7 dead in head-on collision on I-10 near Phoenix
PHOENIX (AP) — Seven people have died in a crash on Interstate 10 near Phoenix after a semitrailer truck crossed the highway’s median and struck a van head on.
Carrick Cook, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Public Safety, says the victims were all inside the van when the crash happened Sunday about 60 miles west of Phoenix.
The driver of the tractor-trailer and his wife escaped Sunday after the vehicles collided near the Burnt Well Rest Area near here. The tractor-trailer and van plunged down a 6-foot embankment and burst into flames, said Carrick Cook, a spokesman for the state public safety department.
Charges will probably not be filed because investigators believe the driver has a medical condition, Cook said.
The 11 a.m. crash near mile marker 87.1, about 50 miles west of Phoenix, was one of six fatal accidents that killed 12 people over the weekend, Cook said. That marked the second weekend in a row of a high number of traffic-accident fatalities.
“It’s unusual,” Cook said.
The semi truck driver and his wife were hospitalized with injuries. Autopsies are scheduled for Wednesday for the seven victims, believed to be family members.
The youngest were probably teenagers, Cook said.
Identifying the victims is complicated by the violent nature of their deaths, Cook said.
Eastbound I-10, the route between Phoenix and Los Angeles, was closed for most of the day Sunday.
Cause of the Phoenix Crash
If news accounts of this incident are accurate, the Semi driver is likely responsible for the incident. While this devastating accident on July 29 remains under investigation, the family members of those accident victims who were seriously injured would be well-advised to speak with an understanding and knowledgeable wrongful death lawyer. An attorney such as Gary A. Kessler who has successfully handled serious injury accidents can advise the victim’s family of their legal rights to hold the driver accountable and best course of action should they wish to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Fault and Wrongful Death Liability
Accidents involving big-rigs have unique and complex legal issues. If it is determined that the driver of the big-rig was at fault for this collision, the family of the victim would be well-advised to speak to a truck accident attorney. An experienced and knowledgeable attorney will be able to review the cause of the accident, and if warranted, arrange for an independent investigator to reconstruct the collision to determine exactly what happened and who was responsible. A skilled lawyer can also provide an explanation to the victim’s family on their legal rights in a wrongful death claim against the driver or any other parties at fault. Damages awarded in a wrongful death claim may include funeral and burial expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Demand accountability from the trucking company. We at the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler have handled complex trucking accident cases for twenty years. We have the litigation experience to handle complex trucking liability cases. We are prepared to front all costs required for the necessary investigation and expert witnesses needed to prepare your case for trial. Remember, the trucking industry are a formidable foe and must be fought against aggressively.
The laws regarding wrongful death/”trucking accident” cases are complex and include many facets of the law. It is vital to surviving family members to seek the advice of an experienced wrongful death/”trucking accident” lawyer such as Gary A Kessler at the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler to protect your legal rights and those of your loved ones.
Trucking accident attorney Gary A Kessler and the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler are compassionate and fully understand that you are attempting to cope with extreme grief and sorrow associated with the loss of a loved one. The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler carefully selects its “trucking accident” cases so that we may give you (the client) the substantial personal attention necessary to obtain a successful result for your “trucking accident” case.
The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is prepared to front all costs required for a thorough investigation and expert witnesses to prepare for trial of your case. As in all wrongful death and serious personal injury cases, we advance all legal costs to prepare and present our client’s claim, and receive for our services only a percentage of what we recover for our attorney fees on their behalf. Upon settlement our costs shall be reimbursed to us from the gross recovery. If there is no recovery, no attorneys fees or costs are owed to our firm.
If you have been seriously injured or a family member sustained fatal injuries involving a tractor-trailer rig you need to contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler or another experienced law firm immediately to protect your rights and preserve the evidence. The laws and time limitations can be complex so protect your legal rights by contacting the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today.
