Phoenix, AZ – Three Killed & Two Injured in Crash on I-17 at Dunlap Ave
Phoenix, AZ (August 14, 2020) – Three people died and two others sustained serious injuries after an SUV driver crashed into a trailer on Interstate 17 in central Phoenix on Thursday.
Per reports from officers with the Phoenix Police Department, the accident occurred around 6:00 p.m., when a pickup truck pulling a trailer stopped in the HOV lane on the southbound side of the highway, just south of Dunlap Avenue. Reportedly, there was a problem with the trailer, per information from Capt. Jesse Galvez with the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Five people who were traveling in the truck got out of their vehicle to check on the issue with the trailer. As they were positioned between the trailer and the truck, an SUV driver traveling along the highway slammed into the back of the trailer, Galvez said.
Fire rescue units and Phoenix EMTs were dispatched to the scene shortly after the wreck occurred, though they say that three people were pronounced dead at the scene. One person was critically injured and rushed to the hospital via ambulance. The fifth person traveling in the pickup truck did not sustain injuries.
The SUV driver was also taken to the hospital with critical injuries, Galvez said.
Galvez didn’t say if the SUV driver was distracted or impaired, but an investigation into the accident is underway.
Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the deceased victims. Our thoughts are with the injured victims and their families at this time. We hope for their full recovery.
Fatal Highway Accidents in Arizona
Per information from the Arizona Department of Transportation’s recent accident report, there were more than 130,000 crashes across the state in 2018. Unfortunately, these wrecks resulted in numerous injuries. In fact, at least 37,000 wrecks involved at least two victims with serious injuries requiring medical attention or hospitalization.
When drivers or their passengers are wounded in a crash, they often have to cope with both physical problems and emotional trauma. Wreck victims may be required to document their injuries, negotiate with insurance companies, and take time away from work, resulting in lost wages. Thankfully, victims and their families can seek help from an Arizona personal injury lawyer, especially if they’ve been involved in a wreck caused by the negligence of another driver.
At ELG, our Phoenix and Mesa attorneys have helped family members bear the costs and emotional damages that pile up after a car accident.
When a family files a claim against those at fault, they are able to claim damages for aspects like lost wages, funeral expenses, and other incurred damages.
After an Arizona car accident, an insurance adjuster may want to speak with you. They sound friendly and they make you think that they care about your interests. They actually may sound reassuring.
Don’t think that they are speaking with you to maximize your benefit. These representatives work for the insurance company, and in reality, it’s their bottom line that they are concerned about first and foremost, not you. They are charged with saving their insurance company money, not necessarily getting you the treatment you need.
If an insurance representative asks you to give them a statement, you may not have to do so, and it may actually not be in your best interest. In fact, at ELG, when we represent a client and an adverse insurance company asks us to allow for a recorded statement from our client, 99% of the time the answer is a definitive no! Our recommendation is to tell them you will seek out counsel first, then call us at ELG.
Our skilled team of injury accident lawyers in Arizona at ELG specializes in fighting for victims and their families. Contact our accident attorneys today at (623) 877-3600 to schedule your free consultation for legal aid.
Note: As a result of the secondary sources that were used to complete this post, the information included within has not been independently verified by our own staff and may include misinformation. If you read something that, to your knowledge, is incorrect, please contact us as soon as possible and we will correct the inaccuracy.
Disclaimer: As members of the local Phoenix and broader Arizona community, we hope everyone in our community is safe and protected. We cover the events included in this blog as a way to offer support to the victims in similar circumstances and to provide relief during these difficult times. However, this information should not be misconstrued as legal advice, and you should speak with a trained legal professional for more information regarding your situation.
