Posted On: June 30, 2009

Arizona Bus Accidents Could Be Prevented With Seat Belt Installation

We cannot let the bus industry change the debate. Analyzing the website of one bus industry association, it is clear that they support bus safety in a way that suits their goals. But too many people suffer injuries in bus accidents in Arizona for bus safety to be about framing a question.

We commonly see preventable injuries because negligent bus drivers fall asleep at the wheel, were not physically able to drive, or drove carelessly. So the question of whether seatbelts should be installed in buses ought to be answered with a direct yes or no question.

However, the bus industry clearly wants to avoid a direct referendum. Why? Seatbelts are proven to save lives. Riders would be less likely to suffer serious injuries due to bus driver and busing company neglect if seatbelts are installed and it’s true that installing seatbelts will cost money, but isn’t that worth the lives it may save?

There’s not necessarily a clear answer. But what is clear is that installing seatbelts in buses is a good idea. There would be fewer Arizona personal injury claims related to busing negligence if we had seatbelts.

Undoubtedly top personal injury lawyers in Arizona would not have to help as many families who have been devastated from Phoenix bus accidents if seatbelts were installed.

Let the busing industry show that this isn’t true. No matter how we frame the debate, it deserves lucid discussion.

Posted On: June 29, 2009

Car-Related Injuries Include Pick-Up Truck Beds

Rollover accidents in Arizona cause a lot of cases injury attorneys see. However, we'd like to warn all drivers to avoid allowing passengers in the bed of a pickup truck. The bed of a pickup truck is a very dangerous place. Yet far too often we see passengers in the back of a moving vehicle.

Unfortunately, nearly 28,000 people die every year by falling against or from a vehicle, according to a report. Even allowing children in the back of a parked pickup truck can be dangerous because it’s easy for them to fall over the truck’s side, causing terrible, preventable injuries, and even wrongful death.

When truck bed passengers are rear-ended and hurt, arguing that it’s not the truck driver’s fault does not erase children's injuries in Phoenix.

But some would argue that allowing anybody to sit in the back of a truck-- moving or not – is negligent. We can avoid these injuries by simply prohibiting riding or playing in the bed of a pickup truck.

When someone is injured in a truck accident, legal issues and potential defenses are raised that cannot be sorted out in one article. It takes an experienced Phoenix personal injury lawyer to explain in the ramifications of injuries suffered to the person and family involved. The reality of who is likely to be found negligent in such a situation, or how the negligence would be divided, is a very fact-intensive question requiring a case-by-case review and skilled Scottsdale truck accident lawyer to explain.

Posted On: June 26, 2009

Compensation Calculator Not Enough to Determine a Claim

Is there a formula for determining how much can be won from an insurance company after injury in an auto accident? Are you wondering if you can simply multiply the medical bills by two or three and then make the claim? Or is there some kind of a schedule for compensation after automobile accidents in Arizona personal injury cases? The answer is: No.

Therefore, though I am a certified specialist in Arizona wrongful death litigation, I question reports that provide a “compensation calculator.” While I cannot speak as to how every system works, I find it unreasonable to think that a formula exists for injury claim payments.

In workers’ compensation cases, payment schedules exist. But workers’ compensation in Arizona involves a different set of rules. According to Arizona personal injury law, the value of a claim is the fair and reasonable compensation owed to the person who was injured and is to be decided by a jury or settled based on what a jury would do.

Obviously, physical injury is a key component. Many crucial factors affect the value of an individual case for the matter to be determined by a compensation calculator. Much depends on the county where the accident occurred. It takes a skilled Phoenix personal injury lawyer to know a case’s value in a particular county. A Pima County jury may not award the same amount as a Maricopa County jury for a certain accident or injury.

When and where the accident happened, who was involved, what evidence exists and many other factors add up to the value of a case. Don’t leave your fate in the hands of a compensation calculator. Call Breyer Law Offices, P.C., today for a free evaluation of your case.

Posted On: June 25, 2009

The Psychological Effects of Physical Injuries

How does one cope with severe emotional or psychological trauma after an auto accident in Arizona? Can claims be made for a person who also suffers psychological harm following serious bodily injury?

These claims are frequently considered unimportant. Even lawyers are quick to discount the impact that mental distress has on the lives of injury victims. This is not a case of whiplash in Phoenix or the barely hurt driver who reports depression as a result of inactivity. However, experienced personal injury lawyers in Arizona should not discount the emotional trauma of the incidents.

They should not overlook the importance to a jury that while physical injuries are clearly a priority after auto accidents in Arizona, traumatic injuries leave invisible scars, according to an article published by Mark D. Rusch, associate professor and rehabilitation psychologist at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Before criticizing, consider Rusch’s discussion of the emotional effects that nearly always follow physical injuries.

It takes a skilled advocate to prove an injury that is not easily displayed like a broken bone. There’s no X-ray for emotional trauma. So claimants who have suffered physical harm must ask important questions and make sure they have the right lawyer. Get the answers you need from an Arizona personal injury lawyer to help you obtain fair compensation for emotional losses, too.

