Category: Car Accidents

El Departamento de Seguridad Pública en Arizona siguió un aplicación de velocidad en el aire tarde la semana pasada con un programa de fin de semana de aplicación de tráfico que concentró en Interstate 10 y Interstate 8. Los esfuerzos son el principio de un programa de aplicación de verano que propone reducir accidentes de carro graves y fatales en Arizona.

Nuestros abogados de herida en Phoenix le animan que tenga su vehículo atendido, practique hábitos de manejar seguro, obedecer la ley y disfrutar de la temporada de viaje de verano.

Durante la patrulla en el aire, un Cessna 182 voló al área de Parker, donde condujo aplicación de tráfico por State Route 95 y Interstate 10. Los carros de patrulla en la calle pararon a violadores.

La aplicación del fin de semana sucedió el domingo entre el mediodía y 8 de la tarde dirigidos a automovilistas en Interestatal 10 e Interestatal 8 entre fronteras de Nuevo México y California. Los esfuerzos de la aplicación están en respuesta al aumento de tráfico por la temporada de viaje de verano.

A principios de este mes, el Departamento de la Seguridad Pública en Arizona ofreció consejos de conducción seguro de verano para los automovilistas de Arizona.

-Las temperaturas extremas de verano hacen prevenir una llanta o fracaso mecánico una parte esencial de manejar seguro. Aségure que su vehículo ha sido atendido por un mecánico calificado.

-Mantenga mucha agua y un estuche de primeros auxilios dentro de su vehículo.

-Siga pautas de mantenimiento planificadas. Revise líquidos regularmente. Revise las correas y las mangas y cambie los que tienen una apariencia agrietado o seco. También revise regularmente por fugas o gotas en el suelo debajo de donde su carro está estacionado por la noche.

-Asegúrese que sus llantas esten infladas apropiadamente. Gire y equilibre sus llantas cada 6,000 a 8,000 millas.

Tratando con un reventón de llanta:

-Un reventón de llanta es señalado por un ruido fuerte o el sentimiento que su vehículo jala a un lado.

-No frene.

-No quite su pie del acelerador.

-Facilite su pie en el acelerador para mantener ímpetu.

– Compense la tracción por manejar en dirección contrario.

-Busque un lugar seguro, preferiblemente una salida de autopista, desacelere o frene levemente y pare lejos de tráfico. Levante su capucha para señalar que su vehículo está discapacitado y llame o haga arreglos para asistencia en la carretera.

Consejos de seguridad adicionales:

-Cuando su vehículo sufre un problema, mantenga el control antes de preocuparse de lo qué está causando el problema mecánico.

-Utilice buenos hábitos de manejo. No maneje distraído.

-No tome y maneje. No maneje cansado ni soñoliento – pare y descanse si es necesario.

-Obedezca las leyes de tráfico.

-Hagase a un lado para vehículos de emergencia que estan parados — es la ley. Siempre que sea posible, muévase al carril más alejado de un vehículo de emergencia que esta parado, reduzca la velocidad y tenga cuidado.

Si usted ha sido herido en un accidente de tráfico contacte los abogados de herida de Phoenix en Abels & Annes por una consulta gratís y confidencial para hablar de sus derechos. Llame hoy al (602) 819-5191

A fatal Glendale, Arizona car accident claimed the life of a motorist in a two-vehicle wreck near 59th Avenue and Cactus Road, ABC15 reported.

The crash happened about 2 p.m. on Saturday when a Jeep t-boned a truck at the intersection, according to the Glendale Fire Department. Several occupants were transported to the hospital and information about which motorist was killed has not been released.

Police report that the accident happened when one vehicle apparently tried to turn into a private drive in front of the other vehicle.

Also on Saturday, two police officers were injured in a Phoenix car accident after a pair of police cruisers crashed downtown, ABC 15 reported.

The accident happened about 5 p.m. Saturday at 15th Avenue and Washington Street. One officer may have stepped on the gas instead of the brake while attempting to stop at a red light. Both were transported to area hospitals; one complained of chest pain, while the other complained of back pain. A 16-year-old riding in the patrol car with his father was also injured.

A Tucson trucking accident along 1-10 sent one person to the hospital on Saturday afternoon, News 13 reported.

The crash near Ruthrauff happened when the semi truck crashed into a passenger car, the Arizona Department of Public Safety reported. The passenger car hit a tree before coming to rest upside down. One person was transported to the hospital in unknown condition.

