Phoenix Auto Collision Experts
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC, approximately 30 people lose their lives each day in a collision that involves at least one motorist who was under the influence of alcohol. Every year, alcohol-related crashes cost the American public around $59 billion, and the problem does not end there.
Around nine people perish and 1,153 are injured every day in car crashes in which at least one motorist was driving while performing some other activity. The CDC reported that 387,000 people were injured in collisions with at least one distracted driver in 2011, but this number increased to 421,000 in 2012. In addition, the agency discovered that 3,328 people died in distracted driving accidents in 2012. These crashes and others occur because at least one driver decided to act in a negligent manner before or during his or her time behind the wheel.
Although it may be obvious when someone has been injured and property damaged in an automobile collision, those who have been hurt or have damaged property often have difficulties obtaining fair settlements from insurance companies. The executives with these companies are known for acting in bad faith. This means that they will regularly deny that their driver is at fault in order to delay payment. They also deny that the injured were hurt in the collision and suggest that they are suffering from a pre-existing condition. If they cannot avoid the courtroom, they employ tactics that ensure the two sides will be in court for months or even years.
Brian T. Leonard has more than a decade of experience practicing as a personal injury attorney.
Large insurance companies have experienced lawyers retained to give them an advantage over people who do not possess the same resources. Mr. Leonard and his father Jim have the experience to match that of the insurance companies. They have been litigating these cases in court for decades and are prepared to do what they can to discourage the stall tactics that insurance companies and their lawyers utilize.
Personal injury attorney Brian T. Leonard helped obtain millions of dollars for clients who were injured due to someone else’s negligence. In one example of his expertise, Mr. Leonard was recently able to secure a $9,975,000 settlement for a client.
Insurance Bad Faith
Insurance companies will sometimes act in bad faith. There are certain instances when the insurance company’s executives do not deny that the driver or passengers of the other vehicle were hurt, yet they choose to offer the injured claimant less than they are entitled to receive. In many instances, the sum of money offered to the injured claimant is not even enough to cover the medical bills. Many are coerced t sign away their rights in exchange for insufficient compensation.
Mr. Leonard has been serving the Phoenix area since he graduated from Golden Gate University School of Law. He joined his father and godfather in private practice and later became affiliated with the law firm of Palumbo, Wolfe and Palumbo. This year, Brian and Jim decided to start their own law practice and opened The Leonard Law Firm, P.L.L.C.