Arizona pedestrian deaths in 2009 were 15 percent or 120 persons killed from the 807 total fatalities. It is almost equivalent to the total motorcyclists who were killed due to vehicular accidents on the same year. Unfortunately, the number of pedestrian fatalities is only slightly lower than the number of deaths in 2008.

Around 3 a.m. last Friday, another pedestrian was struck by a car while trying to walk across a freeway ramp in Phoenix (AZ Family 03/04/11). Investigators believed that the victim, a 61-year old man, jumped over the retainer wall and crossed the street when the car heading west on the 202 to the 10 hit him. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Since there were no disabled vehicles nearby, officers are trying to determine from where the victim originated. There are also trying to figure out the victim’s mental state and why he was trying to cross the freeway ramp.

Highways are no place for pedestrians. The safest place for a person anywhere on the roadway is inside the car except for in a few occasions. If your car has caught fire, then it is necessary for you to evacuate the vehicle and get as far away from it as possible in case the gas tank detonates. After an accident or if your car has broken down on the roadway, try not to leave the vehicle because you may be put at greater risk on the street. Dial the authorities or your local tow service from your car and stay there until they arrive.

If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal car accident in Arizona, you can reach us at (480) 753-4534 for your free consultation. As Phoenix accident attorneys, we understand how important it is for negligent drivers to take responsibility of the harm they have caused.

In 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also revealed that there were 196 fatal crashes due to impaired driving in the state of Arizona and 9,813 in the United States on a whole. The majority of DUI-related accidents in Arizona occur from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m.

These numbers only show that impaired driving is still major concern in terms of traffic safety. In fact, there were 10,839 fatalities from car crashes involving a driver reaching or exceeding the legal blood alcohol content of .08 percent in 2009.

In Mesa, a man was arrested and put behind bars because he was driving under the influence with seven kids aged from 6 to 13 years on board. Three of the seven kids were stuffed in the trunk of car. The driver was apprehended near Mesa Drive and Broadway Road.

According to the results of the police investigation, the driver’s blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit. Moreover, he also had a prior DUI and a hit-and-run which involved a death. He is now facing seven cases of child endangerment and DUI.

Despite the extensive campaign against alcohol-impaired drivers, there continue to be those who tend to ignore the dangers of drunk driving. With so many services available free to keep drunk drivers off the road, there is no excuse for this behavior.

For victims of impaired driving accidents, call us at (602) 267-1280 for your free consultation. As impaired driving accident lawyers, we may be able to help you.

Car manufacturer Toyota has been the center of a large investigation into the safety of their cars. Since 2009, the company has recalled more than 14 million vehicles worldwide (KPHO 2/24/11). Previous recalls addressed an issue with gas pedal entrapment, a problem that occurs when the gas pedal gets stuck on the floor mat, but this recall has since been expanded to include issues with the pedal getting caught on the carpet and dashboard clips as well.

Another previous recall involved a possible fault in the electronic throttle that was suspected to cause unintentional acceleration. The Transportation Department investigated this suspected issue and found that there was no problem with the electronics of the gas pedal; it was merely a combination of the pedal entrapment and misapplication, when the driver applied the gas instead of the brake.

If you have a Toyota, please call 1-800-331-4331 (or 1-800-255-3987 for Lexus owners) to see if your vehicle is included on this latest recall and to schedule to have the part fixed. Incidents like these always remind us to periodically check our cars over to make sure everything is functioning properly. As Arizona car accident and product liability attorneys, we hope these small proactive actions will prevent a possibly deadly accident.

Motorcycle accidents have been proven to be more fatal compared to automobile crashes. In 2006, NHTSA compared both kinds of accidents in terms of fatality rate per unit of distance travelled. The fatality rate for those involved in car accidents was 18.06 per 100,000, while for motorcycle accidents; the rate was over 3 times higher at 55.82 per 100,000.

Aside from its basic function of giving the head the best protection, wearing a helmet can provide a few more benefits. Tinted helmets can shield your eyes from direct sunlight, helping you get a good view of the road. Helmets also stop wind blast on your face and eyes as well as protection against bugs and other things flying through the air. Many who wear them find that wearing a helmet also enhances comfort and riding experience, although that is a matter of opinion.

Arizona riders who choose not to wear a helmet usually don’t make that decision in ignorance of the safety facts. While helmets protect the head effectively, the rest of a biker’s body is left exposed, even with appropriate leather and protective clothing. In a motorcycle accident, often times very serious injuries can still be had even if safety equipment covers the rider from head to toe. If biking is your passion, this is a risk worth taking to enjoy the open road.

If you have been in a motorcycle accident and wish to seek legal compensation, we are available at (602) 267-1280. Call or click now to have your free copy of the attorney’s newest book, The Arizona Motorcycle Accident Book, sent to you. Inside you’ll find a wealth of information about Arizona motorcycle laws, helmet laws, insurance coverage, and what to do after an accident. Request your free copy today!

An annual contest put on by a local newspaper, the Ahwatukee Foothills News, has various categories for readers to vote on, such as “Best Place to Work Out,” “Best Mexican Food,” “Best Preschool,” and, new for this year, “Best Attorney/Law Office.”

The contest garnered 44,000 votes, blowing past last year’s 14,000. The Husband and Wife Law Team, handling serious injury and wrongful death cases, blew past all other entrants for the category to take first place.

Among all other accolades, this honor hits closest to home. As residents of Ahwatukee for many years, Mark and Alexis Breyer are so honored for this award given by their own neighbors.

Mark told the paper, “Having started as just a small husband and wife practice and grown to handle cases across Arizona, we’ve always felt Ahwatukee was very much our home,” (AFN 1/27/11).

Mark Breyer also holds many other distinctions such as being a part of only 2% of Arizona attorneys who hold recognition as Certified Specialists in Injury and Wrongful Death law by the State Bar of Arizona; and holding membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum for the less than 1% of U.S. trial lawyers who can prove they have won million dollar cases.

If you’ve been injured in Arizona and you’re looking for an expert, call the Husband and Wife Law Team today and get your questions answered during your free phone consultation. Call (480) 753-4534.