Posted On: June 24, 2009

Arizona Traumatic Brain Injury Victims Need Help

After suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI), victims face serious barriers. Few people truly understand the ramifications of head trauma. In the media, those who suffer brain injuries either die or become disabled and no longer speak or live like they did before the injury.

In reality, those who suffer traumatic brain injuries, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website, often regain some semblance of a regular life. Victims of head injuries often need surgeries for hematomas (ruptured blood vessels) or brain contusions (bruised brain tissue). The disabilities that result from TBI depend on the location in the brain of the injury, age of the victim, and other factors.

After suffering a severe traumatic brain injury, most do not call a personal injury lawyer. But like any other accidental injury, a determination must be made. Particularly when a person gets back to a degree of normalcy but cannot work, it’s necessary to establish cause. But victims may not be equipped to decide whether or not a skilled Phoenix accident lawyer can win damages or provide better care than is possible otherwise.

This is why we feel strongly about contacting experienced Arizona personal injury lawyers. Unless the family of the injured person is there to help, or a medical provider, neighbor, or friend recommends a lawyer, the chance to receive better care and live a better life after the traumatic brain injury is lost.

Posted On: June 23, 2009

Arizona Citizens Included in 1,239 Construction Workers Who Died In 2006

Why do so many people need Arizona construction accident attorneys? According to a government report, construction is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country: construction-related accidents killed 1,239 people in 2006.

Consider the ramifications of serious injury or wrongful death at a construction site. In most cases, the family is grieving because of what may have been a preventable accident.
Beyond the severe emotional trauma to children, spouses and parents, consider the wages lost and all the people who rely upon the hard work they perform. Consider loss of a house, inability to pay bills, changing schools, and maybe even moving to a completely different area after an unnecessary death.

Moreover, too many people who suffer tragedies at a construction site do not even realize they’re entitled to bring a personal injury claim. This is one reason families of those seriously injured or killed, should consult with a top construction accident injury lawyer in Arizona to understand their rights.

Not every serious injury or death demands a lawsuit or an insurance claim. But families should be informed. This is the first vital step to making the best decision for your family.

While we can't speak for all experienced personal injury lawyers, we understand the importance of providing information. We have an open door policy for families touched by construction accidents. We provide families and workers with information at no charge. We help you decide whether to hire a lawyer and what kind, and what type of claim to pursue.

Posted On: June 22, 2009

Speeding Kills Mesa Man

Many personal injury cases in Arizona occur when a driver speeds and causes an accident.

According to a recent report of a fatal truck accident in Mesa, Arizona, a driver traveling a high rate of speed was thrown so far he was not found for hours.

Nobody deserves to die because of excessive speed. However, there is a lesson in this and in many Arizona traffic accidents. Too many personal injury claims are filed due to a victim’s inability to work, pay bills, or go on with life. We’re amazed to see victims vilified for pursing fair compensation for injuries received in an accident. Too frequently, selfish people travel too fast; worried only about their next stop and not their safety or the safety of other drivers they share the road with.

Perhaps we should not be lecturing others. Perhaps the job of an Arizona injury attorney is only to help clients make insurance claims to receive money. Perhaps “pain and suffering” is just the punch line to a joke to some. If Arizona drivers would simply be more careful, far less suffering and far fewer lawsuits would arise.

We would be very happy to see the day where accidents and serious injuries no longer exist or require a skilled Arizona truck accident lawyer. We would be very happy to see far fewer families devastated because of unnecessary speeding by negligent drivers. Please, next time remember this terrible tragedy and slow down.

Posted On: June 19, 2009

Discount Accident Lawyer Agreements

We are not discount personal injury lawyers. We do not discount our fee in almost any case at the outset of the claim. For somebody who is looking for a discount lawyer, we encourage them to look around because it will not be hard to find one. However, people should understand why we refuse to discount our fee. We believe we provide the best possible service we can to our clients. We truly believe there is a "BREYER LAW DIFFERENCE" that we provide to our clients. With Mark Breyer as one of only about 200 lawyers in the entire State of Arizona (there are about 20,000 total) who has been certified by the State Bar of Arizona as a certified specialist in injury and wrongful death, we believe we have the reputation and accolades to back it up. The reality is that not all lawyers are the same. This is in no way an attack upon lawyers who choose to offer discounts, nor an attack on the people who chose to hire them. However, understand that this is not like buying a bar of soap. Everything is not equal. The settlements obtained are not equal. The jury verdicts obtained are not equal. If you are offered "discount heart surgery" or "greatly reduced brain surgery, 25 percent discount" would you go there? Of course not. You would question the doctor whose skills were such that they had to reduce their fee.

For anybody who would like to hire the Breyer Law Offices but they are concerned about the fee, which is the standard 33 percent fee that is charged by almost every lawyer, not a discount one – please feel free to give us a call. We believe that the difference between our firm and many others will become readily apparent. We believe that based upon our years of experience and the fact that, year after year, one of our biggest sources of new cases are current and former clients who repeatedly give out our name.

