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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.

Understanding Arizona Head-On Car Collisions

Although head-on collisions are less common than left turn, rear end, or sideswipe accidents in Arizona, they have the propensity to be just as, if not more, dangerous than these more common collisions. Most frequently, these accidents take place because the negligence of another party causes them to veer into another lane and strike a vehicle head-on. Because these accidents can often have deadly consequences, it is crucial that Arizona drivers understand what causes these collisions, the injuries that often result from them, and what steps to consider after a major head-on accident.

According to a recent local news report, a head-on car accident left two people dead. Local authorities reported that a Chevy sedan was traveling in the wrong direction eastbound when it struck a Hyundai sedan head-on. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene and the accident remains under investigation.

Unfortunately, Arizona is no stranger to head-on collisions like this one. In 2020, Arizona had 81,012 total car crashes, with more than 1,600 head-on collisions. Although head-on accidents only made up 2.08 percent of total car collisions in 2020, they were among the most fatal type of accidents, next to pedestrian and cyclist-related accidents. Thus, despite their rarity in comparison to other types of accidents, they are the most likely to result in fatal outcomes.

Head-on collisions take place for a number of reasons and frequently involve negligent drivers in some capacity. Most commonly, distracted driving involving texting or talking while operating behind the wheel can cause drivers to veer into oncoming traffic. In addition, driving under the influence, driving in the wrong direction by mistake, drowsiness while operating a vehicle, and improper passing can also commonly cause head-on accidents.

Following a head-on collision, a number of injuries are possible—and many of them can involve significant physical trauma. In fact, in Arizona, among the more than 1,600 head-on collisions that took place in 2020, over 40 percent involved an injury of some kind. Common injuries following a head-on crash include broken bones, burns, and internal injuries and organ damage. In accidents where victims are trapped inside or pinned in their vehicles, are thrown from their vehicles, or are ejected from their vehicles following the vehicle’s initial impact, victims often suffer multiple rounds of injuries in the course of a head-on crash.

After suffering significant injuries from an Arizona head-on crash, potential plaintiffs may consider bringing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party—especially if negligence was involved in causing the accident. In Arizona, like other states, car accident claims fall into the personal injury law category, where liability is established based on the at-fault party’s negligence. Thus, if the driver who caused the accident was recklessly speeding or negligently not paying attention to the road because they were texting and driving, you may be eligible to recover financial compensation for your injuries.

Do You Need an Arizona Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you or someone you know was recently injured or killed in an Arizona car accident, contact the attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. today. Our lawyers have years of experience representing clients in all types of personal injury claims and will provide you with the reassurance, guidance, and advocacy you need to effectively pursue your claim. To schedule a free initial consultation today, contact us at 855-749-5299.

Woman Dies After Head-On Collision in Tolleson

As commercial activity and traffic have picked up this year with the reopening and resumption of economic activity to nearly pre-pandemic levels, the consequences of speeding and other reckless driving habits are becoming more serious. According to a recent news report, a woman was killed recently in a head-on accident in Maricopa County, in which speeding appeared to be a factor.

According to the article discussing the crash, the driver of a Nissan Titan pickup truck was traveling northbound on 91st Avenue in Tolleson when he veered into the southbound lanes and hit another vehicle on the passenger side. The drivers of both vehicles were hospitalized with serious injuries. A passenger from one of the vehicles, a 29-year-old woman who was visiting from out of state, was killed in the crash.

Drivers who choose to speed are more likely to be involved in any kind of traffic accident, and accidents involving speeding drivers are more likely to result in serious injury or death. Posted speed limits are determined specifically for each road in which they are posted, and they are designed to be followed at all times. If a speeding driver fails to maintain control of their vehicle and causes a head-on collision or other accident, they may be subject to civil, criminal, and administrative liability for their conduct. A speeding driver could be charged with reckless driving, assault, or even manslaughter after a fatal accident. Speeders routinely have their driver’s licenses or other professional licenses suspended or revoked after serious accidents as well.

