A 20-year-old man was killed after he apparently lost control of his vehicle in Yuma last Friday. His 19-year-old passenger survived but is critically injured. Though he was clinging to life, sheriff deputies said the passenger might not survive.
It appears that alcohol was a factor in the accident that caused the driver to strike a pole in Yuma. At only 20 years old, the driver was too young to legally consume or possess alcohol, meaning that he should have had no alcohol in his system. Despite his young age, authorities believe the driver had enough alcohol in his system to be under its influence at the time of the collision.
Arizona law presumes a driver is under the influence of alcohol if the driver’s blood alcohol content is 0.08 or greater. However a driver can be in violation of drunk driving laws if any amount of alcohol is present. What matters is whether the driver was influenced or affected by the alcohol in his or her system to the point that the driver’s ability to control a vehicle was negatively impacted.
A drunk driver is not only a hazard to himself but also to his passengers and others on the road, as this crash shows all too clearly. When another is injured by a drunk driver, the law provides that injured person a remedy through the use of a personal injury claim in civil court.
This type of claim allows a victim to recover for any damages suffered, including any medical bills the victim was forced to incur because of an accident. These claims can be brought against a drunk driver, a bar or tavern who served the drunk driver alcohol, or even another person who provided a minor with alcohol, depending on the facts of each case.
Since each case is unique and many of these cases are difficult, it is always a good idea to speak with a personal injury lawyer if you have been hurt through the actions of a drunk driver. With so many lawyers out there, it may be difficult to decide who you want to speak to, but the best thing to do is to speak with an attorney who regularly works on cases similar to yours.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we are Phoenix personal injury lawyers who regularly represent clients who were injured by drunk drivers. We know the laws in Arizona and we have a proven track records of obtaining results for our clients. We never charge a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf and we have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day at (602) 819-5191 to provide you with a free telephone consultation.
If you have been hurt in an accident, call us today and let us help you get a recovery you deserve. We can also be reached toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER.
Prior Blog Entries:
Jaywalking is an Increasing Threat to Safety in Phoenix, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published June 23, 2013.
Potential for Charges in Scottsdale Crash that Killed Child, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published June 22, 2013.
Resources:
1 dead, 1 injured after driver loses control of car, Fox 10 News, published June 22, 2013.