Abels & Annes, P.C. Personal Injury Blog

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 […]

You may be one of the thousands of Phoenix-area residents that own, use, or ride a motorcycle on occasion. Whether it is the freedom of the ride or the convenience of a bike that propels you, bikers are among good company in the Valley as they take to the roads. With a culture that focuses on bikers including rallies, organized rides, and biker bars, Phoenix can be a haven for motorcyclists. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents continue to occur every year in Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale, and Chandler and often are the fault of another driver. Failing to look for or notice bikers, failing to yield the right-of-way, or failing to provide a safe distance when passing a motorcycle are some of the common reasons these collisions occur. After an accident, a biker often experiences the majority of the damage, including the physical toll enacted by an impact and the injuries that result. While the law cannot erase these damages, there are protections in Arizona for those victims of motorcycle collisions that may entitle them to relief. It is up to a victim to seek this potential relief and these claims must be brought within a period specified by law, so if you have been hurt, it is a good idea to speak with a personal injury lawyer to learn about your options. A collision on Monday left at least one person dead, according to officials in Arizona. A crash took place between a motorcycle and a semi-tractor west of Gila Bend on Interstate 8 in the westbound lanes and led to the closure of the Interstate for several hours while authorities responded. Police and emergency medical crews were on the scene evaluating the victims involved and determining whether additional help was necessary. Unfortunately, one person involved was killed in the accident […]

Planned expansion of the light rail in Phoenix has many residents thinking about the benefits of public transportation these days in all forms. While the light rail is used by many, it is far from the only option to those wishing to travel around the Valley but without the use of a private car. While some choose to walk and others ride a bicycle, taking a public bus is an option exercised by many as they go about their daily activities. Most often, bus transit can be safe and reasonable, but in some cases, a bus accident may occur. These claims can be complicated and can involve multiple potential at-fault drivers and others who may be held legally liable. In some instances, multiple buses collide and may injure the passengers on board. In other cases, a bus may collide with a private vehicle like a car, truck or van and may injure those on the bus and/or those in the private vehicle. These injuries often are devastating and may cause damages that last a lifetime. When a bus accident occurs in Phoenix, the victims are left to pick up the pieces and try to obtain the relief they need. But that does not mean that victims have to suffer in silence. The laws of Arizona provide those who have been hurt by the actions of others with certain legal rights, including the right to seek relief for damages incurred in a bus collision. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who has experience representing victims may help you understand whether you have a valid claim, and if so, who may be liable for your losses. A Monday morning accident involving a car took place near 40th Street in Phoenix and left the car stopped on the side of the road. According […]

It is the duty of every building owner to make sure that the premises, both inside and out, are safe and do not present an unreasonable threat of harm to those people who may encounter them. This can mean erecting a safe building initially, performing regular inspections to ensure that nothing has deteriorated, and making repairs and improvements when necessary. Failing to keep a building in a safe and reasonable manner may lead to liability on the part of a building owner, the operator of an establishment, or someone who rents the premises, depending on the facts of a particular incident. If a victim is hurt in a premises liability accident in Phoenix, that victim must seek his or her own relief within the time period specified by Arizona law. Failing to do so will prevent the victim from obtaining any compensation or other damages to which the victim may be entitled. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix may help you understand if you have a valid claim, and if so, who may be liable for the damages you suffered. An investigation is ongoing into an incident that occurred Sunday at the Mesa Arts Center that left a 61-year-old woman seriously injured. According to witnesses, the woman, a tourist from Germany, was at the center with several other people when she stepped upon a metal grate in a corner of the floor. For reasons that are not clear, part of the grate collapsed and gave way, causing the woman to fall below it and land on a subfloor. Officials report that the victim fell approximately 25 feet before landing, during which time she sustained a broken leg and injuries to her head. It is unclear whether she sustained any other damages or what her prognosis is at this […]

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 […]

