Personal Injury

Fourth  of July is a federal holiday in which every American celebrates to commemorate the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This day is often associated with parades, carnivals, fairs, picnics, fireworks, family reunions, political speeches and many other traditions in the United States.

Independence day usually takes place in outdoors wherein family can host picnics and family reunions. Parades happen in the morning while firework displays occur in the evening at places such as parks, townsquares.

However, fireworks-related injuries and deaths are the main concern during the Fourth of July celebrations. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were reports of three fireworks-related deaths and an estimated 8,600 hospital emergency room treated injuries in 2010. Injuries to children were a major component of total fireworks-related injuries, with children under 15 years of age accounting for approximately 40 percent of the estimated injuries. Fifty-three percent of the estimated emergency department-treated, fireworks-related injuries were individuals younger than 20 years of age.

Fourth of July is an important celebration that all of us, including the children should partake. In this way we can instill in them the importance of this day at an early age. Bringing our children outdoors is likewise very risky due to the dangers of fireworks-related accidents.

Fireworks and celebrations go together especially during Fourth of July. It is hard to imagine Independence Day without fireworks. Thus, to prevent the kids from being injured during this day, here are some safety tips from CPSC:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

For victims of fireworks-related accidents, call our free consultation hotline at (480)753-4534. As Arizona personal injury attorneys, we are ready to assist you in getting what you deserve.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 8,600 people visited hospital emergency rooms in the year 2010 for fireworks-related injuries. Fireworks, both legal and illegal, have the potential to cause serious burn injuries to adults and children. Young adults under the age of 20 accounted for more than half of all fireworks-related accidents. This is why children must be supervised whenever they are around fireworks. Even sparklers, which are normally considered to be harmless, can be dangerous and can cause serious burns.

CPSC offers a number of other helpful safety tips for the upcoming July 4 weekend when many of us get together with family and friends to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day. Anyone using sparklers should know that they are hot enough to ignite clothes. Children should not be allowed to run with or around fireworks. Fireworks should only be used in clean and clear places away from homes and dry leaves. Only the person lighting the fireworks should be near them. There should be bucket of water close by just in case something catches on fire. Used fireworks should be doused in a bucket of water and appropriately disposed.

In fact, while most states allow some type of fireworks and others allow sparklers and novelties, Arizona is the only state that only allows novelty fireworks. This means that setting off fireworks and sparklers is illegal in Arizona. If you have been injured by fireworks, especially if it occurred as a result of someone else’s negligence, you have legal rights.

The experienced personal injury attorneys in Phoenix at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. have an excellent track record of helping injured victims and their families in Arizona. If you or a loved one is injured and would like to explore legal options available, please contact our offices at 602-457-6222 to schedule a free consultation.

One of the leading causes of fatal injuries is fires. Based on the statements from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, in average, someone died in a fire every 175 minutes while someone was also injured every 31 minutes in the United States. Usually, the reason for dying in a fire is not due to burns, but due to the smoke or toxic gases.

In northern Arizona, a great fire has been ongoing since Sunday afternoon (AZCentral 06/20/2011). Fire fighters have been working hard since then to contain and stop the raging fire which has covered a large area. Residents who lived around the fire areas have already been evacuated, already anxious whether their house was still standing or have already been consumed by the fire. The fire has already destroyed several homes and other structures.

Big fires such as this are dangerous. Therefore, people should always be prepared. The Arizona family should practice a fire escape plan at least once every 6 months. In the plan, designate at least 2 ways that each family member can escape fires in the house. Afterwards, assign a safe place to meet everybody outside of the home. Smoke alarms also help in detecting fires in the house, so install one on every floor of house, including the basement, and especially near the rooms where family members sleep. Regularly test these smoke alarms every month to ensure that they work.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a fire in Arizona and felt that someone was responsible, then you may call us for a free consultation at (480) 389-2463. We are personal injury lawyers in Phoenix and we may be able to help.

Social media web sites such as MySpace, Twitter and Facebook provide interesting opportunities for those who wish to share details about their lives. Anyone who uses these popular sites should be aware that their information is available for public viewing. Unless you have discreet privacy settings on your Facebook account, just about everything you share can be viewed by an outsider. If you have been involved in an Arizona car accident or have recently filed a personal injury claim, what you post on your Facebook or MySpace page can affect your claim.

If you update your Facebook account posting that you were just in a car accident, you may receive many comments asking how you are and if you’ll be okay. This supportive connection is what social media is all about. It is an immediate link between you and all your friends and family. The problem is, the people investigating your crash can see what you post.

