Category: Drunk Driving Accidents

The Arizona Department of Transportation reports that on average, more than 250 people are killed in the state every year in accidents involving drunk drivers. Many of these victims are not the drunk drivers themselves but rather are other drivers involved, passengers in a drunk driver’s vehicle or another vehicle, or even pedestrians and bicyclists in the area.

It is a crime to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Phoenix but despite these laws, many choose to operate their vehicles while impaired and they risk the safety of others when they do so. If a drunk driving accident happens, anyone hurt in that crash may be entitled to seek compensation for their injuries and their suffering, and speaking with a personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options if a collision has affected you. In many cases, you may be able to recover against a drunk driver personally or that driver’s automobile insurance policy. In others, the owner of a vehicle may be legally liable for your suffering or the company that a driver was working for at the time. Yet in other collisions, a tavern, bar, or restaurant may be responsible if they served a driver and enabled that individual to become intoxicated. Often, several of these claims can exist in any given crash, so make sure you understand your rights and options as they apply to you.

A collision in Maricopa County on Wednesday afternoon left four people injured and closed a section of road to through traffic, according to local authorities. Police have confirmed that the incident occurred near Daisy Mountain Drive and Gavilan Park Parkway and may have involved the presence of alcohol.

While on the scene, police confirmed that the incident involved one vehicle T-boning a second and causing a serious collision that resulted in at least one person becoming trapped inside a vehicle. That victim had to be transported by air ambulance to an area hospital where the victim’s condition was considered critical. Three other people were hurt in the accident, including two teenagers and a middle-aged woman, but all three of those victims are expected to survive.

There has been no conclusive determination as to why the two vehicles involved collided or whether the suspected impaired driver was one of the people who was hurt. Further reports indicate that the investigation into this incident is ongoing and that the results of any data review will determine what charges, if any, are brought.
Continue reading “Maricopa County Crash Possibly Caused by Drunk Driver”

On Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) released the results of two national studies on the effects of drinking and driving on American roads, and the results may be surprising to some.

Over the last four decades, the NHTSA has partnered with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to conduct their Roadside Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers. With the history of this survey, it is possible to analyze not only a current year’s incidents of drunk and drugged driving but also to compare any given year to those that came before it. The data from 2014 concludes that the number of motorists who drove on American roads, streets, and highways with measurable alcohol in their systems decreased by nearly 1/3 from the level seen in 2007; further, the incidence of drunk driving was down nearly 3/4 from the first levels noted back in 1973.

The authors of this study were quick to note that while drunk driving levels decreased dramatically, it did not necessarily translate to safer driving conditions for all motorists because the occurrence of drugged driving or driving under the influence of drugs other than alcohol increased substantially. This included the use of marijuana as well as the use of prescription and street drugs that could lead to an intoxicating condition that may impair a driver’s abilities while operating a vehicle. In 2014, one in five drivers surveyed had a compound in their systems that was considered to be intoxicating and potentially hazardous to public safety. When compared to the one percent of drivers who had blood alcohol contents of .08 or higher, it is clear that the issue of drugged driving presented twenty times as often in the results of the survey when weekending driving behaviors were analyzed.

The study relies upon drivers to accurately report their conduct and their driving behaviors and allows motorists to do so anonymously to encourage the accuracy of a study in any given year.
Continue reading “While Drunk Driving Declines, Driving on Drugs Increases Nationally”

In two days, people of Phoenix will awake to the promise of a Super Bowl in their backyards. From the epic food spreads to the time spent with friends, many will partake in game day activities even if they will not be watching the game in person at the University of Phoenix Stadium. While most of these celebrations will be harmless and will involve responsible adults, statistics indicate that some adults will choose to drink and drive, making the roads in Arizona hazardous for all those in the area.

Across the nation, incidents of drinking and driving have been significantly elevated in recent years on Super Bowl Sunday when compared to a normal Sunday in January or February. For instance, California has reported an increase in fatal alcohol-related accidents over the last five years on Super Bowl Sunday. This happened even when California did not host the Super Bowl and its citizens were watching the coverage at their homes or at local bars and restaurants.

Officials in Arizona believe this trend will continue in Glendale and in Phoenix and may be even worse as those attending the Super Bowl may also drink and drive. In addition, authorities are considering the nature of Phoenix-area traffic congestion and standard traffic patterns and believe that a large number of cars on area expressways combined with the potential for drunk driving accidents may prove deadly.

