Auto Accidents

How Alcohol Affects Your Behavior

October 27, 2010 by Brad Johnson

While deaths related to driving under the influence (DUI) are at record lows, there are still far too many deaths related to alcohol. A good night out can quickly lead to a night of terror, destruction and death. But when you are having that good time, how can you know how much is too much?

Legal Limit for Your Blood Alcohol Concentration

In all 50 states, the legal limit for your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08. This is still too vague to know how much is too much because a woman weighing only 120 pounds can reach .08 with only 2 servings of alcohol whereas a 180-pound man can reach .08 in 4. Let’s look at the science and feel of it all.

When you reach a BAC level of 0.020 a few subtle changes occur. At this level, the body starts to relax and experience a decline in visual function and the ability to multi-task. While this BAC usually occurs with only one serving of alcohol – the equivalent of one shot of liquor or a five-ounce glass of wine or one beer – in an emergency situation reaction times can be slowed.

When you reach a BAC level of 0.050 you can experience exaggerated behavior, loss of small muscle control, an inability to focus your eyes quickly, impaired judgment, and a release of inhibitions. This can reduce your coordination behind the wheel, reducing your ability to safely operate a vehicle. This is especially true in a high-risk or emergency situation.

Essential Items to Have in Case You are in a Car Accident

June 3, 2010 by Brad Johnson

Nobody expects to get into a car accident, yet they happen each and every day. It can happen when you’re on your way to and from work; it can happen on the way to church and it can even happen while you’re stopped at a stop light.

When that other car slams into you, the whole world stops. Most people just sit there for a moment, gathering their thoughts. They wonder if that really happened, they do a mental and physical check to make sure they’re not hurt, and it’s only after all that that they begin to wonder if the other driver is OK.

What to Keep in Your Car in Case of an Accident

It’s a very traumatic experience, no matter if it’s a small accident or a major one, and that’s why people don’t like to think about them. But you should give a thought to what you keep in your car in the off chance that you are involved in a car accident.

When you go over to the other driver, or drivers, to make sure they’re OK, it’s at this time that you’ll want to exchange insurance and contact information. Therefore, you must ensure that you keep your proof of insurance in your car. You might also want to keep a business card in your car so that you can easily hand over information the other driver can use to contact you. Also, it’s recommended that you call the police so that you can get a police report. The officer will also want to see your proof of insurance as well as your driver’s license. So the first thing you should keep in your car is your proof of insurance.
But what happens if the accident happens at night? Carrying a flashlight in your car is a good idea, even if you don’t expect to ever use it. A flashlight can be used to assess damage and also to assess any injuries that may not be visible in dim light. When you’re in an accident, your adrenaline is pumping and you may not feel injuries for some time afterward. A flashlight can be used to scan the bodies of each person involved so that you can ensure everyone’s OK.
It’s also a good idea to carry a first aid kit in your car in case of a car accident. You never know when you may need bandages, alcohol pads, or even scissors and all the other stuff that comes in one of these kits. New cars often come with these already included in the glove box. However, if you don’t have a new car, you can always buy an emergency kit at your local pharmacy.
Finally, you always want to keep jumper cables, a spare tire kit, a cell phone as well as the contact information for a good accident attorney. Give Brad Johnson Injury Law a call if you are involved in an accident – your free consultation could mean the difference between getting the compensation that is due you or facing the large insurance company on your own.

Again, nobody expects to get into an accident, but all of these things will help in case you ever find yourself sitting on the side of the road right after a jarring car accident.

How to Avoid a Staged Auto Accident

May 18, 2010 by Brad Johnson

You’ve probably heard of staged accidents, or seen them on television or in movies, but did you realize they really do happen?

Here’s the scenario: You’re driving along, everything seems to be ok, but then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, a car crashes into you in a parking lot. Perhaps the damage doesn’t appear extensive, and it seems obvious that the fault belongs to the other driver, but you find yourself accused of being at fault.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau reported that staged accidents were up 46% from 2007 to 2009, and the states with the highest staged incidents are Florida, New York, California, Texas, and Illinois. Arizona ranks 10th, high enough to cause concern.

What’s even more concerning about staged accidents is that often they are so well-planned that fake witnesses might be involved, additional passengers might claim injuries (people who weren’t even in the vehicle), and medical providers might prescribe treatments that really aren’t necessary – all for a nice payoff.