Posted On: June 18, 2009

Arizona Slip and Fall Accidents: Owner of Property Is Not Always At Fault

One of the biggest misunderstandings of the law exists when it comes to people being hurt on somebody else's property. Very often, people suffer serious injuries when they are out shopping because there is water on the ground, or the ground has gotten wet and slippery and nobody sees that it is slippery and they fall and get seriously hurt. Most people would agree that a slippery floor that is not marked in any way is an unreasonably dangerous condition. However, being injured due to an unreasonable dangerous condition on a store owner's property does not mean that store is at fault. Arizona premises liability law requires that the person who was hurt be able to prove that the store "knew or should have known" of the unreasonably dangerous condition. If another customer spilled a bottle of water and ten seconds later somebody steps in that water, slips and falls, the store is almost never going to be found responsible. It is unlikely it's going to be determined that that store knew or should have known that their floor was wet and reasonably could have prevented the fall if there was only a ten second delay. Therefore, finding the best possible Arizona slip trip and fall lawyer can be vital for someone who's been seriously injured. It is about getting a lawyer who understands all of the steps that must be taken to document the claim and see whether or not it can be proven that either an employee of the defendant created the condition or that the defendant knew or should have known that this dangerous condition existed. Video surveillance, sweep logs, interviewing of witnesses, and other methods can be used to help prove if the store or property owner was at fault.

Posted On: June 17, 2009

Obtaining Medical Care Without Health Insurance

Unfortunately, health insurance is not available to everybody at all times. Therefore, many times people who have been seriously injured in a car accident in Phoenix or other incident need medical treatment but they don't have the money to get it. Of course, the emergency room and immediate hospital treatment to keep them alive and to take care of the urgent matters will be taken care of, but then they have large medical bills. In fact, medical bills, according to some reports, are the cause of more than half of all bankruptcies in the United States. Moreover, even forgetting the financial ramifications, what is someone supposed to do if they need to get to a doctor and they have no money to pay the doctor and they have no insurance?

First, sometimes there is insurance available that they did not have through the state. In Arizona this is called AHCCCS. However, when that is not available, it is important to find a lawyer who can get the person to a trusted well-respected set of physicians to treat them on a "lien." Not any doctor who will treat on a lien qualifies, in our opinion. Sometimes, there may be doctors who will be great for the "legal case" but are not great at taking care of their patients and providing the best medical care possible. The real goal is to get a lawyer who understands the importance of making sure that the personal injury plaintiff – the client – gets better and gets the best possible medical care. In addition, to get the best possible medical care now, when it is needed, and find a doctor who is willing to wait, this is something that can be obtained in most situations. Therefore, for someone who has been seriously injured and needs medical care but they do not have access to doctors and they do not have health insurance, sometimes it is required to find a trusted well-respected personal injury lawyer in Arizona to help them get the care they need.

Posted On: June 16, 2009

Mesa Car Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys

Mesa is a suburb of Phoenix located in Maricopa County. The history of Mesa goes back two thousand years to the arrival of the Hohokam people who built the original canal systems, which were the largest and most advanced during its time. Mesa has come a long way since then as the third-largest city in Arizona with a reported population of 460,155 in 2006. Several area freeways serve the Mesa area, such as U.S. Route 60, which runs between Phoenix and Apache. As one of the United States’ fastest-growing cities, Mesa is unfortunately not immune to auto accidents occurring and various other incidents that can cause personal injury.


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Mesa’s personal injury attorneys at Breyer Law Offices P.C. help victims of injury as the result of an accident that was directly caused by the negligence of another person or indirectly by someone else’s property. Since 1996, Mark and Alexis Breyer’s husband and wife law team have worked hard to assist their clients with getting the best possible compensation for their personal injury case, whether the incident was caused by a construction accident, brain injury, dog bite, work related accident, or a car accident in Mesa. Considering our history of operating in the area, we have a solid familiarity with local courts, judges and district attorneys that provide our clients the Mesa personal injury and auto accident representation and consul they need to assure a positive outcome in their case.

At Breyer Law, our Mesa auto accident lawyers have the resources and knowledge to make sure that high and low profile auto accident cases are resolved professionally and in a timely manner. Our broad experience in personal injury and wrongful death lends assistance to those who have been injured in Mesa motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, car accidents, bike accidents, bus accidents and many other incidents caused by the negligence of others. At Breyer Law, we will exhaust every possible resource to protect the rights of you and your family so that compensation for any medical bills, hospital treatment, loss of work, or wrongful death is justly accounted for by negligent parties.

At Breyer Law Offices P.C., we’ve seen just how emotionally straining legal matters can be for our clients and their loved ones. If you or someone close to you has suffered personal injury due to another person’s negligence in Arizona, you need a skilled Mesa Arizona personal injury attorney at Breyer Law. Alexis Breyer and her husband and partner Mark Breyer are ready to develop an aggressive case to help you get the restitution that you deserve. Call Breyer Law Offices, P.C. at 480-753-4534 today.

Posted On: June 16, 2009

How Long Does It Take For A Personal Injury Case To Settle?

