Driving under the influence of alcohol is a crime in Arizona and the vast majority of drivers know that. But alcohol is far from the only substance that can lead to a charge of driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated. Additionally, recreational drugs, street drugs, and even some prescription and over-the-counter drugs may be a violation of state laws if a driver uses them or is under the influence while they drive. If a drug affects a motorist’s ability to operate a car, it might be against the law to use while driving.
Many drugs have a long lasting effect and therefore, if taken even hours before driving, they can still affect a driver’s ability to operate. If you have been involved in a collision with a driver who may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol and you sustained injuries, you may be entitled to seek relief for your losses. Speaking with a Phoenix personal injury lawyer can help you realize your options and your possibilities if you have been involved in a crash.
A Wednesday pile-up in Tempe involved five vehicles and left several streets closed while authorities removed debris. Now, police report that the suspect admitted that he used marijuana prior to the incident.
A 20-year-old man was driving near the intersection of University Drive and McClintock Drive around 5:00 p.m. when he allegedly failed to slow down for traffic and collided with the rear of a second car. The second car struck a third, and that car then struck a fourth car. A fifth vehicle attempted to avoid the fallout from the crashes by leaving the road’s surface but that car was stopped when it struck a utility pole near the intersection. At least one person was injured and was taken by ambulance to an area hospital for unspecified injuries.
Police spoke with the 20-year-old driver of the first vehicle and officers have reported that the man admitted he smoked marijuana prior to the collision. He was arrested and is facing charges including assault and endangerment but may face other charges pending the outcome of an investigation.
If a car accident in the Phoenix area has affected your life or if you have been hurt in a drunk driving crash, make sure you understand whether you are entitled to obtain payment for your injuries. To help you, the lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to take your call and to provide you with a free consultation.
You can reach us toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 at any time of the day or night. When you call, you will speak with a licensed attorney who will discuss the specific facts of your accident and whether you have a valid claim for your injuries. There is no obligation when you speak with us and if we represent you in your case, we will never charge you a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf.
Prior Blog Entry:
Single Motorcycle Accident in Gilbert Kills 2, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published April 15, 2015.
Resource:
Tempe police: Driver smoked pot before 5-car pileup, by Allison Gargaro, The Republic, azcentral.com, published April 16, 2015.
When a person is killed in an Arizona car accident, the victim's family has many…
Although many of us drive every day, it is rare that we stop and truly…
Although head-on collisions are less common than left turn, rear end, or sideswipe accidents in…
As commercial activity and traffic have picked up this year with the reopening and resumption…
When a loved one passes away in a tragic accident, the last thing on many…
Property owners and occupiers may be liable for the injuries incurred by other people who…