Have you ever been involved in a car accident? If you have not, chances are that your spouse, your child, your parent, or your neighbor has been in a crash and may have even sustained injuries in that accident. On average, more than 100,000 traffic-related collisions occur in Arizona every year, leaving those involved left to pick up the pieces and attempt to move forward once the dust settles.
Car accidents can be, and often are, caused by a number of factors combining to form a hazardous set of circumstances that lead to a crash. Approximately 50 percent of the time, speeding if a factor, but speeding alone does not result in a large number of accidents. It is speeding combined with other issues like following too closely, failing to check a blind spot before changing lanes, or even failing to stop at a stop sign that cause crashes.
Drunk and drugged driving are unfortunately responsible for a large number of accidents and a large number of injuries that result from those crashes. These collisions are particularly troubling because drunk driving and driving while high on drugs are crimes in Arizona and therefore drivers should never operate a vehicle while impaired. Yet every day, motorists who are under the influence take to the road and risk their own safety as well as the safety of others because they are unwilling to use another form of transportation.
Authorities now believe that one of the drivers involved in a fatal car accident on Thursday may have been under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash. The incident, which occurred on eastbound US 60 in Phoenix, occurred around 7:00 a.m. and is believed to have taken place after a 25-year-old woman ran a red light and collided into a second vehicle. Police have since reported that the 25-year-old woman displayed signs of possible impairment at the scene and that drug paraphernalia was discovered in her vehicle.
The other driver in the crash, described as a 51-year-old woman, died as the result of the injuries she sustained. The 25-year-old driver is now facing criminal charges including reckless manslaughter and possession and could face incarceration if convicted.
The victims of Phoenix-area car accidents may suffer from injuries but they do not have to suffer in silence. In many cases, financial relief may be possible through the use of a civil claim for damages. As each accident is unique and the injuries that result vary, it is a good idea to speak with a personal injury attorney if you have been hurt in a crash so that you can learn whether relief is possible in your case.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., our practice is comprised of lawyers who only represent injury victims and who never represent insurance companies. We offer a free, no obligation case consultation to all those who have been harmed who contact us toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and we will keep everything discussed confidential.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we never charge our clients a fee unless we make a recovery in their case and we have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to take your call. If you have been injured in an accident, make sure you understand your legal rights. Call us today and let us help you.
Prior Blog Entry:
1 Killed in US 60 Car Accident, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published August 29, 2014.
Resource:
PD: Woman accused of drugs, running red light in fatal crash, by Breann Bierman, CBS5AZ.com, published August 29, 2014.