Many people want to know how long it will take to settle a personal injury case if they hire the best Arizona personal injury lawyer they can find. In fact, as a certified specialist in injury and wrongful death litigation, I am regularly asked by people how long their case will take. Unfortunately, how long a case will take depends on more factors than I could possibly list at this time. However, when we can even start to try to settle a personal injury case usually has one main component. That is, how long until my client who has suffered a serious injury is completely better or they have gotten as much better as they ever are going to get medically. We almost never encourage our clients to settle a case until they have gotten completely better or the doctors have told them they have reached the point where they will not improve any further. The reason is that the plaintiff has the "burden of proof" in proving their case. More importantly, there is only one chance to settle a personal injury case. Therefore, if a case is settled and immediately after the settlement a client realizes they need surgery from the accident, there is no opportunity in personal injury law to go back and get that paid for.

This is very different from Arizona workers' compensation claims. In those cases, a case can be reopened. There is no such reopening of a case in a personal injury situation. Therefore, until our clients have gotten completely better or have reached the point where they are as good as they are going to be, we almost never encourage them to settle. We want to make sure every single medical bill is paid for by the other side, we want to make sure everything they have gone through and all of the damages they have suffered are compensated for by the other side. Rushing too quickly into a settlement may sound good and there may be lawyers who encourage their clients to do that so that they can look like a "hero" in getting the case resolved quickly. This can be a terrible mistake. They can have terrible, life-affecting consequences for someone who later needs medical treatment that they could have had paid had they simply had a lawyer who was honest and advised them to be patient and wait for the right time to try to settle their case.

Posted On: June 15, 2009

Right To Reimbursement For A Vehicle After It Is Repaired?

IS THERE A RIGHT TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LOSS VALUE OF A VEHICLE AFTER IT IS REPAIRED?

Arizona law is different from many states when it comes to what is called a diminution in value claim. After a car accident in Arizona, almost everybody would agree that if the car has to be fixed due to a significant collision, the car is going to sell for less. Let's be honest, what is the first question most people ask when they're going to buy a used car? It is probably "Was this car in an accident?" In fact, Carfax.com has made an entire business on getting people the information as to the history of a vehicle before they purchase it. Probably the first thing everybody wants to know is whether the car was in an accident. If the car was in an accident, people are going to pay a lot less for it.

In some states when someone has had their car wrecked in a motor vehicle accident and they get it repaired, the person who got the car repaired does not have a right to claim the loss value of the car in addition to making the at-fault person's insurance pay to fix the car. However, Arizona does the right thing. That is, in Arizona not only does the at-fault insurance have to provide car rental while the car is being repaired and pay to fix the car, they also have to pay for the loss value of the car to the person who was not at-fault.

However, many insurance companies refuse to do this without a fight. Getting an experienced Arizona car accident lawyer to help with the diminution of value of claim can be very helpful. If you or anybody you know has questions regarding how property damage and car damage repairs work through insurance companies after an accident, please feel free to give us a call.

Posted On: June 12, 2009

Tempe Car Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys

Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona located in the East Valley of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The city is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Mesa on the east, Scottsdale on the north, and Chandler on the south. Tempe is home to several great performance venues including Gammage Auditorium and the Tempe Center for the Arts.


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With a 2007 population of 174,091 and as the most densely populated city in Arizona, Tempe’s residents and visitors are susceptible to personal injury caused by a number of incidents such as car accidents, construction accidents, slip and fall accidents, and pedestrian accidents. Fortunately, Tempe personal injury attorneys at Breyer Law Offices P.C. help victims of injury as the result of an accident that was directly caused by the negligence of another person or indirectly by someone else’s property.

Since 1996, Mark and Alexis Breyer’s husband and wife law team have worked hard to assist their clients with getting the best possible compensation for their personal injury case. Considering our history of operating in the East Valley area and throughout the State of Arizona, we have a solid familiarity with local courts and judges and can provide our clients the Tempe personal injury and auto accident representation and consul they need to increase the likelihood of a positive outcome in their case.

At Breyer Law, our Tempe auto accident lawyers have the resources and knowledge to make sure that auto accident cases are resolved professionally and in a timely manner. Our broad experience in personal injury and wrongful death lends assistance to those who have been injured in Tempe motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, car accidents, bike accidents, bus accidents and many other incidents caused by the negligence of others.

At Breyer Law, we will exhaust every resource to protect the rights of you and your family so that compensation for any medical bills, hospital treatment, loss of work, or wrongful death is justly accounted for by negligent parties. For a free and confidential evaluation of your Tempe auto accident or personal injury case, call Breyer Law Offices, P.C. at 602-978-6400 today.

Posted On: June 11, 2009

Construction Worker Crushed to Death

According to this report, a 66-year-old construction worker was killed when he was crushed by a piece of machinery. Law enforcement officials investigating the accident say that the construction accident death occurred around 9 a.m. at a construction site for condominiums. Personnel from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration say that the man was crushed by the end of a concrete pump attached to a crane. At this point in the investigation, it is unclear whether the concrete pump fell from the crane and crushed the man to death or the pump swung and hit the man as it was being hoisted into position to pour concrete.

