Category: Car Accidents

Mesa is one of the largest cities in the Phoenix Valley and, according to the 2010 census, is home to nearly 440,000 people. Many of those people work outside of the home, run errands, shop, and take their children to and from school on a regular basis. Regardless of the specific day-to-day activities, something that the majority of these households have in common is that they travel by car. Most Mesa families drive to get to where they are going or they drive on at least an occasional basis. In addition to those that live in Mesa, people from other towns spend time in Mesa every day, whether they are working or engaging in leisurely activities. With all of the opportunities presented in Mesa, the city should not be ignored when it comes to driver safety.

But too often, motorists do not think about traffic safety when they leave the house in their cars. They may go about their business in a safe and efficient manner but even the safest driver can be the victim of a Mesa car accident if others on the road are driving dangerously or are not paying attention to traffic. These conditions can make anyone an accident victim and may leave these victims with serious or even fatal injuries.

The laws in Arizona are designed to hold negligent drivers liable for their actions while enabling victims to seek and obtain the compensation they deserve. This can be done through the use of a civil claim for damages but the law requires these claims to be brought in a specified amount of time following an accident or the right to seek relief will be lost. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who handles car accident claims in Mesa may help you understand your options, including whether you have a valid claim for relief.

An accident took place around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in Mesa and left one person dead, according to local officials. While it is still early in their investigation, authorities have confirmed that an SUV and a car collided near the intersection of Baseline and 32nd Street, causing a serious accident. The driver of the SUV was killed in the accident and a passenger was left in critical condition while the driver and a passenger in the car were both injured less severely. All three surviving victims were transported to area hospitals with unspecified injuries.

Police began their investigation on the scene and are continuing it at this time but it is not clear what caused the collision or whether any traffic tickets will be issued as a result.
Continue reading “One Person Killed, Three Injured in Mesa Car Accident”

Numerous jobs and careers require employees to drive or ride in a vehicle while on the clock, and this can present certain issues. While most people are comfortable in a car, truck, or van, the laws that apply can vary when it is in a commercial or other employment situation. Depending on the type of vehicle, a driver may require a specialized license or an endorsement to operate behind the wheel. But drivers are not the only ones affected. Other workers who ride in a work vehicle place their safety in the hands of a driver, often who works for the same company, and can do nothing to ensure that they make it from one place to the next without incident. When it comes to work, it may be impossible to choose who drives you or in what manner you move about the greater Phoenix area.

The driving of other employees is not the only threat to workers, though, as the actions of other motorists in different cars present a constant threat of a car accident to all in the Valley. Thousands of car crashes occur in Arizona every year and many of them leave one or more victims injured. When an accident does take place, those who are hurt may be entitled to financial relief through the use of a civil claim for damages, a claim that is separate and distinct from any charges brought by local authorities or police officers. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand the implications of your crash, including your options to obtain payment, if a collision has affected your life.

Around 9:30 p.m. on Monday night, a van operated by the Department of Corrections was involved in a collision with a truck near State Route 85 and Hazen Road by Buckeye. Though the investigation continues at this time, officials believe that a pickup truck in the area ran a stop sign and collided with the van, leading both vehicles to sustain significant damage in a collision. Two people inside the van were ejected and the van rolled at least one time before coming to a rest. Emergency crews responded and determined that three people in the van were critically hurt and needed treatment at area hospitals. The driver of the truck was not injured injured, according to first responders at the scene.

