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Arizona Car Accident Report Basics

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If you’ve been in a car accident recently, you want to give serious consideration to ensuring your physical and financial health. Insurance companies may encourage you to settle any claims quickly on their terms. But remember, you do not have to settle quickly or under their terms.

Arizona law protects you from unfair claims or settlements. So whether you are the victim of an accident due to an unsafe driver, or accused of causing an accident, we can help.

One of the first things we need to fully understand your accident and your case is your accident report. In Arizona, vehicle accident reports are fairly standardized. With a little insight, you can understand the details documented in your accident report in order to help ensure you get the settlement the law guarantees you.

First Things First: Get a Copy of Your Accident Report

You absolutely must obtain a copy of your accident report. You need it and we need it to provide your best legal representation.

Arizona law enforcement officials are required to complete a detailed accident report at the scene of every accident. Once complete, they then submit the report to the Arizona Department of Transportation Traffic Records. Once your accident report is filed, you have the right (and personal obligation) to get a copy of it.

It’s important that you get a copy of your accident report as soon as possible. When it comes to protecting your rights under Arizona law, time is not your friend.

If you have not already obtained a copy of your accident report, you can do so.

The details documented in the report will be used as evidence in your case, whether or not you go to court to seek damages or protect yourself from claims. Insurance companies will use this report to determine and settle claims. So even if your case does not go to court, your accident report will affect your outcome.
Details in your report will include information about all involved parties, the vehicles involved, and the officer’s determination for who was at fault and what caused the accident. If you were involved in the accident, you have a right to obtain a copy of this report.

Remember, your accident report contains legally important information and will be used for you or against you by insurance companies and in court.

Understand Your Arizona Accident Report

Once you have a copy of your accident report, you can begin to understand the details of your case.

  • Who did the officer cite as “at fault?”
  • How did the officer document damages to the vehicles involved?
  • What does the report say about you and your involvement?

Knowing these facts before you talk with your insurance company — or anyone else except your lawyer — is important to protect yourself and your rights.

Anatomy of the Arizona Accident Report

Fortunately, the Arizona accident report is standardized and fairly simple to decipher. Here’s what you need to know.

Blue Section

The top section in blue includes the basic summary of your accident.

  • The number of people involved
  • The number of injuries or fatalities
  • The precise location of the accident
  • Whether an involved party left the scene

Give this section a careful read to identify any potential errors. Officers are only human and while it’s rare, it is possible that some of the details could be inaccurate. If they are, we will want to work together to correct the record to protect your interests.

Red Section

The next section in red is considerably more detailed.

This is where we see the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the accident.

Driver names, insurance information, vehicle information, and other critical details will be found here. This section will even include details on whether or not you or the other party were wearing a seatbelt.

Needless to say, it’s crucial that you review every detail of this section as soon as possible so we have time to dispute or correct any inaccuracies.

Green and Orange Section

The green and orange sections that follow contain contact information for involved parties and reporting officers. Again, you should verify the accuracy of this information.

Purple and Green Section

The next sections in purple and green are your officer’s account of what happened in picture form and his or her own words. These accounts will be used as evidence by your insurance company and a court of law, so it’s important to understand what the officer enters here so we can work together to use this information for your benefit or correct the record if necessary.

Yellow Section

The last section in yellow contains many small details of your accident that could have a big impact on your case. Go over these with a fine-toothed comb to identify any inaccuracies or missing information. One small detail here could have a very big impact on your outcome.

Contact a Car Accident Injury Lawyer

If you have a copy of your accident report and would like our help in understanding it, contact us today. We can help you carefully review all of the details of your report and take appropriate steps to ensure your rights are fully protected.

Rollover Car Accidents

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Although incredibly rare, rollover car accidents are some of the most dangerous and legally complicated types of accidents that can occur. Most cases are caused by what is called “tripping”, which is when one car pushes another into a guardrail or median that flips the car. In some cases, there could be a manufacturing defect in the vehicle that caused the car to flip. Whatever the case may be, the damage can be catastrophic and deadly. The good news is legal action in cases like these is common and can often help recover more of the damages than a basic insurance claim would.