Police in Arizona are urging all those in the state to refrain from drinking and driving this Sunday just like they should every day of the year. Instead, adults who want to consume alcohol are encouraged to designate a driver, take public transportation, or consider using a taxi cab to get around the Valley or to get home from the game.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) encourages those who will be hosting a Super Bowl party to be on the alert for the safety of their guests and to discourage drinking and driving whenever possible. NHTSA suggests taking car keys away from any guest who has had too much to drink or offering to let intoxicated guests remain at your home until they can safety leave with the help of a sober driver or by an alternative means of transit.
Continue reading “Drunk Driving Accidents Likely on Super Bowl Sunday”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 30 people die every day in drunk driving accidents across the country. Of all the fatal traffic accidents that happened in 2012 alone, nearly 1/3 of them (31 percent) were due to impairment by alcohol. Simply eliminating drinking and driving would have saved more than 10,000 lives in 2012 and would have prevented hundreds of thousands of additional injuries.

Drunk driving does not have to occur and happens only because drivers make the affirmative choice to get behind the wheel after they have been drinking, despite the fact that drinking and driving is both illegal and incredibly dangerous. The laws in Phoenix and in Arizona give testament to this as they treat drinking and driving very seriously with many of those who are found guilty of the crime facing fines, fees, other court penalties, community service, or incarceration in jail or prison. Unlike many other areas of the country, drunk drivers may find themselves sentenced to a term in Tent City, the highly-publicized and often criticized jail in Maricopa County established in 1993.

But the criminal or traffic charges resulting from a collision are far from the only penalties that may face a drunk driver. Additionally, the victims of these accidents or their surviving family members may be entitled to seek financial compensation for their losses through the use of a civil claim for damages. In addition to medical bills and pain and suffering, relief may be possible to provide compensation for things like lost wages, loss of a normal life, or even the permanency of any injuries that are caused by a crash. Speaking with a lawyer in Phoenix who handles personal injury claims may help you understand your rights if you have been hurt or if you have questions about the legal process in Arizona.

Now, attention is being directed towards a collision that happened this weekend on U.S. 93 and may have caused a young boy permanent damages. On Saturday evening, two cars collided on U.S. 93 near mileposts 68 and 69 in Kingman and sent four adults and a young child to area hospitals. Witnesses stated that one of the vehicles reportedly was driving the wrong way on U.S. 93 and that the vehicle collided head-on with the second car, causing massive damage and leaving both cars destroyed. Emergency crews responded to the scene and helped the driver of the suspected at-fault vehicle as well as three adults in the second vehicle. However the first victim to be assessed was a small child, reportedly a three-year-old boy, who was in the backseat of the second vehicle.

Though the child was the first victim taken to an area hospital, reports by his family indicate that his injuries are severe and that he is now paralyzed from the waist down in addition to sustaining a serious gash across his head and other injuries. Posts on Facebook and other social media sites about the boy have gone viral and have led to more than 270,000 shares and reposts about the boy’s condition and the dangers of driving while drunk. Currently, two accounts have been set up by the boy’s family to help fund the medical care he needs.

Authorities are still investigating this accident and reviewing the facts involved but there are indications that the reported wrong-way driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. If that is the case, charges may be issued against the driver, who is expected to recover from his injuries. The other adult victims are also expected to recover but it is not clear whether any will have lasting damage.
Continue reading “5 Injured, Including Child, in Possible Drunk Driving Crash on U.S. 93”

Cuando un accidente de tráfico se lleva a cabo en Phoenix, las consecuencias de la colisión no terminan en el momento que los carros han dejado de girar. En su lugar, mientras que una colisión toma apenas unos instantes, se desencadena una serie de eventos que pueden durar horas, días, semanas o incluso años. En muchos de los casos, se le avisa a la policía cuando un accidente ocurre y ellos responden a la escena. Los equipos médicos de emergencia también pueden llegar si se sospecha lesiones o si lesiones son confirmadas o si se cree que el accidente sea significativo.

