Personal Injury Legal Blog – Breyer Law Offices, P.C.

Although you’ve heard of Arizona train collisions it doesn’t stop you from being annoyed every time a bus or large truck stops before the train tracks when there’s no train coming. This stop is all about train safety and helping to stop the occurrence of train accidents throughout the state. ARS 28-853 requires school buses, vehicles for hire, and vehicles carrying explosives to stop no less than 15 feet from the beginning of the railroad tracks. At the same time, these vehicles are not permitted to stop more than 50 feet from the beginning of a railroad track. Upon starting safely across the tracks, no vehicle is allowed to enter the tracks in a gear that requires shifting while on the tracks. This last restriction prevents drivers from becoming stuck and creating a serious and dangerous hazard.

Arizona Train Collision Statistics

While Arizona train collisions are not a common occurrence throughout the state, accidents involving trains and railway vehicles are among the most serious and costly accidents that happen every year. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) reports that nearly 4,500 crashes involving non-fixed objects such as trains and railway vehicles happen annually. Nearly 15 of these collisions are reported as fatal and more than 450 cause injuries to the individuals who are involved.

If You’re Involved in an Arizona Train Collision

If you’re a passenger in a car that is involved in an Arizona train collision you may need the assistance of a skilled personal injury attorney. The attorneys at the Breyer Law Offices, P.C. will help you work out a fair settlement to take care of your expenses for medical care, time off work to heal and other accident-related losses. We also help our clients get the right medical care for an affordable cost. Contact the Husband and Wife Law Team.

Many drivers have experienced or nearly experienced an Arizona car accident where the motorist ahead of them didn’t have working brake lights. Malfunctioning, broken, missing or burned out brake lights, also known as stop lamps, can cause a serious hazard on the road.

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), rear end car crashes account for nearly 39,000 collisions in the state each year. This number represents nearly 46 percent of all car accidents that happen in Arizona annually, making rear end collisions a serious issue. Rear end collision deaths account for nearly 15 percent of all accident fatalities and for nearly 44 percent of all accident-related injuries. Many crashes are caused by drivers not paying attention to the cars in front of them or by the absence of brake lights.

Stop Lamps and Arizona Law

Arizona lawmakers take driving safety seriously and have put laws into place requiring drivers to have working brake lights on their vehicles. According to ARS 28-927, drivers are not allowed to operate a motor vehicle without appropriate brake lights and those brake lights must meet state requirements defined under ARS 28-939. ARS 28-939 requires every vehicle in Arizona to have at least one brake light that glows either yellow or red and is easily visible from at least 100 feet away on clear days and on clear nights. The law requires that lights be properly maintained and in working condition at all times and prohibits drivers from using bulbs that emit blinding or distracting amounts of light.

When You’re Hurt in an Arizona Car Accident

After you’re injured in an Arizona car accident you should reach out to a doctor, get some rest and contact an experienced personal injury attorney. The Husband and Wife Law Team at the Breyer Law Offices, P.C. understand the law and how it affects car crash lawsuits. We will do whatever necessary to assist you in obtaining a settlement that will fairly cover the expenses related to the collision, such as medical care, repairs to your property, personal trauma and even the replacement of your lost wages.

Someone who is under “restricted privilege to drive” in Arizona, according to ARS 28-3473, is a person who has had their license suspended but is still allowed to drive under certain circumstances. Often, this person has a suspended license because of failure to obey a traffic law or because of being involved in a car accident. If someone is under restricted privilege to drive and they disobey the restrictions, they face a class 1 misdemeanor. Someone with this type of driving restriction may be allowed to drive:

• To and from work
• To and from school
• To and from a screening, education or treatment facility
• To visit a probation officer
• To visit a doctor or hospital
• To go to a certified ignition interlock device service facility

The only way a person can receive this restricted driving privilege is if they have satisfied all other requirements imposed as part of their sentence and they don’t have any other driver’s license suspensions. This person also usually has to pay a fine.

Why Are Restricted Drivers Dangerous?