How can you avoid being a victim of a staged accident? Here are a few tips:

1. Call the police so they can write a police report. Do this no matter the extent of the damage.
2. Keep a camera with you and take pictures of the accident, the damage, and the people who were in the car who hit you. This is fairly easy to do now that many cell phones have a camera feature.
3. Take note of the number of people who were in the car who hit you. Get their names, phone numbers, addresses, and driver’s license numbers also. Don’t just focus on the driver.
4. Do not tailgate, as the driver in front of you may slam on their brakes for no apparent reason. This is an easy method for a scam artist to turn you into a victim.
5. If you require any medical treatments, keep careful records to make sure none of the treatment costs are inflated or fictitious.
6. Contact the Arizona Department of Insurance Fraud Unit if you suspect a medical provider, auto body shop, mechanic, or anyone else has committed fraud.

Nothing is worse than being in an auto accident and then finding out it was staged. Protect yourself.

How a DUI Conviction Can Impact Your Life

March 9, 2010 by Brad Johnson

Getting a DUI in Arizona is not for the faint of heart. Arizona has some of the toughest DUI laws in the nation. A DUI conviction will change your life. You can be facing fines and court fees ranging from $1,800 to $17,295; up to 180 days in jail or prison time; community service hours; up to 10 years probation; and loss of your driving privilege. A DUI conviction affects your criminal record, can affect your credit rating, can preclude you from many job opportunities, and can hinder your leasing an apartment or residence. Think about these facts the next time you have had too much to drink and before you get into a car to drive. A taxi ride is definitely cheaper and safer.

Types of DUIs in Arizona

In Arizona, there are numerous types of DUIs. The two main categories are felony DUIs and misdemeanor DUIs. Each of these has variants.

Felony DUIs

There are two types of felony DUIs, which are also called “Aggravated DUIs”.

A Class 4 felony Aggravated DUI carries with it mandatory prison time. A class 4 felony Aggravated DUI is when one gets charged with a DUI when he has had two DUI convictions within the previous 7 years or he gets a DUI when their driver’s license is suspended, revoked, or canceled.
A Class 6 Felony Aggravated DUI is when one is charged with a DUI and at the time of the driving had a person under the age of fifteen in their car.

Misdemeanor DUIs

The second category of DUIs is Misdemeanor DUIs. The penalties for Misdemeanor DUIs vary with respect to the amount of jail time and financial fees are dependent upon one’s blood alcohol content (BAC) and whether the DUI is a person’s first offense or second offense. Typically, as a person’s BAC goes up, so do the penalties. Also, the penalties are normally higher for a second offense than for a first offense.

A “Regular DUI” is when a person’s BAC is below 0.150.
An “Extreme DUI” is when a person’s BAC is at a 0.150, but less than a 0.200.
A “Super Extreme DUI” is when the person’s BAC is at or above a 0.200.

Again, as one’s BAC increases, so do the penalties.

DUI Conviction

Any conviction for a DUI carries with it mandatory jail time or prison. Anyone convicted of any DUI will have his driver’s license suspended or revoked. With any arrest for an Extreme DUI or an Aggravated DUI, the police can, and probably will, impound your car for at least 30 days. Anyone convicted of a DUI will also have to have the Ignition Interlock Device placed in any car he/she drives for at least a year.

What is an Interlock Device?

An Interlock Device is similar to the breath testing instruments the police use to determine a person’s BAC. You will be forced to blow into the Interlock Device, without alcohol in your system, in order to start your car. The results of each blow are recorded and that information is sent to the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) and can be sent to one’s probation officer.

Contact an Experienced Attorney for DUI Cases

If you have been arrested for or charged with a DUI, it is important to get legal representation immediately. There are certain matters concerning the DUI and your driving privileges that must be dealt with within 15 days of your arrest. The attorneys at Brad Johnson Injury Law are experienced in DUI cases, are here to help you, and are available 24/7.

Key Steps to Follow When You’re In a Car Accident

March 1, 2010 by Brad Johnson

Chances are that you will be involved in a car accident at some point in your lifetime. It may be nothing more than a minor “fender bender” or it could be a serious accident.

There are ways to prepare yourself in case you do have an accident whether as a driver or a passenger.

Post-Accident Checklist

Check for injuries. If anyone needs immediate medical attention call 911 for an ambulance.
If you or anyone is severely injured, do not move. If you are able to safely exit the vehicle, do so immediately.
Call 911 and report the accident to the police.
While you are waiting for the police to arrive, sit down and remain quiet. While you may not feel much pain, you could be injured. Walking, bending or lifting can make your injuries worse.
While you are sitting, go over what happened. Get the facts clear. How fast were you going? Where were you? Did you have your turn indicator on? Make some written notes if you can. Do not talk to anyone except the police about the facts of the accident.
If there are witnesses, ask them for their names and phone numbers. They may be able to help establish liability (who is at fault).
You may have rights that you don’t know about. We can answer your important questions at 602-650-1200 or toll free at 1-877-96-LEGAL.