Don’t Wreck Your Auto Accident Case: Part 3

What To Do After a Car Accident (Arizona)

​The immediate aftermath of an accident can be scary. Most people, at least initially, are in a state of shock. The first thing anyone involved in an accident should do is to assist those who may be injured. After providing any immediate assistance to those who may be injured, the next most important thing to do is to call 911 or the police so that appropriate emergency personnel are called to the scene to provide professional medical attention to those in need.

Preparing Your Injury Lawsuit: Document the Scene

​After attending to those who are injured, one of the most important things you can do is to document the accident scene. Failure to obtain proper documentation at the time of the incident is a major mistake I see many victims make. Documentation of when and where the collision occurred is important for many reasons. For one thing, you can never recreate it again. Your memory of what happened fades over time so you want to get as much documentation as possible while your memory is still fresh.

​The best way to document the accident is to make sure the police are called to the scene. Anytime the police are summoned to something like an automobile collision they will conduct an investigation. The police are trained to investigate accidents and are, for the most part, good at documenting what happened. In most instances, they will obtain written statements from all parties involved in the crash and any eyewitnesses. After completing the investigation, the officer(s) prepare an accident report. The report typically includes written statements, a diagram of the accident scene, contact information of witnesses, and important insurance information. Even though the report itself may not be admissible as evidence in a later trial, having the accident report makes it much more difficult for the insurance company to dispute the facts of your case.

​In addition to calling the police, it is important for you to obtain as much documentation as YOU can. You should write down the names and contact information of all witnesses. It is not uncommon for important witnesses to leave before the police arrive. Not obtaining this information could amount to allowing important evidence that could make a huge difference in your case to walk away.

​Another important way to document the accident at the scene is to take pictures. Photographs help to document where the accident occurred, damage to vehicles, and the scene itself. Once the vehicles are removed and debris is cleaned up, this cannot be duplicated. Taking has never been easier. Almost everyone has a cell phone with a camera. Take as many photos of the scene of the crash, damage to vehicles, etc. as you can. These can be easily downloaded or even emailed to your attorney.

It can be difficult to remember this information especially if you were just involved in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident. If your nerves are shaken and you need some tips, please always feel free to call our office anytime at (480) 999-0646 and we will do our best to assist you.  You can also check the short version of these tips summarized below:

1. CALL THE POLICE

​Call the police no matter what. Even if you or others involved in the accident are not seriously injured you should call the police. Although the police are not perfect and can make mistakes they are usually accurate and their accident report can go a long way toward establishing who caused the accident and other vital information, including witnesses and insurance information.

2. WRITE DOWN IMPORTANT INFORMATION

​Keep a notebook and pencil in your glove compartment so you can write down key information at the scene. The information you will want to obtain will include witness names, phone numbers and addresses, and the other driver’s Arizona car insurance information. If you don’t have a notebook, use your phone. Many cell phones have note applications or other features that allow you to take down and store important information for later use.

3. TAKE PICTURES

Outside of calling the police, this may be the most important thing you can do at the scene of the accident. Most cell phones are now equipped with a camera making it easier than ever to take photographs at the accident scene. If your cell phone does not include a camera, get a disposable camera to keep in your glove box. Take pictures of the vehicles involved in the accident, debris on the road, skid marks, etc. A picture is worth a thousand words. In an injury case, proper documentation could be worth thousands of dollars!

Don’t Wreck Your Auto Accident Case: Part 2

Don’t Wreck Your Auto Accident Case: Part 2 – Beware of Adjusters schedule a consultation

It happens in almost every accident case. ​A short time after you are involved in a car accident, for example, you will probably be contacted by an insurance adjuster representing the person who caused it. Adjusters are trained to evaluate accident cases and to pay you as little as possible. Adjusters often call you and try to convince you that he or she is looking out for your best interests. They often tell you that they simply need to document the accident before they can settle your case. Adjusters use a number of tricks to get as much information as they can from you. This may seem harmless enough, but the information you give them often has a way of being used against you later in the case.

Recognizing and Avoiding Tricks

In my experience as an Arizona Car Accident Lawyer, accident victims who provide too much information by providing a recorded statement or talking to the adjuster about their injuries or filling out the insurance companies’ forms are making a huge mistake that can really damage their case. This is not meant to say that cooperation isn’t important, rather it is a warning to be aware of some of the “tricks” that are often used to get more information than is necessary or to provide information without consulting with an attorney who knows how to deal with adjusters.

