What can you do to reduce the chance of injury to you, or your children? Here are 5 tips to keep you, and those around you safe:

Understand the risk

When you purchase a ticket and attend an event, you are agreeing to the fact that you are willingly participating in a dangerous activity. Most the time, this means that if you are injured, you aren’t able to sue the sporting venue, ownership, etc. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, and only speaking to an attorney about your case will clear it up.

If you are more vulnerable to injury because you have small children with you, or are limited in mobility, take extra precautions for safety such as choosing a safer seating area, such as in an enclosed area.

Stay alert

Texting or keeping your eyes on your cellphone isn’t a safe practice when there is a potential of an object flying towards you. Keep your eyes on the game and watch for projectiles.

Bring a glove

Most spectator injuries happen at baseball games, so be aware of where you are sitting (some areas are more prone to foul balls then others), and bring a glove to catch a baseball or softball before it collides with you, or nearby spectators.

Shout

If you see a projectile coming your way, shout for a ‘heads up’ or ‘duck’ for those who may not be paying attention.

Teach your kids

Teach your kids safe spectator practices, such as watching for objects, and how to protect their head, face and extremities from injuries from projectiles.

When Something Goes Wrong at a Sporting Event

Since there is a little chance of remedy if you are injured at a sporting event, it is better to take proactive steps to protect yourself. If you have been injured, it is still a good idea to contact a personal injury attorney to determine if your unique situation allows for compensation for your injuries, or for the injuries of a loved one.

Simon Law Group has been serving the Greater Phoenix area’s personal injury needs for over 20 years, and would love to earn your trust but showing you an ethical and honest approach to getting the fair compensation you need to care for you and your family after an accident that was no fault of your own. Give us a call today at (480) 745-2450 to schedule your free consultation, and remember, Experience Matters!

We’ve all made mistakes with driving – not seeing a vehicle in our blind spot, or stopping short, or not soon enough, because we misjudged distance. These are true accidents. But when someone chooses to drive impaired, and that action results in damage to property, and physical harm, the injured party has the right to be compensated for their loss.

Your Rights as an Injured Person

Many people who have experienced damages caused by an impaired driver assume that insurance will handle it, and in some cases, this is true. However, for others, the settlement the insurance company offers isn’t enough to cover the expenses, either now or in the future. When this happens, they will typically call a personal injury attorney to learn more about what they can ask the insurance company to pay for. Typically, injured parties are entitled to:

Property Damage. If you have damaged property, such as to the vehicle you were driving and significant items inside, or your landscaping or home (yes, impaired drivers have been known to damage homes), you can get compensation to repair or replace that property.

Medical Bills. Medical bills will begin to build up quickly, and can continue for a significant amount of time. The insurance company will offer a settlement that limits the amount of money they will pay out over the lifetime of the injury. Significant injuries can be life-changing, and future medical bills must be part of the equation.

Loss of Life/Loss of Quality of Life. When the accident results in death or dismemberment, the quality of life for the person and/or their family is severely impacted. This impact has several factors that need to be reviewed in order for compensation to be considered. While no amount of money will be a replacement for a life or lifetime disability, it will help the family transition into a “new normal”.

Lost Wages. Especially in a significant injury, it is likely there is a hospital stay, rehabilitation and follow up appointments, resulting in lost wages. Future lost wages can also be compensated when there is a permanent disability as a result of the accident.

Pain and Suffering. While more objective than tangible doctor bills, some cases allow an awarding of compensation for pain and suffering for both the injured party and their family members who become care takers or have suffered a loss from the accident as well.

Because there are several factors that go into what can be compensated, and at what levels, working with a personal injury attorney is critical to obtaining a result that is truly supportive of your needs, not just what the insurance company wants to offer to protect themselves.

With over 20 years of experience, Simon Law would like to earn your trust as a local personal injury lawyer here to support you in getting the money you need to take care of yourself (and/or loved ones) after an accident. Contact us to discuss your case at 480-745-2450. Get your free consultation, and remember, Experience Matters!

Recently in the news there have been some accidents that could be grounds for a case. By taking a look at them, you may understand more about what types of cases should be talked about with a personal injury attorney.

Examples of Potential Personal Injury Cases in Recent News

Recently, two stories made the news in Phoenix, both of which could warrant a case:

Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle.

Man struck, killed by vehicle in north Phoenix (Source: AZFamily.com)

In this first story, the man stuck was a pedestrian, and the driver didn’t seem to be impaired, or speeding. This was a tragic accident and the family of the deceased pedestrian may have a case. In order to truly understand their rights, they should contact a personal injury attorney.

