A woman was driving her SUV in Mesa yesterday morning when she was involved in a collision that claimed her life. Police report that the driver was traveling on westbound US 60 in the early morning hours when a pickup truck began approaching her vehicle. At this time, authorities believe that a male driving the pickup truck fell asleep behind the wheel, causing him to lose control of the truck and causing a collision with the SUV.
The SUV turned sideways after the impact and was still on the road when a third oncoming vehicle struck the side of the SUV in a t-bone collision. After all the vehicles came to a rest, emergency crews responded to the scene and provided medical assistance to the injured. The driver of the SUV died as a result of her injuries and it is not clear whether the driver of the truck or the driver of the third vehicle were hurt.
Automobile accidents continue to pose a significant threat to drivers in Arizona. While a car crash can be caused by any number of factors, in this case it appears that one driver was too tired to drive yet chose to do so anyway. Recent studies have shown that a tired or sleepy driver is just as likely to cause an accident as a drunk driver because tiredness prevents a driver from exercising sound judgment and caution while behind the wheel.
It is against Arizona state law to drive without paying proper attention to the road and without exercising due care for others. Driving while being so tired that you fall asleep falls into this category and is not only against the law but also against the public interest. No matter how safe of a driver you are, when you are on a public street, you are always at risk of an accident due to another driver’s negligence.
If you have been the victim of an automobile collision, Arizona law requires each driver to carry automobile insurance that provides for financial payment for injuries. Yet the limits required by law are very low and many drivers choose not to opt for additional coverage, meaning that in the event of an accident, there may not be enough money to properly compensate a victim or a victim’s family. If this is the case, a skilled personal injury lawyer may be able to help you seek payment through other avenues, including the use of an underinsured motorist claim.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we are Phoenix car accident lawyers with experience representing Valley accident victims and their families. We understand that an accident can be devastating and that it may feel like no one is on your side. At Abels & Annes, P.C., we are here to prove that wrong; we fight for accident victims’ rights because we believe it is the right thing to do. If you have been hurt in a car accident, call us today at (602) 819-5191 or toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER and let us provide you with a free case consultation. We have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day to take your call and there is no obligation on your part, so please call us today and let us help you.
Prior Blog Entries:
Suspected Impaired Driver Kills 2 In Phoenix, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published August 30, 2013.
Firey Tempe Crash Kills Driver, Seriously Injures Passenger, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published August 28, 2013.