Civil liability for injuries or death caused by a speeding or otherwise negligent driver is determined by Arizona tort law. A person acting negligently, whose negligence is the proximate cause of injury to another, is liable for the damages caused by their actions. A victim of an accident involving a speeding driver can pursue a claim against the driver (through their liability insurance company) to recover damages. With the help of a qualified Arizona accident attorney, accident victims can expect to receive damage for medical bills, lost wages, permanent disability costs, as well as pain and suffering. Insurance companies often try to lowball accident victims and get them to accept a settlement before the extent of the damages is known, but with an experienced attorney by their side, accident victims should expect to receive the compensation that they are due.

Legal Representation for a Car Accident Claim

If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in a head-on collision or another type of car accident, the Arizona car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. can help you pursue your claim. Our attorneys have years of experience representing clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases. With the help of our dedicated legal team, you can be confident that your case will be handled properly so that you can move through the recovery process with peace of mind. To schedule a free consultation and to talk to one of our attorneys, call us today at 855-749-5299.

Phoenix Family Faces Astronomical Medical Costs After Head-On Collision with Truck

Recently, a news report provided an update on a devastating Phoenix car accident between a truck and a sedan carrying a couple and their daughter. The couple was waiting to make a left turn after picking up their daughter from a relative’s home. The child was in a child-safety seat in between the parents in the front seat. When the light turned yellow, and traffic began to wane, the man started to make his turn. The man’s girlfriend screamed when she looked up from her phone and noticed a truck barreling towards them. The driver did not have time to stop, and the truck collided into their vehicle.

The couple and their child were all taken to a local hospital, and the woman and her daughter remained unconscious for several days. After the woman awoke from her coma, she discovered that her daughter was at a different hospital and remained in a medically induced coma. Fortunately, tests revealed that the daughter did not suffer any permanent brain damage; however, she remained in a sedative state as her cerebral cortex healed. Despite support from their family and the community, the family is facing a long road of psychological and physical therapy. The woman revealed that although she is grateful for the medical benefits her employer provides, the family is facing astronomical medical bills.

Many accident victims rely on medical insurance and car insurance coverage to help them pay the significant medical costs often associated with serious car accidents. Car accident victims may face payments related to emergency treatment, vehicle storage or repair, surgeries, hospital stays, physical rehabilitation, prescription and copays, psychological treatment, and lost wages.

Phoenix car accident victims regularly face substantial hurdles when trying to recover compensation from an at-fault driver or their insurance company. These difficulties can prolong recovery and cause innocent injury victims to suffer potentially long-term physical and financial repercussions. At-fault drivers will delay settling claims, arguing that they were not responsible for the accident or that they do not have the funds to cover the damages. Similarly, insurance companies may unduly delay or wrongfully deny claims. These delays result in accident victims worrying about how to survive while tending to their and their loved ones’ medical needs. To recover compensation, Arizona injury victims should consider filing a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party to recover for their losses.

Have You Suffered Injuries in a Phoenix Car Accident?

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a Phoenix car accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your losses. The Phoenix car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C., have collected millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of Phoenix injury victims. The attorneys at our law firm understand the devastating financial toll that a car accident can have on an individual and their loved ones. The at-fault parties and insurance companies in these cases seldom offer enough compensation to cover even a small portion of the losses that injury victims face. Our attorneys can help you navigate these complex legal issues and ensure that your concerns are addressed. Contact our office for a free consultation at 602-819-5191.

Pursuing a Claim for Compensation Following an Arizona Truck Accident

Being involved in an accident with a semi-truck or other large vehicle can feel like a nightmare to accident victims and their families. Not only are Arizona truck accidents more likely to cause serious injury or death than other auto accidents, but navigating the complex web of parties and companies who may be responsible for damages can be a daunting task, especially when the truck driver does not admit fault for the crash. A recently published local news article helps explain what is necessary for victims of an Arizona truck accident to compile to help pursue their case.

As noted in the report, there are at least ten pieces of information that should be gathered after an accident to help an accident victim pursue an Arizona semi-truck accident lawsuit. Because of the complexities of the trucking and insurance industries, there could be four or more parties that must be dealt with in the aftermath of an accident, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the shipping company, and any insurance companies offering coverage on the truck or other vehicles involved in a crash.

