Posts by Richard Plattner
E-Bike and E-Scooter Injuries Are on the Rise
A recent development on the streets has been the rise in use of E-bikes and E-scooters. Touted as environmentally friendly and easy to use, these little vehicles are used by many of us as quick ways to get from place to place. Unfortunately, crashes with other vehicles (and the resulting injuries they cause) have been…
Read MoreTruck Fatalities Nationwide Are Rising
Truck accidents are much more likely to cause deaths than car accidents for many reasons. Trucks are simply much bigger, longer, wider, taller, and heavier than cars. When a truck strikes another car, the odds are high that the car will be crushed, causing fatal injuries to the occupants. The drivers and passengers in small…
Read MoreAlmost Human But Not Quite – Autonomous Vehicles Drive Among Us
Right here in the greater Phoenix area, autonomous vehicles (AV) navigate our roads alongside the average car piloted by very human drivers. Over the past couple of years, we have wondered whether these cars and trucks would ever really be safe enough, or if the tech would ever be truly capable of preventing accidents. In…
Read MoreAre You Less Likely to Be Injured in a Crash When Your Windows Are Down?
Car accidents are common if unfortunate experiences. While not always predictable, there are traffic rules to follow that can help drivers to avoid them. We also know that, in the case of a wreck, there are things we can do to avoid serious injury, such as properly wearing a seatbelt or having the head rest…
Read MoreIs introducing Trucking to Younger Drivers the Right Choice?
Since 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has been talking about a pilot trucking program that will allow drivers between 18 and 20 years old to haul heavy cargo in 18-wheelers. If this program is approved, it would lower the age of eligible truck drivers and possibly lead to an increase of truck…
Read MoreThe Joys and Dangers of Riding Motorcycles in Arizona
So, you want to buy a motorcycle. For many people, the joy of riding a motorcycle along a scenic highway just cannot be matched by any other vehicle. Arizona is one of the best places in the country for long motorcycle rides, with year round warmth, mostly dry weather, and some of the most beautiful…
Read MoreThe COVID Pandemic’s Impact on Drunk Driving in Arizona
The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced levels of stress that many people have never experienced. Most Americans have worried about their own health as well as family and friends, economic issues due to lock-downs, and the emotional turmoil of isolation. According to the American Psychological Association, in February 2021, 84% of American adults reported feeling prolonged…
Read MoreInjured Passengers May Be Owed Compensation After a Car Accident
Car accidents are, unfortunately, more common than people might consider. They often come out of nowhere and can significantly affect the rest of you or your loved ones’ lives. In 2020, there were 98,778 car crashes in the state of Arizona, with over 9,700 passengers injured. Many people are familiar with the steps one takes…
Read MorePhantom Braking: What It Means and If You’re in Danger
Tesla recently found itself in the news again when hundreds of vehicle owners started complaining their cars were suddenly braking for no apparent reason. Although it began as far back as late 2021, the issue appears to be worsening, and the US government is getting involved. However, the problem – called “phantom braking” – isn’t…
Read MoreWhy Are Jackknife Accidents So Dangerous?
Have you ever looked at a truck accident and instinctively knew that the driver suffered serious injuries? The tractor-trailer may have swerved off of the road or was tilted in a certain position and it just looked terrible. A jackknife accident is one of those truck accidents that creates that type of damage. You only…
Read MoreCan a Car Accident Cause PTSD?
When you are involved in a car accident, you can suffer more than just physical scars. Your car accident could be so graphic and traumatizing that it can cause you to suffer from one of the most difficult mental disorders to overcome. Many car accident victims can suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, known as PTSD.…
Read MoreThe Differences Between Single, Two-Car, and Multi-Vehicle Accidents
There are three basic ways that a car can be involved in an accident. The first is when a driver loses control of their vehicle and collides with a fixed object (a single vehicle accident). The second is when the vehicle strikes a second car. The third is when there are multiple collisions involving multiple…
Read MoreArizona Department of Transportation Reveals 2020 Traffic Accident Data
The Arizona Department of Transportation (AZDOT) recently published their annual “Motor Vehicle Crash Facts” report, with statistics for traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities for 2020. The data reveals some illuminating information as to the types of accidents that occurred statewide, the causes of the accidents, and the consequences of those accidents. According to AZDOT, there…
Read MoreHow Do We Know Our Amazon Products Are Safe?