If you many any remark on Twitter or Facebook, for example, about how you were on your phone during the crash or how you may have caused the accident, you can hurt your chances of receiving compensation for the collision. Insurance companies have people looking for such information and if they find it, the value of your claim can be greatly reduced. There is also the possibility of claim being completely denied. Additionally, photos or videos you may post on the site, however unrelated to your accident, may work against you. If you are in the process of claiming compensation, it would be in your best interest to suspend your activity on social networking sites.

The Phoenix personal injury attorneys at Breyer Law Offices P.C protect the rights of injured Arizona residents. To obtain more information about how to proceed with a personal injury claim or about protecting your rights, call us at 602-978-6400 for a free consultation.

After over a decade of operating our personal injury practice out of southern Phoenix, we have been voted the best legal team in the area!

The local newspaper, the Ahwatukee Foothills News, puts on an annual contest and invites residents to vote on local businesses and services. Categories include “Best Italian Food,” “Best Wings,” “Best Dry Cleaners,” and new for this year, “Best Attorney/Law Office.”

Over 44,000 votes came in for the various categories, a milestone compared to last year’s 14,000 votes. We were so happy to hear that we overcame all other entrants in the category to take first place!

We are fortunate enough to already hold many various recognitions from other sources. Mark Breyer holds certification as a Certified Specialist in personal injury and wrongful death by the Arizona State Bar, an honor only held by less than 2% of Arizona attorneys. Mark is also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a group of less than 1% of U.S. trial attorneys who can prove they have won million dollar cases.

As residents of Ahwatukee for many years, we are so honored for this recognition from our neighbors.

Mark told the paper, “Having started as just a small husband and wife practice and grown to handle cases across Arizona, we’ve always felt Ahwatukee was very much our home” (AFN 1/27/11).

If you’ve been injured in Arizona and you’re looking for an expert, call the Husband and Wife Law Team today and get your questions answered during your free phone consultation. Call (480) 753-4534.

The holidays are a time of happiness, when many people are able to spend more time with friends and family than they are during the rest of the year. However, the holidays can also be dangerous, and there is risk of personal injury occurring if a person isn’t careful.

Recently, CNN featured several safety tips in regards to holiday decorating that also double as money saving practices as well. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average home in America uses six times more electricity than a home did just 20 years ago. Lighting amounts for about 10 percent of your electric bill, which is sure to increase during the Christmas season with the addition of outdoor and indoor lights. Put your lights on a timer so you don’t need to worry about turning your lights off when you leave the house or go to bed, saving on costs. Timing your lights can also prevent fires from occurring.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) reports that about 250 fires start with a Christmas tree, and another 170 fires start with decorative lights every year. You should also think about buying LED lights, which use just 10 percent of the energy that regular lights use. They are also cool to the touch, which is important if small children or pets will be around.

You should also consider purchasing a fake Christmas tree, which is definitely a cheaper option as it lasts longer. Artificial trees are now made of non-flammable materials, further reducing your risk of a fire and consequential burn injuries occurring.

Be very careful when hanging holiday decorations and lights. The ESFI reports that about 5,800 people need to be treated in emergency rooms every year because of falls that are related to holiday decorating. Invest in a small step ladder to prevent accidents from occurring while you decorate.

Also, try using battery-operated candles instead of regular ones to reduce the chance of a fire. According to the ESFI, candles cause over 15,000 home fires annually. Battery-operated candles will also last longer, which is a good cost-saving measure.

If you do happen to suffer a personal injury this holiday season and believe it was because of another person’s negligence or a businesses’ negligence, the Arizona personal injury attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. can help. We offer free consultations. Call us today at 480-753-4534 to learn about your legal rights and options in pursuing a personal injury lawsuit in Arizona.

The excitement is brewing for this week’s Thanksgiving holiday. Family is coming into town, houses are being decorated, and the stoves are going on to heat up those turkeys, turduckens, or tofurkeys. As Arizona personal injury attorneys, we want to take a moment to remind you of a few safety tips to keep you and your family free from serious injuries this holiday season.

Did you know that on Thanksgiving day, three times as many home fires and home fire injuries occur than on any other day in the U.S. (Safe Kids USA 2009)? If you are visiting a family member or friend this holiday, or are having loved ones over your own home, please keep these tips in mind to protect everyone in the kitchen (Courtesy of Safe Kids USA 2009):

• Avoid loose-fitting clothing when working near a stove as the fabric may catch fire if you stand too close to a burner.
• Try to use the back burners on the stove to prevent pots from tipping or handles catching on clothing and causing major burns.
• When using an oven mitt, make sure it is completely dry, as any moisture in the mitt may heat up when it touches the hot pot or pan, and burn your hand.
• After removing a dish from the microwave, open it slowly and away from the face to avoid any hot steam or possible exploding food particles.

