Abels & Annes, P.C. Personal Injury Blog

The safety of their children is the primary concern of every parent across the nation. Whether they are watching as a child rides a bicycle or walking a kid to school, parents take on the role of defender seriously, ensuring the greatest protection to their children as possible. But parents can only do so much to keep their children safe, and when others act in a negligent manner, injuries to children and minors may result. Whether the cause of the injury is a car accident, bus accident, pedestrian accident, or other type of incident, if the accident was caused by negligence, the child and his or her family may be entitled to financial relief. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in the Valley who has experience representing children who have been harmed may help you understand the legal implications of your child’s accident, including whether your family may be entitled to financial relief. Police in Mesa have confirmed the death of a five-year-old child who was hurt in a traffic accident, marking the second traffic-related death of a minor in the area in a week. Police have reported that a five-year-old girl was crossing the street near Gilbert Road and Main Street with her family at a mid-block crosswalk. A truck driven by a 43-year-old female approached the area and reportedly did not see the child, leading to a collision between the two. The girl was killed at the scene, according to local authorities, who are still investigating the cause of the crash and determining the factors that led to the impact. The driver of the truck has been questioned in the incident. Neither drugs nor alcohol are believed to have been a factor but it is not clear whether the woman will face any other charges related to the […]

Across Arizona, many kids are out of school right now on summer break. With free time during the day, kids are going to friends’ houses, swimming, and participating in summer camps. Often, children in Phoenix are getting around by riding bicycles with their friends or even with their families. Most of the time, bikes are a great way for children to get around. Unfortunately, though, bicycle accidents involving children happen every year in the Valley and many of these crashes result in serious injuries or even death. When an accident with a car, truck, or bus occurs and it is caused in whole or in part by the negligence of a driver involved, the victim of that crash, including a minor and/or the minor’s family, may be entitled to seek relief for their loses. Medical bills, pain and suffering, and even permanency of injuries can be compensated through the use of a civil claim. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options if your child has been injured in a collision. Police in Phoenix responded to the scene of an accident between an 8-year-old boy and a vehicle on Wednesday night around 9:00 pm. The child, who was on a bicycle at the time, was reportedly riding near the intersection of Broadway and 27th Avenue when a driver in her 30s allegedly struck the boy with her car. Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and transported the boy to Phoenix Children’s Hospital in extremely critical condition. Doctors attended to the boy through the night but unfortunately the extent of his injuries was too severe and the child died on Thursday morning. Police spoke with the driver while still at the scene of the accident. Though the investigation is still ongoing, police believe that the […]

Wet, raining weather is relatively uncommon in the greater Phoenix area, at least outside of monsoon season. When rain comes around, it can be intense and heavy and lead to substantially decreased visibility. Drivers who find themselves on the roads during a Phoenix rain storm may experience slick roads and slowing traffic. The weather in Phoenix is a factor in numerous car accidents that occur every year. Chain reaction collisions are a common type of car crash that occurs in inclement weather. Most of the time, though, weather plays only a minor role with driver error or negligence playing a large part in a chain reaction. Speeding, failing to slow for traffic, and following too closely are common reasons for a multi-vehicle crash. If negligence or recklessness causes a collision, the laws in Arizona enable the victims of that crash to seek relief for their damages, including the injuries they incurred. These claims are often available even if an at-fault driver did not get a traffic ticket or other citation for his or her actions in the collision. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who has experience representing car crash victims may help you understand whether you have a valid claim. Police in Tempe responded to a collision near the Loop 101 and University shortly before midnight. In all, nine cars were involved in a chain reaction crash that occurred while it was raining. It appears that four separate collisions happened with only one of the four resulting in more than minor property damage. In all, four people were injured in the collisions including an infant. The infant appeared to be the most seriously injured and was transported to an area hospital for medical attention. The present conditions of those hurt are unknown. The area of the crash was closed […]

