• Accident Causes

    Fatal Accident Caused by Intoxicated Driver

    Phoenix (May 30, 2023) – The driver who caused a fatal wrong-way accident on a Phoenix highway on May 23 had a blood alcohol percentage more than four times the legal limit, according to court documents. Allen Michael Johnson was arrested at Chandler Regional Medical Center and charged with second-degree murder. A 10-year-old died in the accident and another woman and a 5-year-old were seriously injured.

    Our sympathies are with the victims and their families. If you or a loved one have been injured by an impaired driver, contact the Phoenix personal injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe. Source: KTAR News

    Driver Fatigue Cause of Deadly 2021 Tanker Crash

    Phoenix (April 28, 2023) – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has attributed the cause of a fatal tanker crash in Phoenix, Arizona in 2021, which killed 4 people and injured 11 others, to driver fatigue. The crash occurred when the truck crashed into cars that were stopped for a road closure. The tanker separated from the truck, which hit a concrete median and caught fire along with another car.

    If you’ve lost a loved one in a truck accident, contact the Phoenix injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe. Source: AP

    Deadly Crash Likely Caused by Faulty Steering Wheel

    Goodyear (March 10, 2023) – A Goodyear, Arizona car accident in late February that killed two cyclists was likely caused by a faulty steering wheel. The driver claimed his steering wheel locked, causing him to enter the bike lane. Police claim that there is no evidence of an intentional act, speeding, or impairment at the time of the crash.

    Our sympathies go out to the victim and their loved ones. If you’ve experienced the wrongful death of a loved one due to no fault of their own, or if you’ve been injured by a defective product, contact Lerner and Rowe. Source: AP

    Top Causes of Arizona Fatal Accidents and Catastrophic Injuries in 2021

    Statewide (January 2, 2023) – According to the 2021 Arizona Trauma System Snapshot, falls caused over 600 adult fatalities and close to 30,800 injuries. Car accidents and gun-related accidents were the other top causes of catastrophic injuries and deaths for both Arizona adults and children in 2021. Overall, the rate of catastrophic injuries increased by 19% in the state that year. 

    If you’ve suffered from a catastrophic injury or the wrongful death of a loved one, contact the Arizona personal injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe. Source: AZ Family

    Thanksgiving Weekend Speeding, DUI, and Distracted Driving Arrests and Citations

    Statewide (November 30, 2022) – During the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, police in Arizona reported speeding, DUI, and distracted driving were the main causes of traffic citations. According to information made public by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, there were 323 DUI arrests, 78 citations for distracted driving, and 209 criminal citations issued for speeding. Additionally, there were 145 citations issued for not wearing a seatbelt. 

    The Arizona personal injury lawyers at Lerner and Rowe can help if you were injured in a car accident or lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence. Source: 12 News

    Rear-End Collisions Top Factor in Arizona Alcohol-Related Crashes

    Statewide (October 26, 2022) – According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) 2021 Crash Facts Report, rear-end collisions are a contributing factor in alcohol-related crashes. The report lists the manner of collisions in alcohol-related crashes. Rear-end collisions were responsible for over 41% of alcohol-related car crashes in Arizona in 2021. Rear-end collisions due to alcohol caused over 10% of fatal car accidents and 40% of injury car accidents.

    If you’ve been injured in a car accident or lost a loved one due to negligence, contact the Arizona personal injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe. Source: ADOT

    Causes of Arizona Traffic Fatalities

    Statewide (September 11, 2022) – Arizona experienced a decrease in traffic fatalities in the first quarter of 2022 by 31.4%. In the first quarter of 2022, there were 277 traffic deaths in Arizona, compared to 190 in 2021. While traffic fatalities are down, Alberto Gutier, executive director of the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, says that speeding, reckless driving, and impaired driving (DUI) are the main causes of Arizona traffic fatalities. 

    If you or a loved one have been injured in an Arizona car accident, contact Lerner and Rowe today. Source: Mesa Tribune

    Top Causes of Arizona Fatal Work Accidents

    Statewide (August 19, 2022) – According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 97 work-related fatalities in Arizona in 2020. Transportation-related accidents caused 30 out of the 97 fatal work injuries in Arizona, while there were 25 total fatalities related to hazardous substances or environments. 57% of all Arizona fatal workplace injuries fell into these two primary groups.