La mayoría de las colisiones activan una investigación en la escena, que incluirá un oficial entrevistando a los que estuvieron involucrados en el accidente, así como a los testigos disponibles. El accidente puede ser evaluado y oficiales intentarán de determinar qué factores condujeron al choque y si alguien involucrado erró antes del impacto, que podría dar lugar a la emisión de multas de tráfico o cargos criminales. Vehículos necesitarán ser reparados o reemplazados y las víctimas de la colisión tendrán que tratar con algunos inconveniencias. Cuando resultan lesiones, las víctimas podrán necesitar ayuda médica en un hospital, podrán necesitar atención de seguimiento, o podrán necesitar otro tipo de asistencia como rehabilitación y terapia ocupacional.

Las consecuencias de una colisión duran mucho más largo que el propio accidente y los conductores que tuvieron la culpa a menudo no consideran esto en los momentos que siguen después un accidente. Sin embargo, la responsabilidad por estos accidentes puede extender desde una multa de tráfico a un tribunal penal e incluso a la responsabilidad financiera de las heridas sufridas por las víctimas. Esta última parte- responsabilidad financiera – puede ser asombroso que incluso una simple colisión, de baja velocidad puede producir lesiones devastadoras.

Las leyes están en el lado de las víctimas a la hora de ayuda y de alivio después del accidente y pueden dar derecho a las víctimas de accidentes de carro de obtener una compensación financiera por sus pérdidas. Hablando con un abogado de lesiones personales en el área de Phoenix puede ayudarle darse cuenta de cuales ayudas están disponibles para usted si usted ha sido herido o si su ser querido murió en un choque.

La policía de Phoenix ha dado nueva información sobre un accidente de carro el 08 de enero 2015 que dejó a un muerto y un segundo herido. El accidente ocurrió cerca de la Avenida 35 y Greenway Road en Phoenix e implico a un vehículo sospechoso de exceso de velocidad que se pasó una luz roja, provocando una colisión con un segundo carro en el área. La policía ahora ha declarado que el conductor que se sospecha que fue culpable estaba bajo la influencia de medicamentos de dolor en el momento del impacto y que era conocido por los bomberos en el área como un usuario de opiáceos.

El conductor culpable resultó herido y el conductor del otro vehículo perdió la vida el día después de la colisión debido a las lesiones que sufrió. Ahora, el conductor que se sospecha que tuvo la culpa se enfrenta a cargos por homicidio y los cargos relacionados con la alta velocidad por el accidente.
Continue reading “Cargos de homicidio involuntario se sospecha en Choque por conducir Intoxicado”

When a car accident takes place in Phoenix, the fallout from the collision does not end the moment the cars stop spinning. Instead, while a collision takes mere moments, it triggers a series of events that can last hours, days, weeks, or even years. In most cases, police are alerted when a crash happens and they respond to the scene. Emergency medical crews may also arrive if injuries are suspected or confirmed or if the accident is believed to be significant.

Most collisions trigger an on-scene investigation that will include an officer interviewing those involved in the crash as well as any eyewitnesses available. The accident may be evaluated and officials will attempt to determine which factors led to the crash and whether anyone involved erred prior to the impact, potentially leading to the issuance of traffic tickets or criminal charges. Vehicles will need to be repaired or replaced and the victims of the collision will have to deal with some inconveniences. When injuries result, victims may need to obtain medical help at a hospital, may need follow up care, or may need other assistance like rehabilitative and occupational therapy.

The fallout from a collision lasts much longer than the crash itself and at-fault drivers often fail to consider this in the moments that follow an accident. Yet the liability for these crashes can extend from a traffic ticket to a criminal courtroom and even to the financially liability for the injuries sustained buy victims. This last part – financial liability – can be astounding as even a simple, low speed collision may produce devastating injuries.

The laws are on the side of victims when it comes to post-accident help and relief and may entitle car crash victims to obtain financial compensation for their losses. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in the Phoenix area can help you realize what relief may be available to you if you have been hurt or if your loved one was killed in a collision.

Police in Phoenix have released new information regarding a January 8, 2015 car accident that left one man dead and a second man injured. The crash happened near 35th Avenue and Greenway Road in Phoenix and involved a suspected speeding vehicle that ran a red light, causing a collision with a second car in the area. Police have now stated that the suspected at-fault driver was under the influence of pain medication at the time of the impact and that he was known to area firefighters as an opiate user.

