Abels & Annes, P.C. Personal Injury Blog

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 […]

Sunday will mark the third time that the State of Arizona has hosted the Super Bowl, the biggest sporting event in the country each year and a spectacle that is believed to draw thousands of tourists to the state. This year’s contest will take place at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, the same location as 2008’s Super Bowl XLII and not too far from Sun Devil Stadium, home of 1996’s Super Bowl XXX. While officials with the NFL and the University of Phoenix Stadium have been preparing for Sunday’s game for months, most of those who call the greater Phoenix area home are probably only now starting to think about the impact that the event may have on their personal lives this weekend. In addition to the normal traffic congestion that plagues the Phoenix area, extra traffic has descended on the Valley as tourists, athletes, and family members come to Arizona in anticipation of the game. This traffic is starting to combine with media outposts and restricted areas around the stadium and starting to make it difficult to travel, regardless of whether you intend to walk or drive. Before the Super Bowl begins, the personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. encourage you to think about your options if you will be a pedestrian and consider the following ideas and tips to limit the odds of a pedestrian accident from occurring: – Plan Ahead: Whether you live in Arizona or you are simply visiting for the game, think about your travel plans before you leave home. Plan where you want to park, if necessary, and where you will walk when approaching the stadium. You may wish to consider your plans after the game ends as well as traffic is expected to be congested and slow in Glendale […]

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 […]

Car accidents can involve anything from one to dozens or even hundreds of cars, trucks, and vans and can range from the minor to the critical. With thousands of variations in the factors that can lead to an impact, it can be difficult for a motorist to anticipate or even try to prevent all crashes. The truth is that many collisions are unavoidable for victims of those accidents or those who do nothing wrong other than occupy the wrong space at the wrong time, but this does not mean that the collisions must happen. Rather, the onus is on the part of a negligent or reckless driver to operate in a safe and secure manner, preventing dangerous conditions that may lead to an impact and eliminating the threats posed to those drivers who act reasonably. While factors of a crash can vary, the chances of injuries resulting will increase with a greater number of potential victims involved. This means that as the number of cars in an accident increase, the likelihood in injuries resulting increases as well. It also means that multi-passenger vehicles like buses or vans run a risk of having additional victims when compared to a passenger car. When you are involved in a crash and you are injured, you may be entitled to financial compensation if that crash happens in the greater Phoenix area. A recovery can enable you to move beyond your accident and to move forward with your life by providing you the financial means necessary to get the medical help you need as well as providing compensation for other losses like pain and suffering and missed wages. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options if an accident has affected your life. A five car collision left multiple lanes of […]

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. […]

Si usted es un fan de fútbol de la NFL o si usted llama a la mayor área de Phoenix casa, es probable que usted ya sepa que el Estadio de la Universidad de Phoenix, casa de los Cardenales de Arizona, será el anfitrión del Super Bowl este año. Pero es posible que no se dé cuenta de que, por segundo año consecutivo, el NFL Pro Bowl se llevará a cabo en la misma ubicación que el Super Bowl y ocurrirá una semana antes que el partido más importante de la temporada. Esto significa que el domingo, decenas de miles de aficionados, descenderán en el área de Glendale para llenar el estadio de la Universidad de Phoenix y para apoyar a algunos de los jugadores más populares desde el 26 de los 32 equipos del NFL. En adición a los que estarán mirando el juego en persona, muchos más estarán participando en las barras y restaurantes en el área, en las casas de amigos o con la familia cuando comiencen la cuenta regresiva para el Super Bowl. Ya sea que usted este en Glendale o cerca del estadio este fin de semana, los efectos del Pro Bowl pueden impactar lo a usted y su viaje por el área de Phoenix. Para estar lo más seguro posible, los abogados de lesiones personales en Abels y Annes, PC sugerimos que mantengan los siguientes consejos: – Incluyan tiempo extra para viajar: Las autoridades de Glendale y oficiales del NFL han confirmado una mayor presencia alrededor del estadio y como resultado van a tomar medidas de seguridad adicionales. Estos variarán a partir de los procedimientos típicos durante los partidos de los cardenales en casa los aficionados deben de estar conscientes de que algunas áreas de estacionamiento, lotes, y puntos de acceso se cerrarán. Si […]

