Numerous jobs and careers require employees to drive or ride in a vehicle while on the clock, and this can present certain issues. While most people are comfortable in a car, truck, or van, the laws that apply can vary when it is in a commercial or other employment situation. Depending on the type of vehicle, a driver may require a specialized license or an endorsement to operate behind the wheel. But drivers are not the only ones affected. Other workers who ride in a work vehicle place their safety in the hands of a driver, often who works for the same company, and can do nothing to ensure that they make it from one place to the next without incident. When it comes to work, it may be impossible to choose who drives you or in what manner you move about the greater Phoenix area.
The driving of other employees is not the only threat to workers, though, as the actions of other motorists in different cars present a constant threat of a car accident to all in the Valley. Thousands of car crashes occur in Arizona every year and many of them leave one or more victims injured. When an accident does take place, those who are hurt may be entitled to financial relief through the use of a civil claim for damages, a claim that is separate and distinct from any charges brought by local authorities or police officers. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand the implications of your crash, including your options to obtain payment, if a collision has affected your life.
Around 9:30 p.m. on Monday night, a van operated by the Department of Corrections was involved in a collision with a truck near State Route 85 and Hazen Road by Buckeye. Though the investigation continues at this time, officials believe that a pickup truck in the area ran a stop sign and collided with the van, leading both vehicles to sustain significant damage in a collision. Two people inside the van were ejected and the van rolled at least one time before coming to a rest. Emergency crews responded and determined that three people in the van were critically hurt and needed treatment at area hospitals. The driver of the truck was not injured injured, according to first responders at the scene.
The three confirmed seriously injured victims left all victims in critical condition after the crash, according to authorities, and it is not clear what the prognosis is for each victim at this time. At least four other people sustained injuries considered to be less severe in the accident and all seven victims are believed to be employees of the Arizona Department of Corrections.
Accidents rarely end when the dust settles and vehicles come to a stop. Though the physical motion may be over, the process towards a recovery is just beginning and may be lengthy. When injuries result, victims may need months or even years of medical treatment to try and return to their pre-injury states. But when a loved one or family member is injured or killed, no amount of time can remove that loss.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., our attorneys are dedicated to fighting for the rights of Phoenix accident victims and we want to help you as well. To make sure you understand your options, we offer a free case consultation without any obligation to those who contact us toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and we are standing by 24 hours a day to take your call.
If you have been hurt, you may be entitled to relief if you bring a claim within the time period specified by Arizona law. Call Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us help you seek the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
3 Car Crash in Arizona Kills 2, Injures 10, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published October 20, 2014.
Resource:
3 DOC workers hurt when van is hit by pickup, by Steve Stout, CBS5AZ.com, published October 21, 2014.