The alleged at-fault driver was hurt and the driver of the other vehicle lost his life the day after the collision due to the injuries he sustained. Now, the suspected at-fault driver is facing manslaughter and speed-related charges for his role in the crash.
Continue reading “Manslaughter Charges in Suspected Intoxicated Driving Crash”

When a motorist choose to drink and drive or to drive under the influence of drugs, anyone can suffer the consequences of that one decision. The driver may be injured personally, those in the same vehicle may be hurt, or those in other cars may be injured if a collision occurs. Unfortunately, even pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists in the area may suffer in a Phoenix drunk driving accident because they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The devastation that may result from a DUI crash in Arizona cannot be overstated. In addition to the damage done to the vehicles involved, victims may suffer from personal injuries that range from minor to severe or even permanent. In the worst collisions, a victim may lose his or her life and that victim’s family may be left behind to suffer the loss forever. While nothing can turn back time and prevent these accidents once they take place, victims may be entitled to seek financial compensation for their losses against a drunk driver, the owner of a vehicle, a company, a city, or even the victim’s own insurance company. If you have been hurt or if your loved one has been injured, you may better understand your options by speaking with a personal injury attorney in Phoenix who has experience helping the victims of car accidents.

Earlier in January, a fatal accident occurred on I-10 near Marana that left one person dead and two people seriously injured. Now, local authorities have alleged that the 36-year-old woman behind the wheel at the time was impaired and is now facing criminal charges.

The crash involved one vehicle leaving the surface of I-10 and rolling over, according to authorities who responded to the scene. Three people were inside and all were hurt. Emergency crews were able to remove the victims and assess them for injuries before transporting them to area hospitals. Though physicians tended to a 16-year-old female, the girl’s injuries were critical and she died as a result of the crash. An 18-year-old male was critically injured but survived and the driver was listed in serious condition following the crash.

In addition to reporting the suspected intoxication of the driver, local authorities have also stated that the woman behind the wheel was the mother of both the 16-year-old female and 18-year-old male who were in the car at the time. Due to the female’s death, the driver is now facing one count of second degree murder and may face additional charges when the investigation is completed and the results of any toxicity screens are confirmed.
Continue reading “Woman Arrested in Suspected DUI Accident that Killed Daughter, Injured Son”

This week’s upswing in temperatures and record highs have sent many people in Phoenix out of their homes where they had holed up during the cold days last week. Now, people are out and about again and some children are heading back to school which is leading to an increase in the amount of traffic on the streets of the Valley of the Sun. Increased traffic can make driving stressful but it does not have to make it unsafe as long as all those on the roads follow posted traffic laws and act in a reasonable and prudent manner.

Unfortunately, though, every day, drivers choose to operate their vehicles in an unsafe manner. When they do this, they threaten not only their own safety but the safety of all those in the area, including those in separate cars. Drunk driving accidents and collisions caused by impaired drivers are examples of some of the most dangerous actions exhibited on the roads on Phoenix and a leading cause of injury accidents. When these crashes happen, victims may feel like they are suffering because of the conduct of another motorist and that nothing can help ease their pain. However, in Arizona, it is possible for car accident victims to obtain the relief they deserve through the use of a civil claim which can provide payment for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. These claims can be pursued with the help of a personal injury lawyer who handles collisions and who represents the victims of those accidents.

Around 8:00 p.m. Thursday night, police believe that a pickup truck ran a red light on Greenway Road at the intersection with 35th Avenue and collided with a vehicle in the intersection. Officials suspect that excessive speed played a role and that the driver of the pickup truck may have been intoxicated at the time of the impact but that has not been confirmed at this time.

Police and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and evaluated both drivers involved. Both were injured and were taken to area hospitals for treatment. The driver of the pickup truck survived and the nature of his injuries are unknown but they do not appear to be life-threatening at this time; however, the driver of the second vehicle was critically injured and was placed on life support and is not expected to survive.

The serious nature of the collision and the resulting injuries caused officials to close the area to through traffic for several hours into Friday morning. While the investigation is ongoing, police have confirmed that charges are pending against the driver of the pickup truck and it is possible that more charges will be brought.
Continue reading “Serious Phoenix Car Accident Possibly Involved Impairment”

Drunk driving accidents in Phoenix have been covered in depth by the media in recent weeks. It may seem like this rash of incidents is an increase from normal or perhaps that it is just a focus on the tragic by those who report the news, but in fact, it should be a reminder of the threat posed by drunk drivers to the safety of all others on the road.

