What do you do if you are involved in a car accident? If you live in Arizona, the law is clear: you must remain at the scene to speak with police officers except in very limited circumstances. Failing to stay at the scene of a crash may trigger charges in addition to any the driver otherwise would have faced, like speeding, because of the inherent dangers of fleeing the scene. When a car accident happens and a victim is hurt, that victim’s best chance of obtaining the medical help needed is to have someone call for assistance as soon as possible. If the other driver involved fails to help by staying at the scene, medical treatment may be delayed and may lead to worsening injuries. Further, fleeing the scene makes it difficult for police to investigate a collision and to do so in an efficient manner. Greater time and resources are needed leading to a greater financial burden on the public. When police are busy chasing fleeing suspects, they are unable to respond to other calls for help, leading to an even greater threat to those who call Phoenix home.
These hit-and-run accidents can have different results to the victims who are injured but the legal implications do not change. Victims who are hurt are entitled to seek compensation for their damages regardless of whether an at-fault, fleeing driver was apprehended or even identified. In fact, multiple claims may be possible to ensure that a victim gets fully compensated and these claims can exist against a hit-and-run driver, the owner of a fleeing car, the victim’s own insurance company, and others, depending on the facts of the collision. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix or the areas of Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Scottsdale, or Glendale may help you understand your legal options if an accident has affected your life or injured your loved one.
At approximately 3:00 this morning, police in Phoenix were alerted to a collision between a car and a pedestrian near the intersection of 27th Avenue and Camelback Road. The crash happened on 27th Avenue and allegedly involved a pedestrian who may have been seated in the middle of the road. One vehicle approached the area and was able to avoid the pedestrian but a second car stuck the walker, whose name and age have not been disclosed. Despite the response by emergency officials, the pedestrian was killed in the accident.
The driver of the second vehicle failed to stay at the scene but rather fled on 27th Avenue without speaking to police or checking on the condition of the victim. Police are looking for the driver at this time and encourage anyone with information to contact them on this matter. Officers are investigating the incident and have spoken with at least one eye witness but they have not made any conclusive determinations at this time.
No one should have to suffer an accident because of the mistakes of another, but unfortunately, it happens every day in Arizona. If a fleeing driver or a hit-and-run accident has affected your life or has claimed the life of your loved one, the personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. want you to know that you have options and that we may be able to help you seek the relief you deserve.
We offer a free case consultation to those who call us toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and we are standing by 24 hours a day. There is no obligation on your part for speaking with us and we will take your call whenever it is convenient for you.
If you have been hurt, call Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us fight for the best possible outcome in your case.
Prior Blog Entry:
3 Car Crash in Scottsdale Sends Vehicle into Canal, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published December 10, 2014.
Resource:
Suspect sought in fatal Phoenix hit-and-run, by Steve Stout, CBS5AZ.com, published December 11, 2014.