Mesa Personal Injury Law Blog

Arizona still lacks comprehensive distracted driving law

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in car accidents on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

Nearly every state legislature has passed some form of law that seeks to curb the use of electronic devices while driving. Up until this legislative session, Arizona lawmakers have failed to seriously consider a wide-reaching bill banning cellphones by all motorists. Sadly, the death of a police officer due to distracted driving may be the catalyst lawmakers need to take up the issue once again.

This past July, a bill was passed banning the use of cellphones while driving by those under the age on 18. For the past 10 years, one representative has sponsored a bill that has never been voted on by the full senate. The governor has expressed his willingness to sign a measure to curb distracted driving if one were to be presented for his approval. According to the latest available figures from the Arizona Department of Transportation, approximately 3,000 wrecks in 2017 were attributed to distracted driving.

Wrong-way driver causes fatal car accident that kills 4

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in car accidents on Thursday, January 3, 2019.

Traveling the busy Arizona highways comes with a certain amount of risk posed by congested traffic and negligent drivers. Sadly, even the most diligent drivers cannot always avoid the dangers posed by a negligent or careless driver. Recently, four people died in a multi-vehicle car accident.

According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the crash occurred shortly after noon along a stretch of I-10. Police had received reports of a driver traveling in the eastbound lane who crossed over the median into the westbound lane. Once there, the driver collided with an SUV. A tractor-trailer traveling in the same lane smashed into the wrecked vehicles.

Tragic chain-reaction car accident kills mother, 5-year-old child

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in car accidents on Thursday, December 20, 2018.

Each day, Arizona parents fasten their children into their motor vehicles and head off to handle their daily errands without any serious concerns about their safety. Sadly, with the increasing numbers of distracted drivers on the roadways, driving a car can quickly become a dangerous task. Recently, a deadly car accident has forever changed one Arizona family.

According to the Department of Public Safety report, a 34-year-old man was driving his pickup truck along State Route 51 as the traffic flow ahead of him began to slow. For reasons that are yet unclear, he reportedly failed to take corrective actions in order to avoid striking the vehicle ahead of him. His truck rear-ended the sedan that was traveling in front of him.

What should you do after a car accident?

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC on Thursday, December 20, 2018.

A car crash is a scary experience for anyone, one that can create panic and high emotions. Even a minor fender bender can leave you feeling shaken.

In the immediate wake of an accident, would you know what to do?

Animal control officer suffers serious injury, probable scarring

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in dog bites on Thursday, December 6, 2018.

Those who work with animals are aware of the hazards they face when dealing with a difficult or frightened creature. This is likely even more true for animal control officers who are called to deal with possibly dangerous dogs that can inflict serious injuries and scarring. One such Arizona worker recently discussed his horrifying experience.

The man, who has more than 20 years of experience in working with animals, was out on a routine call to collect a pet rottweiler that had been designated as a vicious animal due to its history of attacks on people. The officer was accompanied by a local police officer as a safety measure. As the animal control officer moved to take the dog into custody, it propelled itself forward and proceeded to attack. The worker threw up his arm in an effort to protect himself.

Some trucking companies taking action on distracted driver danger

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in truck accidents on Thursday, November 22, 2018.

Every day there are reports on the terrible price victims pay when a negligent truck driver fails to place safety first. There have been countless Arizona families who have been permanently scarred by the devastation caused by a truck accident. Along with efforts at the federal level to reduce the dangers posed by a distracted driver, some trucking companies are implementing stricter policies.

The experiences of one truck driver, who has been driving for approximately four decades, have taught him that there is no reason to use a cell phone while driving. He claims that his safe driving has earned him an accident-free record. Unfortunately, not every trucker is as diligent. In an effort to combat the temptation that a trucker may have to use these devices while working, one company has made cell phone use a reason for termination. If company officials with Werner Enterprises see a driver using a cell phone, he or she will be terminated instead of receiving a warning.

More evidence of the threat posed by a dangerous breed

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in dog bites on Thursday, November 8, 2018.

In life, there are many things that can pose a threat to the well-being of children and adults. While many of these cannot be eliminated, there are some that could possibly be reduced through laws and due diligence. Sadly, in spite of some breed ban laws in many areas, the threat of harm posed by one potentially dangerous breed continues to endanger the lives of many Arizona residents.

On Halloween night, children were out in force, seeking to collect as many treats as their bags and buckets could hold. Sadly, on a night meant for fun and harmless scares, several children faced a real nightmare when two pit bulls escaped and began chasing them. In the first reported incident, a group of three siblings and a friend were trick-or-treating when the dogs started pursuing them. The mother placed herself between the children and the dogs in order to shield them from an attack. While being bitten, she climbed onto a vehicle to get out of the reach of the animals.

Motorcycle accidents frequently result in serious brain injuries

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Wednesday, October 24, 2018.

The prospect of having one's life turned upside down by a serious injury likely never crosses one's thoughts. Unfortunately, every day is full of random events that can result in life-changing injuries, especially when victims suffer serious brain injuries as a result of motorcycle accidents. These crashes occur frequently in Arizona, and families often struggle to handle the physical and financial burdens that follow.

A traumatic brain injury occurs when the brain violently impacts the inside of the skull due to excessive force such as happens during a collision. Injuries are caused through two means, both through the tearing and bruising of brain tissue and blood vessels and through the stretching or tearing of the nerve connections inside the brain structure that carry nerve impulses. While the former type of injuries can often be diagnosed through the use of imaging equipment, the damage done to the neuronal axons cannot be diagnosed until the patient displays obvious symptoms.

What to do after a hit-and-run accident

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC on Monday, October 22, 2018.

Any car accident can be life-threatening and life-altering, but hit and runs present a unique situation, since you cannot file a claim against a driver you cannot identify. During the panic of realizing the other driver has fled, you may not have the mental presence to decide what you should do next.

It is important to remain calm and remember these important steps to take:

Arizona teen killed in car crash: Police blame impaired driver

On behalf of The Law Office of Nathan C. Cooley, PLC posted in car accidents on Thursday, October 11, 2018.

Those who have been convicted of impaired driving are often punished with fines and other measures that are meant to protect others from harm. Unfortunately, in spite of these deterrents, there will be motorists who will continue to pose a danger to fellow travelers. Sadly, one Arizona teenager was killed in car crash caused by an allegedly impaired driver.

Arizona officials recently placed a 54-year-old man under arrest for causing a series of accidents that resulted in the death of the 17-year-old girl and left three other victims injured. The man purportedly confessed to police that he had ingested a few tablets of a controlled substance before climbing behind the wheel on an automobile. The motorist then engaged in erratic driving that led to the car in which the girl was a passenger being pushed into the path of oncoming traffic.

Personal. Caring.
Aggressive.