What to do After a Rollover Car Accident

Immediately following the crash, you may not be conscious to go through the normal processes that occur after an accident. For rollover crashes, emergency response personnel will automatically be called to the scene and will care to the injured as well as fill out reports on the accident. If you are the victim of an accident and are injured, it is best to try to stay calm and wait for help to come. Your well being is the most important thing in these cases, and typically there will be enough witnesses and reports to build a case on after things have settled, so do not worry about calling the insurance company immediately or requesting police reports. Be sure to stay off to the shoulder of the road if you can in order to prevent any further damage to yourself.

Once things have settled and if you are able to, contact your insurance and obtain the necessary documents that they will need to file a claim. If you are unable to, have someone close to you take care of the necessary arrangements. With rollover accidents, it is especially important to have an attorney involved in the case, as likely there is significant damages caused that can be recovered.

Liability Considerations

In most rollover accidents, the injuries that occur will be severe, and will incur high medical expenses as well as having physical therapy and living expenses as you recover. In most cases, the liability will be on the driver who caused the accident. If that person was being extremely negligent, like drinking or texting while driving, then they will be automatically held responsible for the crash. Negligence law is used in cases like this, and essential means that if a person was not paying attention or behaving recklessly, then that person is the liable party for the crash. However, there could be different parities that could be held liable for the accident:

City, county, or state for not keeping roads maintained. Occasionally, damaged roads will cause a car to flip.

Car or car parts manufactures. Although it is rare, some cars do have defects that play a role in the car flipping, or tires that were defective. Also, some cars may not be properly equipped with safety features required by law that lead to further injuries.

If you decide to pursue legal action against a government entity or one of its contractor, there may be a limited time to file the suit. You will want to file any lawsuits as soon as possible for you to receive compensation sooner than later. This can make a big difference when it comes to medical and living expenses.
Depending on the events of the crash, you may only file one lawsuit against one of the responsible parties, or some sort of combination of lawsuits against multiple parties. However, this will be on a case by case basis and is something to be discussed with your attorney beforehand.

Best Rollover Car Accident Attorney

With rollover accidents, there are often numerous legal considerations as well as extreme stress and expense associated with the accident. It is extremely important that you have an experienced legal team in these cases to make sure you get the most compensation possible. There are short windows of time to file personal suits against certain entities, making it essential that you speak with your attorney as soon as possible.

If you are the defendant in a rollover case, it will also be essential that you seek legal counsel. There are times that the victim of the rollover was in fact the one being negligent or adverse weather conditions influenced the crash. As stated above, road conditions may also have played a factor, and knowing what rights you have as a defendant can help save you thousands of dollars in a lawsuit, especially if it was not your fault.

What is Personal Injury Protection Insurance or PIP Insurance 

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Personal Injury Protection insurance policies, commonly referred to as PIP insurance, is a portion of some insurance policies that protects you and passengers in your vehicle. The policy will cover medical expenses and work loss in the event of an accident no matter who was at fault.
Typically, PIP Insurance is recommended for people who frequently have passengers or if you lack a good health insurance plan. However, state law may require it if you live in a “No Fault” state. So, the question needs to be answered, if it is optional, should I get PIP Insurance?

The short answer: most people do not need PIP. There are some situations where having PIP may be a good idea, but for the general population it is not needed. If you frequently drive a carpool, it may be something to consider as it will protect all your passengers as well as yourself no matter who is at fault. Another consideration will be the type of health care you have, but this should only be a factor if your coverage is very poor. Very good healthcare plans will have personal injury covered in the plan as it is. There is also the catch that not all PIP insurance plans are created equal; the range of how much they are willing to pay out will vary greatly based on location and company.

Should I Get PIP Insurance?

PIP insurance could come in handy if you were at fault in an accident and will be losing substantial time from work or have injuries that require additional financial help. However, if you are in a car accident that is not your fault, PIP insurance is not as useful as most times the damages and lost wages are recoverable as it stands. The driver at fault will be liable for the damages that are caused, and if you do not receive enough from the insurance, legal action is always an option. When you file your initial insurance claim, there will be a settlement that will be given to cover medical expenses and damage to your car. In most cases the amount given by the insurance company will not be enough, and in these cases, it is highly recommended you seek legal action to recover losses. Medical expenses as well as lost wages (the two things PIP covers) are recoverable in legal action, making the insurance policy more unnecessary in these cases.

