Bullhead City Personal Injury Attorney Blog

Elderly man killed in Arizona pedestrian accident

2012-05-09T20:07:00Z

Whether due to distracted driving, inebriation or some other form of careless driving, it is a tragic fact that not all motorists are paying enough attention to the road in front of them. Unfortunately, such careless driving might result in a car or pedestrian accident, causing injury or even death. In that vein, Arizona readers may be shocked and saddened to hear of the death of an elderly man after he was struck by a motor vehicle.

The accident happened at 1:49 p.m. on April 27 in the area of Prescott, Arizona. According to a local news report, a 92-year-old man was attempting to cross a street within the boundaries of a marked crosswalk when he was struck by a Ford truck. He was treated at the scene of the accident by emergency responders before being transported to Yavapai Regional Medical Center. He was then airlifted to Flagstaff Medical Center, where doctors pronounced him dead.

]]> At the time of the local news report, an investigation into the tragedy was still ongoing. However, according to at least one eyewitness, it appears that the truck entered the crosswalk after failing to come to a halt for a red light. Fortunately, the driver of the vehicle is said to be cooperating with the authorities, and that may help with piecing together how the accident happened. Nonetheless, if the driver was negligent in causing the accident, he or she may face responsibility for the fatal collision.

The sudden loss of a loved one always comes as a shock, and that loss is never easy to bear. In this case, if the eyewitness report is correct, then it may be that the motorist was negligent in causing the pedestrian accident that led to the loss of a man's life. As a result, the family of the elderly man may consider the possibility of a wrongful death suit against the driver of the truck.

Source: Prescott News, "90-Year-Old Pedestrian Struck In Crosswalk on Friday," Lynne LaMaster, April 30, 2012

Multi-vehicle auto accident in Yuma: 3 drivers go to hospital

2012-05-03T20:09:54Z

Any car accident is terrible. But when a vehicle is rear-ended by another vehicle, the personal injury risk is high. The reason for this is that the force of the collision typically causes bodies to lurch forward, often causing back injury. The impact can also cause the neck to snap forward and back so quickly that whiplash, which can sometimes be very serious, occurs. This may be evident in a recent Arizona auto accident on April 26.

Between 15th Avenue and Avenue A on 32nd Street, a truck hit the rear end of a Jeep, which then caused the Jeep to rear-end a taxi cab. All individuals were transported to a local hospital by ambulance or Rural Metro. The extent of the involved individuals' injuries was not detailed, and further word on their medical conditions was not immediately available. Further, the Yuma police department is still investigating the crash, so the official police report is presumably not yet available.

]]> No one asks for an auto accident, but there are ways to compensate for the unforeseen event. A rear-end collision can cause chronic pain and sometimes result in a neck or back injury causing pain that could last years -- maybe even a lifetime. While the police report is not available and the extent of the injuries are not known for this particular case, there may be opportunity to consider a personal injury claim in similar situations, particularly if it is determined that the vehicles were following too closely behind the vehicles that were struck.

Under Arizona law, a personal injury claim provides for the right of those seriously injured through the negligence of another party to seek monetary damages to reimburse them for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering related to the injuries sustained.

Source: KSWT, "Multi-vehicle crash in Yuma sends 3 to the hospital," Jennifer Jones, April 27, 2012

Personal injury: Arizona school bus accident injures 5

2012-04-26T21:01:38Z

Sometimes a motor vehicle accident may be caused not by the negligence of any driver but rather by a mechanical failure. That may be the case in a recent Arizona school bus accident. Three children and two adults sustained personal injury in the incident.

Reportedly, the accident happened while the school bus was transporting more than30 students to an elementary school. According to the bus driver, the bus was coming off of an Arizona freeway when the driver says the brakes suddenly failed to work. That caused the bus to crash into a pickup truck that was stopped at a traffic light. The pickup then collided with another vehicle.

]]> The drivers of both the pickup and the second vehicle were injured in the accident, as were three of the students on the bus. Fortunately, there were only minor injuries, though it should be noted that even minor injuries can lead to substantial medical expenses. The remaining students were taken to school on a separate bus.

When an accident happens on a school bus or on school grounds, the local district may be held responsible for personal injury that happens in those areas. The parents of the three injured children may thus consider recouping compensation for any medical expenses from the district. That may also hold true for the two injured drivers, who were hurt by a vehicle under the direction of the school district. Since this accident also involved a mechanical failure, there may be additional claims for compensation that can be filed against those charged with the maintenance of the school bus.