Immediately after an accident involving a semi-truck, the important information to gather includes the names and identities of all parties and companies with vehicles involved in the crash as well as the insurance information for any vehicles involved. Law enforcement should be called to document the crash and create a case number that can be used in a later claim. Additionally, accident victims should obtain a photograph of the license plate of the truck involved, as well as photos or videos of any damage to all vehicles, any skid marks or debris, as well as documentation of other hazards or factors that could have contributed to the crash. Any eyewitness accounts of the crash should be taken, along with the names and contact information of the witnesses, should their testimony be required at a later time.

After seeking medical treatment and obtaining the required records, accident victims should obtain various other pieces of information to help their case. Because some of this information can be difficult to obtain, the help of a qualified Arizona truck accident attorney is suggested at this point. Driver logs, onboard sensor data, cargo logs, bills of lading, and vehicle maintenance records may all be relevant to a lawsuit, and should be obtained as quickly as possible after a crash when needed. Although all of this information may not be available, with the help of a skilled attorney, you’re much more likely to get the information that will most benefit your claim for compensation.

Finding the Right Lawyer to Assist with Your Claim

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an Arizona truck accident, you could be entitled to financial damages as compensation for the injuries you have suffered. An Arizona personal injury attorney at Abels & Annes, P.C. can assist you with your claim. At our Phoenix personal injury law firm, our experienced Arizona accident lawyers represent injury victims and their family members in all types of injury cases, including Arizona truck accident cases. Call us as soon as possible after an accident, and we can help ensure that all of the necessary information is collected and investigations pursued before it’s too late. Contact our offices for a free consultation. Call 602-819-5191 or contact us online to schedule a no-obligation case review today.

A Dangerous Summer for Arizona Motorcyclists, Pedestrians, and Drivers

Maricopa county roads are never completely safe, as drivers and pedestrians cannot anticipate when the another’s negligence might put them in jeopardy. According to a local news source, roads in recent weeks have been especially dangerous to the public. At least three people were killed and several more seriously injured in a minimum of eight serious accidents that occurred over one weekend this past August.

Many motorcyclists choose to brave the summer Phoenix heat and take to the road on two wheels for both commuting and pleasure riding. Arizona motorcyclists should always wear a helmet and be especially careful on Phoenix-area roads because negligent drivers commonly cause accidents that can seriously injure or kill motorcyclists. According to the report, three motorcyclists were seriously injured in accidents. In one accident, a woman who was suspected of driving while impaired failed to yield at a stop sign and struck a motorcyclist in a Phoenix intersection, critically injuring the motorcyclist and resulting in the woman’s arrest for aggravated assault and DUI.

Alcohol or drug use may have played a factor in several of the accidents, as noted in the article. Indeed, impaired driving is the cause of many injuries and deaths from Arizona car accidents every year. Alcohol and drugs negatively affect drivers’ reaction time and decision making, increasing the risk of a deadly accident. In another recent accident mentioned in the above-linked article, a woman and her child were struck by an allegedly impaired driver while crossing at a crosswalk in Glendale. The accident victim later died from her injuries. Drunk drivers who cause an accident resulting in injuries or deaths can be charged with crimes and also face civil liability for their actions through the filing of a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit on the victims’ behalf.

The article mentions another fatal crash in Phoenix involving a pedestrian who was hit by a driver in the middle of a road after dark. Pedestrians should always exercise care when walking along a road or crossing the street, but drivers still have a responsibility to maintain their speed under the posted limits and yield to pedestrians walking along a road or crossing the street.

Establishing financial responsibility for an accident victim’s damages is not always easy to determine, especially if there are multiple parties who may be partially to blame. Arizona motorists are required by state law to carry liability insurance to cover injuries resulting from accidents where they are at fault. Additionally, drivers also should obtain coverage for accidents that are no fault of their own. When the issue of fault is not black and white, obtaining full compensation from insurance companies for accident victims can be difficult without the assistance of a skilled Arizona car accident attorney.

Have You Been Injured in a Phoenix Car Accident?

