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Police in Gilbert, AZ believe a drunk driver is to blame for causing a multi-vehicle crash involving 15 people on the morning of Sunday, September 22. The authorities say that 26-year-old Jorge Medina ran a red light at the intersection of Higley and Williams Field Roads, leading to a chain-reaction crash involving several vehicles.
Medina is accused of crashing into a Toyota Tundra with a family of five inside, which was traveling eastbound and overturned during the collision. Medina’s vehicle and the Tundra then both collided with a GMC Yukon with a family of eight who was traveling to church. Another two vehicles were also hit during this chain-reaction crash.
According to Gilbert police, a 12-year-old girl in the Tundra was hospitalized with minor injuries. Another four children were in the GMC Yukon but did not suffer any injuries.
Medina was also injured and was hospitalized in serious condition. He has been charged with DUI and 13 counts of endangerment.
Attorney contributor Kevin Biniazin helps victims of drunk driving crashes recover the financial compensation they need and deserve for the injuries they’ve suffered. Here Kevin provided The Legal Herald with a few thoughts on the legal rights of those who have been hit by drunk drivers in Arizona:
In Arizona and many other states, people who have been injured by drunk drivers may have multiple options for financial compensation. Along with a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who hit them, the victims of these crashes also sometimes have the option to file a dram shop lawsuit against an alcohol vendor or social host who provided alcohol to that driver before the crash. This second type of lawsuit is called a dram shop claim.
According to Arizona’s dram shop laws, alcohol vendors can be sued for injuries caused by their customers if the vendor sold alcohol to someone who was either (a) obviously intoxicated or (b) a minor, if the vendor knew the minor was under 21 or the vendor did not ask for an ID.
For example, imagine that Aman goes to the Brick Tavern and has several beers. Aman begins to stumble and slur his speech, but the bartender continues serving him drinks. Aman then leaves the bar in his vehicle and crashes into Tracy, seriously injuring her. Tracy may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit against Aman and also a dram shop claim against the Brick Tavern for serving an obviously intoxicated customer.
Each drunk driving injury case is unique and the legal options available will vary depending on the circumstances of the crash. You can learn more about your legal options after being hit by a drunk driver in a free consultation with an experienced drunk driving injury victims lawyer.
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