High speed chases initiated by law enforcement officials have been controversial for decades in the Phoenix area and across the country. On one hand, there is the need for police officers to enforce the law and to prevent offenders from escaping and further threatening the safety of others. On the other hand, high speed chases have proven to have disastrous and often fatal results and, in many cases, those that are injured are bystanders who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
According to PursuitSAFETY, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the road conditions for innocent motorists and police officers, one person is killed every day in America due to a police pursuit. Of those that lose their lives, one-third are innocent bystanders and a police officer is killed in a chase every six weeks. On average, one out of every 100 police chases results in a fatality. These numbers are sobering and they do not begin to touch on the non-fatal injuries that may be caused both to suspects and to innocent drivers and passengers when a police chase occurs. Due in part to the threat they pose to others, many police stations have instituted protocols to reduce the number of chases in which they engage and to stop pursuing fleeing vehicles in some high-risk situations.
Recently, a motorcyclist was left in critical condition following an accident that allegedly began with a police pursuit. Officials in Avondale reported that a biker supposedly ran a red light near McDowell Road and Avondale Boulevard and that the act was witnessed by an officer who attempted to stop the driver. The biker allegedly fled and the officer pursued but ended the chase at some point before a crash happened. The biker reportedly struck a pickup truck, causing significant damage to the bike and leaving the rider with critical injuries that required treatment at an area hospital. The nature of the biker’s injuries have not been revealed at this time.
The driver of the truck did not report any injuries at the scene and police have not issued that motorist any citations. It is not clear whether the red light incident is what caused the biker to flee or whether there were other circumstances that are not known but officials are conducting an investigation into all factors at this time.
Motorcycle accidents can be serious regardless of the circumstances surrounding the collision. They are responsible for thousands of injuries in the Phoenix area and for numerous fatalities every year which in turn cause devastation and suffering among victims, their family members, and their friends. While the damage done in these crashes cannot be erased, victim may be able to seek financial compensation for their losses.
A personal injury attorney can help you understand whether you have a valid claim for your injuries and whether you may be able to recover for damages like medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. If you were hurt or if your loved one was killed in Phoenix or elsewhere in Maricopa County, the lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. want to help you.
We offer a free case consultation without obligation to all victims who call us toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and we have a lawyer available to speak with you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Everything discussed during the consultation will be kept confidential and if we represent you in your case, we will never charge you a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf.
If you have questions or if you are looking to move forward with a claim for your injuries, call Abels & Annes, P.C. now and let us fight for the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Car Crash in Gilbert Turns Fatal, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published May 19, 2015.
Resource:
Motorcyclist critical after pursuit, crash in Avondale, by Steve Stout, CBS5AZ.com, published May 21, 2015.