Source: The Washington Post, "School bus, 2 other vehicles in accident in Peoria; several go to hospital with minor injuries," April 16, 2012

Arizona transportation department scrutinized for unsafe roads

2012-04-19T23:24:30Z

Sometimes car accidents are not the fault of any driver, but rather due to poor design decisions by those in charge of maintaining the roadway. Indeed, road systems must be constantly upgraded to handle ever increasing traffic, and there are certainly sections on any roadway that turn too sharply or are not able to handle the allowed speed limit. Unfortunately, a failure by the applicable authorities to maintain the road could very well lead to a fatal car accident.

Although it can happen anywhere in Arizona, one particular section of road on Interstate 10 is notorious for cross-median accidents. The area was the scene of one accident that killed two family members, and there was another similar tragedy just nine months later. This past February, the surviving mother of the family won a suit against the Arizona Department of Transportation. She was awarded $8 million.

]]> The area of I-10 in question concerns a median that is not wide enough to allow drivers to regain control if they lose it. It was designed for much lower speeds and for less traffic. Compounding the problem may be that accident investigators have no way of marking off "cross-median accident" when submitting an accident report. Because of this, the transportation department was apparently unaware of the problem.

Lack of knowledge, though, is no excuse for a hazardous road conditions. The Arizona Department of Transportation has a duty to ensure the roads are safe for drivers, and a failure to do so may expose it to liability. Families of victims who died in a fatal car accident may consider looking into whether or not other similar accidents have happened in the same area. If so, then roadway maintenance may be an issue and it may be possible to seek compensation from the transportation department.

Source: AZ Family, "ADOT held responsible for fatal accident," Sybil Hoffman, April 9, 2012

Bicyclist taken away on stretcher after Yuma car accident

2012-04-12T14:04:23Z

When cars and bicycles share the road, motorists have a heightened duty to pay attention to their surroundings. Unfortunately, accidents involving bicycles are all too common, as many readers may well know. Indeed, a vehicle hit a cyclist in one recent Arizona car accident.

The cyclist had to be carried away on a stretcher after being forcibly struck by the vehicle. According to a local news report, the 18-year-old cyclist was traveling on the sidewalk in this case but had to enter an intersection to cross the street. As he attempted to do so, the vehicle struck him.

]]> Fortunately, the car struck the young man at a low speed and he did not sustain life-threatening injuries. Nonetheless, he was taken to an area hospital on a stretcher, and his injuries may well require substantial time to recover from. During that time, he may incur significant medical expenses.

In this Arizona car accident, the police department decided not to issue any citations as they say both parties committed traffic violations.

While no charges were issued in this case, that does not rule out a personal injury claim. Motorists have a duty to drive with a due regard to the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, and if a driver involved in a collision was not paying sufficient enough attention, he or she may be deemed negligent. If that is the case, then the victim of a crash may be able to collect monetary compensation to cover not only medical expenses but also any related damages.

Source: KSWT News 13, "Bicyclist injured after colliding with car in Yuma," Karen Castro, April 2, 2012

82-year-old Bullhead City woman killed in car accident

2012-04-04T20:01:07Z

Readers may be saddened to hear of the death of an 82-year-old Bullhead City woman. Though accidents happen every day on Arizona roads, that fact does not minimize the tragedy surrounding this particular incident. The woman was killed in a head-on collision that involved three vehicles along Highway 95. The drivers of the other two vehicles in the car accident also received injuries, although one of them refused treatment.

The accident happened last month, just before noon. The 82-year-old woman was driving an SUV when she crossed a left-turn-only lane and into the path of oncoming traffic. She was struck head-on by a sedan driven by a 47-year-old female. Her SUV then collided with a pickup truck that was driven by a 59-year-old man.

]]> The death of a loved one is always a shock. Here, the 82-year-old woman was transported to a medical center in Las Vegas, but she was tragically pronounced dead after she succumbed to her injuries. The 47-year-old driver was taken to a local hospital, and she was later transferred and was in stable condition. The third driver refused medical transport and received only minor injuries.

As police conclude their investigation the families of those involved will begin to understand who exactly at fault in this accident. It appears as though the 82-year-old woman is likely to blame for what occurred. In the case that she is indeed liable for the incident, the other woman involved may have a case for a personal injury claim against the deceased woman's estate.

On the other hand, the police inquiry could uncover another catalyst for the accident. The woman driving the SUV could have had a health-related incident or road conditions outside of her control led to the accident. Though definitive answers have not been provided by police, the families all those involved may have to make adjustments to deal with their lives after the accident.