While not all drivers with restricted privilege to drive are dangerous, there is a reason they have a suspended license. This could be because they didn’t carry insurance on their car, or it could be because they caused a car accident while violating other laws. If you learn you were hit by a driver with a suspended license, chances are you are not alone. It is important to seek medical help immediately, and then call an experienced car accident attorney.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

If you are injured in a car accident because of another driver, contact the Breyer Law Offices. We gather evidence, such as whether the negligent driver was driving on a suspended license, and use it to strengthen your case. Victims of car accidents deserve great representation, as well as a settlement to cover the cost of hospital and recovery bills.

Whether you’re in a traffic jam or you’re just trying to get someplace fast, your inner speed demon may unleash and take over when you are driving. In this altered state you may truly believe that riding the rear of a vehicle going too slow for you is the right way to make traffic go as fast as you need it to go. But following too closely, better known as tailgating, won’t help you get anywhere much faster. In fact, it can reduce your speed to zero, especially if you get in an accident or get pulled over for reckless driving or road rage.

Nearly 4,800 drivers are cited for following too closely and causing car crashes each year, according to reports from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Nearly 26 percent of accidents caused by drivers who follow too closely result in injuries. In addition nearly 60 of these types of accidents result in the deaths of at least one involved individual.

Arizona Laws Prohibiting Tailgating

Although you may not think that tailgating is a big deal or you think that you have the reflexes to stop on a dime, following too closely is a serious hazard on Arizona roads. Arizona lawmakers and authorities know how dangerous tailgating can be and employ laws for drivers to help lower the number of serious accidents that result from tailgating.

ARS 28-730 requires drivers on Arizona roads to provide a safe and reasonable distance between their own vehicle and the vehicle ahead of them at all times. In most cases, Arizona drivers do not follow this law, and leave less than a car’s length between themselves and the vehicle ahead of them. In many accidents that involve tailgating there was but a few inches or feet between the involved vehicles.

What to Do If You’re Involved in an Arizona Tailgating Accident

Being tailgated is stressful enough when you’re on the road, and if the tailgating becomes a rear-end accident you should contact a skilled personal injury attorney. Attorneys Alexis and Mark Breyer at the Breyer Law Offices will help you get the financial assistance you need from the at-fault driver. We will do whatever it takes to secure compensation for your injuries, medical care, vehicle damages and repairs and your emotional trauma. For help getting a fair resolution to your injury case contact the Husband and Wife Law Team.

As Arizona personal injury attorneys, we were sorry to hear that the number of teens that die behind the wheel increased in more than half the states in the nation during the first six months of 2012, according to a report in Fox 10 News. This came after a decade of teen death decreases. Statistics show that deaths of 16 and 17 year old drivers rose by 19 percent, and that there were 107 16-year-old drivers who died in the first half of 2012 compared to the 86 who died during the same time period in 2011. The numbers were similar for 17 year old drivers: 133 died in the first six months of 2012 as compared to the 116 who died between January and June of 2011. While the number of deaths is a lot less than it was more than a decade ago, the goal is to have zero fatal crashes.

Here are some tips to talk to your teen about:

• Driving is a privilege and a responsibility. A car can kill someone, including yourself. Never drive while distracted. Never use a cellphone while driving. Keep your eyes on the road. Always obey all traffic laws.
• Make sure to drive with your teen to ensure they know the laws and are safe, competent drivers. Just getting through traffic school may not be enough.
• Make sure the car has working seat belts and airbags. The safer the car, the safer your teen.
• Don’t let your teen drive late at night when he or she might be tired. There is also an increased chance of being hit by drunk drivers at night, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

If your teen is injured or killed in a car accident, contact the Husband and Wife Law Team at the Breyer Law Offices. We work to represent victims and their families, seeking settlements from the at-fault drivers who hurt them. We work hard for our clients, and if we accept your case, we will for you, too. Call us today for a free, no obligation consultation.

As a motorist you know the general rules about driving safely. You know that you must watch where you are going, avoid distractions, and follow the speed limit. You know that everyone in your vehicle should always wear a seat belt and that you should avoid acting or reacting with rage against other drivers.