At some point, everyone is a pedestrian. This concept has been used by several pedestrian organizations to increase the visibility of those who walk near and along streets as well as to remind drivers to look for pedestrians. But despite the fact that everyone is a pedestrian, and despite the fact that pedestrians are legally authorized to walk along sidewalks, accidents between these walkers and vehicles continue to occur in Phoenix and the rest of the Valley. Pedestrian accidents claimed 154 lives in Arizona in 2011 and another 1,253 people were injured in crashes. In addition to these victims, countless friends, family members, and coworkers were affected by these collisions, many of which resulted in the need for medical assistance. When a pedestrian is hurt in an accident and that accident was due to an error or negligence on the part of an individual involved, Arizona law may allow the victim or the victim’s family members to seek a recovery for the damages incurred, including medical and surgical expenses, lost wages, and even payment for pain and suffering. Speaking with a lawyer who handles pedestrian accidents and other personal injury cases may help you understand whether you have a valid claim, and if so, what legal relief may be available to you. Unfortunately a tragic accident occurred last night in Phoenix that claimed the life of one person involved. Police responded to the scene of the crash near Thomas and 32nd Street and determined that a man in a wheelchair had been trying to cross the intersection when he was struck by a car. The man was reportedly crossing at an intersection and in a crosswalk but the crosswalk was not marked. His age and name have not yet been released. A driver that approached the intersection allegedly struck the […]

By now, the excitement of the 4th of July holiday weekend may be starting to wind down as Monday morning arrives and many people head back to work. But if you are like many in the Phoenix area, you participated in some type of celebration this weekend, whether it was a gathering of friends and family or taking part in one of the big city festivals. Many of the cities in the Valley host community-wide events involving music, food, and fireworks for residents and visitors to enjoy. Fabulous Phoenix 4th, the 29th year of the festival, occurred and had all that plus rides and inflatables for kids to enjoy. Up to 100,000 people were expected to participate in Fabulous Phoenix 4th alone plus thousands of others at formal and informal celebrations in other areas of the state, but with the wet weather this weekend, plans changed for many families in the Valley with fewer people than expected able to participate in some areas. Most people made it through the weekend injury-free and without incident this year. Unfortunately, though, not everyone did. Injuries are common over any 4th of July weekend in America and Phoenix is no exception in that regard. One of the most serious threats to personal safety over the holiday is the use fireworks. Firework legality is governed by Maricopa County rules and laws for those interested in using the products in Phoenix. Generally, firecrackers are illegal, including bottle rockets and aerials. Other forms of fireworks are legal and are widely available in road-side tents across the city. Rules also say that fireworks purchased in Maricopa County can be set off in Maricopa County legally as long as they are on private property. Even if fireworks are purchased legally, though, mistakes or negligence may result in an accident […]

Congested traffic leads to a number of car accidents in Phoenix and across the rest of the Valley. But traffic and congestion are not the only reasons, or even the majority or reasons, that car crashes occur. In many cases, negligence on the part of one or more individuals involved in an accident leads to the impact and is to blame for the crash and the injuries, if any result. Lately, Phoenix has experienced a number of wrong way accidents. Wrong way collisions occur when a vehicle traveling in the wrong direct causes a crash, often a head-on impact. Some of these accidents occur when drivers get confused and merge onto a highway, freeway, or expressway traveling in the wrong direction. Some occur when a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. And in many cases, it can be difficult to determine exactly what caused a driver to operate his or her vehicle against traffic. When a wrong way accident occurs, those injured in the crash may be entitled to financial relief. This is separate from any charges or claims brought by local authorities and the right to seek financial relief belongs to each of the victims involved. Speaking with a lawyer who represents car accident victims may help you understand if you have a valid claim for your damages if you have been involved in a collision. Unfortunately police in the Phoenix area were alerted to another wrong way accident early this morning on SR-143 near University. Authorities allegedly were informed that a driver entered SR-143 from the Loop 202 but that the driver, traveling southbound, entered in the northbound lanes. A collision occurred between the reported wrong way driver and a second vehicle on SR-143, leaving both motorists injured and in need of medical treatment.

It is late in the swimming season in Phoenix, a common time when parents and adults let their guard down around water and are lax about the water-related concerns that are present when children swim. But the fact that kids have been swimming for a few months this year does not lessen the likelihood of a drowning occurring. Water attracts children and can be a safe environment for recreation but it can turn deadly in a matter of moments. Every year, multiple children die in Phoenix area swimming pool accidents due to accidental drownings. Often, these accidents would never have occurred if the proper safety guards were in place or if adult supervision was present. When negligence or recklessness on the part of a swimming pool owner or operator is the reason that a child downs or suffers a near drowning, the child and his or her parents may be entitled to legal relief for their losses, including proper compensation to cover for any medical expenses. Speaking with a lawyer who represents the victims of swimming pool accidents and drownings may help you understand whether you have a valid claim, and if so, whether your family is entitled to relief. Police in Phoenix were called to an apartment complex this week after a near drowning of a three-year-old girl. The incident took place near 43rd Avenue and McDowell where several parents and children were reportedly enjoying a community pool. One adult allegedly offered to watch a friend’s three-year-old child while watching her own two children in the pool. The adult lost track of the friend’s child, mistaking the girl for another in the pool. By the time the adult realized the 3-year-old was missing, the girl was underwater at the bottom of the pool. Adults in the area removed the […]

