Phoenix Real Estate Law Blog

Trip and fall hazards on stairs

On behalf of Faith, Ledyard & Faith, PLC posted in Premises Liability on Thursday, April 2, 2020.

We use stairs constantly without ever thinking of the risk -- until we fall, that is. A simple slip or trip on a staircase can cause massive injuries. These incidents can happen in homes, hotels, hospitals, schools, universities, stores, workplaces and almost anywhere else. All it takes is one bad step to find yourself in the hospital.

How can you avoid it? You can't always avoid these accidents, but there are red flags you can watch out for. Knowing what to look for may help you identify and avoid hazards. Some of the most common issues include:

Uneven stair treads, which only have to be a millimeter off to cause you to trip
Broken treads, especially on that front edge -- also known as the nose
Loose rugs set at the bottom or, worse yet, at the top of the stairs
Stairs that are curved or set at an angle, making it harder to predict where to step
Stairs with distractions, such as mismatched tiles
Stairs that do not have proper lighting when needed
Loose banisters and rails on the edges of the stairs
Torn, loose or ripped carpet on the stairs themselves
Stairs that are wet or otherwise slick
Worn out stairs that need to be replaced by have been neglected
Stair treads that are loose or that have holes, cracks or other imperfections

21-year-old drunk driver crashes car with 7 people inside

On behalf of Faith, Ledyard & Faith, PLC posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

Multiple people were injured in a recent crash in Arizona that was caused by a 21-year-old driver who was allegedly drunk at the time of the accident.

The wreck happened on Sunday morning, March 29, per reports. The vehicle in question, reportedly just a passenger car, was on Val Vista, and it was to the north of Hunt Highway. That information comes from police officers in Chandler, who responded to the accident.

High-viz clothing really does reduce motorcycle accidents

On behalf of Faith, Ledyard & Faith, PLC posted in motorcycle accidents on Friday, March 27, 2020.

The color of choice for motorcyclists almost always seems to be black. They ride black bikes, they wear black leather jackets, they don black pants and they top it all off with a black helmet and black gloves. In the end, you get a bike and a rider that really blend into the black pavement, reducing their visibility.

An alternative tactic that has gained traction over the years is to wear high-visibility clothing. This often means a bight green/yellow combo that is the most visible color to the human eye. Some riders also pick colors like neon pink, red or orange.

What happens if a structure gets built on the wrong lot?

On behalf of Faith, Ledyard & Faith, PLC posted in land use & zoning on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

You want a new building to be constructed, and you hire a local company to do the job. You talk over the details and give them the information that they need. Maybe it's a family home, a vacation home or a new base of operations for your company. Regardless, you then step back and put your time and energy into your own career, waiting for them to finish the job.

When you arrive to look at the now completed structure, you discover something you never imagined: Through some mix-up, they built the structure on the wrong lot. It's your building. It's your design. Those are your materials. But that's not your land. Now what?

Do not ever run from an aggressive dog

On behalf of Faith, Ledyard & Faith, PLC posted in Premises Liability on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

An aggressive dog runs out of a yard and comes straight for you. It is barking and snarling and baring its teeth. It is not on a leash and you do not see its owner anywhere nearby. What is your first instinct?

Odds are, your fight-or-flight instinct is going to kick in, and you'll be tempted to run. It's a natural reaction, but it's the wrong one. Do not try to run away from the dog.

What to do if a car crosses the centerline

On behalf of Faith, Ledyard & Faith, PLC posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

One of the most frightening experiences any driver can have is watching another car cross the centerline in front of them. This can happen for all manner of reasons, from drunk driving to distracted driving to a simple error by a young, inexperienced driver who can't stay in their lane. It also happens when people think they have room to pass but they do not.

What should you do? Let's start with what not to do. Don't drive to the left, into their lane. They are in yours, and possibly angling across the lane toward the shoulder, so your instinct may be to go left to avoid them.

The type of motorcycle you choose impacts performance

On behalf of Faith, Ledyard & Faith, PLC posted in motorcycle accidents on Friday, March 13, 2020.

If you're thinking about buying a motorcycle and you've never owned one before, it can feel a bit overwhelming. Long gone are the days when bikes were all pretty much the same and you just picked one for the engine size. Modern bikes are very specialized and the way they're designed can drastically impact performance.

The main types to consider are:

Cruisers
Standard bikes
Sports bikes
Dirt bikes
Dual-sport bikes
Touring bikes
Electric bikes

Bike crashes can lead to traumatic skin wounds

On behalf of Faith, Ledyard & Faith, PLC on Wednesday, March 11, 2020.

Motorcyclists and bicyclists share a common danger – falling off the bike. Most of these individuals are safe when they ride, but they can't control what those around them do. Being struck by a driver is a serious concern because it can lead to the rider being thrown off the bike, which can result in a variety of injuries.

The issue that comes into the picture when a motorcyclist or bicyclist is thrown off their bike is that the impact to the ground is going to cause injuries. There is also a chance that the bicycle or motorcycle will land on top of them. While many wear protective gear, it's possible that they will suffer from road rash, which is known as a traumatic skin wound.

A trust can delay the transfer of assets

On behalf of Faith, Ledyard & Faith, PLC posted in Trusts on Monday, March 9, 2020.

Trusts are often used in very complex situations with strict provisions. For instance, a special needs trust can hold money aside so that an heir has access to the money but still qualifies for government assistance. An incentive trust can stipulate that the heir only gets the money if they meet certain requirements and goals.

However, don't assume that it always has to be this complex. Some trusts are fairly simple, and they have one main goal: delaying when the assets actually get transferred to your heirs.

Why are auto fatalities so high in the United States?

On behalf of Faith, Ledyard & Faith, PLC posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Wednesday, March 4, 2020.

When you compare car accident fatalities in the United States to the rest of the world, it's clear very quickly that the U.S. has a serious problem on the roads. People die at a far greater rate than they do in similar countries.

In one report, the fatality rate in the U.S. came in at 12.4 deaths for every 100,000 people in the country. That's around 50% more than what you find in places like Japan, Australia, Canada and Western Europe.