Posts by Richard Plattner
Why Hospitals and Insurance Companies Hide Prices
This year, the federal government exposed both the hospitals and the private insurance companies in a major way. It began with a mandatory order for hospitals to publish a complete list of the prices that they negotiate with private insurers by the federal government. Of course, there was initial pushback; the insurers’ trade association declared…
Read MorePhoenix Is Fighting Back Against Dangerous Drivers
A group of Phoenix cyclists and pedestrians, with the support of Maricopa County, is fighting back against distracted, impaired, and speeding drivers. Despite following motor vehicle and pedestrian laws, utilizing bike lanes, and avoiding the most dangerous roads in the region, cyclists and pedestrians are being hit and killed in record numbers. To combat these…
Read MoreWhat Are the Most Dangerous Roads in Arizona
We know we’re a bit biased, but we think driving through Arizona is pretty extraordinary. There are some truly gorgeous scenic drives in our state, and every year, visitors come from all over the world to view them. But all that traffic, along with daily commutes, commercial transport, and unpredictable weather means some of our…
Read MoreThe Dangers of Sandstorms for Arizona Drivers
Last month, a sandstorm in Utah was the catalyst for a series of car crashes that claimed the lives of eight people and injured ten; four of the victims were adults, and the remaining four were children. The high winds began to kick up sand and dust around 4:30 pm on July 25. The lack…
Read MoreThe Dangers of Autonomous Vehicle Technology
Autonomous cars are the wave of the future – or so the manufacturers of these vehicles would have you believe. There are all sorts of levels and degrees of autonomous cars. Most cars today have use sensors and other technology to help reduce the risk of an auto accident. This technology helps alert drivers that…
Read MoreWhy Manufacturers Should Be Held Liable for Failing to Install Crash-Avoidance Technology
Technology can save lives. In the third decade of the 21st century, there’s no excuse for cars failing to have top-of-the line crash avoidance technology. While we’re far from having cars that drive themselves, software and hardware do help cars stay away from other cars and pedestrians. The latest technology should warn the driver when…
Read MoreNick Verderame Honored with AAJ’s Wiedemann & Wysocki Award
Plattner Verderame Arizona Injury Lawyers is proud to announce that Nick Verderame was named a recipient of the American Association for Justice’s (AAJ) 2021 Wiedemann & Wysocki Award. The award is given in acknowledgement of outstanding efforts to promote and support AAJ’s political priorities regarding legislation that supports the civil justice system. This is the…
Read MoreWhy Cyclists May Be at a Greater Risk of Injury Than Ever Before
Cycling is a great way to stay in shape, lose weight, and help save the environment. Phoenix and Tempe have worked hard to make their cities attractive to bike riders, adding bike trails in and around town. Whether it’s riding to school, to work, to the doctor’s office, to the store, or to a restaurant,…
Read MoreInsurance Claims When There’s Only One Vehicle Involved
Single-vehicle crashes occur more often than one might think. These crashes are just what the name implies: they involve just one vehicle. Trucks, SUVs, vans, cars, and motorcycles can be involved in single-vehicle crashes that cause serious injury and even death. In Arizona in 2019, there were 569 fatalities caused by single-vehicle crashes, which accounted…
Read MoreThe What, How, and Why of Rollover Vehicle Accidents
A vehicle rollover is exactly what it sounds like: a vehicle which, for any given reason, rolls over onto its side or roof. The chances of a rollover accident increase when you drive an SUV, pickup truck, or van as larger vehicle are more prone to this type of accident. Today, we want to look…
Read MoreWhat You Should Know about Side-Impact Car Crashes
Motor vehicle accidents can leave you with serious injuries, thousands of dollars in damage to your vehicle, and even post-traumatic stress disorder. Depending on the severity of the crash, you might not be able to return to work, could suffer paralysis, or could lose a loved one or your own life. One of the most…
Read MoreStudy Shows Women at Higher Risk for Injury and Death in Car Crashes
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently released a new study finding that women have a higher risk than men for injury or death in car crashes. These findings were notable because researchers expected this variance to be from the physical differences between men and women. However, it turned out that the higher risk…
Read MoreThe Tiger Woods Crash: What We Know So Far
As just about everyone who watches the news knows by now, celebrity golfer Tiger Woods was involved in a terrible car crash on February 21, suffering serious leg injuries. Woods’ SUV veered off a Los Angeles County road, traveling about the length of a football field before rolling over in a small gulley, trapping him…