Trick #1: Recorded Statements

​One of the most common tricks some adjusters use is to tell you that you must give them a recorded statement before they can settle your case. There are a number of reasons why providing a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster is a huge mistake. To start with, you are not legally obligated to provide a recorded statement (if you are dealing with your own insurance company you may need to provide a statement, but always consult with an attorney first). If an insurance representative tries to convince you that you are legally obligated to provide a statement he or she is just plain lying! Adjusters are trained to ask you questions that they can use against you later on. For example, An adjuster may try to put words in your mouth to make it seem as if you caused or contributed to the accident. This can then be used by skilled attorneys to argue that you admitted full or partial responsibility for the accident. This could completely destroy your case because you typically cannot recover damages if you are the cause of the accident.

Trick #2: Discussing Injuries

​Adjusters will also want to talk to you about your injuries. Some insurance companies will even try to schedule an “in-person” interview to take a statement. There is no reason for you to submit to an “in-person” interview or to discuss your injuries in detail with the adjuster. I don’t have a problem with being open and honest about being hurt in the accident. However, because these conversations often take place before a medical exam has taken place or the full extent of the injuries are known, it is unwise to provide detailed information about injuries during initial discussions with insurance adjusters.

Adjusters are not doctors and have no medical training. At the time they call you, you may not feel very bad at that moment. If you tell the adjuster you feel ok or don’t feel injured that statement goes in their notes or in the recorded statement. This provides future ammunition to argue later on that you were either uninjured or that your injuries are minimal. It is not uncommon for certain types of injuries to manifest themselves several days after a traumatic event such as a car accident. I have never seen any benefit come from accident victims discussing their injuries with adjusters. If you do this, you are just playing into the insurance companies’ hands. My policy is to let the insurance company know they will be provided with all of the information necessary for them to evaluate the claim after all treatment has been completed.

Trick #3: Paperwork

​You should also never fill out or sign any forms the adjuster sends you without consulting an attorney first. In most instances, the forms adjusters send you are medical authorizations designed to allow the insurance company the ability to request your personal, private health care records. Some authorizations may even allow the insurance company to obtain your employment and educational records, even though those things have nothing to do with the accident. Remember, adjusters represent insurance companies who want to pay you as little as they can get away with for your accident-related injuries. Some adjusters are very skilled at looking for information and obtaining information to use against you or to frighten or discourage you from filing a lawsuit.

MY SUGGESTIONS TO AVOID THESE HUGE MISTAKES:

​1.​ Never provide a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance adjuster following an accident. When the adjuster calls you, politely take down the adjuster’s name, phone number, and the claim number and tell them to either call your attorney or that you will have your attorney call him or her. If you have not hired an attorney when the adjuster calls, tell the adjuster you are going to meet with an attorney before providing any further information.

​2.​ Never sign a release or other form sent to you by an insurance company following an accident without having an experienced personal injury attorney review it first.

​3.​ Do not, under any circumstances ever discuss your injuries with the adjuster and never agree to an in-person meeting with an adjuster. Let your attorney handle providing what information to give to the adjuster. An experienced personal injury attorney will know what information is and is not necessary for your case to be evaluated.

Don’t Wreck Your Auto Accident Case: Part 1 – Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Don’t Wreck Your Auto Accident Case: Part 1 – Seek Medical Attention Immediately

I have been a personal injury lawyer in Arizona ever since I graduated from law school. After graduating from law school I worked for big law firms that represented insurance companies in a variety of liability matters. I spent the first five years of my legal practice defending accident cases for insurance companies. This gave me a unique inside view of how insurance companies evaluate accident cases. I learned what insurance companies place value on when it comes to auto accidents and what types of things can actually drive down the value of your case.

For the last seven years, I have represented numerous accident victims against insurance companies. One of the things I try to do with each new accident case is to educate my clients about what they should or should not do in order to maximize their accident cases. I have come up with a list of things for clients to avoid so they don’t “wreck” their accident cases. This blog will be the first in a series of blogs on Mistakes to Avoid so you don’t wreck your Arizona accident case.