If you carry full coverage insurance, then more than likely you will be fine without needing PIP, and sometimes PIP is already built into certain plans. What frightens most people is the thought of if they are at fault in an accident, they have no options. There are very few situations when a person would really need to carry PIP, just because of overlap with heath insurance and other insurance plans. However, if you do not have good insurance plans, PIP may be something to consider. The protection that is offered for lost wages as well as medical can be very helpful if you cause an accident and are injured in the process.

As stated earlier, some states require PIP insurance, but Arizona is not one of those states.

Conclusion

PIP insurance is not for everyone, and as most things go, will be on a case by case basis. There are certainly situations where it is incredibly helpful, as it will pay out benefits no matter who was at fault in an accident. This can be incredibly helpful if you were at fault and were injured, but it is important to note that PIP will not cover any physical property damages from the accident. For individuals who have heath insurance plans that cover injury in an accident, PIP is not necessary, so really you should evaluate your needs before deciding. If you are in an accident that was not your fault, PIP can be useful if the driver was uninsured or it was a hit and run situation, but these damages can also be recovered by an experienced accident attorney. If you have questions about an insurance policy you are considering or questions concerning accident law, please do not hesitate to contact Brad Johnson Injury Law.

Submitting to Arbitration for Pedestrian Accidents

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Being injured in an accident is a terrible experience, and it’s even worse if the insurance company offers a settlement that is less than what you need. As a victim, what can you do? One answer is to go straight to court, but that can be time-consuming and expensive; a great alternative is to first attempt to settle out of court, through arbitration.

What is Arbitration?

Arbitration is a process of dispute resolution and a common alternative to a civil lawsuit. This is a less formal process compared to a trial, and you will present your case to a neutral third party as well as the insurance company. The third party will decide on the case after hearing both sides of the argument and will then render a binding or non-binding decision. Arbitrators will act as the judge and jury of the case and will typically be judges or highly-skilled attorneys. If you have agreed to arbitration with a binding decision, you have waived your right to pursue the manner any further, and the arbitrator’s decision is final. Non-binding will allow you or the other party to appeal the decision and take it to court if neither party is satisfied with the decision. Insurance companies will almost always require that you go to binding arbitration, so it is important to read the fine print to know what you are getting yourself into.

When settlement negotiations have fallen through, that is when you should inform the insurance adjuster that you would like to move to arbitration. Most car insurance companies will allow for a case to be taken to arbitration, and greatly prefer this method to going to court. If they refuse to go to arbitration, the threat of a civil lawsuit will typically get them to go to the negotiating table. This is where it is crucial that you have a solid case and points that you can bring up, in order for them to feel arbitration is their best option.

Once both parties have agreed to go to arbitration, you can expect a process that will last approximately 3 months, depending on the situation, and will consist of the following:

  • Filing and instigation
  • Selection of an arbitrator
  • Exchange of information and case preparation
  • Hearing
  • Award

Going to Arbitration

Not all cases are created equal, and this is where having an attorney well versed in personal injury comes in handy. First, it is best that an experienced attorney reviews your case to make sure that you are eligible for the amount of damages you feel are deserved. Laws can be complicated, and even more complicated than that is dealing with the insurance companies. Most of the time, insurance companies will have a large team of attorneys at their disposal, and they are not willing to give into your requests without a fight. Both sides will be required to present written arguments prior to the arbitration and being able to both create and respond to an argument is something best suited for a professional. Remember, you only have one chance to get the money you deserve.

