If you are involved in a collision, it is important to take the right steps. A crash can be traumatic, and is always unexpected.  Here are some tips on the best ways to protect your rights and preserve your ability to recover for property damage, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Check for injuries, yours and others. Call 911 if there are injuries. Get out your insurance card and driver's license and offer it to the other driver. Ask the other driver for insurance card and driver's license. Make use of your cell phone to take a photo of the license plate number, driver's licen

The monsoon season typically begins in early July. The storms' heavy rains, high winds and lightning can snap utility poles and power lines.   Because the weather in metropolitan Tucson is so stable for much of the year, summer storms can take people by surprise. Below is a list of safety tips and suggestions to help you and your family deal with the wind, rain and lightning that can result from a storm.   Stay calm. Refer to your preparedness plan, if you have one. Radio updates: If you have a battery-powered radio, tune in for news updates about the storm. Appliances: Turn off all ma

Recently, one of our employees witnessed a car fire here in Tucson.  Fortunately, no one was in the vehicle, but car fires can cause significant property damage, serious injuries, and death.  The majority of car fire  begin in the engine compartment - where most of the working parts of the car are. Although there is a firewall between the engine and the passengers in the car, this protective barrier only allows the vehicle's occupants a little time to escape to safety. The firewall does not stop noxious fumes from injuring those in the car or a subsequent explosion. In fact, the heat of the

As the fall season is upon us, so are new driving hazards.  According to an article in USA Today, a family was driving from Chicago to New Jersey when their minivan hit a deer; their minivan was then hit by a semitrailer and seven of the ten passengers were killed.  The article in USA Today states that on average more collisions between cars and deer occur in November than any other month.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that there are about 1 million accidents each year with deer that kill 200 Americans, cause more than 10,000 personal injuries and result in $

Q:  I want to settle my property damage claim with the other driver's insurance company, but do not want to settle my personal injury claim at this time. Is this possible? A:  If you settle for your property damage, but not your injury, because you are still receiving treatment, or for some other reason, you can do this as long as it is clear that you are settling your property damage claim only, and that your injury claim remains open. The Release or other settlement agreement, and the check, should clearly state “property damage only”, and make it clear that your personal injury claim