One major mistake people often make when they have been in an accident is that they wait too long to seek medical treatment. If you are in an accident it is extremely important to seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t think you are injured. It is not uncommon for symptoms of injuries to be delayed. You may not feel anything at the scene of the accident. I have had numerous clients over the years describe the adrenaline that flows after being involved in an accident. Think about it, when you are in an accident you may feel shocked or excited or even anger. The body naturally creates adrenaline during these moments that may mask injury symptoms. I can’t tell you how many clients over the years have told me that they didn’t feel anything until hours, sometimes 24-48 hours after the accident.

Even if you don’t feel something right away, you should, at a minimum get yourself checked out as soon as possible after the accident. If you don’t feel symptoms until the next day, go as soon as you start feeling injury symptoms. It is extremely important not to delay medical treatment for a couple of reasons. First, in accident cases documentation is everything! If you don’t seek treatment right away you miss a golden opportunity to document how you are feeling in the immediate aftermath of the accident. This is extremely valuable evidence regarding the extent and nature of your injuries. You can never be certain how bad or minor an injury is until you have a complete and thorough exam.

The documentation issue is important because one of the things insurance companies will do is review your medical records with a fine-toothed comb. If they see treatment in close proximity of the accident, it lends a great deal of credibility to your claim you were injured. Remember, insurance companies are not in the business to hand out money, they are in the business to make money. They do this by paying out as little as possible for claims. It becomes more difficult for insurance companies to avoid paying what you deserve if there is medical documentation of your injuries right after the accident.

On the other hand, if you wait for days or even weeks to seek any medical treatment, you may be dealing a fatal blow to your injury case. Insurance companies love to grab on to anything that may justify paying as little as possible for injury claims. If you fail to get immediate treatment after an accident you are running a huge risk that the insurance company will argue that you were either uninjured altogether or not as severely injured as you may be claiming. Their rationale is: if you are injured in an accident and if the injury was serious, you would have sought medical treatment right away. The failure to seek treatment must mean you really were not injured.

Why is all this important? You as the accident victim bear the legal burden of proving you were injured and damaged as a result of the accident. If you cannot prove these two things, you are not legally entitled to compensation. Immediate medical treatment is great evidence of the injuries you have sustained and some of the monetary damages(medical bills) you have incurred as a result of the accident. If you fail to seek immediate medical attention after an accident, you may be handing the insurance company a reason not to pay you what you deserve.

When an accident happens it can be life-changing. Your only recourse for injuries and damages caused by the negligence of others is monetary compensation. You cannot afford to make mistakes that can kill your accident case. Avoid the first major mistake many accident victims make by seeking immediate medical treatment if they have been in an accident.

General

Free articles for Arizona accident victims

Because we are Arizona Personal Injury Lawyers, we believe in the importance of educating our clients.  We regularly post articles on topics such as car accidents, truck wrecks, motorcycle crashes, and dog bites.  View our article library to find a topic that is relevant to your case.

Dog Bites – More Common Than You Think!

Dog bite claims make up their fair share of serious personal injury cases – more than you may think! Here are some statistics:

When an accident happens to you, it can be a life-changing event.  It is important to seek the representation of a qualified, competent attorney to protect your rights and help to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.  At Hogle Injury Law, we will do just that!

Category: Dog Bites
Labels: Arizona dog bite child safety dog attack dog bite injuries Mesa dog bite attorney Phoenix dog bite injuries Pit bull attacks Pit bull injuries

Our Arizona Dog Bite Lawyers are located in Mesa, Arizona, and handles cases throughout Maricopa County, including Gilbert, Chandler, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Tempe, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Fountain Hills, Ahwatukee, Apache Junction, Anthem, Glendale, El Mirage, Tolleson, Goodyear, Avondale, Litchfield Park, Peoria, Surprise, Sun City, and Buckeye.

Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Discusses Increase In Dog Attacks On Consumer Energy Workers In Michigan

Utility Workers Face Increase in Dog Bites

The Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. dog bite injury lawyers came across a recent report done by Consumers Energy on the number of dog attacks on meter readers and utility workers. According to this recent report, number of attacks and injuries from dog bites have increased severely.

Since the start of this year, there have already been a total of fourteen dog bite attacks and injuries reported. Five of those fourteen attacks reported resulted in the utility worker suffering serious injury. In fact, one Consumers Energy utility worker that was recently attacked by a dog is hospitalized after receiving stitches on his face and neck.

