Category Archives: Blog

We here at Karnas Law Firm want our clients to be well informed on how to handle medical treatment following a collision. Being informed allows you to save time and money. 

How Does Arizona Law Deal with a Patient’s Injury Case?

Arizona law allows health care providers to place a lien on a patient’s injury case for necessary medical treatment. 

The law states, “Every individual, partnership, firm, association, corporation or institution or any governmental unit that maintains and operates a health care institution or provides health care services in this state and that has been duly licensed by this state, or any political subdivision or private entity with ambulances operated, licensed or registered pursuant to title 36, chapter 21.1, is entitled to a lien for the care and treatment or transportation of an injured person.”[1]

What Happens When a Lien is Filed in an Accident Case?

When a lien is initiated, it’s the legal right of the creditor/health care provider to collect collateral from the injury case. If you find yourself receiving medical attention following a collision, call us immediately.

Here at Karnas Law Firm, we want our clients to be well informed on medical procedures following a collision. If you’re stuck paying for medical expenses caused by a collision, call us anytime. 

Trust the Car Accident Attorneys in Yuma, Arizona

The car accident lawyers at Karnas Law Firm are here to help you recover the maximum amount available for all associated damages. With more than 25 years of experience representing injured accident victims in Arizona, we understand the stress of being injured as a result of a third party’s negligence. Our team can lift the burden of settling a personal injury claim from your shoulders and relentlessly fight for fair compensation. 

If you’ve suffered any injuries in a collision, contact us. We are available in Tucson at (520) 338-1641 or at our Yuma location at (928) 550-8020. You can also email Olivia Gaxiola at ogaxiola@karnaslaw.com to set up an appointment.

To get started on your case, contact us today for a free case evaluation. We look forward to talking to you soon. 

[1] Arizona Laws: Title 33, Chapter 7, Article 3(§ 33-931). https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/arizona/az-laws/arizona_laws_33-931

Concussions are a common injury in a motor vehicle collision, but most cases go untreated. Even in a minor motor vehicle crash, a concussion may occur. This is why it’s important to seek immediate medical attention in any type of motor vehicle collision.

What Are The Causes of a Concussion?

A concussion is caused by any cranial impact that causes a displacement of the brain relative to the skull[1]. The proceeding impact of the brain on the inside of the skull is what causes the injury. Concussion symptoms vary greatly in severity and can have lifelong impacts on your health. Here at Karnas Law Firm, we advocate proper concussion protocol to properly diagnose concussions in a collision.

Car Accidents Cause Concussions and Head Injuries

Car collisions are one of the leading causes of concussions in the United States. Car crashes are responsible for 17.3% of all diagnosed concussions[2]. This bears in mind that many of those who suffer a concussion in a crash do not seek medical attention or are simply not tested for one. Functions of the brain become altered after a concussion; however, the brain has little to no abnormalities in appearance.

What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion?

Typical concussion symptoms are:

• Loss of consciousness
• Ringing ears
• Nausea
• Confusion/amnesia
• Irregular sleep patterns
• Mood changes
• Headaches/migraines
• Difficulty thinking
• and seizures in extreme cases.

Symptoms of a concussion can be so subtle that they are nonexistent.

If you find yourself in a collision, get a professional opinion. Even if you do not exhibit any symptoms and are unsure of your condition, it’s worth it to get a professional medical opinion. Concussions get much more severe based on the frequency and severity of previously suffered brain traumas. The long-term health side effects of concussions are still largely unknown but have been linked to potentially fatal neurodegenerative brain diseases such as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and dementia.

Trust the Car Accident Attorneys in Yuma, Arizona

If you think you may have suffered a concussion in an accident, refer to the concussion symptoms test posted below.[3] If symptoms persist or worsen, seek immediate medical attention. Here at Karnas Law Firm, we advise our clients to undergo proper concussion protocol after a collision.

The car accident lawyers at Karnas Law Firm are here to help you recover the maximum amount available for all associated damages. With more than 25 years of experience representing injured accident victims in Arizona, we understand the stress of being injured as a result of a third party’s negligence. Our team can lift the burden of settling a personal injury claim from your shoulders and relentlessly fight for fair compensation.

