This week Hurricane Paine is set to hit Southwest Arizona and Phoenix. Will you know what kind of driving precautions to take?
Drive Safely During Hurricane Paine
As bad weather can affect your ability to control your vehicle, the likelihood of being involved in an automobile accident increases. In fact, stopping on the wet road requires almost twice the distance as stopping on a dry road. And on ice or sleet, it requires five times the distance to stop. Leave extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you in any kind of weather.
Hydroplaning while driving in bad weather
Six times more people are killed on wet roads than on snowy and icy roads combined because when it starts to rain, the roads are the most slippery, causing your vehicle to hydroplane. This is when the front tires literally lift - the vehicle is riding on the water rather than the actual pavement. Hydroplaning can happen at speeds as low as 35 miles per hour if the tires are worn.
Tips to Avoid Hydroplaning:
Keep mirrors cleared of water.
Avoid suddenly braking as well as making sudden moves of the steering wheel.
If approaching a large puddle of water, slow down and turn on wipers before you hit the water. Tap the brake lightly a few times to dry the brakes out as you leave the puddle. If you feel the car pull to one side, pump the brake slowly and smoothly in order to dry the brake out.
If you begin to hydroplane: hold the wheel steady and take your foot off the gas pedal. Gently pump the brake. Turning the wheel from side to side
In addition to these safe driving tips, it’s important to remember that other forms of “bad driving” can cause accidents.
Distracted Driving
According to data collected by ADOT, in 2015, distracted driving contributed to at least 33 fatal crashes and nearly 8,000 distracted drivers were involved in crashes on Arizona roadways.
The following are all forms of distracted driving:
- Texting
- Using a cell phone or smartphone
- Eating and drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Grooming
- Reading, including maps
- Using a navigation system
- Watching a video
- Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player
Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated, is defined as: operating a means of conveyance (a motor vehicle) while excessive amounts of alcohol, or any kind of controlled substance, are present in the body.
Under Arizona law:
“It is unlawful for a person to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle in this state under any of the following circumstances:
While under the influence of intoxicating liquor, any drug, a vapor releasing substance containing a toxic substance or any combination of liquor, drugs or vapor releasing substances if the person is impaired to the slightest degree.
If the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours of driving or being in actual physical control of the vehicle and the alcohol concentration results from alcohol consumed either before or while driving or being in actual physical control of the vehicle.”
DUI is serious and common offense. All 50 states, including the District of Columbia, have laws that state it is a crime for anyone to operate a motor vehicle if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is above a certain level. In Arizona that level is 0.08.
Under Arizona law: “A person who is convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.” And if convicted, a person may be subjected to the following under Arizona law:
There are also specific laws that dictate what happens to repeat offenders. Consequences include additional fines, jail time, community service, and the revoking of that person’s drivers license.
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Below is a list of frequent injuries that can occur as the result of a car accident:
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Brain injuries<b> </b>
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<a href="https://www.personalinjuryattorneys.me/brain-injury-attorney-phoenix/">Traumatic brain injury (TBI)</a> can occur as a result of a blow to the head or when an object pierces a head. A TBI ranges in severity: small concussions that can heal on their own, or severe injuries, such as an injury that impairs critical functions such as speech, vision, concentration, memory and emotional control. Regardless of severity, every blow to the head needs to be immediately assessed by a doctor. Even less severe concussions can have long lasting and dangerous effects.
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Other Head Injuries
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Other head injuries include: eye injuries resulting in partial vision loss or blindness; injuries to the ear resulting in loss of hearing; facial or jaw fractures; and dental injuries, including loss of teeth.
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Whiplash
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<a href="https://www.personalinjuryattorneys.me/bus-accident-attorney/whiplash/">Whiplash</a> is the most common injury sustained in car accidents and occurs when the neck stretches and quickly snaps back into place as a result of either a sudden stop or acceleration. This action can cause damage the vertebrae, ligaments or disks, or the spinal cord itself, in the neck and back, and potentially cause paralysis or other loss of function in one or more limbs or larger portions of the body.
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Chest
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Impact during a collision can break ribs and/or the sternum. The occurrence of chest injuries has been greatly reduced by airbags in dashboards and steering wheels. Still, fractures and injuries to organs can still occur.
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Leg, Knee, and Feet
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Leg and knee injuries can occur when a body smashes into a part of the car, resulting in a range of wounds from contusions (bruises) to fractures. Ankles, feet, and toes can easily be strained, sprained or broken (fractured), or in worst cases severed from the body during car accidents.
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Working with a Personal Injury Attorney
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The attorneys at Personal Injury Attorneys PLLC have experience handling personal injury cases such as a <a href="https://www.personalinjuryattorneys.me/motor-vehicle-accident/">motor vehicle</a>, <a href="https://www.personalinjuryattorneys.me/bus-accident-attorney-phoenix/">bus</a>, and <a href="https://www.personalinjuryattorneys.me/motorcycle-accident-attorney-phoenix/">motorcycle accidents</a>. It can be difficult dealing with injuries and extensive damages suffered during an accident caused by <a href="https://www.personalinjuryattorneys.me/wrongful-death-attorney/teacher-involved-dui-car-accident/">DUI</a>, <a href="https://www.personalinjuryattorneys.me/wrongful-death-attorney/pokemon-go-results-in-distracted-driving/">distracted driving</a>, or drowsiness, or general negligence. Following an accident, victims are commonly left with questions and concerns regarding how they can successfully obtain compensation. There are many complicated insurance claim stipulations that can leave you confused. The help of an expert personal injury attorney who is well versed in the laws specific to automobile accidents in Arizona can help ensure you get the settlement you need and deserve.
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After contacting an attorney, they will investigate the specifics of the crash. The more information you can provide to them, the better. That means specifics of the crash, any witness information, any medical bills or time spent in the hospital, and the specifics of your injuries. They will build a case for you based on these specifics and then defend you should the case go to trial. You'll want to work with experienced personal injury attorneys like the ones at Personal Injury Attorneys PLLC.
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