Fourteen may seem like a small number, but compared to 2011, fourteen is a great increase, as there were only three dog bite injuries reported. In addition, the count could go up even more as there are still a little less than four months left before the end of the year.

Our Dog Bite Lawyers in Mesa Arizona would like all utility workers to know that if they suffer injuries due to a dog bite or is attacked by a dog or animal while at a person’s home, they do have legal rights. “There are two types of claims that arise from a dog bite or attack under the Law. The first claim is for workers’ compensation benefits, where the injured worker will receive wage loss benefits during the period of disability from the attack, and also receive medical expense benefits for all treatment related to the injuries. The second claim is against the dog owner or animal owner for pain and suffering damages resulting from injuries in the animal bite or attack,” says Hogle.

We are looking into this in Arizona to see if there is an increase here as well. The same theories apply.

Our Dog Bite Lawyers in Surprise, Arizona, but handles cases throughout Maricopa County, including Mesa, Chandler, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Tempe, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Fountain Hills, Ahwatukee, Apache Junction, Anthem, Glendale, El Mirage, Tolleson, Goodyear, Avondale, Litchfield Park, Peoria, Surprise, Sun City and Buckeye.

Arizona Lawyer Questions

Does it matter what the police report says about my Mesa car accident?

Question: Does it matter what the police report says about my Mesa car accident?

A: Yes.  Generally speaking, police officers are typically viewed as neutral parties.  What he or she writes up in the report is very important to your accident claim.

However, if your report has information that you believe is inaccurate, don’t panic.  An experienced Mesa accident attorney may be able to help you get things resolved.  For example, if the report states that you were at fault, and you weren’t, an expert in accident reconstruction can show that the blame lies elsewhere.

Also, even if the police officer didn’t specifically mention that you were hurt in the crash, it doesn’t mean that you will lose your case. The opinions of doctors are generally taken into consideration.

For more information or a free case evaluation, contact our office by calling 480-999-0646 or filling out our online form.

 

Distracted Arizona Drivers

The population of Arizona is growing daily. This equates to more motorists hitting the Arizona highways, increasing your risk, as well as those you love, of being involved in a serious car accident.

Research shows that one of the most common causes of car accidents is distracted drivers. Not having your full attention on the road when driving can lead to an auto accident in Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix, or another area throughout the valley. The accident can leave you unable to earn a living. It can even prove fatal.

The statistics may shock you. It is estimated that in 2008, nearly 6,000 people lost their lives in accidents involving distracted drivers. More than 500,000 were injured.

Research also indicates that drivers under the age of 21 are more likely to be involved in a fatal distracted driving accident.

Many experts believe that the use of cell phones, whether it's talking, dialing, or texting is one of the most common reasons that a driver becomes distracted. Some reports indicate that using a cell phone while driving reduces the amount of brain activity linked with driving by 37 percent.

Research also shows that drivers using cell phones are four times more likely to be involved in an injury-related crash.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car, motorcycle, or truck accident, you should contact our office at (480) 999-0646 to speak with an experienced Arizona accident attorney

Common Auto Accident Injuries

Approximately 75,000 people are struck by a car each year, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Injuries are more common and wide-ranging than most people realize until they become a victim. A lawsuit ensures all of a victim’s injuries, both immediate and latent, are paid for by the wrongful party. It also compensates for lost work time, lingering pain, and diminished enjoyment of life.

Traumatic brain injury is a common auto accident injury. It can result from skull fractures, nerve damage, and bruising of the brain. TBI can occur upon impact or by the whiplash effect. Like neck injuries, the true extent of brain trauma is usually not apparent right away.

The tests needed to diagnose brain injuries, such as a CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are very expensive. Doctors may not prescribe them right away in every situation, and insurance companies do not automatically cover them. Therefore, it is common to file a lawsuit to make sure diagnosis and treatment of latent injuries are paid for by the wrong-doer’s insurance.

Neck and back injuries are also common auto accident injuries. This type of trauma ranges from temporary whiplash to injury of spinal discs. Discs in the neck can herniate (bulge), rupture or slip. Compression fractures or herniation can harm discs in the mid and lower back. This can lead to permanent disability and require risky surgery.

