If you currently live in the Phoenix area, chances are that you did not always live here. While some residents were born and raised in the Valley, a large percentage of the population has relocated to this area from other parts of the country. Some areas that residents used to call home may have had winter weather, including snow. Some may have had flooding concerns year-round. Others may have been rural with little to no traffic on the roads.
With all these transplants coming together to call Phoenix home, the resulting population is a mix of adults and motorists with varied driving skills, and that should not be surprising to most. With many people learning to drive in states other than Arizona, it is understandable that motorists may struggle the first time they are behind the wheel and a monsoon hits, or when a dust storm pops up with little or no warning. Despite the fact that driver may never have faced these hazards before, it does not mean they are not required to handle them as a skilled, experienced Arizona motorist would. In fact, when driving in Arizona, all motorists are required to know, understand, and follow the laws as they apply to vehicular traffic, including the fact that motorists are required to operate in a safe and reasonable manner. Failing to drive safely or reasonably may lead to a collision and may cause a driver to be ticketed by local police or otherwise held liable for his or her actions. Victims of car accidents, including those caused by negligent drivers or drivers with a limited set of skills, may be entitled to seek financial relief for their damages against those who caused their accident, against an insurance company, a responsible owner, or others involved. Speaking with a lawyer who handles personal injury claims may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a crash and you were injured.
Few details have been released regarding an early morning crash on State Route 89A between Flagstaff and Sedona but authorities in the area have confirmed the collision, which was serious, has forced them to close the area to passing traffic. Motorists are encouraged to plan an alternate route before leaving this morning if they planned to transverse that area.
The incident occurred in the area of Mile Post 390, where traffic was being stopped, and claimed the life of at least one person involved. It is not clear at this time whether multiple vehicles were part of the accident or whether any other victims were injured.
When a car accident occurs in the Phoenix area, a victim may feel like no one is on his or her side. Police may be seeking charges against an at-fault driver, but those charges will not directly affect the injuries or the damages sustained by a victim. Instead, in Arizona, it is up to a victim to initiate a claim for relief and these claims must be brought within a time period specified by the law.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., our team of dedicated personal injury lawyers understand that victims are not to blame when an accident occurs. To help them understand their rights, we offer all injury victims a free case consultation 24 hours a day, seven days a week toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191. There is no obligation on your part for speaking with us and everything discussed in the consultation will be kept confidential.
If a car accident has left you hurt or has injured or killed your loved one, call Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us help you seek the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Turning SUV Involved in Fatal Motorcycle Accident, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published October 8, 2014.
Resource:
Fatal crash closes SR 89A between Flagstaff, Sedona, by Steve Stout, CBS5AZ.com, published October 10, 2014.