Source: Mohave Daily News, "Woman killed in head-on collision," James Chilton, March 30, 2012

Could a new equation prevent an Arizona car accident?

2012-03-27T20:49:07Z

As many Arizona residents know, texting while driving is an activity that should be avoided. In fact, in 2009 alone, an estimated 448,000 people were injured in car accidents that involved distracted driving. That is in addition to 5,474 people who were killed that year in such accidents, and these statistics may actually understate the true extent of the problem.

One physicist, though, set out to fix the issue. After obtaining a grant from the Department of Energy, the physicist decided to adopt a scientific approach to an issue that the Secretary of Transportation once called a "deadly epidemic." His equation analyzes a text message to detect if the person typing it is driving at the same time.

]]> In a news story, the man compared the technique the equation uses to footprints. No matter how fast or slow people walk, their footprints tend to be steady. But when they are helping someone else walk, such as a toddler, the footprints may be uneven. Similarly, typing while attempting to drive at the same time also has a disturbed rhythm to it that the equation can pick up on.

Currently, the equation is just that: an equation. However, the man hopes it will eventually find its way into cellphones. That way, a program could be installed on the cellphone to either lock it if someone attempts to text and drive or at least display a reminder about the dangers of texting and driving should one try to do so. In that way, it could help prevent a car accident from happening and make Arizona roads safer for everyone.

Source: The Columbian, "Physicist finds way to detect texting behind the wheel," Sue Vorenberg, March 21, 2012

2 injured in truck accident near Somerton, Arizona

2012-03-22T22:26:21Z

Two people were injured recently following an early morning motor vehicle accident involving a tractor and two vehicles on March 16. The incident, which involved a sedan and a cargo truck in addition to the tractor, happened near Somerton, Arizona. The truck accident is currently under investigation by the Yuma County Sheriff's Office.

Information about what specifically caused the accident was not available, although it is known that both the sedan driver and the tractor were traveling northbound on Avenue D near Somerton when the accident occurred. The two vehicles subsequently collided, and a farming implement attached to the tractor tore up the hood of the sedan. The driver of the cargo truck attempted to avoid the collision, but he was unable to and ended up hitting the tractor.

]]> In this case, the sedan driver fortunately suffered only minor injuries. However, the injuries inflicted upon the driver of the tractor appear to have been severe. The impact of the collision was severe enough that it caused his body to hit the steering wheel, bending the wheel in the process. He subsequently fell to the ground, and paramedics believe he may have suffered internal injuries. The cargo truck driver was not taken to the hospital as he refused transportation.

While Arizona authorities look into the matter, the injured parties may wish to consider their legal options in this situation. In car accidents, if someone is found to be liable, injured victims could hold that person accountable through a civil lawsuit, which can sometimes result in monetary compensation. In the meantime, though, hopefully the people injured in this crash will enjoy a speedy recovery.

Source: Yuma Sun, "Tractor accident sends 2 to hospital," James Gilbert, March 16, 2012

Woman killed in Scottsdale pedestrian accident

2012-03-16T19:02:35Z

When motorists fail to drive with a due regard to the safety of those around them, they put not just their own lives in danger, but the safety of others in jeopardy as well. Behaviors like distracted driving or failing to pay sufficient attention to the road can lead to serious consequences. That may well have been the case with a recent fatal pedestrian accident, although police were careful to note that there is no indication that the driver responsible for the accident was impaired.

The tragedy reportedly happened in Scottsdale, Arizona, on March 10 at about 7:30 a.m. A woman was attempting to cross the road using the crosswalk near the intersection of Scottsdale Road and Osborne Road when a pickup truck struck her. The driver was apparently trying to make a left turn at the time of the incident.

]]> The death of a loved one is always a tragedy, but sudden deaths such as the one caused by this accident are often more difficult to come to terms with. For the family of the 69-year-old woman, they have been left with a heartrending loss that may be difficult to recover from. The law can unfortunately do little in the way of consolation.

Even though police have noted that the pickup driver was probably not impaired, that does not necessarily mean the driver was not negligent. Here, the woman was using a crosswalk when the driver tried to make a left turn. That may mean that the driver did not look before making the turn or was otherwise distracted. In this fatal pedestrian accident, then, the family may consider the possibility of filing a wrongful death suit that would hold the driver accountable. Under Arizona law, a wrongful death claim may be able to help the family with collecting compensation for funeral expenses and for their pain and suffering.