Injuries to the trunk are also common. An auto accident can cause fractured ribs, punctured lungs, and injuries to the spleen, liver, aorta, or heart. All require emergency surgery to treat.

The hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders are frequently injured in accidents because victims either grip the steering wheel tightly or stiffen and brace for impact. Fractured bones and rotator cuff (shoulder) injuries are common. Physical therapy and loss of motion can limit your quality of life and lead to lost time at work. Successful lawsuits ensure that treatment and all aftercare are covered by the responsible party and not the innocent victim.

Finally, sprains and fractures of the lower body have a long-lasting impact that deserves compensation by the wrong-doer’s insurance. Your body might hit the steering wheel or dashboard if an airbag does not deploy. Drivers reflexively jam the brake pedal upon impact, stiffening the right leg and leaving it vulnerable to injury. Rehabilitation for lower body trauma is usually lengthy, requiring casts, surgery, a wheelchair or crutches – even hip or knee replacement.

Whether a car accident involves brain injury, neck trauma, or other life-altering effects, attorneys file lawsuits to ensure that a victim’s full treatment, lost income, pain, and suffering are fairly compensated.

When an auto accident happens to you, it can be a life-changing event.  It is important to seek the representation of a qualified, competent attorney to protect your rights and help to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.  Our expert accident injury lawyers will do just that!

Article Source: //EzineArticles.com/6661042
Category: Auto and Motorcycle Accidents
Labels: Arizona auto accident Arizona car accident Arizona motorcycle accident brain injury Phoenix car accident attorney traumatic brain injury

Our car accident law firm is located in Mesa, Arizona, and handles cases throughout Maricopa County, including Gilbert auto accidents, Chandler, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Tempe, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Fountain Hills, Ahwatukee, Apache Junction, Anthem, Glendale, El Mirage, Tolleson, Goodyear, Avondale, Litchfield Park, Peoria, Surprise, Sun City, and Buckeye.

Car Safety Systems Save Lives

Car Safety Systems Save Lives

Cars keep becoming safer and safer, thanks to innovations in auto manufacturing.  This is, of course, good news for drivers as the number of cars on the road continues to increase.  Here is a list of some of those systems.

Adaptive Front Airbags

The airbag systems take to account the occupant’s seating position and seat belt use to determine the amount of force used to deploy the airbag.

Side-Impact Curtain Airbags

These airbags can provide both head and torso protection in a side-impact collision. Not all new cars have these as standard equipment so be sure to check with the dealer.

Head Restraints and Seat Design

It’s important that seats and head restraints work together to support your head and body during a crash. The poor design provides little protection, but even the best-designed head restraints need to be adjusted properly. It needs to fit directly behind your heard, and the top can be positioned somewhere between the top of your ears and the top of your head. Some new cars come with auto-adjusting head restraints when the seat is adjusted.

Some Other Safety Features to Consider

Electronic Stability Control System

This kind of system is an extension of anti-lock brake technology that helps drivers regain control in dangerous situations. This significantly lowers the risk of a fatal crash.

Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children (LATCH) System

If you have a young child who will be riding in the vehicle, a LATCH System is a must. LATCH Systems provide owners with a simpler way to secure child seats in vehicles. While most vehicles manufactured since 2002 have this feature it is always best to check with the dealer.

Seat Belts With Pretensioners

This provides a locking mechanism that engages the seat belt when the brake is applied or the vehicle comes to a sudden stop.

More Features To Look For When Buying a New Car

It’s a good idea to keep these in mind when shopping for your new car.

Anti-Lock Brakes
Daytime Running Lights
Traction Control
Rollover Prevention
Emergency Brake Assist
GPS/Emergency Response

When an auto accident happens to you, it can be a life-changing event.  It is important to seek the representation of a qualified, competent attorney to protect your rights and help to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.  At our Personal Injury Law Firm, we will do just that!

 

Article Source: //EzineArticles.com/7200359

Hogle Injury Law is located in Mesa, Arizona, and handles cases throughout Maricopa County, including Gilbert, Chandler, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Tempe, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Fountain Hills, Ahwatukee, Apache Junction, Anthem, Glendale, El Mirage, Tolleson, Goodyear, Avondale, Litchfield Park, Peoria, Surprise, Sun City, and Buckeye.