Drunk Driving Accident

At Breyer Law Offices, P.C., we were sorry to learn that a family came home to find their yard, including a tree and parked car, smashed after a drunk driver attempted to flee from police on January 28. The driver apparently took off at a high rate of speed through a neighborhood to get away from police and ended up smashing into a yard near 47th Avenue and Encanto, according to Fox 10. The man then got out of his car and ran away, but police apprehended him and booked him into jail on charges of aggravated assault, hit-and-run, and impaired driving, all of which will pose serious penalties. The accident also resulted in passenger injuries for two occupants of the man’s car who had to be rushed to a local hospital. We wish these passengers a quick recovery.

Phoenix Drunk Driving Accident Statistics

AZ Central reported that Phoenix drunk driving accidents represented six percent of Phoenix crashes as well as 44 percent of traffic deaths in 2009. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) put the number of alcohol-related crashes in Phoenix at 1,457 in 2010, which resulted in 52 deaths and 957 injuries.

Contact a Phoenix Personal Injury Attorney

There was more than one victim in this Phoenix car accident, including the two passengers who were injured, the woman who owned the car that was badly damaged, and the property owner whose car and yard was smashed. The Phoenix drunk driving victim lawyers at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. would like all people who knowingly enter the car of a drunk driver to know that they did not necessarily give up their rights when they made this choice. They may still be able to file a case against the drunk driver who caused their injuries. The property owners may also be able to recover money for the damages the driver caused to their property. We are here to answer all your questions. For a free consultation call our offices anytime.

Breyer Law Offices, P.C. is happy to hear that police geared up to help prevent DUI-related Arizona car accidents this past holiday season, according to a news report in AZ Central. The report showed that more than 70 Arizona law agencies teamed together for the Statewide Holiday DUI Enforcement Task Force in 2011. Their goal was to make sure drunk drivers stay off the roads. Thousands of officers participated under the motto “Drive Hammered … Get Nailed!”

Arizona Car Accident Statistics

Police made more than 18,000 DUI-related arrests in 2010. There were 5,489 Arizona DUI car accidents and 223 fatalities from these car accidents, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). There were also more than 3,700 people injured because of drunk drivers. Nearly 4,000 drunk drivers involved in car accidents were male while 1,360 were female. The 25-34 year age group had the most DUI-related crashes, and nighttime accounted for the most crashes at 4,054 while there were 1,435 DUI-related car accidents in the daytime.

Avoid Arizona DUI Car Accidents: The Ignition Interlock Device

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), DUI offenders will have to drive with an ignition interlock device, which is installed on the dashboard and requires the driver to exhale into it before the car can be started. If the device detects alcohol, the engine won’t start. The device reportedly leads to a 40 to 95 percent reduction in DUI driving offenses.

Contact an Arizona Personal Injury Attorney

An experienced Arizona personal injury lawyer represents victims who are injured by drunk drivers. The Husband and Wife Law Team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. makes sure car accident victims receive the best possible medical care while they work to hold the at-fault driver responsible for the victim’s medical bills, lost wages, damages, and more. When drivers violate the law and cause car accidents, they can face punitive damages as well, which are meant to punish them and set an example so others don’t take the same illegal actions. Contact us today for a free consultation.

As Arizona drunk driving accident injury attorneys, we were glad that the American Automobile Association (AAA) went to such lengths to protect drivers from alcohol-related crashes on New Year’s Eve. According to a news report in Fox 10, AAA gave free tows of up to 10 miles starting at 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 6 a.m. the following morning. This “Tipsy Tow” service was free to everyone, including non-AAA members. Anyone can call (800) AAA-HELP to request a tow, including the driver, passengers, restaurant waitstaff who notice drivers who need help, friends, and family members. For other upcoming holidays, people should be aware that AAA offers these services many times throughout the year.

Arizona Car Accident Statistics

We are sorry to report that there were 223 people killed by drunk drivers in 2010, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). There were also more than 3,700 people injured. Alcohol-related crashes totaled 5,489 in the state in 2010. These accidents can be extremely dangerous and deadly, and we hope everyone will do their part to prevent them.

Contact an Arizona Car Accident Lawyer

The best Arizona car accident lawyers will be able to offer a free consultation and answer all your legal questions. The Husband and Wife Law Team offer complimentary consultations and work fast to investigate the scene of a car accident. We hold the at-fault driver responsible for all related costs, including medical bills, and also file for punitive damages to further compensate our clients and punish the driver who broke the law. Contact Breyer Law Offices, P.C. for a free consultation today.

As experienced Mesa drunk driving injury lawyers, we cannot stress enough the dangers of drinking and driving. When caught, the punishment for drinking and driving in Arizona is very serious. Based on reports from ABC15, there was a car accident last year and while everyone was being attended to, another vehicle driven by a drunk driver drove through the accident scene. This impedes injured people from getting the necessary medical attention that they need. Also, it is very dangerous when vehicles cross the path of accident scenes. This could impact the investigation that police are doing at the scene of the accident. The driver admitted to the police that he drank 3 beers earlier in the day; however, when the police got his blood sample, it showed that the driver was at twice the legal limit and should not have been driving. It is important that as a community we never let people drink and drive.

