For some drivers in Arizona, their early morning commute starts much earlier than most. Traveling during the early morning hour sometimes means that it is dark outside. Furthermore, drivers at that hour might be fatigued from driving through the night or tired from waking up early. These factors create added dangers and risks for the drivers and could lead to an automobile crash impacting other drivers on the roadway.
Police officers in Phoenix were recently dispatched to a fatal accident involving two vehicles. According to reports, the automobile collision occurred on Interstate 10 going westbound near milepost 169 at around 5:00 a.m. The westbound lanes remained closed until 9 a.m. while clean up and investigation took place.
The details of the crash were not immediately available, but it was reported that one of the vehicles involved rolled over. Two people were transported to the hospital when emergency crews arrived at the scene. It is not clear how many people were involved in the two-car crash. The incident was described as fatal but it was not reported if either of the two injured parties survived their injuries.
Authorities and the Arizona Department of Transportation are investigating this incident. Once completed, officers will hopefully be able to determine the cause of the accident and establish any liability. If a driver is negligent and causes a collision, the driver could be liable for the injuries, fatalities and damages they caused.
The loved ones of the victim could file a wrongful death suit on their behalf. This might allow them to recover compensation to cover the expenses associated with the accident. A monetary award could cover bills such as medical expenses, funeral costs, lost wages and pain and suffering.
Following a fatal crash, it is important to fully investigate the incident. Some investigations might take more time to determine cause and fault, so it is important that those affected by the accident understand their options. They might have a cause of action, and determining what course of action they will take ahead of time could save time in the long run.
Source: AZ Central, “I-10 WB south of Phoenix reopens after fatal crash,” Matthew Casey, March 15, 2014