Construction workers in Arizona face similar risks on the job. When one is injured or killed, an experienced Tuscon construction accident attorney such as those at the Arizona personal injury law firm of Breyer Law Offices P.C. may be able to help. Their lawyers can help families through this very difficult time and explain their options so that they may make decisions based on what is best for them. If a member of your family has been injured or killed in a construction accident, don’t be pressured to sign documents that you don’t understand. Contact the experienced Arizona construction accident lawyers at Breyer Law Offices P.C.

If a member of your family is hurt or killed in a crane accident at a construction site in Arizona, the skilled construction accident lawyers at Breyer law Offices P.C. may be able to help. To schedule a free consultation with the experienced Arizona construction accident attorneys at Breyer Law Offices P.C., call them today at 602.978.6400.

Posted On: June 10, 2009

Construction Site Crane Accident Kills One Worker

In the aftermath of a construction accident when a loved one has been injured or killed, the last thing on families’ mind is contacting an experienced Tuscon construction accident lawyer. However, in such cases, the hours and days following the accident are crucially important as the victim’s family may be pressured to sign documentation that they do not fully understand. These documents often limit their options for compensation from those responsible for the accident. In many cases, construction accidents occur due to lax safety measures. If you or a family member is injured or killed in a construction site accident, contact the Arizona personal injury law firm of Breyer Law Offices P.C.

A 45-year-old worker at a road construction site was killed recently after he was hit by a pivoting crane. Law enforcement officials investigating the accident say that the man was part of a work crew building an overpass over a set of railroad tracks when a crane lifting a load of concrete pivoted and hit the man. The crane accident took place around 10 in the morning and the worker died of his injuries after being taken to the hospital, according to this article.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation and what caused the crane to pivot while lifting a load is not yet known. Construction workers in Arizona and other states face similar risks on the job every day. If you or a family member has been hurt or killed on the job at a construction site in Arizona, call the Arizona construction site attorneys at Breyer Law Offices P.C. for a free consultation at 602.978.6400. The experienced construction injury lawyers may be able to determine if there is a claim for personal injury as a result of the unfortunate incident.

Posted On: June 9, 2009

Concrete Beam Crushes Construction Worker to Death

According to an article, work at a bridge construction site was halted after a worker was crushed to death by a concrete beam. According to investigating officials, the worker was tethered to the concrete beam when the beam collapsed and crushed him to death. After conducting an investigation of the construction accident death, officials said that the concrete beam collapsed because someone had welded couplers to a rod that held together a temporary brace. The welding weakened the rods to the point that they were no longer strong enough to hold the weight of the beam, which lead directly to the beam falling and crushing the worker to death.

Construction workers in Arizona face the very same risks on the job every day. If you or someone you care for is killed or injured at work in a construction accident, the Phoenix construction accident lawyers at Breyer Law Offices P.C. may be able to help with a personal injury claim, in addition to all the benefits allowed under workers compensation laws. With their skills and experience, these Arizona construction accident attorneys can help your family receive the compensation it deserves to offset the high costs of medical care and recuperation. Never sign a document that you do not fully understand. You could be forfeiting your right to compensation. Instead, call the Arizona construction accident law firm of Breyer Law Offices P.C.

Arizona construction workers working around cranes, heavy beams and other heavy equipment face similar dangers on the job every day. If you or someone you care for is injured on a construction site, call the Arizona welding accident lawyers at Breyer Law Offices P.C. today at 602.978.6400 to schedule a free consultation.

Posted On: June 8, 2009

Arizona Semi-Truck Drivers Need To Be Held Accountable

The best Arizona truck accident attorneys are used to seeing the tragedy caused by over-the-road truck drivers who put money in front of the innocent people they share the road with. On Sunday afternoon, April 5, 2009, there was a major car accident involving a semi-truck and a white Cadillac. The fatal accident occurred near 51st Avenue and Van Buren Street in Phoenix. The crash has already claimed the lives of three people and another is listed in critical condition. Car accidents involving big rigs are always devastating, this one is no exception.

News reports indicate that driver of the white Cadillac was going to take a left when the truck driver ran the red light. The driver was 19 years old and the passengers in the Cadillac were a 1 year old baby girl, a 33 year old woman, and a 20 year old man. The baby girl was in a secured car seat, but apparently it was not enough to save her life. As usual in these Arizona semi-truck collisions, the Semi truck driver walked away with minor injuries.

Drivers of semi-trucks are usually professionals. They driver more miles with a higher degree of skill than the average person on the road. And, it is no doubt the case that everybody can make a mistake, so there is no way to determine at this initial stage of this incident was nothing more than a simple (horrendously tragic) mistake, or whether there is more to the story. However, far too often people who have suffered this type of unspeakable loss fail to consider if there was more involved. Many trucking companies encourage their drivers to driver while fatigued. Driving a vehicle large enough to cause almost certain injury or death if it hits someone comes with a much greater responsibility than driving a car. Federal regulations limit the amount of hours that can be driven by truckers for a reason: prevent errors in judgment due to being tired. Prevent truck drivers from falling asleep at the wheel which could lead to traffic consequences for the person in the car accident with a big rig. Prevent 18-wheelers from barreling through intersections and stop signs while innocent people are driving nearby.

