Archive for August, 2010

Auto Accident Attorneys Fight When You Can’t

There is hardly anything more devastating than a serious motor vehicle accident. Flesh and bone doesn’t take kindly to rapidly moving, heavy pieces of metal. This can result in serious injury and even death. You can be laid up in a hospital for weeks or even months, resulting in not only damage to your body and mind but to your financial well being as well. This is why it is important to have the best personal injury lawyer you can find if you find yourself the victim of one of these horrible crashes.

Whether it is a tractor trailer accident, truck accident, or car accident, the damage that is done can be devastating. While you are lying helpless in the hospital all you can hear are the unfamiliar voices of the doctors and nurses buzzing around trying to make you comfortable and start you on your way to recovery. All you can think about is getting out of there and getting on with your life.

You are not only worried about your physical well being, but thoughts about getting back to work and the thought of possibly not being able to work again come crashing into your mind. While a good auto accident lawyer  may not be able to guarantee your health, they will at least be able to work on getting you the compensation you deserve for being thrust into this unfortunate situation.

Many times the settlement you will receive due to a car accident will be provided by an insurance company. What you need to remember is that the insurance company is not on your side. They have their own agenda, and that is getting away with paying out as little as possible, no matter how devastated your life might be. This is why a good personal injury lawyer who has experience with motor vehicle accident cases can be your greatest asset. They will be able to fight for what you deserve and get you compensation for a number of things that you might need to secure your future.

An auto accident attorney will evaluate your situation and will help you collect damages for pain and suffering. They will also be able to work on getting you compensation for both past and possible future medical care.  They will also work to make sure you receive proper compensation for any past and future loss of income, as well as any other applicable expenses that have been incurred as a result of the motor vehicle accident.

While they may not be able to give you back any physical attributes that may have been lost, a knowledgeable and experienced auto accident attorney  will at least be able to help you get the compensation you deserve to make your future as comfortable as possible. For anyone that finds themselves in this unfortunate dilemma, contacting a personal injury lawyer is imperative to getting the most compensation for the serious injury you have suffered.

Don’t waste time.  Protect yourself.

Dogs are Not Always Man’s Best Friend

We all love our dogs and consider them to be a part of the family unit.  Unfortunately, there are approximately 4.5 million dog bite victims every year in the United States.  Almost 50% of all victims are children under the age of 12.

If you, or someone you know, is bitten, it is imperative that you have the bite checked out by a medical provider as soon as possible.  Dogs can be a host to several bacterial and viral infections that you can contract, such as ringworm.  Many dog bite victims suffer permanent scarring and consult with plastic surgeons.  While scarring can be minimized by plastic surgery, most victims are still left with permanent residual scarring.  In addition to physical injuries, many dog bite victims experience emotional trauma, lower self-esteem from visible scarring and a lifetime fear of dogs.

In Arizona, most dog bite attacks are strict liability cases.  The owner of the dog is liable for the dogs actions whether they knew the dog was dangerous or not.  Anytime their dog bites someone they are held liable no matter the situation or circumstances.  The only defense to imposing strict liability is if the dog bite victim provoked the dog into biting.  In other types of injury cases, the victim has to prove negligence in order to receive compensation.

Dog bite claims based on strict liability have a one year statute of limitations.  Subject to several exceptions, a dog bite victim must file a lawsuit within 1 year from the date of loss or his/her strict liability claim may be barred forever.  Claims based on a dog owner’s negligence have a two year statute of limitations.

Dog bite victims are typically compensated for their injuries by the dog owner’s homeowners policy.  If the victim or the parents of the victim are contacted by an insurance carrier, please do not sign any document.  You may be jeopardizing your health and signing away your legal rights.  Since 1996,  Petersen Johnson has successfully handled numerous cases involving dog bite attacks.  Please contact us immediately at (602) 650-1200 so we can compile evidence and maximize your damage recovery.