible for the majority of the state’s traffic crashes, with 81,566 accidents, compared to 23,113 in rural areas. However, more people were killed in rural accidents.

Of accident types:
–Arizona bicycle accidents accounted for 1,989 crashes.

-Pedestrian accidents in Arizona were responsible for 1,524 traffic crashes.

-Motorcycle accidents accounted for 3,531 traffic collisions in Arizona.

-24,161 single-vehicle crashes were reported.

-Multi-vehicle crashes were the primary type of traffic accidents, with 95,427 reported.

Drunk driving accidents accounted for about one-third of all fatal traffic accidents in 2008, with 294 of 842 deadly accidents blamed on impaired drivers.

Of fatal accidents:
-414 occurred in urban areas.

-523 occurred in rural areas.

-114 young drivers under the age of 24 were killed.

Other findings include:
-February was the peak month for crashes.

-More accidents occurred on Friday than any other day of the week.

-Early evening rush hour — between 4 and 5 p.m.– was the most dangerous time on the roads.

-Saturday was the deadliest day of the week.

-Rear-end collisions were the most common type of traffic accident in Arizona.

-The most common citation issued to drivers was “speed too fast for conditions.”