Five children and an adult suffered serious injuries in a Phoenix car accident on Wednesday when their car flew off the freeway, AZ Family reported.

The crash happened shortly before 3 p.m. southeast of 24th Street and McDowell Road. Firefighters report that the car went off Loop 202 and slammed into a concrete culvert along a canal bank. The children range in age from 10 to 16. The cause of the accident remains under investigation but firefighters believe one of the children was not buckled up.

Our Phoenix injury attorneys represent motorists who have been injured in accidents, whether or not they were wearing their seat belt. However, the law requires everyone to buckle up and wear a seat belt, which can often reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury.

We reported another case this week on our Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog that involved four people ejected from a Mustang in a crash that killed three passengers, including a 3-year-old boy. Authorities believe lack of seat-belt use may have been a factor in that crash as well.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched a major summer offensive aimed at getting motorists to buckle up. The government agency charged with highway safety reports that 45 million Americans are still not using their seat belts on a regular basis. Overall, seat-belt use in this country is at a record high — 84 percent of motorists buckle up.

The “Click It or Ticket” campaign will target violators through the summer months.

“We’ve made great strides to get Americans to buckle up, but we must not rest on our laurels,” said Secretary Ray LaHood. “Not wearing your seat belt is a serious, life-threatening practice. If you are one of the 45 million Americans who won’t buckle up, our Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization will be looking for you.”

The government estimates about 38 people a day are killed in traffic crashes while not wearing their seat belt. In 2008, nearly 14,000 unbuckled occupants of passenger vehicles were killed in traffic accidents nationwide. Nearly half might have survived had they been wearing a seat belt.

Those most at risk include teens, young adults, men, pickup truck drivers and passengers, nighttime drivers and drivers in rural areas.

View a map of unbelted traffic fatalities.

View who is most at risk for not wearing a seat belt.

A 3-year-old boy has died after being ejected from a Mustang in a Sunday night Phoenix car accident, the Arizona Republic reported.

As we reported on our Phoenix Injury Lawyers Blog, authorities believe the car may have been racing a black Chevy pickup truck at the time of the accident, which occurred on Thomas Road. The Mustang was carrying six people when it lost control and veered into a palm tree near 75th Avenue.

Witnesses told police the two vehicles were weaving in and out of traffic. They met up at a traffic light and took off when the light turned green. Police are still investigating how fast the vehicles were traveling but witnesses reported they may have been going as fast as 90 mph. The Mustang’s 18-year-old driver and her 14-year-old boyfriend were pronounced dead at the scene. Four others were ejected out the back window of the vehicle. Those passengers were ages 14, 14, 16 and the 3-year-old boy.

Media reports indicate that the 14-year-old passenger apparently took the Mustang without his parent’s permission.

Police continue to search for the black Chevy pickup involved in the race and said that driver could face charges. The truck is described as a newer model, 2002-2008, two-door extended cab with tinted windows. The truck may have been slightly lifted. Witnesses say the Mustang may have hit the pickup and the truck may have some damage to the rear end. It was last seen westbound on Thomas Road at a high rate of speed.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Phoenix Police Department.

Meanwhile on Monday, a 23-year-old woman was killed in a Tempe SUV accident. The woman was riding as a passenger when the driver lost control and over corrected near an intersection. He was released from the hospital after being treated for minor injuries, the Republic reported.

The accident happened at the intersection of Guadalupe Road and Maple Avenue. Police continue to investigate.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety followed up an airborne speed enforcement effort late last week with a weekend traffic-enforcement program that targeted Interstate 10 and Interstate 8. The efforts are the beginning of a summer enforcement program aimed at reducing serious and fatal Arizona car accidents.

Our Phoenix injury attorneys encourage you to have your vehicle serviced, practice safe driving habits, obey the law and enjoy the summer travel season.

During the airborne patrol, a Cessna 182 flew to the Parker area, where it conducted traffic enforcement along State Route 95 and Interstate 10. Patrol cars on the ground stopped violators.

The weekend enforcement effort took place Sunday between noon and 8 p.m. and targeted motorists on Interstate 10 and Interstate 8 between the New Mexico and California borders. The enforcement efforts are in response to the increase in traffic through the summer travel season.

Earlier this month, the Arizona Department of Public Safety offered safe summer driving tips for Arizona motorists.

-The extreme summer temperatures make preventing a tire or mechanical failure an essential part of driving safety. Make sure your vehicle has been serviced by a qualified mechanic.

-Keep plenty of water and a first aid kit inside your vehicle.