Read MoreReceiving Maximum Compensation for Traumatic Injuries in a Bike Crash
The only thing worse than being traumatically injured in a car accident is your children being traumatically injured in car accident. It is amongst a parent’s worst nightmares. A little over a year ago, two parents found this out the hard way. Their children were out riding their bikes when they were hit by a…
Read MoreArizonans Helping Arizonans Who Suffer Kidney Disease Due to COVID-19
Contracting COVID-19 is especially dangerous if you have an underlying health condition such as kidney disease. According to the CEO of the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona, the combination of diseases increases the risk of mortality. A 63-year-old man recently told a story of his extremely difficult experience with COVID-19 due to his underlying kidney…
Read MoreArizona Nursing Home Under Investigation for Keeping COVID-19 Infected Employees on the Job
The Granite Creek Health and Rehabilitation Center in Prescott is under both state and media scrutiny after an investigation showed that the facility required staff to work while they were visibly ill with the coronavirus. This investigation, which began last summer, kicked off after an anonymous nursing assistant told the media she was forced to…
Read MoreExcedrin Recall & Tylenol Murders: Defective Medication Seals Are Still a Problem
We have all encountered the frustration of pill bottles that just will not open. Sometimes it’s the foil that always seems too strong; sometimes it’s the dreaded “child safe” cap that only children seem able to open. But these measures do serve a purpose. Even the most benign, over-the-counter medication can be dangerous if taken…
Read MoreSuper-Sized SUVs? More Like Super-Sized Blind Spots
SUVs, short for sport utility vehicles, are vehicles that combine the spaciousness of a minivan with the sport capabilities of a truck. SUVs have more horsepower and a higher ground clearance than a regular car. They’re also one of the most popular vehicle choices across the country for their versatility and features. However, one of…
Read MoreIncrease in Sexual Assaults at the University of Arizona in 2019
The University of Arizona released its Annual Security and Fire Safety Report in November and it showed an alarming increase in sexual assaults at the school in 2019. The data in the report shows that there were 14 sexual assaults in 2018. In 2019, there were 40 reports of sexual assault at the school, according…
Read MoreFatigued Trucker Facing Manslaughter Charges Following Deadly Crash on Route 85
A 62-year-old truck driver from Riverside, California is facing manslaughter and aggravated assault charges after causing a deadly crash on November 24 that killed a Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) detention deputy. The accident happened on State Route 85 in Buckeye, which is just outside of Phoenix. According to court documents, Jorge Yanez Campos was…
Read MoreBurn Hazard Leads to Recall of Crock-Pot 6-Quart Express Cookers
The holiday season isn’t the best time to learn that your favorite express cooker has been recalled, especially when there’s not enough time in the day to cook the meals you are craving the most. Millions of people have been relying on express cookers to help feed their families during the Coronavirus pandemic. With children…
Read MoreOutdoor Dining During Coronavirus: The Sidewalk Menace
In light of state and city health regulations around COVID-19, outdoor dining is more popular than ever here in Arizona. Because restaurants are restricted in how many patrons can be indoors, many businesses are staying afloat by expanding their seating areas outside. You may have noticed some of your favorite eateries now have tables on…
Read MoreMulti-State Project Underway to Improve Trucker Parking on the I-10 Corridor
Route I-10 in Arizona is a massively-traveled highway that travels east to west through the state. To the west, I-10 goes into California, through the east into New Mexico, as well as dipping into Texas. The highway’s availability to these four states makes it a perfect corridor for tractor-trailers hauling freight back and forth. I-10…
Read MoreFAQs about Arizona’s Newly Increased Insurance Policy Limits
Anyone who drives knows that insurance coverage is just part of the privilege you pay for to enjoy the freedom of car ownership. By the time you get through paying for your car payment, maintenance, gas, and insurance, it can be a tough bill to swallow each month. The Grand Canyon State isn’t making it…
Read MoreInjuries Caused by Tractor-Trailer Accidents
The size and weight of tractor trailers makes them imposing figures on the road. When you encounter one as the driver of a passenger vehicle it can be somewhat daunting, given the knowledge they can wipe you out with minimal effort. When you consider a matchup between a 2,000 pound vehicle and a 70,000 pound…
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