As a pedestrian involved in an automobile incident, most likely you will be able to receive significant compensation. At Brad Johnson Injury Law, we will evaluate your case and see if you are able to get more by going into arbitration. We have an experienced legal team that will help you get the most that you are deserved. Arbitration is significantly less expensive to you than going to court, and most times you will receive more that what the insurance companies initially offer.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

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In 2016, more than 1400 Arizona pedestrians were injured in accidents, and sadly, 147 individuals lost their lives while walking in Arizona. Our state is one of the country’s worst for pedestrian accidents. Naturally, there are many reasons for these accidents ranging from distractions to poor driver habits and poor pedestrian caution. Arizona authorities have continued to work on making roads and walkways safer through laws and signage.

There is still much work to do. Drivers and pedestrians alike continue to be distracted by cell phones and other activities. Drivers do not always obey traffic laws and often drive too quickly. Pedestrians may ignore safety warnings and fail to be ever mindful of the traffic around them. When these accidents occur, pedestrians should consult an experienced pedestrian injury attorney. This post explores seven of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents.

Failure to Obey Traffic Signals

Red lights are in place for both drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. When any of these push the limits of the timing on the lights and run through it, a violation occurs. When any of these do not verify that the area is clear, a dangerous collision may happen. Ignoring stop signs, or sneaking through at the last minute after a brief pause is a dangerous game to play for cars especially if the intersection is partially concealed.

Ignoring Right of Way Rules

Drivers must yield to pedestrians even at unmarked crosswalks. Whenever a driver fails to yield at a right of way, he or she is guilty of breaking the law and could be in trouble if an injury occurs. Pedestrians must always be prepared for unexpected movement of vehicles simply because of the sheer size and weight of the moving vehicles. A good way to know is to make eye contact with the driver in the vehicle and also use hand signals when appropriate before proceeding through an intersection.

Driving into the Road Without Looking

When a driver leaves a parking spot and does not verify the roadway is clear, an accident is in the offing. Pedestrians should not run through parking lots. Always look for rear lights, use hand signals, eye contact, and never assume the driver sees you. If they fail to look for a clear space, they could pull out right in front of you or back into you.

Making a Sudden Right Turn

Always stop immediately before making a turn. Executing a turn without stopping is a sure way to stun a pedestrian who is counting on a stop first. Moreover, there are instances where there is limited visibility in an intersection and the driver will not see a pedestrian walking across the street. Corners are often obscured by vegetation or structures that can hide those walking.

Walking Along a Narrow Road

There are roads that have little or no shoulder; these are tragedies waiting to happen when pedestrians are present. Drivers must be always mindful on these roads and not looking at cell phones, eating, or engaged in other activities. With no shoulder, there is no room for error. Drifting onto the edge of the road can cause a serious accident. Pedestrians should walk against traffic when on these types of roads.

Distracted Driving

A growing problem among drivers, walkers, and bicyclists, distracted driving is known to cause more accidents today than ever. Studies have found those using cell phones while driving are more impaired than some drivers are after consuming alcohol. Many states are considering distracted driver laws to protect more pedestrians, drivers, and bicyclists on the roads. Remain alert and focused while walking, bicycling, and driving.

DUI

There are no excuses for impairment caused by alcohol when it comes to pedestrian accidents resulting from DUIs. The National Highway Safety Administration reports that upwards of 15% of pedestrian accidents in the U.S. are caused by people driving while under the influence of alcohol or another controlled substance.

Brad Johnson Injury Law has experienced pedestrian accident attorneys in Phoenix & Avondale, experienced in helping those injured by others while walking retain their rights and be compensated for their injuries and suffering. Our attorneys will aggressively fight for those who are dealing with medical issues because of a pedestrian injury. Call Brad Johnson to schedule your consultation with one of our pedestrian injury attorneys today.

Recovered Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim 

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If you know someone who died because of someone else’s actions, it may be possible for that person’s family to recover damages from the loss in a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death case happens when someone causes an accident killing someone. Close family members have the right to bring a lawsuit to recover financial damages from the responsible person.

What Kinds of Damages Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful a Death Claim?

The scenarios in which a wrong death happens are endless. Carelessness or negligence are usually to blame. The incident can be an automobile accident, a death resulting from abuse in a caregiver situation, uninspected equipment failure, animal attacks, and hundreds, perhaps thousands more. In Arizona, heartbroken family members must follow specific procedures when they bring these wrongful death cases. Any damages that are recovered belong to the estate of the deceased family member. An experienced, skilled Arizona personal injury attorney will be worth their weight in gold in guiding your family through the wrongful death claim.