Whether this incident and the many others like it was caused by fatigue or just a one-time mistake may not matter to the families who have suffered this loss. The best personal injury lawyer in the United States could not bring back the lost loved ones, or undo this collision. However, we have found that many people want answers. We also know that something must be done to deter driving while fatigued, and to prevent drivers from driving in excess of their required hours to make more money for the trucking company and for themselves. A full investigation and a lawsuit against truckers and trucking companies – when appropriate – may provide the precise deterrent that is needed. Those who ignore the laws need to be more careful when they drive. Truck companies need to begin a policy to make sure their drivers are driving safely – a real policy, not one that is made to look effective but in actuality is meant to look good, while actually encouraging bad behavior. That’s the bottom line. Semi-truck drivers need to remember that they are driving in vehicles many times the size of every other vehicle on the road. Many of these drivers toss aside road safety because they are getting paid per the mile that they drive. We handle cases like these where someone has been dealt a life-changing injury, or worse, and in these trucking cases it is amazing what the litigation process uncovers. Many of these drivers are working over hours, some are driving with physical injuries, and others are even using street drugs to stay awake and drive more hours. Some truckers drive and work more than the federal mandated hour requirements for truck drivers, which leads to semi-truck drivers falling asleep at the wheel. How does this happen? It is because the trucking employers as a whole look the other way or even encourage the behavior – more miles is more profit for the trucking company and the trucker. The company has a “load” that they need delivered and as long as the truck driver is getting the load there as soon as possible, the company is happy. Like in most cases, money is the driving force for the employers to look the other way and for the truck driver to continue reckless driving.

I wonder if the driver of this truck ran the red light because he fell asleep or maybe he was just being careless and not paying attention? A top Arizona injury lawyer would seek out details from many different sources, and would have a chance to get to the bottom of this catastrophe. Someone needs to get the “black box out” (ECM) out of that semi-truck immediately. The black box will tell the families more than just how fast the truck driver was going at the time of the accident. The black box also holds other vital information that is necessary to have to determine what happened. Also, many trucks now use Qualcomm to track their location, from which their actual hours of operation may be likely to differ greatly from the hours the claimed they were driving in their log book. So many details would have to be uncovered to know what happened in this fatal accident on this sunny April 5, 2009 day. And, like all trucking accidents in Arizona and across the country, it will take a full investigation from experienced injury lawyers to uncover the truth.


Posted On: June 7, 2009

Arizona Drunk Drivers Should Be Held Accountable In Court

Drunk driving accidents are increasing in Arizona. People who drink and drive do not care when they get behind the wheel that they are putting at risk the health and safety of innocent individuals. Almost always, a person who decides to get behind the wheel after they have been drink and driving is acting very selfishly, and this behavior needs to be eliminated. One drunk driver in Arizona recently got behind the wheel after drinking and driving and caused a serious accident hurting 5 innocent people. Many times those who drink and drive cause serious automobile accidents or death to innocent people.

Criminal Courts handle many cases to punish drunk drivers, however the criminal courts are overloaded and they cannot help victims of drunk drivers who have suffered serious injury receive monetary awards for all of the pain and suffering sustained by such an injury. Trial lawyers in Arizona need to make a statement that drunk driving will not be tolerated. The public needs to know that if a person chooses to drink and drive that personal injury lawyers in Arizona will pursue civil cases against these drivers. In some instances, although as personal injury attorneys we cannot bring back a loved one who has been killed by a reckless driver, we can work to make sure that the family members are taken care of financially. With the help of the Courts putting the drunk drivers in prison, it is hopeful that at the end of the civil case the family members feel some level of justice. Criminal courts focus on punishing the drunk driver by putting them in jail or giving some other punishments, personal injury lawyers focus on getting a monetary settlement for the family members or injured victim. Our criminal courts can only get limited restitution when an individual has been hit by a drunk driver. On the other hand, a personal injury lawyer in Arizona can help the victim of a drunk driving accident recover for money, including lost wages, medical bills, loss of abilities to do the normal life’s activities, and loss of enjoyment of life. For wrongful death claims where it involves a drunk driver, as personal injury lawyers in Arizona, we also can request from the Judge that we be allowed to ask for punitive damages and that the drunk driver further be punished. With wrongful death claims, we make the claim on behalf of the family of the wrongful death victim or on behalf of the personal representative of the estate.

From handling many Arizona wrongful death claims and injury claims against drunk drivers, one of the questions that is difficult for many families is making the decision whether to bring a lawsuit or not. Many people in Arizona feel that bringing a lawsuit is not an acceptable way to recover damages. In fact, the law gives victims only one method to obtain a monetary settlement against an individual and that is to file a claim or file a lawsuit. When it comes to drunk drivers and similar, selfish behavior, we believe that people who drink and drive should be pursued not only in the Arizona criminal courts, but also by the injury victim and families of the lost loved ones. Personal injury lawyers can serve to hold drunk drivers accountable for their actions in a court of law. What is most important is that individuals make a decision in which they feel most comfortable. If you are wondering if you have a claim against a drunk driver or whether or not to pursue a claim, we are happy to go over the process of filing a claim against a drunk drier with you. In order to know whether you feel comfortable filing a claim, it is best that you have as much knowledge as possible. We can review your case with you and give you all the details, and you can make an informed decision. Our consultations are always complimentary and we are always ready and willing to help injury victims and families who have lost a loved one.


