Motorcycle Accidents Archives

Arizona motorcycle accident injures Phoenix police officer

A Phoenix motorcycle crash has resulted in a police officer sustaining severe injuries on Friday, according to ABC news. The collision took place at Camelback Road and 7th Street in Phoenix.

The motorcyclist was moving westbound on Camelback when a Chevy Monte Carlo turned left into the officer’s path, causing the motorcycle to t-bone the car. The policewoman reportedly sustained significant injuries in the accident. The Monte Carlo driver was not injured.

The speed limit is 35 mph at the accident location and there are reportedly no charges pending against the left turning driver. The incident took place during Friday morning’s rush hour.

KTAR.com is reporting that the officer was pinned in for a short time and then taken by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. The front end of the motorcycle was heavily damaged and a door on the car was smashed in.

The injuries are reportedly non-life-threatening and the officer is expected to recover. The exact nature of her injuries has not been reported. The motorcyclist is a 14 year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department.

At some point is possible that the officer will be represented by a Phoenix injury attorney. Drivers turning left have a duty to yield to oncoming traffic in the State of Arizona. It is common for motorists to keep a good look out for other cars and larger vehicles, but then fail to notice smaller and more vulnerable parties such as motorcycle riders, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Detention officer arrested for role in fatal Arizona motorcycle accident

by Dave Abels

A Maricopa County Sheriff’s employee was taken into custody on Friday by the Goodyear Police Department for his involvement in a Phoenix area car vs. motorcycle crash that killed a woman, according to the Arizona Republic. We previously reported on our Phoenix injury lawyer blog that the collision occurred on October 16 at around 12:30 AM at Indian School and Citrus Roads in Goodyear. The 27-year-old detention officer was driving his Chevy Cobalt when he rear-ended a woman that was stopped at a stop sign on a 2009 Ducati motorcycle.

The motorcycle rider was thrown from her bike and reportedly died instantly. Her foot was also severed in the collision. The victim was riding with her husband next to her at the time of the accident. He was not injured.

The at fault driver reportedly admitted to police that he had been drinking throughout the day and that he felt “buzzed” when he left a tavern shortly before the accident. Goodyear police officers claim he had bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech and smelled of alcohol. A hospital blood test taken around 2 AM show the defendant had a BAC of 0.225%. A subsequent test taken around 4 AM by police showed a 0.14% blood-alcohol level. Both test results are well above the legal limit.

The defendant surrendered to police on Friday at his attorney’s office in Phoenix. The defendant reportedly works at the 4th Avenue Jail as a corrections officer.

There is no word as to whether Arizona motorcycle accident attorneys are involved in the case yet. When injury lawyers do get involved, they will pursue a claim against the intoxicated driver, however they will also look into a possible claim against the tavern that may have served the defendant too much alcohol. Click here to read about Arizona dram shop claims.

Phoenix motorcycle crash kills rider

by Dave Abels

An Arizona motorcyclist has died in an accident that occurred in the North Valley on Tuesday, according to ABC news. The Phoenix bike crash took place at Union Hills Drive and 28th St. in the late afternoon, which is a stop light intersection in a residential area.

It is being reported that the accident occurred when a female driver of a car made a left turn into the path of the motorcycle. The woman later told police she did not see the motorcyclist approaching.

When the vehicles collided the gas tank on the motorcycle punctured and burst into flames, burning both the bike and the car. The Arizona Republic is reporting that the motorcyclist was thrown around 30 feet and sustained severe chest injuries.

The motorcycle rider, age 26, was rushed by ambulance to John C. Lincoln Hospital in critical condition and died a short time later. The driver of the car only suffered minor injuries.

The Phoenix Police Department is handling the motorcycle crash investigation. They do not believe the left turning driver was impaired. The intersection had to be closed for several hours.

It has not been reported if a Phoenix personal injury lawyer is involved in the case yet. There will most likely be a civil claim pursued in this matter, as drivers in the state of Arizona have a duty to yield to oncoming traffic when making a left turn.

Arizona personal injury lawyer files motorcycle accident lawsuit

by Dave Abels

Phoenix injury lawyers have filed a negligence lawsuit on behalf of a Gila Bend resident and against the Buckeye Elementary School District and the Town of Buckeye stemming from an Arizona motorcycle versus car accident. The Arizona Republic is reporting that the crash allegedly occurred about a year ago and caused the 30-year-old motorcyclist to become partially blind.