When an accident happens and a death results, the grieving family can often make rash decisions. There are limitations on the time frame of filing a wrongful death case. Your attorney can advise you on these limitations. Also, depending on the circumstances, costs can be high from medical treatment prior to the death, property damages, funeral costs and, the personal cost to the family in emotional loss can also be extremely high. The family has options to be compensated for suffering.

These are possible damages a family may recover:

  1. Whatever future earnings the deceased person may have earned.
  2. Healthcare costs such a medical bills, physician’s costs, and transportation to and from hospitals that may have been incurred before the person died.
  3. Funeral expenses including burial costs.
  4. Compensation for the family’s pain and suffering.
  5. Loss of consortium or a spouse’s right to interact physically with their spouse, as well as loss of companionship, love, care and protection.
  6. The retirement benefits the spouse might have earned as well as pension and other benefits.

Your attorney can share which of these damages relate to your wrongful death case. An experienced attorney knows how to calculate these numbers based on your case. Knowing which numbers to present in a case can make all the difference in your success.

Wrongful Death Case Study

A neighbor with a homemade swimming pool slide fails to regularly maintain his or her equipment. A father is on the stairs of the waterslide and the equipment fails causing an accident. The Dad falls from 20 feet high and is hospitalized for more than two months with multiple head injuries as well as other injuries. After a lengthy hospital battle and multiple surgeries, the Dad dies.

The father leaves three children and a spouse. The surviving wife and children may bring a civil action against the owner of the slide for failure to regularly maintain the equipment. The law was created to assure family members receive any compensation that the deceased person might have recovered had he or she lived.
A tragic accident is jarring to any family. Family members have their own recovery period having to face life without their loved one. The family should secure the right personal injury attorney who will take the time to understand the case and the family situation. Because the height of emotional pain can influence decisions often leading to lasting results, a trusted personal injury advisor experienced in wrongful death claims can help guide the family.

Life changes quickly for a family suffering a wrongful death loss. It can be intimidating to contact an attorney’s office. Attorneys at Brad Johnson Injury Law have helped thousands of Arizonans recover from such a loss and regain their lives after a loved one’s sudden death. Call our office to schedule your appointment. Our firm will take the time to learn the facts and will help you carve out your wrongful death claim details. The peace of mind your family will eventually experience in being able to grieve rather than worry about the future financial picture in the wake of your loss is priceless. Call our office today.

Step by Step Wrongful Death Process 

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In Arizona, wrongful death means someone has died and the deceased family believes someone is responsible for their loved one’s death. The process of proving the wrongful death involves making a claim against the individual and moving through a multi-step process in Arizona. These proceedings happen in civil court and are usually filed by close, surviving family members. This post examines the process for recovering damages because a loved one’s death was caused by someone’s negligent or reckless actions.

Step One: The Investigation

Often, family members file a lawsuit in a wrongful death claim. Yet, there are also many cases that are resolved in a fair settlement without any court intervention. Before the family chooses a strategy, an investigation into what happened is first. This portion is vital in learning all the facts. Researching case law and determining details that can prove your case are difficult and require experience. Getting to the bottom of the death and how it occurred means the difference between success and failure in your case, long term. An experienced wrongful death attorney knows which questions to ask witnesses, has relationships with expert witnesses and incident re-enactment experts, and is knowledgeable about the local statutes. Success in assembling a strong case and knowing the correct number to cite in a formal demand for damages during the pre-litigation stage is why you need an attorney in a wrongful death case.

Each wrongful death situation is very different. Sometimes, there are preliminary first steps that must be taken before ever filing a lawsuit depending on the parties that are responsible. In some instances, such as when the responsible party is a government entity or public entity of some kind, a notice of claim must be prepared and filed with that entity. Compliance with rules for legal procedures can be complicated. When you work with a wrongful death attorney rather than attempt to conquer the situation on your own, you can be sure these rules will be followed to the fullest. If you fail to comply, you could put your legal rights at risk.