The three confirmed seriously injured victims left all victims in critical condition after the crash, according to authorities, and it is not clear what the prognosis is for each victim at this time. At least four other people sustained injuries considered to be less severe in the accident and all seven victims are believed to be employees of the Arizona Department of Corrections.
Continue reading “Arizona DOC Van Hit By Truck, At Least 7 Injured”

A car accident, whether it is minor or severe, can result in injuries to those involved. But when multiple people are inside all vehicles that collide, the potential for injuries increases for several reasons. The greater number of potential victims means that statistically, physical damages are more likely. Further, with a greater number of occupants comes the possibility that victims may be pushed or thrown into one another, especially if those victims are not restrained. Finally, not every part of a car is equally safe in the event of a crash, and the more people riding in a vehicle, the more likely that someone will be hurt. An example of this is when a serious rear-end collision occurs and the rear of one vehicle is significantly pushed forward, causing that part of the car to collapse into the passenger compartment. While the violent nature of the impact may lead to injuries among many, those in the back seat or near the rear of the vehicle may be more likely to sustain blunt force trauma and other damages due to their unfortunate location in the vehicle.

When a large number of victims are involved, it can be difficult for officials, including police officers, to sort out who was in what car prior to a crash. It can also take longer for each of these victims to obtain the medical help they need if too few ambulances and emergency medical technicians respond to the scene. A delay in medical treatment and transportation to an area hospital may increase the severity of injuries sustained or may even make it more likely that a victim will lose his or her life.

When a car accident takes place in the Phoenix area, the victims of that crash, regardless of what vehicle they may have been in, may be entitled to financial compensation for their damages, including any medical expenses incurred and any wages missed while taking time off work. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your options if a collision has affected your life and may help you realize what claims, if any, may be available to you.

In the early morning hours on Saturday, officials say three vehicles collided in a devastating crash on a highway near Lake Pleasant and the collision left two people dead. At this time, officials believe that one vehicle attempted to pass a second at a high rate of speed but that these vehicles collided for reasons that are not yet clear. A third vehicle was also involved in the crash that is considered severe.

Among the three vehicles, 10 people were injured with eight of them sustaining life-threatening injuries. Two people lost their lives and three were believed to be uninjured, meaning that 15 people were involved in the crash. It is not clear whether all injured victims will survive at this time but they are in area hospitals obtaining treatment. Authorities are considering the role of alcohol and/or drugs in this crash but they have not confirmed whether any intoxicating substance was involved, nor have they confirmed whether any traffic citations or criminal complaints will be issued.
Continue reading “3 Car Crash in Arizona Kills 2, Injures 10”

Car accidents claim thousands of lives across the nation annually and the Phoenix area is not exempt from that damage. With negligent and reckless drivers taking to Arizona roads daily, collisions continue to occur and the worst of them prove fatal. The worst part of car accidents may be that, though the vast majority of them are preventable and need never happen, no one can guarantee that they will not become a car accident victim, regardless of how safe or cautious they are behind the wheel. When one driver fails to follow the rules of the road, a collision may result and may involve others in the area who are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Through the actions of one, dozens can be hurt, including passengers in a car, children, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and even the elderly.

When a collision takes place, the victims of that incident may need medical treatment that can be expensive. Arizona law recognizes that it is unfair to make a victim bear the cost of these damages when the harm is caused by another and therefore enables victims to seek relief through the use of a civil claim. These claims are the right of victims to bring and cannot be prevented by an at-fault driver or an insurance company, so if you have been involved in a collision, you may want to speak to a personal injury lawyer to learn about your legal options and whether you have a valid claim.

A Wednesday afternoon collision in Chandler left five people injured in three separate cars, and authorities believe that impairment may have been a factor. According to police, a car was traveling westbound on Ray Road with at least three people inside when it crossed the center line and collided with two separate vehicles traveling east.

Three people in the car that crossed the center line were seriously injured and were taken to area hospitals for treatment where the nature of their injuries and their current conditions are not clear. In addition, one person in each vehicle that was struck was hurt but both of those victims were expected to make full recoveries.

While authorities investigated on the scene, they closed the westbound lanes of Ray Road and the damage from the crash was removed. At this time, all lanes are open but the investigation is ongoing.
Continue reading “5 Injured in Wrong Way Car Crash in Chandler”

If you currently live in the Phoenix area, chances are that you did not always live here. While some residents were born and raised in the Valley, a large percentage of the population has relocated to this area from other parts of the country. Some areas that residents used to call home may have had winter weather, including snow. Some may have had flooding concerns year-round. Others may have been rural with little to no traffic on the roads.