Fall temperatures have finally arrived in Phoenix and across the Valley of the Sun, meaning that motorists have a reprieve from the triple-digit temperatures that plague so much of the summer months. Now that the weather has cooled, motorists in the area are likely to notice an increase in the number of motorcycles and motorcyclists on the roads as they travel through Phoenix. Traveling by motorcycle can be a great way to get around Phoenix’s wide and sprawling streets, but it can also pose a threat to the safety of those who ride. While it is legal for motorcycles to take to the roads and highways, drivers in passenger cars and trucks do not always respect those rights. Failing to look for or notice a motorcycle may place a car and a bike in the same place at the same time, leading to a motorcycle accident that may cause injuries. The laws in Arizona as they apply to motorcycle crashes can be complicated and can make it difficult for a victim to understand whether he or she has a valid claim for damages. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options, including whether you may be entitled to payment for medical bills, surgical expenses, rehabilitative care, and other losses like missed wages or pain and suffering, if your have been involved in a motorcycle collisions or if your loved one has been injured or killed. Shortly after 6:00 a.m. on Monday, a collision between a motorcycle and an SUV occurred in Scottsdale, claiming the life of the motorcyclist. Police have reported that the biker was traveling straight in the area of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and Miller when the rider, a 28-year-old man, came upon an SUV. The SUV reportedly was attempting to turn left […]

Pedestrians often take to sidewalks, crosswalks, and other areas without thinking about the possibility of an accident. But in truth, pedestrian accidents are a serious problem in Phoenix and across the rest of Arizona as motorists and other drivers continue to pose a threat to those who walk. Across the nation, a pedestrian is hurt in a traffic accident every eight minutes. Arizona laws are clear when it comes to pedestrian safety and pedestrian rights. All drivers, including those operating passenger cars, must yield to a pedestrian when that pedestrian has the right-of-way. But a driver must also take appropriate steps to avoid a collision when a pedestrian does not have the right-of-way. Failing to yield the right-of-way or otherwise being responsible for a pedestrian accident in Phoenix may lead to liability on the part of a driver involved. While the state of Arizona may issue a traffic citation, serious penalties can also be sought by a victim who may be entitled to financial compensation for his or her damages. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix may help you understand the implications of your crash if you have been hurt. Shortly before 7:00 p.m. on Monday, a collision occurred in Glendale between a pedestrian and an elderly driver, sending authorities to the scene and launching an investigation. According to witnesses and local police, a 14-year-old had been skateboarding in the area of Grand Avenue. Reports indicate that the teen stopped riding the skateboard and began to cross Grand Avenue on foot when a sedan approached. The car, driven by a 76-year-old woman, collided with the teen and left him critically injured. Emergency crews transported the teenage boy to an area hospital for treatment where the nature and the extent of his injuries remain unclear. Police spoke with the […]

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 […]

Thousands of parents in Tempe place their children on school buses every morning and go about the rest of their day, never questioning the safety of their child because they trust that a bus driver and the bus company will always put safety first. Despite this significant trust placed by parents, numerous school bus accidents occur every year in the greater Phoenix area, including in Tempe, Scottsdale, Glendale, Chandler, and Mesa. Some of these collisions are minor and fortunately do not injure children but others are severe and leave those involved hurt and in need of medical care. When a school bus accident leaves your child hurt, it may be difficult to understand what steps you need to take to ensure your child’s rights and your family’s rights are protected. Do you have a valid claim? Who was at fault in the collision? Do the outcome of any traffic-related charges impact your child’s right to a recovery? When facing these difficult questions, it is a good idea to speak with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer so that you can get the answers you deserve. A collision between a vehicle and a school bus took place yesterday in Tempe and police are still investigating at this time. According to officials, a vehicle in the area of Rural and Guadalupe approached a school bus with at least 17 students on board. For reasons that are not yet clear, the vehicle did not stop and struck the back of the bus in a rear-end collision. Police responded to the scene and spoke to the individuals involved. It appeared that none of the students on the bus were injured nor was the driver; the condition of the driver of the other vehicle is not clear at this time. Authorities have not revealed whether anyone […]

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 […]