Abels & Annes, P.C. Personal Injury Blog

Motorcyclist in Phoenix and across the Valley face constant threats while riding, some from other drivers, some from other motorcyclists, some from the road themselves, and possibly some from a motorcycle itself. When a motorcycle accident occurs, it is common for a Phoenix-area driver to claim that they did not see the motorcycle or did not notice it prior to impact due to the bike’s small size, poor visibility, or distraction. Other common excuses are that a driver was attempting to pass a motorcycle because that driver was in a hurry, but the driver passed when it was not safe to do so. Thousands of excuses are given every year in an attempt to explain the conduct of an at-fault driver when a motorcycle accident occurs in Arizona. But they are rarely valid as it is every driver’s duty and responsibility to operate a vehicle, whether it is a truck, car, van, or motorcycle, in a safe and reasonable manner. Failing to do so may cause a collision and may lead to significant consequences for the driver responsible. Local authorities, including police officers and prosecutors, can issue traffic tickets, citations, or bring criminal charges against a driver who causes a crash. In addition, the victims of those accidents may be able to seek personal relief that is separate and distinct from any action brought by the State of Arizona or a local municipality. Victims have the right to seek compensation for their damages, including the medical expenses they incur, when they are hurt by the actions of another. Consulting with a lawyer who handles personal injury actions may help you understand whether you have a valid claim if you have been involved in a crash. Unfortunately, a motorcycle accident in Phoenix turned tragic yesterday when the biker involved lost his […]

Though three months remain in the 2014 calendar, Arizona has already experienced a number of high-profile car accidents this year, including several that proved to be fatal. Many of these collisions occurred on highways, freeways, and expressways in the Phoenix area and a number of them are believed to have been caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drunk driving accidents in Phoenix are a serious issue. Alcohol slows a motorist’s ability to make critical decisions, to focus on the road, to notice changing traffic trends and to obey traffic-related rules and laws. Drunk driving collisions affect not only impaired motorists but also those who may be in the same area because drunk drivers risk the safety of everyone when they take to the roads. When a collision occurs, an innocent victim is just as likely as the drunk driver to be injured and too often, the injuries sustained require medical treatment, surgical intervention, and rehabilitative care. When you are involved in a car accident that is not your fault, it can seem like no one is on your side and that no one is working for your interests. But in Arizona, that does not have to be the case because Arizona laws enable victims to seek financial relief for their losses from a collision, including one caused by a drunk driver. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your accident and your options if you have been injured in a crash. Michael Phelps, best known for his success as an Olympic swimmer, was arrested early this morning on charges of driving under the influence in Maryland. According to local authorities, Phelps was driving on I-95 in Baltimore when an officer noticed the vehicle speeding and crossing lane lines. Phelps was pulled over and […]

Numerous drivers in the Phoenix area are unaware of the complex laws that govern drunk driving behavior. Yet all drivers are charged with knowing, understanding, and following the laws and claiming ignorance is never an excuse. It is a criminal offense to drive a motor vehicle in the state of Arizona while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and doing so may lead to significant charges, penalties, and fines. Drunk driving accidents in Phoenix and across the Valley of the Sun are the cause of thousands of injuries every year. In addition to the injuries they cause, these accidents claim the lives of many and affect families, friends, and loved ones in addition to the victims themselves. In many cases, it is an innocent victim, an unsuspecting mother, or a young student who is hurt through the actions of an impaired motorist. The medical bills, lost wages, and other financial damages incurred due to a drunk driving accident can be monumental and can be too much for many victims to endure. Fortunately, the laws in Arizona are designed to place that monetary burden on at-fault drivers, including those who drink and choose to drive or those who take drugs and then operate a vehicle. The use of a civil claim for damages can help a victim obtain an adequate recovery to compensate for any losses that occur. A personal injury lawyer who practices in the area of victim’s rights can help you understand your options or bring your claim if you have been hurt in a collision. Local police have confirmed that NFL receiver Da’Rick Rogers was arrested last night on charges of driving under the influence. The incident reportedly occurred on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. An officer in the area reportedly stopped the vehicle driven […]