Statistics for Arizona Car Accidents Due to DUI

According to research, in 2009 there were a total of 807 traffic fatalities in Arizona, and of this number, 260 were alcohol related. In addition, the Governor’s office released its figures showing that there was an increase of DUI accidents in Arizona compared to 2008.

Liability Issues in Aggravated DUI

People should be more responsible when it comes to drinking and driving. If a person intends to drink, they should bring along a designated driver. Currently, there are taxi cab services and other companies that will pick you up if you are intoxicated and take you home. Many of these services will bring your car back to your home as well.

Contact an Experienced Arizona Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a family member is injured in a car accident, it is important to hire the best Arizona personal injury lawyer. This is especially so when the other driver has been drinking and driving. It is also vital to make sure to do your research to hire the best attorney when the injuries are serious. Hiring the best personal injury lawyer can make the difference in whether you obtain a successful settlement or no settlement at all. When someone is drinking and driving, the law provides that they may be punished for injuring another person and, depending on how you pursue these claims, it can make a significant difference in your settlement. Call the experienced Arizona drunk driver injury attorneys Alexis and Mark Breyer of the Breyer Law Offices, P.C. at (602) 457-6222 to learn more. You can also find additional information about the firm and the Husband and Wife Law Team by following us on Twitter.

San Tan Valley is an area that is not home to many car accidents. As San Tan Valley drunk driving accident lawyers, we are sad to report that there was a serious car accident in this community. In Arizona, a skilled lawyer can assist in the investigation in tragic accidents like this. ABC15 has reported that a serious auto accident occurred at San Tan Valley Road, which resulted in the closure of the busy road. Officers stated that a male and a female were found and were injured in the accident. The accident was a head-on collision causing one of the vehicles, a van, to roll over. As a result of the van rolling over, the man inside was ejected from the vehicle. The man is in critical condition. The sheriff stated that the female that was driving the other vehicle admitted to being intoxicated. Both were airlifted and brought to Scottsdale Hospital. The tragic accident is still under investigation.

Arizona DUI Penalties

In the state of Arizona, anyone caught drinking and driving can be charged with 3 offenses. The first offense will be a fine of $250 to $2500, with a driver’s license suspension of 90 days and a jail imprisonment of 10 days. Second offense will be a fine of $500 to $2500, driver’s license revocation for a year, and jail imprisonment of 90 to 6 months.

Contact an Experienced Arizona Personal Injury Lawyer

When you are hit by a drunk driver, you need to speak to an experienced Arizona personal injury lawyer. A lawyer in this case should be getting copies of the reports of this accident and examining the accident scene. In cases involving a drunk driver, it may be that there is a punitive damage claim against the driver at fault. An experienced lawyer can look into this to get the innocent victim a potentially higher settlement. Breyer Law Offices, P.C. has been handling cases like these for years. For a free consultation, please call (480) 389-2463.

Before a holiday weekend, we are often reminded of the dangers of drinking and driving. As defined by Arizona Department of Transport (ADOT), holiday fatality statistics are based on fatal crashes occurring from 6:00 p.m. on the last working day prior to the holiday through 5:59 a.m. the day following the holiday period.

In 2010, 4th of July had the highest number of fatal car crashes as well as persons killed with 14 fatal crashes and 16 fatalities over the July 4th holidays. Thanksgiving Day ranked second with 12 fatal crashes and 13 fatalities. These statistics were reported by the Arizona Department of Transport from their Motor Vehicle Crash Facts 2010.

Although motor vehicle accidents and fatalities during Labor Day are not as high during July 4th and Thanksgiving, the numbers are still quite high. Last year, ADOT revealed that there were 9 fatal car crashes and 11 deaths during Labor Day holidays with 2 alcohol-related crashes and 2 alcohol-related fatalities.

This year, AAA Arizona and a group called the Beverage Alcohol Community Information Council provided a “Tipsy Tow” service over the holiday weekend for those drivers who wanted to drink but do not want to drive. Tipsy Tow service was launched in May 2009 providing a one-way ride up to 10 miles free. Standard charges will only take effect for trips longer than 10 miles.

The Tipsy Tow Service was available from Sunday night starting at 6 pm until 6 a.m. the following day.

For victims of fatal car accidents due to impaired drivers in Arizona, call our free consultation hotline at (602) 457-6222. As drunk driving accident victim lawyers in Phoenix, we are ready to assist you in getting what you deserve.

Mesa Police, along with the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, have scheduled DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols for Labor Day weekend. Law enforcement officials typically set up sobriety checkpoints late at night on holidays and weekends, which is when the number of impaired drivers on public roadways seems to be the highest.

During these checkpoints, law enforcement officers stop drivers and examine them for signs of intoxication. If an officer suspects that a driver is too impaired to be operating a vehicle, he may ask the driver to perform field sobriety tests or take a breath alcohol test. Law enforcement officials and groups dedicated to addressing the problem of drunk driving cite these checkpoints as a way of educating drivers about the dangers of DUI and keeping the streets safer.