In Arizona, it is a crime to drive under the influence of alcohol, and a driver will be considered under the influence if his or her blood alcohol content is .08 or higher. The law was made this way to protect the safety of everyone while holding drivers responsible for their actions should they choose to drink and drive. In simple terms, alcohol is a depressant that slows the central nervous system, making it difficult for a driver to make quick judgments and adjust his or her actions accordingly. Drunk or impaired drivers take longer to perceive chances in traffic pattern, to observe other vehicles in the area, to notice traffic control signals like stop signs and lights, and to understand hazards in the road. These drivers statistically are several times more likely to cause a collision than their sober counterparts and often drive in excess of the speed limit, meaning that the collisions that result can be more dangerous.

Common penalties faced by a Phoenix drunk driver include traffic fines and fees, loss of a driver’s license, community service, or incarceration. But in addition to these charges that may stem from the State of Arizona, these drivers may also be held financially liable for any monetary losses experienced by victims. From medical bills to lost wages and pain and suffering, victims of drunk driving collisions may be able to recover for their losses through the use of a civil claim. Speaking with a personal injury attorney in the Valley may help you realize what options are available to you and whether you have a valid claim if you have been hurt by a drunk driver or if your loved one was injured or killed in a crash.

A law enforcement official in Yavapai County noticed a suspected drunk driver on Saturday night and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. But according to authorities, the driver, a 57-year-old female, refused to stop and instead led a pursing officer on a five mile chase. The incident took place near Cornville Road and Mountain View Road and began with the pursuit. Reportedly, the officer involved determined that the driver’s actions were too risky and therefore backed off pursuit when the motorist drove the wrong way on the road. A short time later, the driver allegedly pulled over which enabled the officer to complete the traffic stop on Highway 89A.

The officer observed potential signs of intoxication and put the driver through a field sobriety test, which she reportedly failed. As a result, the motorist was arrested and is now facing multiple charges including driving under the influence, reckless driving, and fleeing from a police official.
Continue reading “Driver Arrested for DUI after Police Chase”

The end of the year brings with it the holiday season and many parties and celebrations. While most adults will engage in these activities responsibility, unfortunately some choose to partake in drugs or alcohol and then drive a car. This is one of the reasons that end-of-the-year accidents are so prevalent in Phoenix and across the Valley and why it is risky to get into your car during this time.

Car accidents can happen at any time and at any place, but the actions of drivers can determine whether a collision is more likely to happen. Among the most common dangerous activities while behind the wheel are speeding, following too closely, driving while distracted and driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. All of these conditions likely may occur as one year wraps and a new one begins, and unfortunately, police officers cannot stop each negligent driver before a crash happens.

If you are the victim of a drunk driving accident in Phoenix, you should know that you may be entitled to relief and to compensation against any and all responsible parties. In some cases, that means the drunk driver personally. In others, it may be the owner or a car or a bar or restaurant that served a driver too much alcohol. And still in some cases, relief may be possible against your own insurance company or an auto insurance policy owned by someone in your household through a type of claim known as an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim. The options can vary based on the unique facts of a case and therefore speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix may help you understand where you stand and the specific relief that may be available to you.

People across the Valley have expressed shock that a teacher at a Chandler elementary school was recently involved in a drunk driving accident that left another person dead. According to authorities, the woman was driving southbound on Arizona Avenue when she allegedly ran a red light and collided with a vehicle attempting a left turn at the intersection with the Loop 202. Emergency crews responded to the scene and attempted to help the driver of the second vehicle, a female, who was pinned in the driver’s seat from the crash but the woman’s injuries were too extreme and she was pronounced dead as a result.

Police at the scene noticed signs of alcohol and possible marijuana use and arrested the woman before conducting blood tests. Officers have reported that the woman had a blood alcohol content of .283 at the time of the crash, more than three times the legal limit of .08 in Arizona.

The driver is now facing charges of second degree murder for her actions and additional charges may be issued.
Continue reading “Chandler Elementary Teacher Arrested, Charged with Murder in Drunk Driving Accident”