What protects you from the actions of other motorists on the roads of Phoenix? While there are a slew of laws that are designed to promote public safety and to hold those who act negligently responsible for their conduct, these laws fail to prevent more than 100,000 car accidents that happen in Arizona every year. In a large number of these collisions, one or more people involved sustains injuries or may even lose their lives due to the actions of someone else. In short, though there are laws in place, if another driver fails to act responsibly, there may be little to prevent you from becoming a victim.
Annually, the Arizona Department of Transportation compiles statistics about the car accidents that take place on the roads of the state. Based on these records, there were 12,324 hit-and-run car accidents in 2014 of which 2,424 caused injuries and 45 proved to be fatal. The number of people injured in hit-and-run accidents was reported as 3,163 but this number likely is low as it does not account for any injuries that may be incurred by a fleeing driver or the passengers in that driver’s vehicle.
These statistics reveal the devastating nature of a hit-and-run collision. In addition to the drivers involved, passengers can suffer from the fallout and so can the family and friends of victims. Often, it is the innocent who are forced to incur medical expenses or who lose their lives due to the actions of others and only because those innocent victims were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
When a fleeing driver causes an accident, that driver violates local laws in Phoenix as well as state laws. In addition to any charges that may be brought by local authorities, victims of those crashes have the right to seek financial compensation for their injuries through the use of a civil claim for damages. This is a unique type of claim because the proceeds of the action can be used to benefit a victim directly by providing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and even pain and suffering. If you are in doubt about your options or if you have questions, speaking with a personal injury attorney may help you understand your rights.
Authorities in Mesa have confirmed that a hit-and-run accident happened in that city on Monday afternoon and that one woman lost her life as a result. The collision occurred at approximately 3:00 p.m. near the intersection of Southern Avenue and Mesa Drive and allegedly involved an at-fault vehicle striking a second car in a “T-bone” crash. A third car was also struck though it is not clear by which vehicle.
Witnesses confirmed that the alleged at-fault vehicle, a pickup truck, had a driver and two passengers inside, all of whom fled the scene after the impact and without speaking to police or checking on the victims in the other vehicles. Police are still trying to identify those in the truck at this time and the outcome of their investigation may determine whether any citations or charges will be issued.
When authorities responded to the scene, they assessed the victims in the vehicles for injuries. The driver of the second car was hurt and was taken to an area hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries; a female passenger in her 70s unfortunately died and was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of the collision.
No driver has the right to ignore local traffic laws and to harm others with his or her actions, yet every day, that is precisely what happens in numerous car accidents in Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Scottsdale, and Tempe. When tragedy strikes, no amount of action can erase the harm that has been done to victims but the laws are on the side of those who are injured by allowing them to seek and recover compensation for their damages.
The personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. know that the real suffering caused by these collisions may be felt for months or even years after the dust settles at the scene. We believe that victims should be compensated fully for their injuries and we believe that all responsible drivers should be held liable for their actions.
If you have been the victim of a hit-and-run car accident in Mesa or the greater Phoenix area, we want to help you today by providing you with a free case consultation without obligation when you call us toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191. We have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week and if we take your case, we will never charge you a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf.
Prior Blog Entry:
Red Light Car Crash Injures 3 in Phoenix, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published June 1, 2015.
Resource:
Mesa FD: Woman killed in hit-and-run crash, by Breann Bierman, azfamily.com, published June 2, 2015.