But you may not understand all of the different safety rules that have been set out for drivers in the Arizona law, such ARS 28-729, which sets out rules for driving on streets that are lined for two lanes or more. Drivers are required to remain within the lane they are driving in unless they are passing other vehicles on the roadway. According to this law, drivers are prohibited from driving in the middle lane on a three-lane road unless it is necessary to make a turn or to facilitate overtaking another vehicle.

Arizona Traffic Collision Statistics

Drivers who fail to remain in their proper lane while driving are responsible for nearly 3,250 Arizona traffic collisions each year, according to recent reports by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Nearly 60 of these collisions result in fatalities and an additional near 900 of these accidents result in injuries to the people who are involved. The remaining of these collisions cause only property damage, but this damage is often severe and costly, leaving the victims and the at-fault drivers with significant economic losses.

Who to Call For Help After an Arizona Traffic Collision

An Arizona traffic collision caused by a driver who did not stay in the proper lane can cause serious injuries, and victims should contact a skilled personal injury attorney. The Husband and Wife Law Team helps victims by working out the details of fair settlements to cover the costs of recovery, including replacing lost wages during recovery, taking care of hospital and other medical bills, and for non-economic costs like pain and suffering. Our attorneys will help you understand your case and your rights beginning with a free consultation. For help with your personal injury accident case contact the Breyer Law Offices, P.C.

Spring is here and if you’re ready to jump on your bicycle and hit the open road you need to know how to keep yourself safe from an Arizona cycling crash. Even the most seasoned riders can be caught off guard after a long winter of riding a stationary bike and Arizona law doesn’t relax on its restrictions just because you’ve forgotten the rules of safety.

ARS 28-815 requires those riders who are riding slower than traffic on a road with no bike lane to ride as close as safely permitted to the curb to give motorists and other bicyclists the ability to safely pass. But drivers, too, must remember that there are exceptions to this law. If the lane simply isn’t wide enough for a car and a bicycle to travel side by side, then bicyclists do not have to follow this rule. The same is true if hazards, like animals, parked cars, people or other objects are in the path of the bicycle.

How Drivers Can Protect Themselves Against an Arizona Cycling Crash

If you know anyone who drives a car it’s important to help them understand how to co-exist safely with bicycles on the roadway. After all, it could save your life. Here are some important things to share with motorists you know and love to help them protect themselves and other cyclists:

• Never try to pass a bicycle on the road unless you can put at least three feet between your vehicle and the bike.
• Never tailgate a bicycle, and certainly don’t tailgate and honk your horn. This can startle a cyclist and cause them to crash directly in front of you.
• Keep your eyes peeled for hazards on the side of the road that may cause a cyclist traveling near you to pull out further into the roadway. This will make it easier to slow down or move over.

What Happens After an Arizona Cycling Crash

In most cases, if you are injured in an Arizona cycling crash you will end up needing medical treatment and the help of a skilled personal injury attorney. The Husband and Wife Law Team at Breyer Law Offices know how to help injured bicycle riders get fair settlements from negligent drivers. We work hard to make sure that you receive enough compensation to cover not only your medical expenses but also the costs of your recovery, such as lost wages, personal suffering and other losses. If you’re ready to put your life back on track and get back on your bike, contact attorneys Alexis and Mark Breyer.

You know the frustration of driving down the road and not being able to make a U-turn: the islands in the middle of the roadway prevent it. Or do they? If you’re an aggressive driver you might decide to take on the island in order to reduce the distance you have to drive to get to your destination. But if you decide to drive over the island, also known as the safety zone, you’ll not only be breaking the law, but you may also be putting yourself at great risk.

ARS 28-734 prohibits drivers from driving in a safety zone, even if it is to facilitate a U-turn. Drivers may also be at significant risk for causing or becoming involved in a car crash, overturning their own vehicle or damaging their vehicle.