Source: Arizona Daily Sun, "CA woman hit by pickup in Scottsdale dies," March 10, 2012

Alcohol a possible factor in Arizona car accident that injured 5

2012-03-08T21:07:43Z

A head-on collision involving two motor vehicles in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, recently left five people injured. The driver of one of the vehicles, who was listed in critical condition at a Las Vegas hospital, may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the car accident. Nonetheless, the incident remains under investigation.

The collision reportedly occurred on Feb. 24 shortly before 11:25 p.m. along Gold Springs Road. A 23-year-old driver was traveling eastbound on the road when another vehicle forcibly struck her head-on. A 19-year-old young man was driving the car, and police believe he may have been drinking. His car was reportedly on the wrong side of the road, leading to the head-on collision.

]]> Paramedics took the 23-year-old woman to University Medical Center in Las Vegas after having to extricate her from her vehicle. Fortunately, the hospital listed her in good condition as of Feb. 27. However, the 19-year-old driver was still in critical condition at Sunrise Medical Center in Las Vegas at the time of a local news report about the incident. Three of his passengers were also injured, but they were treated at the Lake Havasu City Regional Medical Center and released.

While the first concern is for the safety and well-being of all involved, the young man's injuries do not necessarily absolve him for any negligence on his part that may have contributed to the accident. Indeed, the woman and the man's three passengers may consider the possibility of filing a personal injury claim against him. In situations like this where victims appear to have been injured through no fault of their own and as the result of someone else's negligent conduct, Arizona law allows the victims to seek monetary compensation for their injuries and other damages.

Source: Mohave Daily News, "Five hurt in head-on collision," James Chilton, Feb. 28, 2012

Police suspect speed contributed to fatal Henderson crash

2012-03-02T22:50:37Z

Sadly, far too many people in the Tri-State area know how devastating the consequences of a serious car accident can be. While many people are lucky enough to walk away with scrapes and bruises, not everyone is so fortunate. Several families recently felt the pain of a fatal crash when a collision in Henderson, Nevada, claimed the lives of three individuals.

Police say a vehicle driven by a 19-year-old and carrying two teenage passengers may have been speeding when it collided with an elderly man's vehicle on a recent Saturday afternoon. The 86-year-old man was attempting to turn into an apartment complex when the fatal crash occurred.

]]> The driver and a 19-year-old passenger both died in the crash. The elderly man was transported to Sunrise Hospital Trauma Center, where sadly he died soon after. An 18-year-old passenger was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, though his condition at this time is unclear.

This fatal accident illustrates the immense tragedy that can stem from a severe car accident. And though police say this was Henderson's first fatal collision of the year, it certainly does not mean it will be the last.

As the families of the victims of this collision struggle to cope with their losses, we can only hope that other drivers in our community and throughout the Tri-State area will learn from this accident. Practicing safe driving by avoiding distractions and following traffic laws can go a long way toward keeping our roads safe for all who use them.

Source: KTNV, "Two cars collide in Henderson, three victims dead," Christine Haverkamp, Feb. 18, 2012

Tucson multiple-car accident sends 3 to trauma center

2012-02-24T22:28:17Z

There are millions of motor vehicle accidents every year across the United States, including incidents in and near Mojave County. Most are minor, but some result in injuries and even death. Arizona has more than its share of collisions, particularly in the larger cities that experience heavy traffic. Understandably, a car accident is more common when the roads are congested.

On Feb. 8, a three-car crash occurred at the corner of Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard and Oracle in Tucson. When the Golden Fire Ranch emergency crew arrived, they found four people injured. Two had to be removed from their vehicles with the Jaws of Life. One required air transportation for emergency care, and one refused treatment at the scene.

]]> All three injured parties were transported to the trauma center at the University of Arizona Medical Center-University Campus. The Golden Fire Ranch officials said the one who refused treatment at the site of the car accident went to UMC with a family member. The cause of this collision is under investigation by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Although many details of this car accident are not available, the fact that the Jaws of Life and the services of air transport were required indicates that the potential for serious injury was significant. While the first concern is for the safety and recovery of those injured, the parties involved and their families will likely want to know exactly what occurred. If their injuries were caused by negligence of another party, they may elect to pursue a legal claim for monetary compensation due to medical bills, loss of wages and emotional suffering.