The Gila Bend man was riding his bike when a special education teacher from the Inca Elementary School, driving her personal vehicle, made a left turn from Yuma Road to get onto Durango Road and failed to yield to oncoming traffic. The motorcyclist crashed into the teacher’s driver’s-side door and ended up beneath her vehicle.

At the time of the accident, the teacher was working for the school district and was traveling to a training session, therefore within the scope of her employment. The lawsuit alleges the bike rider sustained a severe concussion that has resulted in memory loss and a partial loss of vision.

The lawsuit was filed on September 15 in Maricopa County Superior Court. The teacher, school district and town are named as defendants. The plaintiff’s previously filed notice of claim is asking for $28.5 million in damages from the defendants. The motorcyclist’s lost wages and medical bills incurred so far are reportedly in the area of $4 million. The victim’s wife and two children are also named as plaintiffs.

The motorcyclist’s attorneys are not named in the Arizona Republic article, and only referred to as “Phoenix lawyers”.

Arizona woman killed in rear-end motorcycle accident

by Dave Abels

An Arizona car versus motorcycle accident has resulted in the death of a woman from Buckeye, according to azcentral.com. The motorcycle crash occurred Saturday morning in Goodyear.

At the time of the collision, the victim and her husband were both riding on two motorcycles. They stopped for stop sign at the intersection of Indian School Road and Citrus Road at around 12:30 AM. While stopped, the driver of a Chevy Cobalt rear-ended the victim’s motorcycle.

The woman’s name has not been reported, and her husband was not injured in the accident.

Investigating Goodyear police officers believe the at fault driver may have been drinking, and their investigation is ongoing.

Whether a Phoenix area personal injury law firm is involved in the case yet has not been reported.

In other bike crash news, the Arizona Republic is reporting that an All-Arizona senior linebacker from Mesa was injured last week in an accident. The 6 foot three, 215 pound player reportedly suffered bad road rash. What caused the motorcycle accident has not been reported.

According to ADOT, in 2008 alone there were over 3,500 motorcycle accidents in Arizona. 140 motorcyclists died and over 3,000 were hurt in those collisions. 70% of those accidents took place in urban centers such as Glendale and Mesa.

Motorcycle rider killed in a Phoenix accident

by Dave Abels

An Arizona motorcycle accident has resulted in the death of a rider in his 50s, according to CBS News. The motorcyclist was heading eastbound on Interstate 10 on the West side of Phoenix when he was involved in a collision with a pickup truck on Tuesday morning.

A DPS spokesman said the Phoenix bike crash occurred around 9 AM at the 59th Avenue overpass. Several lanes of traffic were closed for several hours.

The motorcyclist was wearing his helmet at the time of the collision. He was rushed by ambulance to a Phoenix hospital and passed away a short time later.

The cause of the accident has not yet been reported. It has not been reported that drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

Click here to read the story as reported by the Arizona Republic.

According to ADOT, in the year 2008 alone there were 3,531 Arizona motorcycle crashes. Of those bike accidents, 3,004 people were injured and 140 were killed. Those numbers are slightly up from the year before, when in 2007 there were 3,464 Arizona motorcycle accidents that injured 2,929 and killed 135. Statistics for the year 2009 have not yet been released.

Several Phoenix car accidents reported at the start of Labor Day weekend

by Dave Abels

There were several Phoenix area car crashes on Friday afternoon to start the busy holiday weekend, that according to a AZCentral.com. The car crashes occurred on the Loop 202 and Interstate 17. DPS officers responded to all three crashes.

On northbound Interstate 17, there was a three vehicle accident with injuries. The driver of a white Toyota struck a van from behind. The van was carrying 15 people. A third car sustained damage in the accident as well. This caused a traffic backup and tow truck had to remove one of the vehicles from the scene.

On the Loop 202 heading eastbound, the driver of a white vehicle rear-ended a maroon vehicle. The driver of the car that was rear-ended and a child passenger were injured. The auto accident blocked the right lane of traffic for a period of time.

Finally, a motorcycle rider struck the truck from behind on Interstate 17. The motorcyclist was injured, however the severity is unknown at this time.

DPS officers stated that slow traffic is common for this holiday weekend. It is a good idea for all drivers use extra caution when there are so many cars on the road. Also, avoid driving while distracted. That means no texting, and if you are going to use your cell phone, use a headset or Bluetooth.

If you are injured in a vehicle accident over this busy holiday weekend, it is a good idea to consult with a Phoenix injury lawyer to make sure your rights are fully protected.

