A Dangerous Summer for Arizona Motorcyclists, Pedestrians, and Drivers

Maricopa county roads are never completely safe, as drivers and pedestrians cannot anticipate when the another’s negligence might put them in jeopardy. According to a local news source, roads in recent weeks have been especially dangerous to the public. At least three people were killed and several more seriously injured in a minimum of eight serious accidents that occurred over one weekend this past August.

Many motorcyclists choose to brave the summer Phoenix heat and take to the road on two wheels for both commuting and pleasure riding. Arizona motorcyclists should always wear a helmet and be especially careful on Phoenix-area roads because negligent drivers commonly cause accidents that can seriously injure or kill motorcyclists. According to the report, three motorcyclists were seriously injured in accidents. In one accident, a woman who was suspected of driving while impaired failed to yield at a stop sign and struck a motorcyclist in a Phoenix intersection, critically injuring the motorcyclist and resulting in the woman’s arrest for aggravated assault and DUI.

Alcohol or drug use may have played a factor in several of the accidents, as noted in the article. Indeed, impaired driving is the cause of many injuries and deaths from Arizona car accidents every year. Alcohol and drugs negatively affect drivers’ reaction time and decision making, increasing the risk of a deadly accident. In another recent accident mentioned in the above-linked article, a woman and her child were struck by an allegedly impaired driver while crossing at a crosswalk in Glendale. The accident victim later died from her injuries. Drunk drivers who cause an accident resulting in injuries or deaths can be charged with crimes and also face civil liability for their actions through the filing of a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit on the victims’ behalf.

The article mentions another fatal crash in Phoenix involving a pedestrian who was hit by a driver in the middle of a road after dark. Pedestrians should always exercise care when walking along a road or crossing the street, but drivers still have a responsibility to maintain their speed under the posted limits and yield to pedestrians walking along a road or crossing the street.

Establishing financial responsibility for an accident victim’s damages is not always easy to determine, especially if there are multiple parties who may be partially to blame. Arizona motorists are required by state law to carry liability insurance to cover injuries resulting from accidents where they are at fault. Additionally, drivers also should obtain coverage for accidents that are no fault of their own. When the issue of fault is not black and white, obtaining full compensation from insurance companies for accident victims can be difficult without the assistance of a skilled Arizona car accident attorney.

Have You Been Injured in a Phoenix Car Accident?

If you or a loved one has been injured or died as a result of an Arizona car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries you have suffered. At the Phoenix personal injury law firm, Abels & Annes, P.C., our qualified attorneys represent injury victims and their family members in all types of injury cases, including Arizona motor vehicle accidents and wrongful death lawsuits. To find out whether you may have a claim for damages, call 602-819-5191 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.