Like many areas in Arizona, Mesa has experienced significant
population growth within the last few decades. With an estimated population in excess of 500,000 people, Mesa is now the third largest city in Arizona and the 38th largest city in the nation. With this increase in population comes an increase in motor vehicle accidents. As the city grows, Mesa residents are at an ever increased risk of car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, nike accidents, motorcycle accidents, and all other types of accidents involving motor vehicles.
Since the increased road traffic unfortunately translates to a higher number of car crashes within Mesa every year, it is important to understand the risk you and your family are at. Some Mesa car crashes are minor and result in no injuries, while other
accidents cause serious injuries or even
result in the death of an assuming passenger or driver. In fact, in 2009, there were 19 fatal car crashes that resulted in 21 deaths in Mesa alone.Mesa Car Accidents Are CostlyCar accidents exact a heavy toll on the Mesa area. Not only are motor vehicle crashes costly for those involved but it is also expensive for the community as a whole.In addition to the costs associated with repairing or replacing the cars involved, there may be many other costs to those involved. This can, and often does, include
medical bills for hospital visits and doctor appointments, costs of surgeries and rehabilitation, lost wages, decrease in future earning capacity, or worse, the losses associated with the death of a loved one.Here is a breakdown of the some of the most common damages from a Mesa car accident:
- Hospital Bills
- Surgery Costs
- Diagnostic Tests
- Prescription Medications
- Therapy and Rehabilitative Costs
- Medical Equipment
- Modifications to the Home to Suit New Daily Needs
- Lost Wages While Out of Work
- Lost Future Earning Capacity
- Emotional Pain and Suffering
- Psychiatry and Therapy Costs
Common Types of Mesa Car AccidentsMesa residents are injured in
car accidents at home and across the state. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, there were 103,423 car crashes in 2011 of which 33,030 caused injuries and 754 were fatal. These numbers mean that the lives of many in Arizona are adversely affected by accidents every day and that those accidents result in an average of 2 deaths daily.
Mesa Single Car Collisions
Single car collisions can occur when a driver is unfamiliar with the area or is not paying attention to road signs, traffic signals, or weather conditions. They may involve the car flipping, rolling over, or spinning out as well as leaving the road surface and striking a fixed object, like a concrete wall. Single car crashes may be caused by weather or by the negligence of the driver.
Mesa Multi-Car Crashes
Multi-car crashes involve as few as two vehicles but can also be a large chain reaction collision. In collisions with multiple cars, the force of the crash is often intensified when vehicles are traveling in different directions and there may be multiple points of impact. This can lead to entrapment in a vehicle or serious injuries when the impact occurs in the area of a passenger.
Mesa Hit and Run CrashesUnfortunately Arizona also experiences a number of hit-and-run collisions each year where one driver flees the scene of an accident. The law makes it illegal to leave the scene without speaking with police but this does not deter some motorists who fear the punishment they may receive if they are found to be at-fault for the accident. However if the driver is located, they may face much stricter penalties for leaving the scene than they would have if they chose to remain present until an officer responded and questioned the driver.
Mesa Drunk Driving AccidentsAnother type of collision that is all too common in Mesa and Arizona at large is one caused by a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In the state, it is illegal to drive under the influence of either and drivers are presumed under the influence when their blood alcohol content is 0.08 or greater. Any amount of detectible drugs in a driver’s system is usually used to claim impairment by authorities. While driving under the influence may result in criminal charges, drivers often fail to realize that if they hurt or injure others, they could be subjected to legal claims for damages as a result.
Getting Compensation for your Mesa Car AccidentRegardless of how the motor vehicle crash occurred, if you are involved in a Mesa car accident and you are injured, you may have a right to monetary compensation for your injuries. The law in Arizona holds drivers liable if their negligence causes damage to another. Arizona law also requires drivers to carry insurance to cover those losses. If you were injured in a Mesa car accident, you may be able to make a claim against an at-fault driver, the at-fault driver’s insurance company, or your own insurance company, depending on the facts of the collision. Consulting a Mesa car accident attorney is the best way to establish the different parties you can pursue.
Common Mesa Car Accident InjuriesMesa car accidents often causes damages far beyond those to the vehicle. The most common injuries caused in a Mesa car accident include:
Whiplash - Whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained in a car accident due to the violent nature and sudden stopping involved with a motor vehicle collision.
Scrapes and Cuts - Because of all of the sharp objects and intense force associated with a car accident, scrapes and cuts, also known as lacerations, are extremely common.
Head Injuries - When a vehicle comes to a sudden stop during a collision, oftentimes the first thing to come into contact with the hard surfaces inside a vehicle is a person's head. Because of the delicate nature of the brain and its important function, head injuries, like a traumatic brain injury, can cause serious life-changing consequences.
Broken Ribs - As you are pushed forwards, backward or sideways during the impact of a collision, it is common for broken ribs to results.
Broken Bones - As one might expect, broken bones, like arms, legs, hips and any other bones, are commonly found in car accident victims. Quite simply, a motor vehicle collision puts unnatural amounts of force on your body and your bones just can’t stand up to the force.
Internal Bleeding - It is not uncommon to suffer from internal bleeding causes by a car accident. This can be a very serious condition and is one of the reasons that anyone involved in a motor vehicle collision should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Herniated Disc - The spine is put under immense pressure during a car accident, often causing multiple different injuries to the structure. However, one of the most common necks and back injuries from a car accident is known as a herniated disc and can cause serious, long-lasting pain to the victim.
Psychological Trauma - Not all car accident injuries are physical. The emotional trauma associated with a car accident can cause victims serious pain and suffering in the months and years following their collision. Imagine not being able to drive a car to the grocery store, or to be able to pick your kids up from school? Emotional trauma from a car accident is a very real injury.
Contact an Experienced Mesa Car Accident AttorneyAt Abels & Annes, P.C., we are personal injury lawyers who only represent the victims in car crashes and never the insurance companies. We know the laws and we know how to fight for our clients’ rights. Regardless of the size of your case, we stand by our clients and seek justice for their losses.
If you have been injured in a collision or if a family member has been injured or killed, call the Mesa car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today for a free, no-obligation consultation or use
our online form.
We will discuss the facts of your case and whether you have a claim for your injuries as well as answer any questions you might have. We have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call so you can call us now at (602) 819-5191 or toll free at (855) 749-5299.