If you’ve suffered any injuries in a collision, contact us. We are available in Tucson at (520) 338-1641 or at our Yuma location at (928) 550-8020. You can also email Olivia Gaxiola at ogaxiola@karnaslaw.com to set up an appointment.

To get started on your case, contact us today for a free case evaluation. We look forward to talking to you soon.

[1] Drew Demann & Gerald Leisman (1990) Biomechanics of Head Injury, International Journal of Neuroscience, 54:1-2, 101-117, retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/action/showCitFormats?doi=10.3109%2F00207459008986624
[2] MemoryHealthCheck. (2019). Concussion Symptom Test – MemoryHealthCheck. [online] Available at: https://www.memorylosstest.com/concussion-symptoms-test/ [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019].
[3] MyBrainTest. (2019). Free Concussion Test – MyBrainTest | MyBrainTest. [online] Available at: https://www.mybraintest.org/concussion-test-online/ [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019].

 Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP) coverage is an insurance policy premium for newly purchased cars. It covers the deficit between the actual value and the value owed on your vehicle in the event of a total loss in an accident. This premium can save you from making car payments for a totaled vehicle you are no longer in possession of. Here at Karnas Law Firm, we believe all our clients should be well informed on purchasing gap insurance to ensure complete coverage of their new vehicle.

Car Depreciation: How Much Value Will a New Car Lose?

Comprehensive and collision insurance policies only cover the market value of your car. Chances are your newly purchased car will have heavy depreciation values. A new car typically loses value much more quickly than what you owe on it. This creates an “upside-down situation.” The value of a new car averages a loss of 10% the second it drives off the lot and 40% every year after that. In 5 years, an average “new” car will cost less than half of what it initially cost. Meanwhile, the loan amount stays at a fixed rate. GAP insurance covers the difference between the actual cash value (ACV) and the remaining payment amount owed in the event of a total loss.

How Does a GAP Insurance Plan Impact Your Car’s Value?

For instance, if the value of your car was appraised at $22,000 and you still owe $24,000 at the time of an accident, a GAP insurance policy would cover the $2,000 gap. Without it, you would still need to pay $2,000 on the vehicle regardless of who the at-fault driver is.

GAP coverage is often overlooked but can save you in the long run. GAP gives consumers the peace of mind knowing this deficit will not have to be paid if their vehicle is totaled. Here at Karnas Law Firm, we advise our clients to make a well-informed decision in purchasing GAP coverage. 

Experienced Car Accident Attorneys in Yuma, Arizona

If you’ve suffered from a car accident, you’ve already suffered enough. Don’t attempt to navigate the legal complexities of the accident alone. Reach out to our proven and trusted car accident attorneys today. 

The car accident lawyers at Karnas Law Firm are here to help you recover the maximum amount available for all associated damages. With more than 25 years of experience representing injured accident victims in Arizona, we understand the stress of being injured as a result of a third party’s negligence. Our team can lift the burden of settling a personal injury claim from your shoulders and relentlessly fight for fair compensation. 

Our attorneys are known as some of the top lawyers in the business and have received accolades such as Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Lawyers and Top 100 Trial Lawyers. We are also Lead Counsel rated. We are available in Tucson at (520) 338-1641 or at our Yuma location at (928) 550-8020. You can also email Olivia Gaxiola at ogaxiola@karnaslaw.com to set up an appointment. 

To get started on your case, contact us today for a free case evaluation. We look forward to talking to you soon. 

One in 7 Americans (about 15%) does not have Auto Insurance, according to the Insurance Research Council. Almost all basic insurance packages will not cover a crash with these illegal drivers. This leaves the policyholder to pay for the full cost of a crash, regardless of who is at fault. Here at Karnas Law Firm, we advocate the use of Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. This coverage gives Arizona drivers peace of mind knowing they are covered in the event of a collision with an uninsured driver.

What Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Pay For?

An UM policy covers medical expenses, pain, suffering, and loss of wages. Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) coverage can come in either a split limit policy or a combined single limit policy. 

