Auto Accidents
The average car weighs roughly 3,500 pounds, and when something that heavy, going even at a slow rate of speed on any of Arizona’s highways and roads, collides with another vehicle, the results can be catastrophic.
The damages aren’t always just in property damage and money; the costs often include the health of the driver and the passengers involved, both physical and psychological. The Khalidi Law Firm, PLLC is here to help those injured in motor vehicle collisions by filing personal injury claims against the negligent parties responsible for these injuries.
Arizona is not Immune
Arizona, with roughly 6.6 million people, ranks as the seventeenth most dangerous state in the country when it comes to auto accident fatalities, and it is second only to Florida in the number of pedestrian deaths. The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety grouped Arizona with eight other states “in the red,” meaning that for various reasons the state ranks among the worst in the nation for traffic safety. What’s more, in 2013 the magazine Popular Mechanics ranked the 150-mile stretch of I-10 from Phoenix to California as the No. 1 most dangerous stretch of highway in the U.S., with an average of 85 deaths a year. In 2014 in Arizona alone, there were a total of 116,609 vehicle accidents, with 893 fatalities. Injuries and fatalities are tragic, but the damage doesn’t stop there. The NHTSA reports that the total costs in economic loss and societal harm topped $871 billion in 2010.
What to Do
If you or a loved one has been the victim of an auto accident, contact the Khalidi Law Firm, PLLC as soon as possible for a free consultation to evaluate the merits of your claim. We receive no fees and you pay no out-of-pocket expenses unless we successfully pursue your claim, but it is important to contact a legal representative quickly to make sure your claim, should you have one, is filed before the expiration of the statute of limitations (or deadline) under Arizona law.
Located in Tucson’s Historico Barrio, the firm is familiar and experienced with Arizona law and will make sure your concerns are addressed, and that you or your loved one receives treatment and compensation for any short- or long-term effects of an accident caused by a negligent driver.
Steps to Take After an Auto Accident
Esurance lists seven steps to follow if you’ve been involved in an accident. Remember that safety always comes first. The steps are as follows:
- Move to a safe area, if possible.
- Stop your vehicle and get out.
- Check on others involved.
- Call 911.
- Gather information from other driver and witnesses.
- Document the scene by taking photos with your cellphone.
It is also a good idea to avoid admitting fault. Contact an experienced Arizona car accident lawyer at the Khalidi Law Firm, PLLC, to handle communications with the insurance companies on your behalf.
Here, There and Everywhere
Nearly everyone that drives has been the victim of an auto accident at some time or another. What many people don’t realize is how common accidents are, or the impact they often have overall. The Association of International Road Travel has compiled some statistics that give a good overview:
- Over 37,000 people die in road crashes each year.
- An additional 2.35 million are injured or disabled.
- Over 1,600 children under 15 years of age die each year in highway accidents.
- Nearly 8,000 people are killed in crashes involving drivers ages 16-20.,
- Road crashes cost the U.S. $230.6 billion per year, or an average of $820 per person
- Road crashes are the most common cause of death of healthy U.S. citizens traveling abroad.
Why Are There So Many Collisions?
There are many causes of car accidents in the United States, including the following:
Distracted driving – Drivers who make or receive phone calls or text messages, use navigational devices, eat and drink, or otherwise fail to pay attention to the road are the No. 1 danger on the road.
Drunk driving – Too many people get behind the wheel after they have consumed alcohol, ignoring the fact that their reactions and judgment are impaired and they endanger themselves and others.
Reckless driving – Making unsafe lane changes, speeding, and aggressive driving can lead to accidents that injure innocent people sharing the road.
Weather conditions – While a driver cannot control the weather, they can control their response to it, modifying their speed as is appropriate for the conditions. Multi-car pileups often result from accidents in bad weather.
Defective vehicles – A design or manufacturing flaw in an automobile or one of its components, like tires or headlights, can lead to a highway collision.
Most Common Auto Accident Injuries
Roadway accidents can inflict numerous types of injuries on drivers and passengers, including:
- Brain and Head Injuries
- Neck Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Back Injuries
- Facial Injuries
- Internal Injuries
- Psychological Injuries.
Injury Factors
Several factors affect the type and severity of auto accident injuries. Some considerations are:
- Was the person wearing a seat belt?
- Did the person’s car get hit from the rear, side or front?
- Was the occupant facing straight ahead in the seat? Or was the person’s head or body turned in a certain direction?
- Was it a low-speed collision or a high-speed crash?
- Did the car have airbags?
Contact Us
If you have been in an Arizona vehicle accident, contact Khalidi Law Firm, PLLC today. Our team of experienced lawyers can help you obtain just compensation from a negligent driver, auto manufacturer, or other entity which was responsible for your injury. Set up a free consultation today to make sure your rights are protected by professionals.