If you or a loved one suffer serious personal injury due to negligence in another person’s kitchen, you probably have questions. Give us a call at (480) 753-4534 for a free, no obligations consultation, we may be able to help you.

With one of our children’s favorite holidays just a few short days away, we wanted to take a moment to think again about the safety precautions parents should take before sending their children out in efforts to fill their candy buckets. There are many more dangers that lurk on Halloween, such as an increased number of impaired drivers on the road, tripping hazards, and bad candy. AAA Arizona has put together a list of tips for parents to follow to help everyone have a safe and fun Halloween (Courtesy of KPHO 10/25/10).

• When choosing costumes, stick with bright colors that can be seen at night.  Add reflective tape to clothing, shoes, and bags to help motorists see the trick-or-treaters, and have them carry a bright flashlight.

• Check costumes for loose strings, buttons, or zippers that may pose tripping hazards.  Costumes should fit well and not be too long for the child.

• Plan routes ahead of time, sticking with familiar houses on well-lit roads only.  Review Arizona pedestrian safety tips as well, such as walking on the sidewalk, crossing only at crosswalks, and looking both ways before crossing a driveway or street.

• Children under 12 should always be accompanied by a responsible adult on their trick or treating outings.

• Only take wrapped and sealed candy, and don’t allow children to eat any until they arrive at home and an adult inspects it.

We wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween! If any injuries occur to you or your loved ones this Halloween, don’t wait to contact us to learn your legal rights. You may deserve compensation. Our Phoenix personal injury attorneys will give you a free consultation if you call us at (480) 753-4534.

Choosing an injury Arizona attorney can be overwhelming. There are so many personal injury attorneys in Phoenix and most claim that they are “the best.” So how can you make your decision a little bit easier? By asking the right questions.

One question to ask a personal injury attorney you’re looking to hire is whether or not that attorney is willing to take your case to trial. While most personal injury cases do settle, it’s important to know that your attorney will take the case to trial if the insurance company or negligent party is trying to deny compensation or is offering a low settlement amount.

Other information that’s important to determine before hiring an attorney is whether or not that attorney will be upfront with you. Are they going to simply tell you what you want to hear, or are they going to provide you with honest advice and information?

As Phoenix personal injury attorneys, we think it’s critically important to look beyond just credentials to find an attorney that’s the right fit for you. This may involve a little digging and interviewing, but the result is that you’ll hire a lawyer who you feel most comfortable with.

If you’re looking for a personal injury attorney in Phoenix, and you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Breyer Law Offices. We have experience in all types of personal injury cases and we are honest, upfront, and open. If we don’t think you have a valid personal injury claim, we’ll be the first to tell you. But if we do think you have a claim, we will give you all the information you need and explain all of your options to you, so you can make the best decision for you and your family.

Almost every Arizona personal injury case ends one of three ways. The first way is that the case can be dismissed. At times, the person who was hurt decides not to push it any further for their own reasons. Or a judge orders that the case does not have sufficient merit. When this happens, the case simply ends; there are rarely any other options to pursue.

The second and by far most common way a case concludes is by settlement. This means both the defendant and the plaintiff come to an agreement before the case goes to trial. In other words, the person alleged to be at fault and his or her insurance provider agree to an amount of money that is fair compensation under the circumstances and the plaintiff, with the help of a lawyer in most cases, accepts. Settlements are not always favorable to both sides. And even if both sides benefit, they do not always benefit equally.

Sometimes, a settlement is extremely favorable to the injured person and the insurance company or at-fault person are unhappy with it. Other times, it works the opposite way and the person who proposed the settlement ultimately feels slighted. The defendant or insurance company often tries to engineer the settlement to their advantage using the leverage a large insurer possesses. In numerous cases, settling a lawsuit out of court leaves both sides unhappy and wishing a better solution could have been found. However, the only truly relevant key to a settlement is that it be agreed upon by both parties. Neither party can literally force a settlement. A settlement only occurs when both parties agree that they will not accept the risk of going to trial (where either side faces the possibility of losing) or spend the time and money necessary for further litigation.

Finally, some cases are resolved by a judgment or through the appeals process. Both are the result of taking the case to trial. A judgment is a simply an official piece of paper signed by the judge. Usually, a judgment occurs after a jury trial at which the jury has rendered its verdict. The verdict could be an award to the plaintiff or not. But the jury verdict is not final, although it would appear that way to us because of the way most television courtroom dramas depict trials. The jury verdict leads to a judgment that must be signed by the judge to become valid. The judgment is most often approved for the same amount that the jury has rendered. After the judgment, the case is eligible to be taken up on appeal. If you are curious about learning more about your legal rights and options in a potential personal injury case, please contact the skilled Chandler accident attorneys at Breyer Law Offices for a free consultation. We can help.