Step Two: Arizona Wrongful Death Litigation

This stage occurs after all the preliminary work has been completed. A complaint and summons must be filed and defendants, served. The defendants will learn the basics of your claim and facts about the allegations against them. The complaint will list the specific legal claims according to statutes for holding the defendant liable and an inventory of the damages suffered as a result. After the defendant receives this, they may respond with pleadings which gives their account of the allegations and sets affirmative defenses.

Discovery is what happens after the complaint is filed and the defendant responds with pleadings. The plaintiff and his counsel will work to collect information, documentation, and any other evidence necessary for proving their case and for anticipating responses from the other side. Both sides may interview witnesses through interrogatories—written questions asked and answered under oath. They may request production meaning they may ask that the other side produce tangible evidence. The intention is to inspect and copy the evidence. Depositions are also part of the process where the lawsuit parties or witnesses are asked questions under oath in the presence of a court reporter. Another discovery tool is admission which means either side may ask the other to admit or deny individual points or facts of the wrongful death incident.

Naturally, one or both parties may argue certain discovery requests or sometimes, a party may ignore a request. When this happens, the requesting party can motion the court for an order to comply to the request. If the judge wishes, he or she may impose sanctions for noncompliance such as a fine. Or, the judge can sanction the party that failed to respond by presuming the lack of response was because to do so would have favored the opposing party.

Step Three: Settlement and Arbitration

Informal settlement negotiations can begin and may extend throughout the litigation process. This means either or both sides can try to settle the matter themselves, even as the litigation process is underway. Often, a hearing held before the trial called a Status Conference or a Pretrial Conference, allows both parties to attempt a settlement agreement. The hearing also allows an opportunity for the judge to narrow down the issues of the case. This can also assist the judge in managing the litigation if the case is heard in court.

The Wrongful Death Trial in Arizona

When a settlement is not forthcoming, the case will go to trial. Wrongful Death Attorneys are skilled at advising their clients when a settlement is not in their best interest and their chances are better with a trial. Compelling testimony that outlines the loss experienced by the family members is presented as well as exactly what the opposing party did to cause the harm. When all testimony is in, the jury will weigh the evidence and if it decides the defendant was negligent or intentionally caused the wrongful death, it will award damages based on the case facts.

Time Limits

Family members of wrongful death situations are limited by Arizona law regarding the period they are eligible to file a claim. The time limits are set by law and are called the statute of limitations. In Arizona, that time limit is two years from the day of the deceased person’s death.

When a loved one dies unexpectedly because of what is thought to be a wrongful death situation, the grief can be overwhelming. Those who take weeks or months to weigh the facts in determining if they need a wrongful death attorney, may learn too late that precious time is slipping away. To preserve your legal rights, schedule an appointment to get an evaluation of your case. Our experienced attorneys have won hundreds of cases for Arizonans suffering from a loved one’s wrongful death. Call today to schedule your consultation.

Types of Car Accident Injuries

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“Were you hurt?” is usually the first question you are asked when you tell someone about your automobile accident. Depending on the type of vehicles involved, the speed the cars were traveling, and many other variables, injuries go hand in hand with car collisions. When you are hurt in an accident and perhaps cannot work right away, you may also need treatment, transportation to get treatment, and help making your financial responsibilities. Contact a personal injury attorney immediately to learn more about how to recover your financial losses and gain compensation for your injuries when someone else caused the accident.

Car accident injuries vary broadly. You might have localized pain, or many different bruises or fractures. Or, you may have suffered mental and emotional distress and are having many symptoms from the experience. It is even possible you have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. Each will require its own type of treatment to help promote recovery.

A Comprehensive List of Car Accident Injuries

Head and Neck Injuries

Seat belts, airbags, and other protections within your car help to tamp the severity of injuries. But when a violent car accident happens, there is little to protect your head and neck from the results of impact such as broken glass, flying debris, or colliding with the steering wheel or chemicals from the inflated air bag. You could sustain facial bruises, broken bones in your face, whiplash or cervical strain in your neck or contusions everywhere. More serious injuries to the head could result in brain trauma or injury. A full examination is always recommended to determine if the accident has caused any brain injury. Tests often are needed to learn if there is any bleeding or swelling in the brain when the head has been impacted. Sadly, when a traumatic brain injury occurs, the effects can be lifelong and could summon the need for lifelong care if the injury is serious enough.