-Follow scheduled maintenance guidelines. Check fluids regularly. Check belts and hoses and replace those with a cracked or dry appearance. Also check regularly for leaks or drips on the ground beneath where your car is parked overnight.

-Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Rotate and balance your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.

Dealing with a tire blowout:

-A tire blowout is frequently signaled by a loud booming noise or the feeling that your vehicle is pulling to one side.

-Do not brake.

-Do not take your foot off the accelerator.

-Ease your foot into the accelerator to maintain momentum.

-Compensate for pulling by counter steering.

-Find a safe location, preferably a highway exit, decelerate or brake lightly and stop away from traffic. Put your hood up to signal your vehicle is disabled and call or make arrangements for roadside assistance.

Additional Safety Tips:

-When your vehicle experiences a problem, maintain control before worrying about what is causing the mechanical issue.

-Utilize good driving habits. Don’t drive distracted.

-Don’t drink and drive. Don’t drive tired or drowsy — stop and rest if necessary.

-Obey traffic laws
-Move over for stopped emergency vehicles — it’s the law. Whenever possible, move to the lane of travel furthest from a stopped emergency vehicle, reduce speed and use caution.
Continue reading “Heavy enforcement aims to reduce serious and fatal Arizona car accidents this summer”

A three-vehicle Phoenix car accident killed a 32-year-old Glendale man last Friday and closed U.S. 93 for several hours, ABC15 reported.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety reported that the accident occurred at about noon Friday and closed U.S. 93 in both directions at milepost 193. A Toyota Camry driven by an 80-year-old Wickenburg resident, veered left of center and struck a Smart Car traveling northbound. A Ford F-150 traveling behind the Smart Car was also involved in the crash.

The driver of the Smart Car was pronounced dead at the scene. A 34-year-old passenger suffered serious injuries and was taken by medical helicopter to a Valley hospital. Two of the five passengers riding in the F-150 pickup truck were also injured.

The accident occurred just north of Wickenburg, according to the Arizona Republic. Northbound traffic on the road, which is popular with drivers traveling to and from Las Vegas, was routed to State Route 89; southbound traffic was routed to State Route 71.

Also on Friday, two motorists were injured and two dogs were killed in a Green Valley, Arizona car accident. A Ford Excursion blew a tire on I-19 and hit a car before leaving the road. The vehicle crashed through brush, over a fence and across the West Frontage Road before coming to a stop.

The driver, a 53-year-old Phoenix man, was flown to a Tucson hospital in serious condition. A woman in the vehicle was also transported to the hospital with injuries. Two other passengers in the vehicle were treated at the scene. Two of five chihuahuas died in the accident.

An elderly driver is facing charges in connection with four Tucson car accidents in three days, Channel 13 news reported. Police say the elderly man suffered from medical episodes that caused all four accidents.

The media report questioned why the man was allowed to continue driving. On Saturday a woman was injured on business property after the man reportedly struck her while pulling into an East Side car wash. After three crashes on Monday, police reported that the man was extremely disoriented. Police said they must work through channels to seek a medical suspension of the man’s license through the department of motor vehicles.

However the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles said law enforcement has the authority to begin the process by immediately confiscating the driver’s license of a motorist determined to be a danger to the public because of a medical condition.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 3,458 older motorists were killed in accidents in 2008, accounting for about 15 percent of all fatal accidents. More than 183,000 older individuals were seriously injured in traffic accidents.

In Arizona, 139 of the 1,236 traffic fatalities involved drivers over the age of 65. Seventeen fatalities involved motorists over the age of 85.

NHTSA provides tips for gauging an older driver’s abilities, as well as discussing safe driving with aging parents or older adults:

Observing an older driver:

-Make sure they stop at all signs and traffic-control devices and look both ways before proceeding.

-Appropriately yield the right-of-way.

-Respond properly to hazards and other vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles.

-Merge and change lanes safely.

-Maintain their lane and drive straight.

Warning signs may include:

-Slowing or stopping inappropriately, such as at a green light.

-Driving too fast for conditions.

-Driving too slowly or impeding the normal flow of traffic.

-Driving aggressively.

-Getting lost.

Non-driving warning signs:

-Forgetfulness.

-Unusual or excessive agitation.

-Confusion or disorientation.

-Loss of coordination.

-Trouble walking, hearing or following instructions.

-Dizziness, tripping or falling.

-Shortness or breath or fatigue.

-Inappropriate responses to questions or directions.
Continue reading “Elderly driver involved in four Tucson car accidents”