Mesa Personal Injury Law Blog

Automated trucking company is closer to fruition

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in truck accidents on Monday, September 9, 2019.

For years, tech companies have pushed for opportunities to bring autonomous driving trucks onto U.S. highways. Significant advances in both computer automation and safety have many developers feeling optimistic that a fully autonomous trucking company is close to reality. Arizona has already been the testing grounds for many of these types of self-driving vehicles.

Daimler Trucks announced it has teamed up with Torc Robotics in developing a fully automated commercial tractor-trailer. The company has progressed far enough that it is conducting level 4 testing on roads and highways throughout the nation. Level 4 testing allows the operation of these vehicles in autonomous mode as long as certain conditions are met and with the presence of both an experienced engineer and an individual who holds a commercial license and has knowledge of automated operating systems.

Mother speaks out on dangerous breed laws after her child dies

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in dog bites on Friday, August 30, 2019.

One of the most heartbreaking tragedies in a parent's life is the loss of a child. Sadly, sometimes children die as a result of accidents and negligence. When a child is killed by a so-called family pet, many Arizona residents start to express support for laws that ban the ownership of a potentially dangerous breed.

Though the state officially declared breed-specific laws illegal a few years ago, many cities and towns have their own codes about owning potentially dangerous dogs such as pit bulls and mixes. In fact, the mother of a child who was killed in a horrific attack in another state, recently spoke out against enacting breed-specific restrictions. Instead, she called for owners to take greater responsibility in ensuring that their dogs will not become a threat to their community.

What should you do after a car accident?

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC on Wednesday, August 28, 2019.

Car accidents are unfortunately part of every day life in our society. You may not think it could happen to you, but they occur on a pretty regular basis across the United States. In fact, there were 127,056 car accidents in Arizona across the 2018 calendar year. Fortunately, only 916 resulted in death, but 36,507 did result in some type of injury.

As a result, it is important to understand how to properly handle a car accident. It can be a shocking experience, so understanding proper protocol before an incident occurs is very important.

In spite of hype, self-driving cars cannot prevent a car accident

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in car accidents on Tuesday, August 13, 2019.

Companies have been promising for years that advances in technology will streamline commutes in all major cities and ease congestion. However, it seems that many of these promises are being revised, as the realization that these goals are difficult to attain. In addition, as was proved by the Arizona crash last year, self-driving cars may not reduce the likelihood of a car accident.

Industry professionals have promised that autonomous vehicles were right around the corner. After experiencing significant delays, these companies are now claiming that while the goal is still in the near future, it is likely that a human driver will still be required to ensure safety. Instead of eliminating many of the traffic problems in large cities, self-driving cars are expected to cause new challenges. Though computer driven cars are expected to eventually become safer, the technology needs significant improvement before it compares to a human-guided vehicle.

Dog attacks may be more about poor training than dangerous breed

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in dog bites on Thursday, August 1, 2019.

In several Arizona counties, animal bite reports have significantly increased with one county recording more than 100 incidents. Though the increase can be partially attributed to an increase in both population and pet ownership, some believe the problem lies in the environment that an animal inhabits. According to some of the available statistics, bites have been inflicted by more than just those dogs that are usually considered a dangerous breed.

One couple recounted their experience in escaping a potentially tragic attack. As they were taking a walk with their toddler grandnephew and leashed pet, they were attacked by a neighbor's pit bulls. The uncle lifted the child out of the way while his partner attempted to shield their dog for which she suffered a bite to her knee. The neighbor was able to gain control of one of his dogs and his wife managed to wrestle the other dog back inside. This is the second incident involving these particular dogs for which the owners were previously charged with having dogs at-large.

Pain and suffering lawsuits are real in Arizona

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC on Saturday, July 20, 2019.

Usually, it takes some time to realize something life-changing has happened to you. Looking back, maybe the stitches, the cast, the operation or therapy weren’t the main thing. Sometimes you know your life has permanently changed only after you’ve lived it a while and can see the old one isn’t coming back.

In Arizona, lawsuits to recover damages for pain and suffering really are filed after traumatic changes in people’s lives. Arizona law has rules for deciding a reasonable and fair outcome for what’re experiencing and defines a pathway for recovering just compensation.

In spite of practicing motorcycle safety, deadly crashes occur

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Thursday, July 18, 2019.

Those who indulge in their love for motorcycles are aware of the dangers they face from road conditions, weather and inattentive or intoxicated drivers. In spite of the efforts riders take to practice motorcycle safety, operators are not always able to anticipate and avoid the possibility of being caught up in a horrific crash. One Arizona man was killed, and his female passenger was injured when they were involved in a crash.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old motorist was driving an SUV along a local road when she attempted to complete a left-hand turn. Unfortunately, she failed to yield the right-of-way to an oncoming motorcycle being driven by a 21-year-old man. The motorcycle was in the curb-side lane when the collision occurred.

In some areas, uninsured motorist figures has climbed

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in car accidents on Thursday, July 4, 2019.

Almost every state requires drivers to carry automobile insurance. In spite of this requirement, the rates of those who are electing to drive without this required coverage have climbed in some states. In Arizona, the uninsured motorist rate in 2015 was approximately 12%.

The Insurance Research Council conducted the study, which was sponsored by the Hanover Insurance Group. The study revealed that an estimated 13% of all motorists nationwide were lacking coverage. This figure has increased approximately 0.7% over the past five years. However, it is down from a high of nearly 15% reported in 2003.

Man dies following amputation injury, broken neck in crash

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Wednesday, June 19, 2019.

Riding a motorcycle comes with a profound sense of freedom as well as numerous dangers. No matter how much experience a motorcyclist may possess, when it comes to negligent motorists, experience and skill may not prevent a tragic crash. Sadly, one man suffered fatal injuries, including an amputation, after a collision on an Arizona road.

According to investigators, a 43-year-old woman was driving along a local road when she executed a left-hand turn across travel lanes. A man driving a motorcycle north was unable to avoid colliding with her vehicle. The resulting impact left the man with devastating injuries.

Holiday travels can end tragically in loss of a loved one

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in wrongful death on Thursday, June 6, 2019.

Holidays and long weekends often mean that Arizona residents will be traveling for vacations and family gatherings. Unfortunately, increased holiday traffic may also include the dangers of impaired or otherwise negligent drivers. While Memorial Day weekend was meant to commemorate the sacrifices of military members, it can also become the tragic anniversary of the loss of a loved one in a fatal car crash.

A recent study of traffic deaths during the long Memorial Day weekend have continued to show an alarming increase throughout much of the country. From the years of 2012 to 2017, there were an estimated 2,500 fatal wrecks on the nation's highways. However, Arizona is one of the few states that have reported a decrease in traffic deaths over this time period. Of those 2,500 fatalities, approximately 46 of them occurred here. In comparison, the state with the most deaths reported 269 fatal crashes.

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