Woman Killed in Vehicle Collision

Woman killed following collision in Phoenix (Source: 3TV/CBS 5)

This story involves a driver who failed to yield to oncoming traffic, resulting in an accident that killed the driver, and injured two others, one who was the passenger. Neither of the two injured parties were at fault, and therefore could receive compensation for their medical bills, property damage, and pain and suffering (in some cases).

Examples of Other Successful Personal Injury Cases

Take a look at these examples of other types of personal injury cases where we worked with victims to get them the compensation they deserved for their injuries.

Motorcycle accident with injuries

Client bitten by a dog

Injuries from a car accident

Personal injury from an assault

If you are wondering if an injury you or a loved one has experienced is eligible for restorative compensation, contact Simon Law Group for a free consultation today. With over 20 years in personal injury law in the Phoenix area, we have the experience you need to get the compensation you deserve. Remember, Experience Matters!

What Are My Rights as a Passenger in an Accident?

Situations can be very different from case to case on accidents with injuries. But, because a passenger is not the reason for the accidents, they are entitled to compensation. In most accidents, the injured party can receive money for property damage, medical expenses, pain and suffering and loss of income. This all still applies as a passenger of a vehicle, even when you don’t own it.

Property damage includes damage to the vehicle, but also other personal property. If you lost personal property as a result of the accident, you may be able to receive compensation for that loss.

Medical expenses include transportation to a hospital, medical treatment and care, after care such as rehabilitation or physical therapy, and needed medical equipment. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may have injuries that last for years to come, and the care of that can also have compensation attached. It is important to talk to a lawyer about what exactly can be awarded.

Pain and suffering includes the emotional toll the accident has had on you and sometimes even your family members. If a loved one requires leaving work to care for you, or you aren’t able to provide or be intimate as you once were, pain and suffering compensation is designed to “make up for” that.

Loss of income includes wages for time out of work due to your injuries. This can include an initial hospital stay, and even follow up appointments to the doctor. For significant injuries that impact your ability to make income at your current career, additional financial compensation may be awarded.

Other considerations may be available depending on your unique situation. It is important to get a free consultation from an injury attorney to determine what your award may be and the steps you need to take to get compensated for your loss.

Simon Law Group in Phoenix, Arizona has been serving injured clients for over 20 years. We will support you in getting the compensation you deserve after an accident, whether you are a passenger or a driver. Contact us today for your free consultation, and remember, Experience Matters!

• Never run into the road. Always stop at the curb.
• Look both ways before crossing the street. Watch for distracted drivers and use caution before entering the road or crosswalk.
• Be alert and continue to watch for vehicles while crossing the road. Never assume you are safe until you have fully crossed.
• Cross at intersections, whether or not there is a cross walk there. Avoid crossing in the middle of street.
• If crossing to catch a bus, watch for traffic and the bus driver’s awareness. Walk 3-5 feet in front of the bus so the driver can see you cross in front.
• Never go behind a bus or bend down to pick something up in front of or under a bus as the driver is not likely to see you – even for a second.
• When walking at night and/or on roads without sidewalk, walk towards traffic so you are better seen. Consider carrying a light, and wearing bright or reflective clothing.
• Always check for turning or traffic entering a sidewalk from a parking lot or alley.
• Be alert around light rails and street cars. Follow the safety instructions and limit distractions that could put you in danger, such as looking at your phone while crossing tracks or the road.

• Always use your blinker to communicate your intentions with others on the road.
• Drive the speed limit. A pedestrian hit at 40mph has less than a 20% chance of survival.
• Don’t be a distracted driver. Keep your eyes and attention on the road.
• Show caution when you see pedestrians, especially if they are children or look impaired, confused, or unstable.
• Honk an alert if you feel it creates more awareness and safety in the situation.
• Always stop before the crosswalk or marked stop bar. Five feet before either communicates to the pedestrian they are safe to cross.
• Look left, right, and left again before pulling through a crosswalk when pedestrians are present.
• Always yield right of way to a pedestrian.
• Be sensitive of visually impaired pedestrians – don’t honk or give directions.
• Always expect children to be around stopped school buses and give them extra room for children to pass safely.
• It is against the law to pass a school bus that is stopped and has its red lights flashing.
• In school zones, slow your speed and do not pass other vehicles.
• Avoid rushing out of driveways, parking lots or alleyways. Assume there is a pedestrian crossing. Slow down and look before crossing the sidewalk to the road.
• Pedestrians have the right to walk on the road if no sidewalks exist. Use caution.
• When in doubt, yield to pedestrians. This includes in parking lots, on the road and in intersections and roundabouts, whether or not a crosswalk exists.