If you are not familiar with the Phoenix area, driving in the Valley can be very complex. With its congested highways and unusual layout, visitors to the area often express bewilderment at some of the driving skills needed to navigate with ease. Not only visitors are perplexed though as many who call Phoenix home struggle on the roads – though they often do not have novelty as an excuse.
Regardless of your familiarity with the Valley, it is the charged duty of each and every driver to operate safely on the roads and to ensure that his or her conduct does not pose a threat to others. Despite this clear legal requirement, drivers take to the roads every day and engage in dangerous, hazardous, and otherwise threatening actions that far too often lead to car accidents.
One action that receives substantial media coverage is drinking and driving, a crime in the State of Arizona that may be punishable by imprisonment, fines and fees, and loss of a driver’s license. But if a drunk driving accident results, a driver may face additional penalties in the form of a civil claim for damages. The right to bring a claim belongs to a victim who was hurt and/or a victim’s surviving family members if a victim is killed in a collision. If you have questions about your rights, speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your options and whether you have a valid claim, including a claim for your medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Tragedy occurred once again on a Phoenix highway and police report that alcohol played a role in a crash. The incident took place on the I-10 on Sunday night when a driver, allegedly drunk and traveling at a high rate of speed, collided with the rear of a vehicle in front of him, pushing the second vehicle into the rear of a flatbed tow truck that was in the median. The driver of the second vehicle lost his life in the incident.
A preliminary breath test on the alleged at-fault driver revealed a blood alcohol content in excess of .24, or more than three times the legal limit in Arizona. That driver was arrested and is now facing charges of second degree murder for his role in the collision.
If your life has been affected by a collision with a drunk driver or if you lost your loved one due to a drunk driver’s actions, make sure you understand the totality of your legal options for relief. If you are unsure of your rights or if you have questions about your ability to make a recovery, contact the personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. at your convenience – we always have a lawyer standing by, 24 hours a day.
You can reach us toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 where one of our lawyers will offer you a free case consultation without any obligation on your part. If we represent you in your case, we will advance all case-related expenses and we will never charge you a fee unless we make a recovery for you.
The legal staff at Abels & Annes, P.C. believes in fighting for the rights of those who have been hurt by the actions of others. If we can help you, call us now.
Prior Blog Entry:
Wrong Way Car Accident in Arizona Turns Fatal, Causes Additional Fatal Pileup, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published July 13, 2015.
Resource:
Suspected drunk driver facing murder charge after deadly I-10 crash, by Catherine Holland, by Jennifer Thomas, CBS5AZ.com, published July 13, 2015.