Source: Arizona Daily Star, "Car crash this evening sends 3 to Tucson trauma center," Feb. 8, 2012

Car accident: Phoenix police chase in ends in double fatality

2012-02-17T01:58:18Z

When we get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, we take responsibility for ourselves and others in or near the roadway. Traffic laws in Mohave County and throughout Arizona serve the purpose of making the roads safe for all drivers and their passengers, as well as pedestrians. Car accidents sometimes take place even when the laws are obeyed, but when they are ignored, the risk of serious injury or even death increases.

On Feb. 4 about 10 p.m., Phoenix police pulled over a car for an undisclosed traffic violation The vehicle was stopped on Loop 101 near 83^rd Avenue. Authorities say that when the officer attempted to contact the driver, the vehicle fled westbound on Indian School Road. The police pursued the vehicle until it ran a red light, at which point they were said to have terminated the pursuit.

]]> After driving through the red light, the car crashed into a concrete barrier and light pole. The 32-year-old driver and a 28-year-old passenger were killed in the collision. Moreover, two men ages 25 and 26 were rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. The names of the deceased and injured are unknown, and the speed of the vehicle has not as yet been released.

While it remains to be seen what a full investigation of the fatal car accident will reveal, at least two people are dead and two seriously injured. The families of the deceased victims will likely want to know exactly what happened. If it is determined that anyone was injured or killed as the result of the negligence of another party, the victims or their families may choose to file a civil lawsuit for the recovery of monetary damages for injuries suffered, including any consequent pain and suffering.

Source: Tucson Citizen, "Phoenix car accident kills 2 people," Laurie Merrill, Feb. 6, 2012

Skateboarder injured in car accident in Lake Havasu City

2012-02-10T21:28:06Z

Drivers have regulations to adhere to when using the road system in Havasu and throughout Arizona. We each have a duty to make our way safely by being aware of our surroundings, observing laws and properly maintaining vehicles. Drivers and pedestrians alike can be aware and "self-police" as they use public roadways in order to avoid unnecessary incidents. However, accidents happen and car accidents are among the most common mishaps.

A Havasu teenager on his skateboard was involved in a serious car accident recently. The collision occurred on Cliffwood Drive and Manor Drive. A 42-year-old woman was driving northbound on Cliffwood at approximately 30 mph when she collided with the 14-year-old skateboarder as he traveled downhill and southbound on Manor Drive. The boy was thrown from his skateboard to the side of the road.

]]> Emergency vehicles and police were immediately dispatched to the scene. The teen was treated by paramedics and thought to have suffered a broken leg due to the car collision. He was transported to Havasu Regional Medical Center, and the intersection was closed during the initial investigation of the accident scene. The motorist was not charged at the time of the accident, but citations are pending further investigation.

This is a very unfortunate accident that might have been avoided. Especially in neighborhoods where kids can be playing near or in the road, it is important that drivers are vigilant while on the roads. While it remains to be seen what the results of the police investigation will be, the injured boy may have the legal basis for a personal injury claim if the facts indicate the driver was negligent in a manner that caused or contributed to the car accident.

Source: News-Herald, "Havasu teen injured after being struck by car," Jayne Hanson, Jan. 25, 2012

Federal program cracks down on deadbeat parents

2012-02-01T22:32:25Z

Getting divorced is undoubtedly a life-changing event. Not only does the make-up of your family change, but so does your way of life. Many divorced couples have to make significant financial adjustments. This is why child support is necessary for so many people. Raising children requires a significant amount of resources, so Arizona parents dealing with unpaid child support often find themselves in precarious financial standing. Now, the federal government is ratcheting up its efforts to make "deadbeat" parents fulfill their obligations.

Parents who owe more than $5,000 in delinquent child support will now be the subject to increased federal efforts to track them down. The program is called "Project Save Our Children." One feature of the project is a website featuring the nation's ten worst child support evaders. The hope is that people will visit this website and provide tips to assist federal investigators.

]]> The man at the top of the list, who is believed to be in Thailand, owes his ex-spouse and children over $1 million. While this man is still on the lam, the program has already helped some families in need. Recent federal efforts have been attributed to tracking down multiple individuals that owed over $100,000 in child support.

A parent has an obligation to provide for their child. Those avoiding monthly payments are knowingly depriving their children of the "basics that they so deserve." Divorce places significant stress on children, even without taking into account a deadbeat parent. Child support is designed to make the transition into life after divorce easier for both parents and kids. This program is helping these families find justice they need to ensure that their children have the potential to thrive.

Source: KXAN-TV, "Fed steps up crackdown on child support," Jan. 31, 2012