Recent discussion in the Arizona Senate about legislation limiting product liability lawsuits to manufacturers rather than sellers is raising a lot of questions in legal and online retail circles. Today we want to take a deep dive into how this legislation might work, how third-party sales work on Amazon, and the responsibility all sellers have…
Read MoreChildren Can Suffer Severe Injuries in Car Accidents
Imagine coming across two cars involved in a car accident on the highway. Imagine that one of the cars is flipped over and the front of the other car is seriously damaged. Even more alarming, imagine seeing a car seat in the back of one of the vehicles. The damage from the accident already indicates…
Read MoreAdditional Baby Loungers Recalled for Risk of Injury and Death
Many parents rely on infant loungers to safely hold their babies in place while they are sleeping or tend to other responsibilities. However, they may be unaware of the dangers associated with baby loungers. Baby loungers are one of the children’s products that are routinely recalled due to safety defects. One of the most recent…
Read MoreAbbott Recalls Three Powdered Formulas Linked to Child Illness and Death
Abbott Laboratories, an American manufacturer of medical devices, nutritional products, and other healthcare products, recently announced that the company is recalling three popular, powdered baby formulas in response to four infants becoming ill after using the brands. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) which regulates medical products is urging consumers not to buy or use…
Read MorePhoenix Injury Attorneys Handling Elmiron Claims
Hundreds of thousands of patients have taken the drug Elmiron over the years for relief from the condition interstitial cystitis (IC), a painful bladder health issue. Elmiron is a long-term treatment that eases the symptoms of IC, and has been a go-to medication for physicians and their patients for decades. However, recent (and numerous) studies…
Read MoreProduct Liability Claims for Residential Elevator Defects
All manufacturers have a duty to ensure their products are safe from defects that can cause an accident. Defects include faulty design, poor workmanship, and a failure to warn of known defects/inadequate instructions for use. The makers, distributors, and sellers of defective products can be held liable if their products cause accidents that injure you…
Read MoreWhat to Know Before Agreeing to a Settlement for a Car Accident in Phoenix
There is no such thing as a “little” car accident. Even if you are lucky to leave the scene of the accident alive, you are at risk of sustaining serious injuries after the accident. In addition to dealing with your injuries, you still have certain legal obligations to meet in regard to liability. If you…
Read MoreA Wet Cupholder in the BMW X7 Might Ruin Your Airbags
We expect car manufacturers to know what they’re doing when they’re building the cars we need to safely drive on the road. We assume that controls and features are designed in such a way that will not be inconvenient or dangerous to the driver. However, it’s not uncommon that these manufacturers make mistakes, or are…
Read MoreFailure to Yield Is the Leading Cause of Truck Accidents
One of the most popular ways to ship large amounts of cargo across the continental US is by truck (or tractor trailer). It is no shock to go onto any freeway, especially here in Arizona, and see at least a couple of the moving behemoths sharing the roads with you. With these large vehicles, however,…
Read MoreWhat Do I Do if My Child Was Hurt on a School Bus?
If you are the parent of a school-age child, chances are you have seen them off to the school bus. This may even be a ritual, to drop them off at the bus stop and pick them up after each day. We know just how stressful this can be; after all, these bus drivers are…
Read MoreStreet Racing and the Pandemic: A Deadly Duo
For as long as there have been ways to travel, there have been those more interested in the journey than the destination. While some people take this to mean long, scenic routes and plenty of stops, others look at motor vehicles and see one thing and one thing only: speed. Racing is not new. NASCAR…
Read MoreCar Accident Fatalities Are Rising Across the Country
There is a troubling trend overtaking our country and the roads we travel on every day. Even though the pandemic led to a year and change of lower traffic numbers, the rate of car accident fatalities has actually gone up. It has nothing to do with the cars themselves, and everything to do with a…
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