Are you aware that it is a traffic offense to drive too slowly in Arizona? Older drivers or newcomers may find it difficult to drive at the accustomed speed on our highways. When a driver cannot keep up with the speed of the other drivers on the highway, he presents a danger to himself and others. Sometimes, this results in car accidents. According to A.R.S. § 28-704(A): A person shall not drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic (with stated exceptions). If you are driving on a major highway, and cars are following close to ..read more

Eighty percent of success is showing up. - Woody Allen You are going to meet with your attorney for the first time after a personal injury. You are apprehensive because you have never consulted with an attorney before. You are not sure you will understand legal terms. You are not even sure you have a case. How do you prepare for this unfamiliar experience? First, it is most important that you bring yourself on time for your appointment, but after that, bring everything you have pertaining to the case, including: Arizona Crash Report (can be obtained online for free or for a small fee depending ..read more

You are stopped waiting for a light to change and you hear the dreaded crunch of a rear-end collision. You are T-boned by an SUV running a red light. You are struck by a careless driver exiting a private driveway to turn left. It wasn't your fault. Do your insurance rates go up if you report a claim? The short answer is NO! According to A.R.S. § 20-263(A): No insurer shall increase the motor vehicle insurance premium of an insured as a result of an accident not caused or significantly contributed to by the actions of the insured. Any insurer which increases the premium as a result of accident ..read more

I have successfully represented too many bicyclists who were initially blamed by police or insurance companies for riding their bicycles in the crosswalk. The law in Arizona is clear – bikes can lawfully ride in the crosswalk (in either direction ..read more

According to Arizona Governor’s Highway Safety Association, pedestrian deaths have increased by 27 percent between 2007 and 2016! During the same period, all other traffic fatalities decreased by 14 percent. Maricopa Country was second in the number of pedestrian fatalities in 2016 – second only to Los Angeles County. Why do we have such a high number of pedestrian fatalities ..read more

In summer, the nearly empty streets of metropolitan Phoenix resemble the old days on Main Street in small town America with light traffic and courteous drivers waiving to one another.   No, not really, but in the autumn, the change in traffic conditions is dramatic.  Anyone who commutes or drives ..read more

I am often shocked that this misunderstanding of Arizona law still routinely comes up. I am still encountering bicyclists, motorists, police, insurance adjusters and sometimes lawyers who are confused about the law in Arizona on this issue. Bicycles can lawfully ride in either direction in a crosswalk and can ride in either direction on sidewalks (except in a few cities with strange ordinances prohibiting it or limiting it) in Arizona. I first wrote about this problem, five years ago ..read more

On April 18, 2019, Arizona legislators gave final approval for a comprehensive statewide ban on the use of hand-held cellphones for motorists. The bill will now travel to Governor Doug Ducey for his anticipated signature. With the passage of this bill, Arizona joins 47 other states in banning texting while driving. After the bill is signed by the governor, it will override the anti-texting ordinances of 27 Arizona cities and 2 Arizona counties and give Arizona drivers certainty on what they can and cannot do while driving. Right now, we have a hodgepodge of ordinances from town to town. I have ..read more

Rear-End Accidents are the most common types of two-vehicle collisions. They are generally caused by distracted driving, driving too fast, and following too closely. Their most common effects on the human body are sprain/strain of the spine, especially the cervical spine. To avoid this type of ..read more

In many urban areas, including Arizona cities, shared electronic scooters and bikes litter the sidewalks when they are not zipping by. You may have seen these scooters rented under brands Lime, Razor, Bird, Spin, Jump or Lyft. This new technology has resulted in a new set of traffic and public health problems. Those who ride these scooters and bikes believe that they are a fun and inexpensive way to get around urban areas, especially between public transportation stops, parking or Uber/Lyft drops. However, it is apparent that there are significant dangers involved ..read more