Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in Phoenix just like it is in every city and in every state across the nation. Despite the illegality of the activity, every year, thousands of drivers in the greater Phoenix area get behind the wheel of a vehicle when they are impaired and they should abstain from driving. Some of these offenders are caught before they can hurt anyone else but too often, a collision occurs first and an innocent victim is left behind to deal with pain, suffering, and medical bills that should never have been necessary.
Few people run out for groceries and think about their personal safety walking into and out of the store, but one valley woman may be thinking differently after an unusual accident left her seriously injured outside of a Tempe Walmart.
Police reported a crash that involved two vehicles at the intersection of South Rural Road and East Southern Avenue in Tempe. The driver believed to have caused that collision fled the scene and drove through a nearby Walmart’s parking lot in an attempt to escape before police responded. The driver, a 31-year-old woman, hit a curb and collided with a Mazda in or near the parking lot. The force of the collision pushed the Mazda into a truck that was waiting to turn into the parking lot and it also caused the Mazda to collide with a female shopper who was leaving the store. The shopper was on foot and suffered serious injuries in the crash.
Police believe the driver was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs at the time of the collisions.
The 31-year-old driver that caused both collisions has been arrested and now faces multiple charges including leaving the scene of an accident, super extreme driving under the influence, aggravated assault, and multiple counts of endangerment.
While it is easy to see the dangers that a drunk driver poses to other motorists on the roads, many people fail to consider the dangers posed to others, including pedestrians. But driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs poses a risk to everyone in the area, whether they are driving, walking, or riding a bicycle or motorcycle. That is one of the reasons that the laws in Phoenix make driving impaired illegal.
When an impaired driver causes an accident that leaves victims hurt, the victims may be entitled to seek financial compensation for their injuries against the impaired driver. In some cases, a victim’s own insurance company may provide compensation as well.
If an accident has left you injured, call the lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today and take advantage of a free case consultation. We are standing by at all times so we can take your call whenever you need answers. At Abels & Annes, P.C., we never charge our clients a fee unless we make a recovery on their behalf and injury victims are the only type of clients we represent. Call us today at (855) PHX-LAWYER or (602) 819-5191 and let us help you get the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Maricopa County Drownings Decreased in 2013, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published January 14, 2014.
Resource:
Police: Pedestrian struck by drunk driver in Walmart parking lot, by Brian Pryor, Fox 10 Phoenix, published January 18, 2014.