Motor Vehicle Accidents Archives | Scottsdale Personal Injury Blog

Millions of cars could be affected by faulty fuel part, gas leaks

2017-07-13T15:00:00Z

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating how many cars may be affected by a German company's faulty fuel tank flanges. The flanges have been shown to crack, letting fuel leak and risking fire. Audi and Porsche have already recalled some half a million vehicles due to the defect. Unfortunately, the parts supplier Continental Automotive GmbH supplied the flanges to General Motors, Ford, Fiat Chrysler, Jaguar-Land Rover, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, McLaren and possibly Volvo, as well as other auto part suppliers.

Continental has filed papers, which were posted on Friday by NHTSA, indicating that the flanges might be defective. According to the company, the flanges are made of industry standard polymer and no fires have actually been reported. The company has not yet determined what causes the flanges to crack, but it seems likely environmental factors cause degradation.

]]> Causing some additional confusion is the fact that each automaker uses the flanges differently, and the part numbers vary. This is why the total number of affected vehicles is unclear.

NHTSA is now seeking information from other carmakers "in order to determine whether any additional vehicles may have the same defect as identified by VW and Porsche, and whether additional safety recalls are required by those identified companies."

According to a spokesperson for Continental, each automaker is responsible for determining if there is an issue and, if there is, issuing its own recall. "Our filing is signaling that basically there's a potential defect and here's who we sold it to," she commented.

Volkswagen, Porsche and Audi initiated recalls in September

Volkswagen, along with its brands Audi and Porsche, have instituted recalls that ran from September of last year to March 2017. None of the paperwork mentions an actual fire, but drivers have reported smelling gasoline.

Although that recall is technically over, drivers should still have their vehicles inspected for damage or cracks in the flange and have any defects repaired. A dealership may still be willing to do the work on a warranty or recall basis.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident and you suspect a faulty auto part may have been responsible, we urge you to reach out to an attorney experienced in product liability law.

Cellphone use while driving will be banned for some Arizona teens

2017-05-03T21:30:00Z

In a little over a year, certain young drivers here in Arizona will be subject to some new driving rules. This is due to a new law recently signed by the state’s governor.

The new law will prohibit texting while driving and other handheld cellphone use while driving for some teen drivers. This would not be a blanket ban that covers all young drivers. Rather, the ban will apply to two types of teens:

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Those who are driving on a learner’s permit.

Those who are in the first six months of driving on a license under the state’s graduated license program.

This new prohibition is set to go into effect at the start of July 2018.

One wonders if this relatively narrow texting/cellphone ban will be followed by broader ones. In a statement the governor made in connection to the new law, he noted that he would be in support of banning all minors from engaging in texting behind the wheel here in Arizona.

The recently approved ban and the general idea of texting-while-driving bans have been subjects of a great deal of debate here in Arizona.

What are your thoughts on texting bans? Do you think Arizona should turn to broader texting-while-driving bans? What steps would you like Arizona to take in response to the problem of distracted driving?

Now, a driving activity doesn’t have to be subject to a blanket ban under state law to be negligent and responsible for serious accidents. Severe crashes can come out of texting while driving and other types of distracted driving. Skilled Arizona car crash attorneys understand how vital it can be for individuals injured in such accidents to have a clear idea of their legal options. Such crash victims can go to such lawyers for help with accident investigations and assessments of their legal situation.

Source: azfamily.com, “Ducey signs bill banning teen drivers from using cell phones,” April 27, 2017

What to do after a motorcycle accident in Arizona

2017-04-17T21:10:15Z

In Arizona, there are nearly 180,000 registered motorcyclists. Although less than 2 percent of riders in the state are involved in crashes in any given year, there are still far too many accidents.

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, the seriousness of your injuries and the steps needed for your complete recovery may be overwhelming. However, there are certain actions that you should take --and others you should avoid -- in order to get the medical treatment and long-term care you need.

