Most people in the greater Phoenix area are unaware of how common single-car accidents are in the Valley, instead thinking of crashes involving two or more vehicles. In 2013, the Arizona Department of Transportation noted that 19,053 single-car accidents happened across the state and that many of those resulted in significant injuries to the drivers and passengers involved.
Some believe that if a single car accident occurs, blame must fall on the driver of that car because no one else contributed to the impact, but this is a common misunderstanding and one that can have tragic results if victims of these collisions believe it. Instead, while driver error can be one cause of an accident, other circumstances like inclement weather, poor road design, a mechanical failure in the car, or a defect in a tire might lead to an accident and might be beyond even the most skilled driver’s ability to avoid. Instead of assuming what rights may exist following a collision, victim may want to speak with a personal injury lawyer to learn definitively of the laws that apply to their crash and their options to obtain financial payment for their injuries.
A single vehicle collision happened in Avondale yesterday and fortunately, left the driver with only minor injuries. Police have confirmed that a female motorist was operating her SUV on 99th Avenue near Thomas Road when the woman lost control for reasons that are not clear. The SUV began to list to one side and the driver attempted to over correct the issue but she was unable to keep the vehicle from leaving the road’s surface and driving down an embankment where it entered a canal running alongside 99th Avenue.
The woman was able to exit the vehicle under her own power and she called authorities for assistance. While on the scene, police began an initial review of the facts and that investigation remains open at this time. It is not clear what triggered the initial series of events that led to the SUV’s landing in the canal but it is clear that the woman was lucky to have sustained only minor injuries.
It does not matter whether you are a driver, a passenger, or even a pedestrian in the area. When a car accident happens and if you are not at fault, you have certain rights and protections in the Phoenix area and across Arizona that may entitled you to financial compensation as well as other relief.
The personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. proudly fight for victims who have been hurt in accidents and if one has affected your life, we want to fight for you. We offer a case consultation free of charge and without obligation to all those victims who call us toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and because we know that you may need help at any time, we keep a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call.
When tragedy happens, do not suffer any more than you must. Call Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us help you towards a path of recovery.
Prior Blog Entry:
Fatal Motorcycle Crash Caused by Hit-and-Run Driver, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published April 20, 2015.
Resource:
Woman shaken after SUV ends up in Avondale canal, by Steve Stout, CBS5AZ.com, published April 24, 2015.