With all these transplants coming together to call Phoenix home, the resulting population is a mix of adults and motorists with varied driving skills, and that should not be surprising to most. With many people learning to drive in states other than Arizona, it is understandable that motorists may struggle the first time they are behind the wheel and a monsoon hits, or when a dust storm pops up with little or no warning. Despite the fact that driver may never have faced these hazards before, it does not mean they are not required to handle them as a skilled, experienced Arizona motorist would. In fact, when driving in Arizona, all motorists are required to know, understand, and follow the laws as they apply to vehicular traffic, including the fact that motorists are required to operate in a safe and reasonable manner. Failing to drive safely or reasonably may lead to a collision and may cause a driver to be ticketed by local police or otherwise held liable for his or her actions. Victims of car accidents, including those caused by negligent drivers or drivers with a limited set of skills, may be entitled to seek financial relief for their damages against those who caused their accident, against an insurance company, a responsible owner, or others involved. Speaking with a lawyer who handles personal injury claims may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a crash and you were injured.

Few details have been released regarding an early morning crash on State Route 89A between Flagstaff and Sedona but authorities in the area have confirmed the collision, which was serious, has forced them to close the area to passing traffic. Motorists are encouraged to plan an alternate route before leaving this morning if they planned to transverse that area.

The incident occurred in the area of Mile Post 390, where traffic was being stopped, and claimed the life of at least one person involved. It is not clear at this time whether multiple vehicles were part of the accident or whether any other victims were injured.
Continue reading “At Least 1 Dead after SR 89A Car Accident”

In 2011, more than 32,000 people were killed in car accidents across the country, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More than 750 of those deaths occurred in the State of Arizona with many of them taking place in the highly populated areas of Phoenix and the surrounding cities. The mix of rural and highly urban in Maricopa County means that a motorist can drive from a highway congested with stop-and-go traffic to a two-lane, dirt road in seconds. The mix of the roads and the traffic that follows means that driving in the Phoenix area can be difficult and may explain some, though not all, of the car accidents that occur.

In most cases, car accidents occur because one or more of the driver’s involved makes a mistake or an error behind the wheel. When negligent action or reckless conduct causes a collision, the laws in Arizona recognize that the innocent victims of these crashes should not be the ones to bear the financial burden. To hold errant drivers liable for their conduct, victims in Phoenix may be able to obtain financial compensation for their losses, including their medical bills, by bringing a civil claim for damages. Many victims do not realize that this type of recovery may be possible and that it is separate and distinct from any traffic or criminal charges brought by local authorities. In many cases, even when an at-fault driver did not receive a ticket, that driver may still be liable in a civil court of law. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Maricopa County may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a crash and if you were injured.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office received notice of a one-vehicle accident on State Road 238 near Gila Bend on Saturday morning. It appears that the driver of the vehicle approached a curve in the road and lost control of the vehicle, sending it rolling over and causing the vehicle, an SUV, to leave the road’s surface. Officials responded to the scene and evaluated the occupants of the vehicle to determine who was hurt and who needed medical help. The driver of the vehicle and a front seat passenger were both wearing seat belts and were injured. The driver reportedly sustained minor injuries and is expected to recover while the passenger was taken by air ambulance to an area hospital with serious injuries.