For most in Phoenix and across the Valley, school is back in session and summertime activities have officially come to a close. But unlike many other areas of the country, the swimming season is still alive and will be for many families for months to come. With a large number of private homes in Phoenix utilizing private swimming pools and many others taking advantage of public pools across the Valley, time in the water is common for many adults and many children. Unfortunately, along with the fun that comes with hitting the water, risks also are present when a child uses a swimming pool. Swimming pool accidents occur every year in Phoenix and the surrounding metro areas and they leave children seriously injured or even dead. The damages done by these accidents cannot be erased and some families will suffer for a lifetime due to these incidents but the financial toll may be eased through the use of a civil claim. A civil claim can help a family recover funds to cover the monetary damages experienced by these incidents including the medical and rehabilitative bills that may be incurred. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer who represents children and minors in Phoenix may help you understand whether your family or your loved one has a valid claim for relief. Around 5:00 p.m. yesterday, a mother in Mesa reportedly called 911 after finding her 20-month-old toddler submerged in a backyard swimming pool. Officials responded to the scene and provided emergency medical care to the child while transporting the toddler, a girl, to Cardon Children’s Medical Center. At this time, the toddler is unable to breathe on her own and is listed in critical condition with doctors unsure of the child’s prognosis. Local officials investigated at the scene of the near-drowning which […]

Traffic in Phoenix and the rest of the Valley can be treacherous at any moment of any day but most drivers believe that highway traffic during rush hours is some of the worst. The large number of cars traveling in the same direction with the limited number of available lanes means that traffic can move from a high rate of speed to stop-and-go with very little warning. If you drive regularly in Phoenix, you may anticipate these sudden changes and you may be used to adjusting your driving in response. But many on the roads are not as familiar with the peculiar nature of Phoenix traffic, are distracted or otherwise not paying attention to the changes in traffic speed, or are visiting the Phoenix area and are unaware of how heavy traffic can be. Regardless of whether a car accident occurs on a highway, freeway, city street, alleyway, or a dirt road, injuries are likely to result to those involved in the crash. Common injuries may include back or neck damages, broken bones, or even internal bleeding. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who practices and represents clients in the Phoenix area may help you understand the implications of your collision, including whether you have a valid claim for your damages. Police officers in the Valley began to follow a car in the westbound lanes of I-10 near Ray Road shortly after 3:00 this morning for reasons that are not yet clear. Reportedly, the driver of the car did not pull over but continued driving for some time before losing control of the vehicle and causing a collision. The car rolled over at least once before coming to a stop. Officers approached the vehicle once it stopped and noticed that the driver had fled on foot from the scene. At […]

Police and local officials attempt to stop dangerous driving behaviors before they cause collisions. But unfortunately, every year, thousands of bicycle accidents continue to occur in Phoenix and across Arizona. These collisions cause significant damage to the vehicles and the bicycles involved but often, the worst damages stem from the personal injuries that are caused by a collision. Whether the injuries include broken or fractured bones, head or neck injuries, injuries to the shoulders, hips, or extremities, cuts and abrasions, or even scarring, these damages can lead to serious or even permanent conditions that require significant medical care. These accidents and injuries cannot be erased once they occur but the victims of bicycle accidents in the Valley are not without relief. Victims may be entitled to bring a civil claim for damages against a responsible, at-fault motorist who caused a collision. In some cases, multiple claims may be possible against the driver of a car, the owner of a vehicle, or even a victim’s own insurance company. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix may help you understand whether you have a valid claim, and if so, what types of relief may be possible in your case. According to police in Tucson, a 23-year-old female was driving on Oracle Road southbound when she approached a 58-year-old riding a bicycle in a marked bicycle lane. The driver allegedly struck the bicyclist from behind, causing a collision that left the cyclist with serious injuries. According to witnesses, the driver fled the scene of the collision without calling for help or without checking on the status of the bicyclist. Several witnesses reportedly were present when the collision occurred and one noticed authorities who responded to the scene. Emergency medical personnel assessed the bicyclist and transported the victim to an area hospital but […]

The City of Phoenix has nearly 1.5 million people, making it one of the largest cities in the nation. When combined with the surrounding areas, including Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Scottsdale, and Mesa, the numbers swell substantially. The makeup of the Valley includes people of all ages from the very young to the elderly, making the greater Phoenix area a diverse place to live and work. Many of those who call the Valley home are children and minors. Unfortunately, children are some of the most vulnerable citizens when it comes to being injured in an accident. Accidents involving children and minors often occur when a child is riding a bicycle, on a skateboard, riding a scooter, walking as a pedestrian, swimming in a pool, or even riding in a car. Regardless of the nature of the accident, the results are devastating when a child is hurt by the actions of another. The damage affects not only the child but also his or her entire family, friends, neighbors, and classmates. While nothing can remove these injuries once they occur, the injured child and his or her family may be entitled to seek financial compensation for their damages. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer who has experience representing minors may help you understand your legal options if your family has been affected by an accident. A call to 911 triggered an investigation into a collision between a 16-year-old jogger and a van in San Tan Valley on Tuesday morning. Officials have confirmed that the teen was jogging along West Combs Road at approximately 5:00 a.m. when he was hit by a van driven by a 43-year-old man. The driver of the van allegedly claimed that he did not see the teen prior to the collision but that he felt the impact, leading him […]

