Excess speed, alcohol abuse and negligence are likely to blame for a spate of serious motorcycle and bus accidents in and around Phoenix these past few weeks, highlighting the dangers facing motorists today. A glance at recent headlines reveals two collisions involving motorcyclists – one of which proved fatal.
According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Carefree Highway and Cave Creek Road was the site of a deadly crash on May 21, when an SUV collided with a biker in the early hours of the morning. Officials are still investigating the cause of the accident, which killed the motorcyclist.
Just a few days later, another motorcyclist was critically injured after the driver was thrown 100 feet from his bike. The incident happened on Cactus Road, when a car exiting a private driveway struck the biker. Authorities have yet to release further details about the crash.
Statistically, more than 80 percent of all motorcycle accidents result in severe injury or death to the motorcyclist, and while helmets reduce the risk of death by 37 percent, bikers have little protection when ejected from their seats.
Those who have been injured are encouraged to seek the counsel of experienced Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyers as soon as possible. Victims may be eligible for substantial compensation if the driver of the other vehicle was found to be negligent. Damages recovered can help offset the costs of all related medical and hospital expenses, lost earnings, pain, suffering, as well as other losses.
Wrong way drivers cause deaths on AZ roads
Another crash claimed the lives of at least four bus passengers who were traveling the El Paso-Los Angeles Limousine Express from El Paso to Los Angeles on May 21. A semi-truck jackknifed on Interstate 10, near a border station east of Blythe, spilling most of its cargo of pipes into both lanes.
According to the California State Highway Patrol, the bus hit one of the pipes, flipping it over. In addition to the four bus passenger fatalities, four other vehicles also crashed after hitting the road debris and loose pipes, sending 12 other people to area hospitals.
On top of these tragedies, two fatal wrong-way car accidents on Phoenix highways were reported over the past month. Brandon Mendoza, a Mesa police officer who was currently off-duty, suffered fatal injuries during a head-on collision on a Tempe freeway ramp. The driver of the other vehicle, a Phoenix resident who was later found to be drunk, had been driving the wrong way on the highway despite several police attempts to intercept.
In a separate incident, three Indonesian nationals were killed on I-17 when their minivan collided with a wrong-way driver who was also thought to be impaired. The wrong-way motorist will probably face reckless driving charges, in addition to counts of manslaughter say police officials.
Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyers
If you or someone you love was injured in a bus or motorcycle collision in the greater Phoenix area and you need legal counsel you can count on, contact the Arizona motor vehicle accident attorneys at Wattel & York for a complimentary case evaluation. Our team of professionals will outline your best options for recovering maximum compensation to which you are rightfully entitled.
Known for going the extra mile, our law firm works with health care specialists who understand the lengthy nature of personal injury litigation. As such, payments for medical treatments may be delayed until we procure a settlement or court award on your behalf. To arrange your no-obligation consultation, you can contact us online or call our offices at (877) 572-4143.
Resources:
AZ Central, Cactus Road in Phoenix reopened after motorcycle crash, http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2014/05/26/motorcycle-crash-closes-cactus-abrk/9598085/
AZ Family.com, Motorcyclist killed in crash with SUV, http://www.azfamily.com/news/Motorcyclist-killed-in-crash-with-SUV-260129541.html
AZ Central.com, Phoenix-to-LA bus crashes in California, killing 4, http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2014/05/21/phoenix-california-bus-crash-abrk/9367785/
News Tucson KVOA.com, 3 people killed in second wrong way crash in AZ this week, http://www.kvoa.com/news/3-people-killed-in-second-wrong-way-crash-in-az-this-week/