Split limit, the most common form of UM coverage, means coverage limits change based on the number of people injured. For example, a split limit policy will cover $15,000 for bodily injury or death when one person is injured. When more than one is injured in a crash, coverage goes up to a total of $30,000 per accident. 

Combined single limit policies will pay up to a set amount for all bodily injury in a single accident. This means if your insurance policy covers $30,000 then all the injuries are covered under this amount.

What Does Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Cover?

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) is an additional policy on your insurance. UMPD is not offered at all providers but is worth purchasing. It can cover property damage to your personal property (car, house, fence, and personal items in the vehicle at the time of the collision, etc.). If you make a claim of this type, you will be cut a check for damages. The insurance company can pursue legal action against the negligent driver to recover their damages. However, it must be noted that making a UMPD claim can make you a third party to your own insurance. This can put you in opposition to your own insurance company.

Is Additional UM Coverage Expensive?

Both UMBI and UMPD coverage plans buy Arizona drivers peace of mind knowing they’re financially protected from an accident with an uninsured driver. UM coverage is a relatively small fee comparatively speaking (an additional cost of 5-8% of your total bill). This protects you from having to dig money out of your own pocket because you were a victim in a collision with an illegal driver. 

Get the Advice You Need from an Arizona Car Accident Attorney

If you’ve suffered from a car accident, you don’t need to go through the aftermath of that accident alone. Reach out to our proven and trusted car accident attorneys today. 

The car accident lawyers at Karnas Law Firm are here to help you recover the maximum amount available for all associated damages. With more than 25 years of experience representing injured accident victims in Arizona, we understand the stress of being injured as a result of a third party’s negligence. Our team can lift the burden of settling a personal injury claim from your shoulders and relentlessly fight for fair compensation. 

Our attorneys are known as some of the top lawyers in the business and have received accolades such as Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Lawyers and Top 100 Trial Lawyers. We are also Lead Counsel rated. 

If you’re injured in an accident with an uninsured driver, call us anytime. We are available in Tucson at (520) 338-1641 or at our Yuma location at (928) 550-8020. You can also email Olivia Gaxiola at ogaxiola@karnaslaw.com to set up an appointment. 

To get started on your case, contact us today for a free case evaluation. We look forward to talking to you soon. 

Many people in an accident are worried about medical expenses. Medical Payment (MedPay) insurance coverage is here to alleviate this anxiety. 

Rather than coming out of pocket, MedPay insurance coverage can cover procedures not covered by basic auto or health insurance. Here’s why you should carry MedPay as part of your auto insurance.

What Does MedPay Cover?

MedPay is an auto insurance policy that covers health expenses caused by an accident. The coverage will help the policyholder regardless of who is at fault for an accident. It usually covers:

• Hospital or doctor’s visits
• Surgery
• Ambulance fees
• Rehabilitation
• Some medical equipment
• and funerals. 

How Does MedPay Work on Auto Insurance?

Unlike most policies, MedPay will remain active when you are walking as a pedestrian, using public transportation, or riding in someone else’s vehicle.

When looking at MedPay coverage, do not consider how much health insurance will provide in the event of an accident. MedPay is available even if you do or do not have health insurance. MedPay’s coverage is one of the least expensive add-ons to your auto insurance policy.

Experienced Car Accident Attorneys in Arizona

Here at Karnas Law Firm, we recommend our clients carry MedPay in their auto insurance policy. If you are stuck paying for medical expenses relating to a car accident, call us anytime.

The car accident lawyers at Karnas Law Firm are here to help you recover the maximum amount available for all associated damages. With more than 25 years of experience representing injured accident victims in Arizona, we understand the stress of being injured as a result of a third party’s negligence. Our team can lift the burden of settling a personal injury claim from your shoulders and relentlessly fight for fair compensation. 

 We are available in Tucson at (520) 338-1641 or at our Yuma location at (928) 550-8020. You can also email Olivia Gaxiola at ogaxiola@karnaslaw.com to set up an appointment. 

Our attorneys are known as some of the top lawyers in the business and have received accolades such as Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Lawyers and Top 100 Trial Lawyers. We are also Lead Counsel rated. 

To get started on your case, contact us today for a free case evaluation. We look forward to talking to you soon.