Posted On: June 6, 2009

Arizona ATV Accident Brings Up Insurance Claim Issues

People are just too quick to judge. Riding in an ATV can be done legally and safely. However, all risks cannot be eliminated. As this article demonstrates, somebody on an ATV can risk suffering very serious injury or even death. This is a very sad article that shows the dangers of children who ride on ATVs.

However, when someone thinks of a child being killed on an ATV, the first reaction far too many people is to blame the parents. Or, in blaming nobody, to assume that this is just a risk that was taken. However, many times there was negligence by somebody else. Many times, this tragedy did not have to occur.

We are not suggesting that an Arizona wrongful death claim should be brought every time a child is killed in an accident. We are suggesting, however, that it is beneficial to get answers to these questions and find out what remedies are available that may deter other people from being negligent in certain situations that lead to the death of others. There is nothing wrong with making the decision not to pursue a wrongful death claim.

In many cases, even when there would be a very strong claim on behalf of the person who brought it for wrongful death – it should not be brought. It has to be the right thing for the family involved. Making no comment whatsoever on this particular accident, we do strongly believe that those who have suffered tragedy should at least gather the information by talking to an experienced Phoenix wrongful death lawyer in Arizona who is a good fit for them, their family, and their case so that they can make an educated decision about whether to pursue the case further.

At Breyer Law Offices, P.C., we have been helping families with wrongful death claims and personal injury accidents for over a decade. Whether you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an ATV accident, or an auto accident, we can answer your questions and provide quality legal counsel, and if it is necessary, represent you in court. Call 602-978-6400 today to speak with a skilled Phoenix personal injury attorney.

Posted On: June 5, 2009

The Importance of Kids Getting Insured in Arizona

We try not to spend too much time attacking the media since it seems as if everyone has a bone to pick with the media. The reality is that we are Phoenix personal injury lawyers. We have had many cases covered by the media and we have been interviewed multiple times as a result of those cases and for our experience as personal injury lawyers. If you choose to become an injury lawyer, you better have a thick skin. Therefore, we do not waste much time talking about all of the ways that the media coverage gets things wrong when it covers wrongful death claims and serious personal injury involving children or adults.

Having said that, we do applaud this article for looking more in-depth and giving a positive message about getting kids insured throughout the state of Arizona. Making sure children have all possible insurance – not just health insurance but even good automobile insurance that would cover them in case of an accident – is fantastic. It is always nice to see an article that may actually motivate people. Hopefully, just this little bit of discussion that we can have will get this article in the hands of enough people that somebody will take action.

As Arizona child injury attorneys, we hope nobody is involved in a terrible accident and we certainly hope beyond words that no child is. But at that critical moment where kids are hurt, having the insurance that will protect them and get them the best possible medical care that may make a difference in their lives is so vital we cannot stress the importance enough. After any family suffers a tragedy because of an accident, a personal injury lawyer can do everything possible to try to undo the harm. However, having the best possible insurance beforehand can make things better for everybody involved and can greatly increase the chance of a complete recovery.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident in Arizona and have questions regarding your insurance, the experienced Phoenix insurance coverage attorneys at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., can help you receive compensation so you can get your life back on track. Mark Breyer is certified by the state bar of Arizona in injury and wrongful death law and can provide you and your family with the help you need. Call us today at 602-978-6400 for a case evaluation and free consultation.

Posted On: June 4, 2009

Phoenix Pedestrian Accident Injures Man on Sidewalk

As this article points out, it can be very dangerous to simply walk along the city streets of Phoenix. A driver is now facing felony charges for not stopping after a pedestrian accident in Phoenix. The injured victim is being treated for life-threatening injuries for walking on a sidewalk. This is a sad fact that accident lawyers in Arizona see on a regular basis when it comes to pedestrian accidents.

Most people who are hurt when they are walking down the street do not know what rights they have. First, they obviously have a right to make an insurance claim in Arizona against the driver who hit them. If the driver who hit them has no insurance, or does not have enough insurance, most pedestrians do not realize that they have a right to bring a claim against their own automobile insurance coverage. Yes, we can repeat that; if somebody is not in their car at the time that they are hit and injured in a car accident while they are walking, their own uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage will almost always apply to protect them.

You do not have to be in your car to be protected by your Arizona automobile insurance policy in almost any case. Whether it takes a lawsuit against the person who caused the accident, or whether it takes a claim against someone's own insurance company after they were hurt, depends on many factors and requires the help of an experienced Phoenix insurance coverage lawyer.

If you or anybody you know needs an experienced lawyer or certified specialist in injury and wrongful death litigation because of an injury suffered as a pedestrian or in a car accident, please feel free to give us a call at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. Even if you haven’t decided to hire our firm or even another attorney, if you just want your questions answered so you can make the best possible decision after obtaining the answers to your questions, we are more than happy to explain to you what can and cannot be done in the pursuit of your claim. Call 602-978-6400 today for a free consultation with an experienced Phoenix personal injury attorney.