Back Fractures and Strain

When a vehicle collides while moving at 55 miles per hour or faster, the torque from being struck can cause any number of back fractures, injury to your discs, or back muscle spasms or strains. Back injuries can affect every movement and require weeks or sometimes months to heal with physical therapy. Worse injuries could require surgery to repair. Back injuries often do not present immediately; pain can appear days or weeks later. The greatest fear among medical professionals when a back injury is present at the accident is the threat of a neurological injury to the spinal cord. Because the spinal cord is an extension of your brain and central nervous system, trauma can lead to permanent problems with sensation, chronic pain, or even paralysis.

Internal Injuries

At the time of the vehicle-related accident, first responders know what signs to look for to assess the injuries quickly. At times, a victim’s internal injuries do not appear immediately but are discovered hours or days later. There could be injuries to any number of organs such as lungs, kidneys, bowels, spleen, or other organs. Even when someone does not feel severe pain following an accident, a trip to receive a full medical assessment right away is necessary to rule out any internal injuries that are not present immediately.

Emotional and Mental Car Accident Injuries You Can’t Always See When a catastrophic event occurs such as a car accident, everyone reacts differently. Some people are immediately resilient while others are impacted severely. Witnessing an accident can be traumatic but witnessing a vehicle accident as it happening to you may cause shock, anxiety, or depression—immediately or weeks or months later. PTSD is very common among car accident victims and can bring many symptoms of anger, lack of sleep, eating disorders, fear of driving to mention a few.

Call Arizona’s Auto Accident Attorney

When a loved one has sustained injuries from a car accident, life changes for the injured person but also for everyone in the family. If you or a loved one has been in a serious accident and have been injured, or worse, if your loved one was killed, call our firm to learn your rights from an experienced auto accident attorney. At Brad Johnson Injury Law, we are prepared to guide you through the process of figuring out exactly what happened and to assign fault. We can help your family get just compensation for your injuries and the many losses caused by the vehicle accident. Call us today.

Fatal Dog Bite Accidents in Arizona

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American households are home to roughly 78 million dogs. With that many dogs throughout the country, naturally, some are going to bite. But according to the United States Center for Disease Control, even if you ARE bit by a dog, only about 20 percent of the dog bites in our country cause an injury, bruised egos notwithstanding. But what about the horrific dog attacks where the victims are not as fortunate; people are maimed, horrified into a lifelong fear of dogs and other animals, or worse, are killed. In Arizona, dog bite victims or families of dog bite victims need experienced legal support to be sure they get the help they need to correctly pursue any injury claims for damages caused by the dog attack.

What to Do the Moment You Witness the Attack

– Call 911

When you see an attack between a dog or dogs, and a person, immediately call 911. If you can communicate with the dispatcher on the line, listen for any advice or questions the person on the phone has and answer as best as you can. Do not attempt to get between the person and the dog. If you can locate the dog’s owner to collect his or her contact information, you can also be a big help.

– Record What You See

What happens before and during the dog attack can be very important to the victim’s case later. Do your best to remember any details that happened from when you began watching it and if possible, write it down. You may also use your telephone to record photographs or video of what you see. Your version of the story can mean a great deal to the person being attacked. If the dog attack is serious and the person is seriously injured or worse, killed, the information you secure can win or lose valuable assistance for the person attacked or his or her family.

A Deadly Dog Attack – What Happens Next?

A total of 41 human beings were killed in 2016 by dog attacks. The number is small when one considers there were more than 4.5 million dog bites in that same year. Yet, when someone is the victim of a vicious attack, everyone experiences a devastating loss. The family of the victim is heartbroken, the owners of the dog, which is often euthanized following a human attack, are crushed, and now the loved ones of the person killed are often ruined financially by the loss as well as emotionally. In Arizona, the law is clearly on the side of the victim. Dog owners have the responsibility to provide constant oversight over their pet. When they fail in Arizona, and their dog attacks a person, the dog owner is liable for its actions regardless of where the animal was when he or she attacked.

