Automobile Accidents

• Statute of Limitations in Uninsured and Underinsured Personal Injury Claims

  Geoff Trachtenberg | April 23, 2007 5:57 PM | 0 CommentsScottsdale, AZ

  Recently the Arizona Legislature enacted a new and shorter statute of limitations for UM/UIM claims. The applicable section is ARS 12-555.For uninsured motorist (UM) claims such claims, such claims must be made in writing within three years after the earliest of (i) the date you knew that the tortfeasor was uninsured; or (ii) the date you knows or should have known that coverage was denied by...

• So, You Say You Have "Full Coverage" -- Well, You Don't.

  Geoff Trachtenberg | April 18, 2007 9:33 PM | 0 CommentsScottsdale, AZ

  Let me make this clear: there is no such thing as full coverage. It's really that simple.What types of coverage is there? There's first-party coverages, such as comprehensive, collision, medical payments, and underinsured and uninsured motorist. Then there's third-party coverages such as property damage and bodily injury. And then there are other coverages, such as rental and towing.But...

• Alcohol, Driving and Punitive Damages

  Staff Writer | April 11, 2007 12:25 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ

  In Arizona if you are impaired by drugs or alcohol but still make a conscious decision to drive and later cause an accident, did you know that you not only will face criminal charges and jail time but you also will likely face civil penalties which are non-dischargeable in bankruptcy? In other words, making stupid decisions can cost you. In addition to facing jail time, you will likely face a...

• Phoenix Receives Failing Grade for Driver Safety

  Staff Writer | April 07, 2007 9:30 AM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ

  Men's Health Magazine just published its rankings for the safest and most dangerous drivers in the country. It based its rankings on the rate of fatal accidents, as well as the deaths caused specifically by speeding, both from the National Highway traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In addition, we pulled city statistics on accident frequency from Allstate Insurance. And then we used...

• Auto Accidents, Medical Liens, Workers Compensation and Other Important Matters

  Staff Writer | March 27, 2007 6:06 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ

  You have suffered injuries in an automobile collision through no fault of your own and have health insurance, medical payments coverage under your own insurance policy and your employer has workers compensation insurance. What do you do? Who should provide coverage for you in this time of loss? Should you submit healthcare expenses to your health insurance policy? Shouldn't the responsible...

• Should Arizona Ban Drivers from Using Cellphones?

  Staff Writer | March 22, 2007 11:13 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ

  According to an article in today's Arizona Daily Star a citizens group wants to place on the next election ballot an initiative to outlaw cellphone use while driving in order to lower risks of automobile accidents: An initiative drive launched Wednesday would make it illegal for drivers to talk on their phones unless they are using a hand-free headset. Violators would be subject to a $100 fine;...

• Uninsured / Underinsured (UM/UIM) Statutes of Limitation for Car and Motorcycle Accidents

  Geoff Trachtenberg | March 22, 2007 7:07 PM | 0 CommentsScottsdale, AZ

  As of September 21, 2006, the statute of limitations was amended in Arizona for UM/UIM claims. Pursuant to ARS 12-555, as amended, insureds are now required to provide "written notice" to insurers that they are making a claim, and they must request arbitration or file suit within three years of such written notice.

• The Most Important Coverage - UM/UIM

  Geoff Trachtenberg | March 20, 2007 8:09 PM | 0 CommentsScottsdale, AZ

  "What do you mean they don't have insurance?!" is something every injury attorney hears at some stage.Whether the issue is no coverage or limited coverage, with healthcare costs being what they are today, odds are that the person who injures you will not have sufficient insurance coverage. That is one reason why uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage (called "UM" and "UIM,"...

• Wrong Way Driver Killed in Crash

  Christina Cole | March 13, 2007 11:20 PM | 0 CommentsScottsdale, AZ

  A fatal early morning car accident left one man dead and forced Eastbound 202 to close down for hours.Witnesses say a driver traveling the wrong way was the cause of the accident that occurred at 3:30am. Officials say a driver got onto the Scottsdale Road exit ramp and was traveling west in the eastbound lane when his car collided with a Suburban causing it to spin into a third car. The driver...

• Cellphone Use and Driving

  Staff Writer | February 16, 2007 10:01 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ

  An article in today's Arizona Republic described the dangers of distractions and driving. According to the Republic, distracted drivers heighten risks of auto accidents: Driver distractions, ranging from cellphones to eating behind the wheel, are blamed for as many as half the 139,000 collisions that occurred in Arizona during 2005, killing more than 1,100 people and injuring 70,000 others,...