Posted On: June 3, 2009

Arizona Car Accidents and ARS § 28-701: Failure to Control the Speed of a Vehicle

One of the most common citations we see after serious automobile accidents in Tucson is for ARS § 28 701. Basically, this is nothing more than a "catch-all" statute. It says that people must control the speed of their vehicle to avoid a collision. Well, anytime someone is almost in an accident, they obviously were not able to stop their vehicle before it collided with somebody else. However, it is important to recognize that while this may be upheld in a traffic ticket situation, 28-701 is often times not a vital part of any civil case.

For instance, the determination of the police officer as to who should get a ticket is almost never allowed into evidence in a civil case. Of course, the person who gets the ticket may have an uphill battle in terms of settlement, but the reality is that many times the statute really only matters when it comes to the traffic ticket.

This is not to downplay a traffic ticket issue, but to make clear that for a family who has had somebody involved in a very serious personal injury accident, the fact that they got the ticket should not rule out finding an experienced Tucson personal injury attorney to help them look into their case. It may be that the personal injury lawyers will investigate the claim and still explain that there is not any room to move forward. But usually, it will not be because of the traffic ticket, but because of all the evidence that is collected.

At the same time, far too many people fail to receive the full compensation they deserve for their medical bills and wage loss because they were intimidated by a traffic ticket. Traffic tickets are not admissible in Arizona personal injury cases almost all of the time, but you deserve to find out what your specific case presents. Contact the husband and wife law team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., today for a free evaluation of your case. We have been helping personal injury victims receive deserved compensation for 12 years and can provide you with the information you need to know.

Posted On: June 2, 2009

Arizona Full Coverage Insurance: Is it Enough?

We receive far too many phone calls from people who believe they have "full coverage" insurance on their car. If you look at any Arizona statute, there is no definition of full coverage. We have seen full coverage mean nothing more than the minimum limits allowed under the law, and we have seen full coverage mean every possible type of insurance that can be purchased. We have also seen everything in between when it comes to Arizona insurance company secrets.

Do not accept the fact that you have "full coverage" auto insurance. After a serious personal injury accident, you can find that the agent who sold you the "full coverage" insurance actually sold you a "bill of goods." In other words, in the effort to try to get your business, the insurance agent reduced the coverage you had but still told you that you had "full coverage." Then, when it's time to make the claim, the insurance adjuster (very different than the insurance agent and not trying to get your business but often trying to prevent you from receiving full and fair compensation for your injuries) explains to you that you do not have uninsured motorist coverage or underinsured motorist coverage, which you need to protect yourself when making a Phoenix automobile accident and injury claim.

If you find yourself in this position or you know someone who is making an insurance claim but they are being told that they do not have full coverage, do not accept this at face value. Immediately contact a skilled personal injury attorney in Arizona to find out if you actually have coverage that the insurance adjuster is denying.

At Breyer Law Offices, P.C., we have had many cases where our clients were told that they did not have uninsured or underinsured coverage but it turned out that the insurance company was required to pay because those coverages were still valid under Arizona law. There are many complexities to this, but the key is not to accept the word of the insurance adjuster just because they claim that you do not have the full coverage you absolutely need after a serious injury. Contact our Phoenix insurance coverage attorneys today for a free consultation and case evaluation. We will answer your questions honestly and provide you with the information you need.

Posted On: June 1, 2009

Arizona Bus Crash Claims Lives Of Mother, sister-in-law, and niece

ARIZONA TRIAL LAWYER DISCUSSES HOW MONEY COMPENSATION HAS REAL VALUE IN ARIZONA COURTROOMS AND WHY INSURANCE COMPANIES REFUSE TO SETTLE CASES FOR FAIR AMOUNTS

This recent article is heartbreaking. It discusses the very serious bus accident that killed so many innocent people on their way home from a ski trip. This article raises issues that the best Arizona personal injury lawyers see on a regular basis. First, everybody is quick to attack the personal injury lawyers and their clients. However, the reality is that money does matter. Can money bring back a loved one? Of course, not. That is ridiculous. Money cannot undo the tragedy. But for a family that has lost a source of income, who's going to keep them in their house? Who's going to pay off the bills? Who's going to be able to keep them from taking a nosedive in terms of the educational possibilities and other opportunities they may have been afforded if it were not for the negligent conduct in the first place? That is why it so important to do everything possible to try to receive fair settlement or the best possible jury verdict even in wrongful death cases. Also, the top wrongful death lawyers in Arizona also understand that insurance companies will do everything they can to avoid paying a fair settlement value on these cases. To overcome this, it takes an attorney who has the experience and the wherewithal to take on all the challenges that will be raised by the insurance company to make sure that they ultimately are responsible for paying everything that they are required to pay under the law. The reality is that insurance companies in Arizona know that if they simply delay, delay, and delay some more, then the family of the person who has lost somebody in a terrible bus accident or other car accident will simply give up and walk away. That is why it so important to have a lawyer who not only understands the law, but understands client service and commitment to a family to make sure that they are comfortable with the process and are in the best position to wait for the settlement that they need after such a tragedy.