    Violence and injuries caused by people and animals were the third most common cause of fatal workplace accidents in Arizona, totaling 17. Contact Lerner and Rowe if you’ve been injured in a workplace accident due to your employer’s negligence. Source: BLS

    Truck Accidents Increase in Phoenix

    Phoenix (July 13, 2022)- Truck accidents are on the rise in Phoenix. These accidents often end in death or catastrophic injuries. The rise of Phoenix truck accidents are due to a variety of reasons, including an increase of trucks on the road. 

    The number of trucks on the road increased by 85% in the past decade. With this increase of trucks and increased demand, companies have been short-cutting safety measures. 

    Due to inflation, many truck companies have cut costs by decreasing maintenance and overloading trucks. Faulty and malfunctioning parts, mainly worn breaks, as well as overloaded vehicles can easily cause a deadly accident. If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, call Lerner and Rowe today. Source: Legal Reader

    Causes of Car Accidents in Arizona in 2020

    Statewide (June 20, 2022) – Car accidents in Arizona have increased in the past year, with numbers reaching a 15-year high in 2021. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), the number of total accidents decreased from 2019 to 2020 by 24.23%. However, the number of total fatal accidents increased by 7.86%. Alcohol-related fatalities and injuries decreased by 29.84% and 4.53%. 

    Distracted driving and alcohol were the top causes of Arizona car accidents in 2020. Alcohol related crashes made up 4.56% of all car accidents, both fatal and non-fatal. Over 2,800 people were injured in alcohol-related car accidents in 2020. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident in Arizona, call Lerner and Rowe today. Source: ADOT

  • Accident Statistics

    Bicycle Deaths in Phoenix Decline

    Phoenix (May 30, 2023) – According to data from the League of American Bicyclists via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between 2017 and 2021, the average number of fatal bicycle accidents in Phoenix decreased to five per one million. Among major cities, Phoenix ranked 13th in terms of bicycle fatalities. Overall, the number of fatal bicycle accidents in Phoenix decreased 12% from 2012 to 2016. 

    If you or a loved one have been injured in a bicycle accident, contact the Phoenix personal injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe. Source: League of American Bicyclists

    Arizona Traffic Fatalities Increase Over 11%

    Statewide (April 28, 2023) – According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), traffic fatalities in Arizona increased 11.1% from 2021 to 2022. The Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2022 report showed the state had 1,180 traffic fatalities in 2021 and 1,311 in 2022, an increase of 10.4%. 

    If you’ve lost a loved one in a car accident, contact the Phoenix car accident attorneys at Lerner and Rowe. Source: NHTSA

    Arizona Ranked 15th in Nation for Distracted Driver Deaths

    Statewide (January 2, 2023) – Data gathered from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics shows that Arizona had 152 distracted driving deaths from 2019-2020. This puts Arizona at 15 out 50 for the number of distracted driving deaths in the country.

    Contact the Arizona personal injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe if you were injured by or experienced the wrongful death of a loved one due to a distracted driver. Source: MoneyGeek

    Most Common Types Arizona Car Accidents in 2021

    Statewide (November 30, 2022) – According to data from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) 2021 Crash Facts, on average 3.23 people died per day and one person was wounded on the road every 10 minutes and 11 seconds. Rear-end collisions were the most common type of accident, followed by left-turn collisions and sideswipes, accounting for 74,396 of the 100,518 accidents that occurred in Arizona. 

    If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Arizona, contact the car accident attorneys at Lerner and Rowe to explore your legal options. Source: ADOT

    Arizona Traffic Accidents Increased 22% From 2022

    Statewide (October 26, 2022) – Data from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) 2021 Crash Facts Report found car accidents increased 22% from 2020 to 2021. The data shows Arizona saw 121,345 collisions overall in 2021 compared to 99,100 collisions in 2020. The report revealed Arizona had the most collisions in October 2021. Additionally, it found more car accidents occurred on Fridays than any other day of the week. 

    If you’ve been injured in a car accident or lost a loved one due to negligence, contact the Arizona personal injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe. Source: ADOT

    Arizona Traffic Deaths Decrease in First Quarter of 2022

    Statewide (August 26, 2022) – According to a recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of traffic fatalities in Arizona decreased by about a third in the first quarter of 2022. According to the data, 190 people died on Arizona roads in the first three months of this year, a 31.4% decrease from the 277 fatalities recorded in the same period in 2021. 