Skateboarding is common and popular among children and teenagers in Phoenix and the rest of the Valley, so much so that there are numerous parks dedicated to boarding and other similar activities. When the weather is nice and school is out, it is easy to see kids and others using skateboards, scooters, and inline skates for fun and for transportation. Parents should not have to worry about their children’s safety when they are hanging out in a safe manner and within all applicable laws covering their conduct, yet every year, many children and minors are injured in accidents with cars when the drivers of these vehicles fail to pay attention. Being distracted, speeding, or running a stop sign are some of the many reasons that car accidents with children occur in Phoenix and may result in injuries. The children hurt in these collisions may face a lifetime of consequences that can include injuries that may never fully heal. In the worst instances, a teenager or a child may lose his or her life due to the actions of another. While these collisions cannot be erased once they occur, it is possible for the victims and the families of the victims may be able to recover financially through a civil claim for their damages. These settlement can cover expenses like medical bills but no amount of money will ever be adequate when a teen loses his or her life. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who handles wrongful death claims on behalf of the families of accident victims may help you understand whether you are entitled to relief for your losses if your family has suffered from the actions of another. An accident between a skateboarder and an SUV turned fatal on Sunday and police are now looking for any information […]

As a driver in Phoenix, you may be aware that the actions of other motorists directly affect your safety while on the road. People tend to acknowledge that speeding drivers, motorists who fail to yield the right-of-way, or drivers who travel in the wrong direction are a threat to others, whether they are drivers, passengers, or even pedestrians. But in many cases, the cause of a collision is not as simple as one mistake by a driver. Several factors may combine to lead to a dangerous situation where a collision can occur. In more than 50 percent of all accidents in the United States, speed is believed to be a factor but generally speed is combined with another action, like following too closely for safety, to lead to a crash. Victims of car accidents in Phoenix are often left to suffer from injuries they sustained in the collision, regardless of what factors contributed to the crash. These victims may incur medical expenses, lost wages missed from time off work, and other damages including pain and suffering. While these victims cannot be returned to their pre-injury state, they can obtain financial compensation for their losses against an at-fault driver under the laws of Phoenix and of Arizona. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in the Valley of the Sun or elsewhere across the state may help you understand your options if you believe you were hurt by the actions of another. Police in Phoenix believe that a series of bad decisions led to a car accident that claimed the lives of two people late last week. They believe that a female driver and a male passenger were in a sports car after leaving a restaurant in the area of 75th and McDowell. Employees at the restaurant indicated that the couple dined […]

When driving in Phoenix or the surrounding cities and towns, how often have you noticed a bicyclist in the area? If you are like many drivers, the chances are that you seek bicycles every day as you travel the streets of Phoenix. While some areas, including Tempe, have a greater number of cyclists than others, the Valley itself is home to a large number of riders who utilize bicycles as a primary or secondary means of transportation. That may not be surprising to most: it is legal to ride a bicycle in Phoenix where cyclists are provided with all the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of cars, trucks or vans. But too often, the rights of these riders are not respected and a collision occurs, more often than not, leaving the bicyclist injured. When a bicycle accident takes place, many victims are unaware of their potential legal rights and what options may be available to them. Consulting with an attorney, especially one that represents personal injury victims, may help you understand whether you have a valid claim for your damages, and if so, what avenues of recoveries may be available to you. Many members of local and state governments across Arizona have made it clear that a safer bicycling environment is in the best interests of all citizens, whether or not they choose to ride. Limiting or reducing bicycle accidents will safe lives, prevent injuries, and reduce the financial damages to individuals and the state, including medical expenses that may be incurred by a victim. The law in Arizona requires that motorists, or those in a vehicle, who intend to pass a bicycle do so in a safe and reasonable manner. Providing a safe passing distance between a car and a bicycle is a requirement and failure to do […]