The 4th of July holiday weekend is approaching rapidly and those in the Valley are getting ready to celebrate. Many have a long weekend off from work and will be able to spend time with family and friends as a result. Children are out of school on summer break and are looking forward to outdoor activities and watching fireworks in Phoenix. For many, 4th of July marks one of the most exciting weekends of the summer.
The 4th of July should be a time of fun for all those who wish to participate in celebrations. Whether your tradition entails barbecuing with friends in your backyard, taking the kids to Fabulous Phoenix Fourth downtown and playing on the giant inflatables, or stopping by Tempe Town Lake to take in the music and fireworks, you will find entertainment across the Valley. But if this year is like previous years, tragedy will strike some people who are minding their own business while celebrating and may take the form of a car accident, pedestrian crash, or bicycle collision and may result in victims needing medical care.
Car accidents happen every day in Phoenix so you may think that there is no greater concern for them during a holiday weekend. That belief could be costly if you end up in a collision. Annual statistics reveal that certain times of the year – including the 4th of July holiday weekend – are more likely than others to trigger accidents and to cause damages as a result.
Several major factors contribute to this increased risk. One is an overall increase in the number of vehicles on a roadway over the 4th of July weekend as AAA predicts that more than 42 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles or more for the holiday this year. Increased traffic leads to congestion which can trigger rear-end car accidents and chain reaction collisions, among others.
Hand in hand with increased traffic comes a group of drivers who will be unfamiliar with their surroundings. These motorists may be driving out of town to celebrate and may venture to areas where they have never been previously, leaving them confused about the layout of a town or even the nature of a difficult intersection. These drivers are more likely to make a mistake than others and may be to blame for a collision if one happens.
But the factor that may deserve the most attention over the holiday weekend is impairment. It remains illegal to drive while drunk or impaired in Arizona yet some motorists will still do so and claim it is due to the 4th of July celebrations. If those drivers are not apprehended by police first, they may be involved in a crash.
Pedestrians and bicyclists face all the same risks as motorists but their risk of injury is much greater. Unlike the drivers or passengers of vehicles, there is nothing surrounding a bicyclist or a pedestrian to absorb the impact of an accident and this means that victims routinely experience serious and even fatal injuries.
It is always best to avoid a collision whenever possible, preventing injuries and other damages from accruing. But if you are one of the unfortunate individuals who is hurt in a crash, you may be left with serious questions about your legal options and your legal rights.
In most cases, those who are hurt in traffic accidents in Phoenix have the right to bring a claim and receive monetary damages from the individual or individuals responsible for the collision. Often, that is an at-fault driver, the owner of a car, a city or municipality, or an insurance company. As the facts surrounding each crash can determine what relief may be possible, victims should make sure they understand the totality of their situations before proceeding with any claims.
The personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. believe in victims’ rights and we believe in fighting for the best possible outcome in every case we handle. If you have been involved in an accident, know that we are standing by 24 hours a day to take your call toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 where we will offer you a free case consultation. There is no obligation for speaking with us and if we represent you, we will never charge you a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf.
We wish you a happy and safe 4th of July holiday weekend but if the unthinkable happens and you are injured, know that we will be available around-the-clock to help you.
Prior Blog Entry:
Safety Tips for Summer Swimming, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published June 30, 2015.