    If you’ve lost a loved one due to a car accident, contact Lerner and Rowe. Source: Cronkite News

    Phoenix Ranked Worst Large City for Traffic Deaths

    Phoenix (August 18, 2022) – Phoenix saw 185 traffic fatalities in 2020 compared to 177 in 2019. In the first half of 2021, 114 persons lost their lives in collisions. 52 were pedestrians, 58 involved drivers or passengers, and 4 involved bicycles

    Phoenix experiences 83 collisions each day on average, with 1 fatality daily. The city experienced a rise in collisions over a 5-year period that was higher (4.4%) than the city’s annual population growth of 1.5%. Source: KJZZ

    Heat-Related Deaths In Maricopa County Hit Half-Year Record High

    Phoenix (July 28, 2022)—With 17 heat-related fatalities confirmed through the first week of July and another 126 under investigation, heat-related deaths in Maricopa County have reached a half-year record. The number of heat-related deaths in the first half of 2022 is significantly higher than it was during the same time last year. There were 11 fatalities in Maricopa County due to heat illness in the first half of 2021. 

    Those who work outdoors are the most susceptible to the extreme heat and are likely to experience heat-related injuries. If you or a loved one have experienced heat-illnesses or wrongful death due to the negligence or recklessness of another party, contact Lerner and Rowe to explore your legal options. Source: Fox10

    Arizona Home to Third Deadliest US Interstate Highway

    Arizona (April 26, 2022)-Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2020 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) found that I-40, which runs through Arizona, is the third deadliest interstate in the country. A total of 270 fatalities on I-40 happened in 2020, including a crash caused by faulty tires that killed two. 

    Data collected and analyzed showed that there were 10.6 fatalities per every 100 miles in 2020. Speeding is one of the main causes of fatal accidents on I-40. Source: NHTSA

    Number of Traffic Deaths in Arizona Continues to Increase

    Statewide (March, 2022) – Traffic fatalities increased to a 15-year high in 2021 in Arizona. The majority of these accidents were caused by distracted and impaired drivers. In 2021, over 1,000 more Arizona residents lost their lives in car accidents than in 2020. Arizona isn’t alone. In 2020 and 2021, traffic fatalities exceeded records nationwide, forcing federal transportation officials to improve roadway safety. 

    Reports show there are more distracted and impaired drivers than ever before, and DUI numbers in the state have reached their highest levels since 2013. Phoenix saw more traffic-related deaths in 2021 than the previous year, prompting the city to sign on to a national road safety effort. Safety advocates believe communities should adopt measures like decreasing speed limits and adding more roundabouts to reduce traffic. Source: PHOENIX Mag

  • News

    Buckle Up Arizona Aims to Increase Seat Belt Use

    Statewide (May 30, 2023) – Several agencies, including the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), have received a $20,000 grant to enforce seat belt compliance among drivers and passengers. The program, “Buckle Up Arizona”, hopes to improve seat belt usage to prevent fatal accidents. Drivers can expect a stronger police presence on Arizona roads. The campaign ends June 4.

    The Phoenix personal injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe hope everyone wears a seat belt and practices safe driving. If you are injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, contact us today. Source: AZDPS

    ADOT Issues Weekend Freeway Travel Advisory

    Phoenix (April 28, 2023) – The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has issued a travel advisory for this weekend. ADOT asks drivers to plan alternate routes in order to avoid work zone accidents due to various freeway closures for improvement projects during the upcoming weekend (April 28-May 1).

    Accidents often increase during highway maintenance in work zones due to road debris, drivers not paying attention to signs, and equipment on the road. If you’ve been injured in a car accident during a highway improvement project, contact the Phoenix personal injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe. Source: ADOT

    Phoenix Bicyclist Hurt in Hit-and-Run Accident

    Phoenix (March 27, 2023) – A bicyclist was seriously injured in an early morning hit-and-run accident in North Phoenix. According to the police, the accident occurred at 12:30 a.m. near Cave Creek and Beardsley roads, close to the Loop 101 off-ramp. Police are still searching for the driver. No details regarding the suspect vehicle have been released.

    We wish the victim a speedy and successful recovery. If you or a loved one have been injured in a bicycle accident, contact the Phoenix personal injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe. Source: AZFamily

    2 Bicyclists Killed and 11 Others Injured In Goodyear Crash

    Goodyear (February 27, 2023) – A truck driver hit a group of cyclists in Arizona on Saturday morning, killing 2 of them and wounding 11. The Goodyear Police Department announced Pedro Quintana-Lujan, 26, had been taken into custody and charged with manslaughter, aggravated assault, endangerment, and inflicting severe harm or death by a moving infraction. Two of the bicyclists died, while one is still in a critical condition.

