Mesa Personal Injury Law Blog

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.

Special care may be needed when bicycling in intersections

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC on Friday, May 24, 2019.

Many people ride bicycles for recreation, exercise and transportation. However, bicycling comes with a risk because bicyclists do not have the physical protection on the roadways that motorists have. Due to this vulnerability, bicyclists are often severely injured or killed when they collide with cars.

According to the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety, most crashes between cars and bicyclists occur at intersections. Often this type of crash is caused when a motorist turns into the path of a bicyclist and does not yield the right-of-way. However, there are some actions you can take as a bicyclist to avoid being hit by a car in an intersection.

Any pet can cause serious injury even if not a dangerous breed

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in dog bites on Thursday, May 23, 2019.

Recently, a report was released on the states with the highest numbers of dog bites and the associated treatment and insurance costs. Though many of the injuries inflicted could be attributed to animals described as a dangerous breed, in reality, any dog is capable of inflicting serious wounds. In the listings, Arizona came in at 15 for bites and insurance payouts.

The states were ranked in order from lowest to highest in both bites and overall costs. The lowest figures included in the report were 338 claims with a cost to insurers of approximately $13.4 million. Many of the reports involved attacks on postal employees. Here in Arizona, the number of reported bites was an estimated 393 bites with a total cost of approximately $17.5 million for insurance companies. Owners are held liable for the damages their pets inflict, provided the animal was not provoked and the victim was not unlawfully trespassing.

One potential cause of a truck accident has low cost prevention

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

As a woman was on her way to work, she was unaware of the danger she faced. Sadly, a loose tire brought a sudden and tragic end to her life. Surprisingly, though, there is a low-cost prevention for this type of truck accident. Arizona residents continue to face the danger that a loose tire poses to unsuspecting travelers.

One of the most basic maintenance issues when it comes to any vehicle, including commercial vehicles, is related to tire safety. Ensuring that lug nuts are properly tightened takes just minutes. The National Transportation Safety Board estimates that three accidents could be prevented yearly by taking the time to inspect lug nuts on the tires of large vehicles. There is a low-tech, inexpensive device that could ensure that all lug nuts are properly fastened.

Strict attention to motorcycle safety not always enough

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Thursday, April 25, 2019.

Motorcyclists are aware of the dangers they face when hitting the open roads. For this reason, the majority of bikers take the time to become well-versed in all aspects of motorcycle safety. Sadly, not every accident will be prevented as was the case in one tragic Arizona crash.

Recently, police responded to the scene of a serious motorcycle crash. When first responders arrived, they found a 38-year-old man lying in the road who had been thrown from his bike. Officers reported that the rider was driving south along a local road when the driver of an eastbound vehicle apparently failed to stop at a red light. The driver of the car struck the motorcycle.

State Farm does not recognize dangerous breed restrictions

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in dog bites on Wednesday, April 10, 2019.

The annual Dog Bite Prevention Week is geared toward reducing animal attacks and the danger that pets pose to children. Recently, State Farm Insurance released figures for 2018 that show an overall decrease in incidents but a rise in costs of claims. Though many states, such as Arizona, have enacted breed-specific laws aimed at protecting residents from a potentially dangerous breed, State Farm does not have breed restrictions in its policies, as any dog can attack.

The American Veterinary Medical Association sponsors Dog Bite Prevention Week to draw attention to the dangers of a pet that has not been properly socialized. In addition, it produces educational materials on how to safely introduce children and dogs. While the overall number for dog bites has declined in the past year, the number of child victims under the age of 1 has increased.

Community laments loss of a loved one after car accident

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in wrongful death on Tuesday, March 26, 2019.

Those who are dedicated to giving back to their communities often leave an indelible mark on the lives of all whom they have touched. When a tragedy takes of the life of one of these generous individuals, their death often affects more than their families. One Arizona community is mourning the loss of a loved one after he was killed on the job.

The 51-year-old man was a 23-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department. He was also a dedicated martial arts instructor and was planning his retirement in a few years. While he was on duty at the scene of a recent two-vehicle accident, another call came in requesting his assistance at a nearby incident.

NFL player's dog banished after bite that caused disfigurement

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in dog bites on Thursday, March 14, 2019.

Far too often, there are reports of "man's best friend" inflicting serious injuries, especially when that best friend is a breed that has a reputation as being dangerous. When these types of dogs attack, victims can suffer permanent disfigurement along with emotional scars. Though several Arizona communities have enacted laws that restrict ownership of potentially dangerous breeds, these frightening attacks occur far too frequently.

It was reported that a Staffordshire Terrier belonging to NFL quarterback, Dak Prescott, will have to be relocated to another jurisdiction after attacking a neighbor last month. According to the report, two of the athlete's pets escaped his home and were involved in a fight with a neighboring woman's dog. When she intervened to save her pet, the 90-pound animal turned on her. She received a bite to her hand that resulted in the loss of one of her fingers.

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