]]> If your accident was caused by another's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, future earnings, pain and suffering. Here are tips that may help you in the aftermath of a serious accident:

Provide factual statement only

Be mindful of the statements you make at the scene. What you say and do may be used against you. After an accident you may be inclined to rehash the details with the other party, law enforcement, and insurance adjusters. You are not obligated to speak to the other party or anyone from their insurance company. If a law enforcement officer asks you for a statement, be sure to give a clear and concise accounting of the events that occurred to the best of your ability, but avoid adding emotional statements. Later, after things have settled down and your mind clears, you may see things very differently. Specifically, don't admit fault, regardless of who you might believe is to blame.

Call your insurance company

Notify your insurance company that you were in an accident as soon as possible. Your insurance agent will need to know the following information:

Precise location of the accident
Name of the responding law enforcement agency and the name or badge number of the officer
Incident or police report number
Names and insurance information of other involved motorists and witnesses
Extent of property damage
Description of your physical injuries
Name of any treating medical professionals

Again, explain the crash as objectively as possible. Don't talk about who you think was at fault. If you don't know the answer to a question, don't guess. This includes any questions about physical injuries too. Don't assume you or others involved are "fine," as you may experience delayed symptoms. Most importantly, keep in mind that insurance companies are not on your side and will try to pay as little as possible on your claim.

Don't agree to settle your claim without a lawyer

After a crash, you may be offered compensation directly by the other party or by his or her insurance company. Perhaps there isn't much damage, and you are worried about a black spot on your record. Maybe you are sympathetic to his or her situation and are content to just let them pay for the minor repairs.

Don't do it. Not only will you be forfeiting the right to future claims with your own insurance company, but you could be violating the laws of your state by not reporting the crash. Not to mention the guilt you would feel if the person who caused the accident does the same thing again to someone else.

There are many nuances of the law when it comes to protecting your rights and freedom after a motorcycle accident. Seek the help of an attorney who is experienced handling personal injury claims involving motorcyclists.

What to do if you were injured by a drowsy driver in Arizona

2017-03-23T12:10:20Z

Getting behind the wheel when you haven't had enough sleep may not seem like a very serious offense to many. However, one out of every 25 adult drivers admitted to falling asleep while driving within one 30-day period, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2013, drowsy driving was the cause of at least 72,000 crashes and 800 fatalities. The Department of Transportation believes that many drowsy driving fatalities go unreported, and the number may actually be closer to 6,000 each year.

]]> Of the many deadly hazards on Arizona roads, drowsy driving is easily preventable. Unfortunately, many people still drive while tired.

How does drowsy driving affect me?

You may be taking your life in your own hands just driving to and from work every day. While you may have control over how tired you are before getting in your car, you don't have control over other motorists. Truckers, commuters, tourists and inexperienced drivers share the road with you each day, putting you and your family in danger.

The most dangerous times on the road are in the late afternoon or between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m.

Drowsy driving is caused by more than a lack of sleep

Drowsy driving is driving while fatigued or sleepy. In many cases, drivers are tired because they have not had enough sleep. It can also be a result of alcohol consumption, use of prescription drugs, shift work, or untreated sleep disorders. All of these may affect a driver's ability to:

Make logical decisions
Pay close attention to his or her driving
Notice changing road conditions
React quickly to traffic slow-downs, stopped vehicles, or objects on the road

How to hold negligent drivers responsible in Arizona

Arizona laws hold people who drive while drowsy responsible for injuries or deaths they cause. This means that you may be compensated for any lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering that resulted from a motor vehicle accident caused by a drowsy driver. However, it can sometimes be difficult to prove that a driver was too tired to drive.

What to look for

If you were in an accident that you suspect was caused by a drowsy driver, remember the details of your accident and what you saw before it happened. The actions of a drowsy driver can easily be mistaken for those of someone who is driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Drowsy driving may be a factor in an accident if a driver exhibits some of the following behaviors:

Seems to ignore traffic signals or signs
Frequently yawns and blinks
Repeatedly drives over the rumble strip at the side of the road
Weaves in and out of lanes

If a drowsy driver was responsible for a motor vehicle accident in which you sustained injuries, seek the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer. An attorney from the law firm of Adelman German, PLC, will evaluate your case and advise you of your legal options.