Three children reportedly were in the back seat of the vehicle, described as a Suburban, and all were restrained but injured. None were facing life-threatening injuries, though, according to officials, who did not report if the children were related to one another or if they were related to any of the adults in the vehicle. Also in the back were an adult female and a 3-month-old baby. According to officials, neither the woman nor the baby were restrained and both were ejected upon impact. The baby was killed in the ambulance and the woman, believed to be the mother of the baby, remains in critical condition.
Continue reading “Baby Killed, 3 Children, 2 Adults Injured in Maricopa County Car Accident”

With the slogan “The West’s Most Western Town,” Scottsdale is a unique area of Arizona with sights and sounds that vary from nearby cities like Phoenix, Chandler, and Tempe. The current population of Scottsdale is approximately 220,000 people, meaning that at any given times, thousands of citizens take to the streets to travel, whether they choose to do so by car, bus, or bicycle.

The large population in Scottsdale also means that there are a large number of licensed drivers. These motorists are responsible for knowing, understanding, and following all the rules that apply to traffic and failing to do so may lead to a citation, traffic ticket, or even a criminal charge. Despite the fact that it is every driver’s duty to operate a vehicle with care, thousands of car accidents take place in Scottsdale every year, and many of those cause injuries to the drivers and passengers involved. Though commonly referred to as accidents, in most cases, a collision is due to negligence or recklessness on the part of one or more drivers involved. When this happens, the laws of Arizona step in to provide injury victims with the right to seek relief for their losses, including any medical bills, rehabilitative expenses, surgical damages, or lost wages. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Scottsdale may help you understand your legal options, including whether you are entitled to relief, if a car accident has affected your life.

Police have confirmed that four cars collided yesterday in the early evening hours near the intersection of McDowell Road and Pima. At this time, it is not clear what caused the crash but officials have confirmed it was serious. Emergency crews responded to the scene and evaluated all those involved; two people sustained injuries and were transported by ambulance to area hospitals where their current conditions are not known.

Following the collision, police closed a section of eastbound McDowell Road to begin an investigation. They are still reviewing facts at this time and they have not confirmed whether any citations will be issued or whether any driver involved will face criminal charges.
Continue reading “4 Vehicle Car Accident in Scottsdale Leaves 2 Injured”

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.
Continue reading “Rollover Crash in Chandler Ends with Driver Fleeing”

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.
Continue reading “Driver Fleeing Police Pursuit Allegedly Caused Fatal Crash”

In recent decades, Phoenix has experienced a population boom unlike most in the country. Citizens have flocked to the Valley to make it their home, leading to a drastic increase in population, and with it, an increase in the number of drivers and cars on the roads. Traffic is heavy along the expressways in the city, primarily during the morning and evening rush hours, but as most citizens can attest, nearly no time is traffic-free in Phoenix.

Unfortunately, a large number of car accidents occur every year in Phoenix and the surrounding towns including Chandler, Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, and Mesa. Many of these accidents leave victims with injuries ranging from the minor to the critical, and some crashes turn fatal. The victims of these accidents unfortunately cannot turn back time and avoid the collisions but they may be entitled to seek financial relief for their damages, including medical bills incurred and lost wages missed during time off work. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in the Phoenix area may help you understand your options, including whether you have a valid claim for relief, if you have been involved in a car accident.

One of the most deadly types of accidents in the Valley are rollover collisions which occur when one or more vehicles involved tip or roll onto their sides or roofs. In these accidents, the vehicles involved are likely to sustain significant damage, increasing the odds that the passengers inside will become injured or lose their lives.

Police in Phoenix have confirmed a rollover crash took place early this morning on the Loop 101 southbound near the Loop 202. Witnesses have reported that a female driver was operating a vehicle in an erratic manner as she approached a stopped police vehicle on the shoulder of the road. A collision between the two vehicles occurred and at least one of the vehicles rolled over.

Emergency medical crews responded to the scene and transported the female driver of the first car to an area hospital but the injuries she sustained were too severe and she died shortly thereafter. Two individuals were inside the police vehicle, including an officer and a civilian, at the time of the impact. The officer sustained serious injuries though the nature of his damages have not been released. The civilian, who has not been identified, sustained minor injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.
Continue reading “Crash between Driver and Police Officer Leaves 1 Dead”