If you or a loved one has been injured or died as a result of an Arizona car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries you have suffered. At the Phoenix personal injury law firm, Abels & Annes, P.C., our qualified attorneys represent injury victims and their family members in all types of injury cases, including Arizona motor vehicle accidents and wrongful death lawsuits. To find out whether you may have a claim for damages, call 602-819-5191 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.

Wrong Way Drivers in Maricopa County Threaten Public Safety

In recent years, there have been a large number of car accidents caused by wrong way drivers in the greater Phoenix area. Wrong way collisions are particularly dangerous as they often result in vehicles colliding head-on causing substantial damage to the front of each vehicle and often resulting in injuries to the drivers and passengers involved.

A wrong way accident occurs when a vehicle is traveling in a direction against the legal flow of traffic and strikes another vehicle or a fixed object. According to the Federal Highway Traffic Administration, wrong way crashes result in 300 to 400 fatalities every year across the nation.

Many of these accidents occur on highways, expressways, and their associated exit and entrance ramps. Thus, the vehicles involved in these collisions are often traveling at high speeds resulting in potentially deadly impacts. If the accident occurs during peak travel times, there is potential for a significant number of vehicles being involved in the crash.

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Spring Training Brings Baseball, Traffic Accidents to Arizona

Every February the state of Arizona receives an influx of athletic talent. Fifteen major league baseball teams, which form the Cactus League, call Arizona home during the late winter months for spring training. The teams are based all around the state including Scottsdale, Phoenix, Mesa, Surprise, and Glendale. While spring training may appear to most to be a simple practice exercise, it is very big deal for baseball fans.

Throughout February and March fans can attend spring training games and observe practices. This gives fans an opportunity to get up close and personal with their favorite players, sneak a peek at what the new season holds, and escape the winter weather that plagues most of the country.

In 2016, the Cactus League teams sold 1.8 million tickets. The fact that the 2016 World Series Champions, the Chicago Cubs, hold their spring training in Arizona will likely increase these numbers for 2017. While this flood of tourism is very exciting for the state, increasing revenue and helping the economy, it can also contribute to an higher rate of motor vehicle accidents.

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Arizona Drivers Must Know School Zone Laws or Face the Consequences

If you drive in Arizona, you are charged with the knowledge of all applicable traffic laws and rules in the areas in which you drive. If you are like a typical driver in Maricopa County, odds are that you drive through a school zone on a regular basis. The rules of a school zone tend to vary from the rules applicable to the surrounding areas and if you fail to heed the school zone rules, you may face a traffic ticket, criminal charge, or even be responsible for causing an accident that harms a child.

School zones in the Phoenix area tend to be marked with a 15 mile per hour speed limit during morning and afternoon school hours. Drivers are required to slow their speeds, if necessary, before entering a marked school zone and must keep their speeds at or below the posted speed limit until after they exit the school zone. School zone speed limits tend to only be active during school days and therefore do not apply during marked hours on the weekends or over school breaks.

Crosswalks in school zones should be approached with extreme caution as drivers are required to stop if any pedestrian is present in the area. This means that even if an adult is entering a crosswalk on the other side of the street, a driver must stop before entering the crosswalk and may not proceed until the crosswalk is clear.

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Poor Road Designs, Maintenance May Cause Phoenix Collisions

Hundreds of thousands of drivers get in their cars and take to the roads in Maricopa County every day. Few of them wonder whether their safety will be adversely affected by roads that are poorly designed or badly maintained, but unfortunately, car accidents happen every year due to these exact conditions.

Pot holes, debris, poorly done construction work, and design flaws are some of the many ways that a road, highway, or street can be blamed for a collision. In some cases, the road’s poor condition contributes to a crash while in others, the road causes the crash entirely.

A recent incident in Mesa on U.S. 60 is bringing renewed attention to the safety of roads and highways in Maricopa County as several motorists found themselves suffering from damages due to faulty conditions. Over the weekend, the Arizona Department of Transportation closed the HOV and two to three leftmost lanes of eastbound traffic due to issues with the road surface. The Arizona Department of Public Safety reported that tension joints from the road were sticking up through the road’s surface, contacting passing vehicles and causing them damage. Some collisions were reported and were blamed on the tension joint failures.

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