    Our sympathies go out to the victim and their loved ones. If you’ve experienced the wrongful death of a loved one due to no fault of their own, or if you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident,  contact the Phoenix personal injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe. Source: Fox News

    Fiery Semi-truck Crash on I-10 Results in 5 Deaths

    PHOENIX, AZ (January 13, 2023) – At least fives lives were lost during a fiery collision near Chandler Boulevard and Interstate 10 around 6:00 a.m. this morning. Two semi-trucks and multiple passenger vehicles were involved. One passenger vehicle and one semi-truck were completely destroyed by flames.

    DPS troopers did confirm that a semi-truck traveling eastbound at full speed on I-10 slammed into the back of two passenger vehicles. That catastrophic impact started a chain reaction of events when the smaller passenger vehicles were forced into the back of another semi. The second involved semi then collided with the back of the passenger vehicle in front of it, which then slammed into the back of another passenger car.

    At Lerner and Rowe, our hearts go out to all those impacted by this tragic semi-involved wreck on I-10 in Phoenix. We know that no matter what safety precautions a driver takes, it’s not possible to control the actions of other drivers around you. As such, we strongly encourage drivers of all ages and sized vehicles to remain alert and aware to try to help prevent deadly accidents on our roadways.

    Sources: AZFamily, FOX News 10

    Man Identified After Fatal Phoenix Hit and Run

    Phoenix (December 30, 2022) – Around 6:30 p.m, police were called to a pedestrian collision between 8th and Southern Avenues where they discovered Jose Alvarez, 42, seriously injured. Alvarez later died. According to investigators, the at-fault driver originally left the area after striking Alvarez in the middle of the street. That driver later came back. There have been no arrests and intoxication is not believed to be a factor. An investigation is still ongoing. 

    Our sympathies go out to the victim and their loved ones. If you’ve experienced the wrongful death of a loved one due to no fault of their own, contact the Phoenix personal injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe. Source: AZ Family

    Fatal Pedestrian Hit-and-Run in Phoenix

    Phoenix (November 30, 2022) – On Saturday, November 26, Phoenix police responded to a call of a pedestrian in a wheelchair who was fatally hit by a vehicle. The victim, Jeremey Ortiz, 40, passed away at the scene. According to police, Ortiz was hit by the vehicle while crossing the street. The timeframe of the accident is still under investigation. The driver has not yet been identified. 

    Our sympathies go out to the victim and their loved ones. If you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact the Phoenix personal injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe. Source: AZ Central

    Weather Caused Deadly Arizona Plane Crash

    Yuma (October 21, 2022) – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a preliminary report stating that inclement weather was the cause of a single-engine plane crash that claimed the lives of both passengers aboard. The crash occurred on September 13th between Kingman and Flagstaff. According to the NTSB investigation, there was moderate to heavy precipitation in the vicinity during the time of the accident.

     

    If you’ve lost a loved one in a plane crash because of negligence or recklessness, contact the Phoenix plane crash lawyers at Lerner and Rowe. Source: KYMA

    One Child Dead and Three Injured After Arizona Off-Road Vehicle Crash

    Forest Lakes (September 4, 2022) – An off-road vehicle accident claimed the life of an eight-year-old girl and seriously injured three other girls. According to authorities, the collision happened on Sunday around 11:00 a.m. near Forest Lakes. 

    The 8-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene, and two 14-year-old girls, and another 8-year-old, were taken to a hospital in Phoenix. Their health status and names have not been made public, and investigators stated that they were still looking into what caused the fatal collision.

    If you’ve been injured in an accident, or lost a loved one due to wrongful death, call Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys. Source: AP

    Several In Critical Condition and One Dead After Crash on I-17 in Phoenix

    Phoenix (August 12, 2022) – A 13-year-old boy has died and numerous other people, including two children, are in critical condition after a collision on Thursday night on Interstate 17 close to Union Hills Drive in Phoenix. One of the drivers of an SUV lost control and hit another SUV, according to reports. Both SUVs turned over, ejecting three people.

    The Phoenix Fire Department said a toddler, a child, two women, and a man were critically injured. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) doesn’t think that impaired driving was a factor in the accident. The investigation into the crash is ongoing. Source: AZ Family