The force of an impact in a Phoenix area car accident does not always determine whether those involved will be injured or will be fortunate to escape unharmed. Some crashes with low forces produce serious injuries while victims of heavier impact accidents may remain unscratched. But as a general rule, the greater the force of an impact, the greater the damage to the vehicles involved, and the more likely that injuries will result. Many factors combine to determine the force of a crash including the speed of vehicles involved, the weight and size of the vehicles, and whether any vehicles are braking at the time of the collision. Speeding is a factor in many Arizona accidents with heavy rear end, front end, and side impact damage. Regardless of the force involved in a crash, if a driver or passenger is injured in an accident, that victim may be entitled to relief. The relief can be sought through the use of a civil claim for damages which is separate and distinct from any traffic or criminal charges brought by the State of Arizona. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options if you have been hurt and whether you may be entitled to relief. Accident investigators in Mesa have stated that the forces involved in a rear-end crash yesterday were extreme, leaving the vehicles involved significantly damaged and mangled. The crash occurred near the intersection of Brown Road and Recker Road and began when a Toyota rear-ended a Chevrolet. The Toyota was allegedly speeding and struck the Chevrolet with extreme force, leading the crash to involve two other cars in the area. A 33-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman in the Chevrolet were both killed in the crash. Two other people were injured and were taken […]

Rollover accidents can be deadly wherever and whenever they occur. The forces involved in a rollover crash are often extreme and can lead to buckling of the frame of a car. A rollover can be triggered by a number of forces including debris in the road, a poor road design, a blown or failed tire, or an initial impact with a vehicle, like a sideswipe collision. In Arizona, rollover accidents make up a small portion of the overall traffic collisions that occur every year but they are disproportionately responsible for a large number of fatalities. While improvements have been made to modern vehicles to greater protect occupants in the event of an impact, there is still limited protection for a driver and passengers in the event that the side of a vehicle or a roof strikes the ground. When a rollover accident happens and people sustain injuries as a result, the laws in Phoenix apply to give the victims the right to seek a recovery. This can help an injury victim obtain relief to cover medical and surgical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering as well as other expenses that result from the crash. Speaking with a lawyer who practices personal injury law may help you understand whether you are entitled to relief if you have been hurt in a rollover crash. Authorities in Tonopah received notice of a single vehicle accident this morning that left a driver and a passenger dead. When they arrived on the scene, officials determined that a vehicle was traveling westbound near the intersection of Wickenberg and Baseline Roads when it is believed that the car crossed the center line, overcorrected and began to roll. A man and female were inside the vehicle at the time of the rollover. Both were ejected as the […]

When it comes to walking near a road, street, or alleyway, pedestrians are at a significant risk of injuring in the event they are involved in a car accident. While vehicles are designed to protect occupants in the event of a crash, pedestrians are at the mercy of drivers because they have no similar protections. Generally, there is nothing between a pedestrian and a car to break an impact or to cushion the blow that an accident delivers, leading to a large majority of pedestrians sustaining injuries in collisions. Pedestrian accidents occur too often in Phoenix and cost members of our society pain and suffering, an inability to work while recovering, and substantial monetary damages from medical and surgical expenses. The best thing for everyone involved would be to prevent or greatly reduce the incident of pedestrian collisions in Phoenix by increasing awareness of the presence of pedestrians, yielding the right-of-way where required and appropriate, and making sure that every driver operates his or her vehicle in a safe and reasonable manner. Until we eliminate pedestrian collisions, though, the laws of Phoenix and Arizona are in place to make sure that victims of these crashes can obtain relief for all the losses they are forced to suffer. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer can help you understand whether you are entitled to relief if you have been injured or if your loved one has been killed by the negligence or recklessness of a driver. Phoenix police were called to the scene of an accident involving a vehicle and a pedestrian last night in the area of 32nd Street and Thomas Road. Officials closed the area temporarily as emergency crews worked at the scene. The pedestrian involved in the incident unfortunately sustained injuries too severe and died as a result of […]