One Dead, Seven Hospitalized Following Arizona Car Crash

Although many of us drive every day, it is rare that we stop and truly think about the many risks that are present on the road. Sometimes, no matter how diligent, careful, and alert you are as a driver, others may make mistakes or choices that result in tragic consequences. While you could be following all of the laws and rules of the road required of a responsible driver, another individual’s negligence or recklessness could change your life in an instant.

According to a recent news report, a major car accident in Phoenix left one individual dead and seven others hospitalized. Local authorities reported that one of the drivers was driving west when they ran a red light and collided with another car that was pulling a trailer with seven people inside. By the time first responders arrived, the man who ran the red light was pronounced dead at the scene. The seven individuals in the vehicle that was struck were sent to local hospitals to be treated for their injuries. One of the seven injured individuals has life-threatening injuries.

Following a major car accident, you may be wondering what your legal options are. In Arizona, there are specific state laws that may have a significant impact on the success of your personal injury claim, should you decide to pursue one.

First, Arizona has a statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits. This is the same statute of limitations law that applies generally to most personal injury cases. Arizona law sets a two-year deadline for plaintiffs to file civil cases in most cases. The clock typically starts running starting from the date the accident took place. Thus, if you are considering filing a personal injury claim following a major car accident, choose a lawyer and file sooner rather than later. Plaintiffs who attempt to bring a lawsuit after the two-year statute of limitations will almost always be turned away by the court, which will be unlikely to review your case because of these rules. Further, in some types of cases a shorter statute of limitations applies.

As the injured party, it is in your best interest to file an insurance claim as soon as possible if you have suffered from property damage or injuries after an accident. However, it is recommended that you retain an attorney to handle this process for you as soon as possible after a collision. Claimants unrepresented by counsel often make mistakes or can be taken advantage of by insurance adjusters.

In addition, in most circumstances you can still recover damages from the at-fault party even if they are deceased. When the at-fault party in a car accident dies, plaintiffs can file a claim against the deceased’s estate and recover from the assets left behind or from their liability insurance policy. Because Arizona requires drivers to have liability insurance, submitting a claim to the insurance company could get you started in the process of recovering the compensation you deserve.

Do You Need an Arizona Personal Injury Attorney?

If you or someone you know was recently injured in an Arizona car accident, contact the attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. today. Our team has decades of experience representing clients in all types of personal injury matters and will work to get you the recovery you need. To set up an initial consultation today, contact us at 602-819-5191.