How to Avoid an Arizona Traffic Collision

Avoiding an Arizona traffic collision requires your utmost attention, not only to the road but also to the law. The best ways that you can protect yourself and your passengers from unnecessary harm include:

• Never take unnecessary risks. Although it may be quicker to cross over the safety zone to make a U-turn than to go down to a light where it is allowed, this will endanger you.
• Provide yourself plenty of time to get where you are going. Most drivers take unnecessary risks because they are pressed for time. Always allow yourself plenty of time to reach your destination.
• Follow the law. Safety zones are an impediment placed in the road to protect you and all other motorists. Trust the law and the placement of these islands and do not cross them or drive on them.

What to Do If You Are Harmed in an Arizona Traffic Collision

If you are injured by a driver who ignored the safety zones in an Arizona traffic collision you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney at the Breyer Law Offices, P.C. Our team will assist you in getting fair compensation for your medical bills and injuries, emotional suffering, and other expenses related to your accident and injuries. For a free consultation and assistance with your case, reach out to the Husband and Wife Law Team.

A new report put out by safety advocates has pinpointed Arizona as one of the six worst states for seat belt safety. Reports released on January 21 by Tucson News Now indicated that experts are concerned by the lack of enforcement on seat belt safety. Although ARS 28-909 requires all drivers and passengers in vehicles to properly wear a seat belt whenever a vehicle is in motion, no driver can be pulled over and ticketed simply for not wearing one. Also, according to the law, even if a driver is pulled over for another violation, the lack of a seat belt can’t be used against a driver in traffic court. Exceptions are noted to this rule in ARS 28-907, which details the requirement for child safety restraints.

Arizona Car Crashes and Seat Belt Safety Violations

More than 103,400 Arizona car crashes are reported throughout the state each year by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Although many drivers and passengers choose to wear their safety belts while riding in a car, there are still some that elect not to follow this law. According to data, nearly 300 people died in the past year in car accidents when they were not wearing a seat belt. Nearly 3,800 individuals were injured during the same year in collisions when they were not wearing a seat belt. Reports from safety advocates indicate that nearly 100 of those who died could have been saved if they had been wearing a seat belt.

If You’re Involved in an Arizona Car Crash

Whether or not you were wearing a seat belt during your Arizona car crash, if you were the victim of another driver’s negligence you should contact a skilled personal injury attorney. The attorneys at the Breyer Law Offices, P.C. will do whatever it takes to help you and your family get the compensation you need for a full recovery. We would make sure that your settlement covered your medical expenses and rehabilitation, lost income, loss of ability to work, personal trauma and other related expenses. For help understanding your rights after a crash and a free consultation, reach out to the Husband and Wife Law Team.

Every day you are surrounded by and rely on manufactured, man-made products to help you do your job, get around town and even take care of your family. Like most people, you put your life, your safety and your trust in the hands of the people who developed and manufactured the products you rely on. But it’s important to remember that no matter what products and objects you bring into your life and the lives of your family members, those products are made by people and that means that mistakes can happen.

Mistakes in the manufacturing process can make the products you use less safe, and in turn, puts your family in jeopardy. Defective products can be anywhere and it is important to recognize those products and begin making ourselves and our families safer. These products include automobiles, baby products, such as cribs and strollers, exercise and sports equipment, food products, shoes and anything else that is man-made.

Why Defective Products Are So Dangerous

It is both incredibly easy and very common for people to be injured by defective products. These injuries often happen due to manufacturer or developer negligence. Defective products are particularly dangerous because they can cause severe, unexpected and unavoidable injuries. No person expects the wheels to fall off of a stroller, the brakes to fail on their brand new vehicle, or the heel to break off on a high heeled shoe while walking down a flight of stairs. But these types of accidents do occur and they often lead to serious injuries. The most common injuries caused by defective products include:

• Broken bones
• Sprains and strains to the neck, back and other body parts
• Dismemberment
• Suffocation, especially for children who become caught in defective products
• Death caused by a large number of different accidents
• Traumatic brain injuries caused by lack of oxygen, hitting your head or being impaled

If you or someone you love is injured due to the negligence of a manufacturer or products developer, consider contacting the Breyer Law Offices to help you or your loved one receive financial compensation.