If you are a fan of NFL football or if you call the greater Phoenix area home, chances are that you know that the University of Phoenix stadium, home to the Arizona Cardinals, will host the Super Bowl this year. But you may not realize that for the second year in a row, the NFL Pro Bowl will take place in the same location as the Super Bowl and will happen one week earlier than the biggest game of the season. This means that on Sunday, tens of thousands of fans will descend on the Glendale area to fill the University of Phoenix stadium and to cheer for some of the most popular players from 26 of the 32 NFL teams. In addition to those who will be watching the game in person, many more will be participating at local bars and restaurants, in the homes of friends, or with family as they begin the countdown to the Super Bowl. Whether you will be in Glendale or near the stadium this weekend, the effects of the Pro Bowl may impact you and your travel around the Phoenix area. To be as safe as possible, the personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. suggest you keep the following tips in mind: – Include Extra Time for Traveling: Authorities in Glendale and officials with the NFL have confirmed an anticipated increased presence surrounding the stadium and they will be taking additional safety steps as a result. These will vary from the typical procedures in place during Cardinals home games so fans should be aware that some parking areas, tailgating lots, and access points will be closed. If you plan to head to the game, plan your route ahead of time and consider leaving earlier than intended in case you run into […]

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 […]

If you are like the majority of Americans, you consider yourself a better-than-average driver. This qualification has been the subject of numerous national studies with some producing startling results. In some instances, as many as 82 percent of all American drivers considered themselves to be above average in their driving skills and techniques, but many of those who claimed this elevated status admitted to dangerous behaviors while driving. This has been interpreted by some experts to illustrate the fact that many drivers believe rules are important but that the rules do not apply to them. Common examples of this include drivers who state that operating while intoxicated, speeding, and distracted are bad and may cause collisions but those same drivers admit to one or more of those actions on a reoccurring basis. Speed is believed to be a factor in more collisions nationally than any other factor and it often combines with additional actions, like failing to yield, to produce an accident. Traveling over the posted speed limit or too fast for conditions will increase the distance necessary for a motorist to slow or stop a vehicle and will limit that driver’s ability to take evasive action if a hazard appears or traffic conditions change. While speeders make a conscious decision to drive fast, those in other cars have no choice in the matter. They are subjected to the conditions on the road as they find them and their personal safety can be threatened when someone chooses to speed. If a car accident occurs and an at-fault driver made a mistake, like speeding, the victims of these collisions who sustain injuries may be entitled to seek financial compensation if the crash happens in Arizona. Speaking with a Phoenix personal injury lawyer may help you understand what claims may be available […]

Arizona has experienced a boom in population growth in recent decades like few areas of the country. In fact, the Phoenix metropolitan area grew by 45.3 percent between 1990 and 200 – compare that to a national average increase of 13.2 percent and it is easy to see how significant the growth has been to those that call Phoenix home. More people has led to significant development in the State of Arizona. Buildings, neighborhoods, and shopping complexes seem to spring up out of the desert overnight and the alterations to the previously stark landscape are drastic. With this boom has come an increased demand on local streets and highways. Officials have redesigned some areas to serve the increased demand while others have been marked by the creation of new thoroughfares to make the area drivable. The Loop 202 is a good example of this recent strategy. Though local officials have taken steps to make driving safe, car accidents continue to happen in Phoenix as drivers make mistakes behind the wheel or fail to pay attention to what they are doing while driving. These accidents may be minor and may lead only to damage to the vehicles involved or they may be severe and cause injuries or death to the drivers or passengers. These serious accidents can cause devastation and can leave victims with more answers than questions following a collision and can cause the victims to incur significant financial expenses. Speaking with a personal injury attorney in Phoenix may help you understand your options and your rights if a crash has impacted you or left you hurt. On a Friday morning earlier this month, three vehicles collided near the area of 130th Street and Shea Boulevard in Chandler and at least one person was hurt as a result. Police responded […]