Arizona motorcycle accidents in focus as riders hit the road to promote safety and awareness

by Dave Abels

Thousands of motorcycle riders took to the streets over the weekend to raise awareness in an effort to reduce the number of serious and fatal Arizona motorcycle accidents, according to The Daily Courier.

As we reported earlier this month on our Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, authorities nationwide are preaching motorcycle safety during the month of May, which is Motorcycle Awareness Month. A horrific Phoenix motorcycle accident that killed four people and injured five others is being used in the fight to get motorists to pay attention as the summer riding season gets underway. That accident occurred when a dump truck failed to stop at an intersection and drove through a group of motorcycles waiting at the light.A total of 98 riders were killed in Arizona motorcycle accidents last year, according to preliminary estimates. While motorcycle accidents are projected to decline nationwide for the first time in more than a decade, that is not the case in Arizona, where 98 riders were also killed in accidents in 2008.

Saturday’s ride included the Phoenix Motorcycle Riders Group and Phoenix MC Kruzers. The bikers rode from Mesa to Apache Junction. Those killed in the Phoenix accident were members.

“This tragic accident has motivated us to action that we hope will result in safer roads for everyone,” said John Fox, organizer of the Phoenix Motorcycle Group.

Safety Tips

– Signal. Use your mirrors. Check lanes before changing lanes.

– Don’t tailgate. Stay at least two seconds behind a motorcycle or other vehicle.

– Avoid distracted driving. Including using a cell phone while behind the wheel.

– Don’t speed.

– Tap your horn to alert drivers to your presence when necessary.

– Use hand signals as well as turn signals when riding a motorcycle.

– Use flashers when approaching slower traffic to warn drivers behind you.

To read more about the Phoenix motorcycle accident’s use in safety campaigns:

Channel 5 in San Antonio

Seattle motorcycle safety via the Woodenville Weekly.

Austin motorcycle awareness as reported by KVUE.
Continue reading “Arizona motorcycle accidents in focus as riders hit the road to promote safety and awareness”

3 injured in Scottsdale motorcycle accident

by Dave Abels

Two teens are still in the hospital as of Tuesday after sustaining serious injuries in an Arizona motorcycle accident on Saturday, according to the Arizona Republic. The accident took place around 8:30 p.m. at 92nd and Cholla Street in Scottsdale.

Police are saying that they believe the accident was caused when a 19 year old motorcyclist ran a red light while heading southbound on 92nd. He hit a Honda minivan that was eastbound on Cholla turning left onto 92nd. He had a 17 year old female passenger riding with him at the time of the crash.

The motorcycle driver was taken to Scottsdale Healthcare-Osborn and the passenger was taken to John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital. The Honda driver was taken to Scottsdale Healthcare-Shea for an injured arm, and was treated and released.

It is being reported that the motorcyclist had alcohol in his system, but his exact BAC level has not been disclosed.

The Scottsdale Police Department is handling the accident investigation.

According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, in the year 2008 alone there were over 3,500 Arizona motorcycle crashes, and over 3,000 people were hurt in those accidents. Seventy percent of the crashes occurred in urban locations. 140 people were killed.

Arizona motorcycle accidents continue to concern safety advocates

by Dave Abels

Arizona motorcycle accidents are a continuing cause for concern as the Governors Highway Safety Association reports the state was the 9th deadliest in the nation for motorcycle accidents in 2009.

While final statistics will be released in the coming weeks, the association reports that 98 riders were killed in Arizona during 2009 — no reduction over the 98 killed in 2008 — even as a significant decline occurred nationwide for the first time in more than a decade.Nationwide, motorcycle accidents are forecast to decline to 4,762 deaths, compared to the 5,290 deaths reported in 2008. After 11 years of increases, officials say more needs to be done before the decrease can be considered part of a sustainable decline.

“We will need to see three to five years of decline before we are ready to say that a positive trend has developed,” Association Chairman Vernon Betkey said.

Recently, a Phoenix motorcycle accident killed four people and seriously injured five others after a large dump truck plowed into eight bikes stopped at a traffic light in North Phoenix near 27th Drive and Carefree Highway. The accident was so shocking that the American Motorcycle Association offered a public apology and condolences to the families.

Witnesses reported the dump truck ran over the motorcycles and collided with an SUV that had originally been stopped at the light in front of the bikes. Some of the motorcycles burst into flames as bikes and riders were dragged 50 to 75 yards.

“I have never seen such a horrific accident involving so many motorcycles,” Phoenix Public Safety Manager Jack Harris told reporters at the scene. Local newspapers reported that the 46-year-old truck driver has two pending speeding citations, both issued within the last month.