Police investigating a crash on Sunday morning believe that drugs may have been a factor. The incident began on westbound Broadway in Mesa when a blue truck collided with another car at the intersection with Stapley. The truck continued on Stapley and collided with another three vehicles by Alma School Road, where the truck came to a stop.
Several adults were injured in the crash and one was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the truck had to be removed from his vehicle and was arrested by police. Witnesses say that before the crash, the driver was swerving and hit at least one curb along the road. Police believe that the driver may have been under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash but official results of any blood tests have not been released.
Arizona has some of the strictest laws in the nation against drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs, but often it seems like stories of drunk drivers are reported in the local news. Drivers who get behind the wheel while under the influence are a danger to themselves and those around them.
Whether charged with a criminal offense or not, a drunk driver may still find himself liable for any injuries caused in an accident through the use of a civil claim. A civil claim allows a victim to seek compensation for any damages incurred, including any medical bills that a victim received due to needed medical treatment for injuries. If the driver also is charged criminally, the result of that case can affect a civil claim, making it important to contact a personal injury lawyer soon after an accident.
Civil claims are often brought against a driver’s automobile insurance, meaning that a victim deals with an insurance company directly instead of with the other driver. Though it can be helpful to have an insurance company involved, when a victim does not have personal legal representation, the insurance company has a significant advantage and holds most of the power. Often, the insurance company attempts to settle these claims quickly for less than fair value.
Accident victims who retain legal representation can level the playing field by having an advocate on their side. At Abels & Annes, P.C., we are personal injury attorneys who only represent accident victims and their families. We know how an accident can change the lives of everyone that is affected and we make it our mission to fight for the rights of those who get hurt.
If you have been hurt in an accident, call the Phoenix drunk driving accident injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today at (602) 819-5191 and let us provide you with a free telephone consultation. We are standing by 24 hours a day to take your call and there is never an obligation with the free consultation. At Abels & Annes, we will not charge a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf, so please call us now and let us help you on your path to recovery.
Prior Blog Entries:
3-Year-Old Killed in Phoenix Car Crash, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published August 5, 2013.
Driver May Have Been on Cell Phone When He Hit a 12-Year-Old Boy, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published August 1, 2013.
Resources:
Suspected impaired driver hits 4 vehicles, kills 1, Fox 10 News, published August 11, 2013.