Helping Dog Attack Victims’ Families Win Just Compensation

If your loved one was killed by a dog attack, you could be entitled to recover medical expenses, lost pay, damages to any property, or loss of consortium. Sometimes, you may also secure compensation for punitive damages—dollars meant to punish someone for reckless or negligent behavior. In other words, if the dog’s owner knew he owned a historically dangerous dog yet did not secure the dog or allowed it to run free in a park or play area for children, a jury could decide to award punitive damages.

The laws are on your side if your loved one has been killed or seriously injured by a dog in Arizona. However, determining how to recover damages can be complicated, especially when insurance companies can get involved. Fighting adjustors and lawyers of huge American insurance companies can be expensive, and challenging. To learn more about how to fight to recover compensation for your loved one’s serious injury, or even death, contact Brad Johnson Injury Law today. We have years of experience in helping people know their legal rights and fight for their reward.

Things to Do if You are Bitten by a Dog

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Dogs have become a huge part of American culture. As baby boomers age and empty nesters yearn to care for a “little buddy”, more Americans are owning dogs, and even more are abandoning the notion of leaving pets at home. Instead, people are taking dogs to dog-friendly restaurant patios for meals, to dog-friendly stores as they shop, and to public dog parks to interact with others, sometimes even passing ordinary pets off as service animals. Sometimes, well-meaning pet owners misjudge their dog’s demeanor in public or for unknown reasons, dogs attack others. As dogs interact with us more frequently out in public, a little knowledge can go a long way when good dogs go bad, and bite.

Do Your Best to Remain Calm

Panic can feed the dog’s fear and cause it to grow in aggression. The more wildly you behave, waving your arms or running, the more the dog may smell your angst and prepare to treat you more like prey than friend.

Be on Guard

If you find yourself in a situation where a dog is behaving aggressively and the owner is not around, the first thing to do is attempt to distract the dog by giving the animal your shirt, your purse, a package, anything you have that can cause the dog to move toward that object, instead of you.

Reduce the Energy and Slow Things Down

Perhaps you are on a run and the dog is frothed up and starting to look like he may attack you. Slow your run to a walk and take down the energy at the scene. Continue to monitor the dog as you walk away, but do not make eye contact with him. If you can, slow to a stop appearing to be disinterested and look away.

Instruct the Dog to “Get Back!”

Take command of the situation if the dog continues to behave with aggression. Use a confident, strong, even voice to yell “Get Back” or “Back Off”. Do not use a high-pitched, fear-filled voice. Be commanding. The dog may then be shocked into becoming afraid and moving away.

Fight Back

If all tactics have failed to control the situation, punch the dog, hard, in the nose and muzzle. Big movements from your arms and legs to the dog have the best chances of being effective in stunning it and causing it to run away from you. Another place to aim is the vulnerable part of the dog just under its rib cage. This big action can knock the wind out of the animal and give you a chance to get away.

Be the Alpha

The exchange of power here is what works with a pack animal. When you can assertively get the energy from the situation under YOUR control as the alpha, the dog will learn to submit in that moment. This is successful when the confidence to take control is firm and assured.

Arizona Dog Bite Laws

Tragedy strikes when dogs suddenly become aggressive and attack. Sometimes, the target is a child because of their size. Other times, adults are attacked and cannot overcome the size and attack instincts of the dog. Arizona Dog Bite Laws make the dog’s owners first in line for responsibility if their pet bites or attacks another person. There are situations where provocation is considered in the case yet the blame for most dog attacks lie squarely on the individual owner, even if he or she is not present.

If you or a family member has been attacked by a dog in Arizona, time is not on your side. The statute for dog bites includes a one-year limit. Learn your rights and if you have a case for collecting damages from the dog bite situation. Our attorneys are experienced in handling dog bite lawsuits in Arizona. We can help you understand your case and prepare to collect damages for lost wages, medical bills, loss of enjoyment of life, and more. Call today or schedule your appointment online today. We can help you get the most compensation for your claim.