Arizona roads are governed by a set of rules or laws that instruct drivers when to stop, when to go, where to turn, and how fast to drive. These laws are in place to keep traffic moving while keeping everyone as safe as possible, ideally limiting the number of collisions that take place and in turn, decreasing the number of injuries caused by accidents in the state.
Failing to follow these laws in Phoenix or in the valley may leave a driver in legal trouble and in need of a lawyer to represent the driver in court. Yet if the driver causes an accident, the legal troubles may be more significant and can even lead to a civil claim by any injury victims against a driver. Car accident lawyers in the area understand that in some cases, these civil claims for damages can be much more severe than any citations issued by the State of Arizona, and often can be brought even when a driver faces no charges at all by the state.
It appears that this could be the case after a Thursday morning collision left two children injured when their school bus was struck by an SUV. Police in Prescott Valley have stated that a 58-year-old male driver failed to stop at a stop sign an entered an intersection when he did not have the right-of-way. He collided with a school bus carrying approximately 44 young children, causing a collision that left at least two of those kids injured and in need of medical treatment.
The injured children were aboard a Humboldt Unified School District bus and were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Authorities have said only that the injured included a 6-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl.
The male driver of the SUV was also hurt though the nature and extent of his injuries remain unknown at this time. Police have reported that the man was cited for failing to stop at the stop sign which caused a collision and that impairment is not suspected in this matter.
School bus accidents can happen at any time and can result in serious injuries or even death to those aboard. If your child has been hurt in a collision, it is important to know that your child has legal rights and may be entitled to a financial recovery for his or her injuries, including any medical bills you may have been forced to incur.
Call our school bus lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today if your child has been involved in a collision and let us provide you with a free case consultation. We have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day to take your call at (602) 819-5191 or toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER. Do not let your child continue to be victimized; call our Phoenix office today and let us help you.
Prior Blog Entry:
Suspected Drunk Driver Crashes Into Police Car, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published November 5, 2013.
Resources:
2 children, 1 man hospitalized after school bus collision, Fox 10 Phoenix, published November 7, 2013.