Serious Injuries From Traffic Violations

SERIOUS INJURIES FROM TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS

Causing Serious Physical Injury As a Result of Common Traffic Offenses

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When Moving Violations Go Very Wrong

VEHICULAR CRIME PROFESSIONALS IN PHOENIX and scottsdale, AZ

Arizona has created a criminal offense (ARS 28-672) for the scenario when a person commits a moving violation that results in another death. Some people refer to this crime as “misdemeanor manslaughter.” 

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If you violate an Arizona traffic law that results in a serious injure or death of another person it is class 3 misdemeanor offense.
TRAFFIC VIOLATION | MOVING VIOLATIONS | CAUSING DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY in Arizona
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Moving Violation Causing Death

Traditionally, when you made a mistake that resulted in car accident where a person was injured, the remedy was a civil lawsuit. These kinds of lawsuit are only about determining the amount of money that should compensate the injured person for their injuries. Then, for some reason, Arizona came up with a new twist: A.R.S. § 28-672.


The law provides that it is a crime, if you cause a serious physical injury (or death), as a result of violating some common traffic offenses such as: 

Running a red light

Driving outside your lane

Failing to yield the right of way entering an intersection

Failing to yield when turning left

Failing to stop at a stop sign

Failing to yield at a crosswalk for a pedestrian

Failing to exercise due care to avoid hitting a pedestrian

School zone violations

Failing to stop for a school bus

A violation of the statute is a class 1 misdemeanor. The potential penalties include a term of jail. However, jail is at the discretion of the court and not required.

Driver's License Penalties

In addition to being the potential criminal penalties you must also be concerned about your driver’s license. A conviction requires that you successfully complete traffic survival school.


The law require that the court shall report a conviction for a violation to the Arizona MVD. Previously the law required:

  1. For a first violation of this section, may direct the department to suspend the person’s driving privilege for not more than one hundred eighty days if the violation results in serious physical injury and not more than one year if the violation results in death.
  2. For a second or subsequent violation of this section within a period of thirty-six months, shall direct the department to suspend the person’s driving privilege for one hundred eighty days if the violation results in serious physical injury and one year if the violation results in death.


However, a recent change now mandates:

For a first violation of this section, may shall direct the department to suspend the person’s driving privilege or restrict the person’s driving privilege as described in section 28–144 for at least ninety days and not more than one hundred eighty days if the violation results in serious physical injury and at least one hundred eighty days and not more than one year if the violation results in death.

Approved by the Governor, April 30, 2019, 2019 Ariz. Legis. Serv. Ch. 153.

Are you entitled to a jury trial if charged with a violation of A.R.S. § 28-672?

No.

Important Case Law

Phoenix City Prosecutor’s Office v. Honorable Monyette Nyquist and Jamie Hernandez-Alejandro, 243 Ariz. 227, 404 P.3d 255 (2017).

Does the law require you intended to cause the accident or injury to violate A.R.S. § 28-672?

No.

"Lawrence represents very high-profile clients who greatly depend on a good outcome, and this guy will deliver. 

This is a prosecutor's worst nightmare, and it should be that way if you need an attorney."

- David E.

Real Client's Husband, Phoenix, AZ

Hiring a Severe Traffic Violation Attorney in Phoenix, AZ

Arizona DUI law is extremely complicated and has severe consequences. DUI law is commonly referred to as a minefield. An attorney must be competent in the Arizona Rules of “Criminal” Procedure, the Arizona Rules of Evidence, the United States and Arizona Constitutions, and the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles Rules and Regulations.


An attorney cannot do anything for you unless he or she has extensive experience in these areas.  Police officers are only human and do commit legal errors.  However, only an experienced DUI attorney will be able to find these errors and use them to help his or her client.


You should choose an experienced DUI attorney for the same reason you should choose a qualified doctor. If you break your wrist, you go to a doctor that specializes in wrist injuries. When you are charged with a DUI, you should hire a qualified DUI attorney.


An experienced Arizona DUI attorney can analyze your case for legal errors and defenses. He or she can have blood samples independently analyzed, look for suppression issues, review calibration / COBRA records of breath machines, find the right expert witnesses for your trial, and assist you with your driver’s license issues.

For more information, call our office at (602) 494-3444 or visit our contact page.
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What Real People Are Saying

That is, DUI cases actually dismissed. Verifiable not guilty verdicts. Blood alcohol evidence truly suppressed as witnessed by judges, other lawyers, and newspapers.

Real Client's Husband, Phoenix, AZ

"Lawrence represents very high-profile clients who greatly depend on a good outcome, and this guy will deliver. 

This is a prosecutors' worse nightmare, and it should be that way if you need an attorney."

 - David E.

REAL CLIENT, PHOENIX, AZ

It was miracle!... A lot of people don't really understand the benefit of having an attorney who used to be a prosecutor. They know all the little tricks and scare tactics the state has as opposed to just hiring an attorney who is a little fish in a big pond."

 - Joe C.

Contact Us Today!


For more information, call our office at (602) 494-3444 or fill out the form and we will get back to you.

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