As you travel the roads of Mesa this holiday weekend, use extra caution. This holiday typically brings out a lot of cyclists and pedestrians who just want to enjoy the last days of summer. Keep an eye out for drivers who may be impaired by alcohol or drugs. Although DUI checkpoints take some impaired drivers off the roads, it’s impossible for law enforcement officers to pull over every person who might be driving drunk. If you come across someone who might be impaired, keep your distance or pull over and let the driver pass. Your safety is worth much more than saving a few minutes of travel.

The Mesa traffic collision attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. have experience working with clients whose lives have been shattered by the irresponsible actions of impaired drivers. If you are the victim of an injury caused by someone else’s negligence, contact us at 480-389-2463 for a free consultation. If you plan to drink this weekend, arrange for a designated driver or plan to take a taxi or public transportation. We wish you a safe and happy Labor Day.

Did you know that in the United States, one person is killed every 50 minutes as a result of motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers (Mothers Against Drunk Driving 2011)? That means every day, 32 people lose their lives of alcohol impaired driving accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that alcohol-related crashes in 2009 reached up to 9,813 incidents nationwide, 196 of which happened in Arizona. During the same year, about 1.4 million drivers were also arrested for driving under the influence.

Alcohol-related crashes have fortunately declined over the years. Despite this welcome change, fatal accidents involving drunk drivers are still a primary concern of the government and private organizations. In fact, more than 10,000 deaths were recorded in car crashes involving an impaired driver whose blood alcohol content reaches or exceeds 0.08 percent in 2009.

Police officers statewide are involved in efforts to stop drunk drivers before they hurt an innocent victim. Unfortunately, one Surprise police officer was not a victim but a drunk driver himself recently when he was arrested for Arizona driving under the influence while having his child in the car.

The driver was taking his 7-year old son to school when the incident happened. According to investigations, he missed a turn and made a wide U-turn, he then drove up on the sidewalk and struck a signal post. He then continued north on Vista Ranch, hit a school zone sign and side swiped a car with a female driver and two children, age 11 and 14, inside.

Police reports revealed that the police officer driving the car could barely stand on his own without falling. He was arrested due to driving under the influence. The authorities also conducted a drug test and it showed that he was under the influence of a nervous system depressant.

He was charged with aggravated DUI and endangerment, both felonies, and is on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of an Arizona drunk driving accident, call us at (480) 753-4534 for a free consultation. We can help you hold these alcohol impaired drivers responsible for their actions.

Drinking and driving is a practice that is never accepted in any part of the country. Drinking alcohol causes impairment in nearly all activities you may try to complete, especially your driving skills. In 2009, there were 30,797 cases of crashes, about 9,813 of which were cases of impaired driving; 32% of them involved DUI (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2009).

Unfortunately people still make the mistake of driving impaired in Arizona. Just last week, an off duty police officer endangered his own son’s life. He is now in jail after drunk driving his son to school in Surprise, Arizona. He was charged with an aggravated DUI and endangerment, both felonies.

The 39-year-old police-driver drove his 7-year-old son to school last Wednesday morning while intoxicated (KPHO 4/14/11). He missed a turn, drove on the sidewalk, struck a signal pole, went on to hit another school zone sign and sideswiped a car twice in its rear end.

He was also given a drug test and was found to have a nervous system depressant in his blood. He later denied taking any drugs except that he took a Nyquil the night before, which he claimed was the cause of his grogginess.

There are many types of substances that can affect the way we think, our body’s condition and our capabilities—even legal drugs. If you are taking any medications that could effect your alertness, try to avoid driving or participating in other potentially dangerous activities until you know how it will effect your body. If you have had anything to drink, please do not get behind the wheel—find a designated driver or call a service to get you home safely.

If you are a victim of an Arizona drinking and driving accident, then give us a call at (602) 267-1280 for some advice. We can answer your questions and hopefully help you get the compensation you deserve.

In an effort to push Arizona drunken driving accidents to an all time low, authorities have been strengthening programs to catch offenders before they can do much damage to life and property. This past holiday season, a statewide collaboration resulted in more than 3,000 arrests for driving under the influence in just a span of 5 weeks.

Last week, in a routine check for drivers under the influence and other traffic offenders, Gilbert police were able to catch a man who attempted to flee after a DUI stop near North Oak Street, Thursday early morning (AZ Central 03/25/2011).

According to reports, an officer attempted to stop a vehicle near Gilbert Road and Park Avenue at around 3:30 a.m. but the vehicle continued going and drove into a parking lot on the 100 block of North Oak Street.

The 39-year old driver then fled the vehicle as police went after him on foot. Officers attempted to use a taser to stop him but missed.

The man was finally caught around 4:30 a.m. after hiding behind pallets of boxes and faces charges of driving under the influence and failing to obey and yield.

It is a known fact that alcohol and driving kills. This lethal combination has led to thousands of fatal car accidents in Arizona in the past and will remain to be a major factor as people continue to ignore the dangers of such negligence.

In 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 32 percent of traffic fatalities involved an alcohol impaired driver. Call us at (480) 753-4534 if you or someone you know has been a victim of an impaired driving accident, we may be able to help you bring these negligent drivers to justice.