Car Accident Destroys New Arizona Monument

  <h2>
    Ernest W. McFarland
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  <p>
    On February 14 of this year, the memorial outside of the Arizona State Capitol was dedicated in honor of  Ernest W. McFarland, who served as governor, U.S. senator and chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court.
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  <p>
    The Earnest W. McFarland and the American Dream Memorial took $400,000 and four years to build.  According to architects Don and Erik Ryden, the site is meant to exemplify not only McFarland's life, but also those visiting.
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  <p>
    “We wanted to not only memorialize Mac’s life, but your own life as well,” Erik said. “It’s about your own adventure, purpose and math, specifically in America.”
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  <p>
    The goal of the memorial is to make McFarland’s life relevant to today’s citizens, “who may never have heard of the guy,” said Don.
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  <p>
    McFarland is considered one of the "Fathers of the G.I. Bill," a law that provided a range of benefits for soldiers returning from World War II.  He served in the highest office in all three branches of Arizona government—two at the state level, one at the federal level. From 1941 to 1953 he was a Democratic Senator, Majority Leader from 1951 to 1953, and then served as the tenth Governor of Arizona from 1955 to 1959. In 1968 he sat as Chief Justice on the Arizona Supreme Court.
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  <h2>
    The Car Accident
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  <p>
    Just two weeks after being dedicated, the $400,000 monument that took four years to build was damaged in a car accident when a Subaru flipped into it around 12:30 p.m. The car took out a 15-foot cactus and other trees, as well as causing damage to the monument itself. The damage includes a black concrete wall. According to inspectors, the black paint will be difficult to match. The 24-foot-tall triumphal arch that is the focal point of the monument was not damaged. It's estimated damage will cost $20,000-$25,000.
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  <p>
    The driver was immediately transported to the hospital. At this point the cause of the car accident is unclear.
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  <p class="">
     John Lewis, McFarland's grandson, observed the damage, noting, "It's very scary to think they have school kids around all the time, he could have hit somebody."
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  <p class="">
    "Everything was only two weeks old," Lewis said. "It was nice and pristine. It breaks my heart to see this happen."
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  <h2 class="permalinkable">
    After a Car Accident
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  <p>
    A car accident can cause damage, liability issues, traffic citations, injuries, and in some extreme cases death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration there were 2.24 million car accidents involving injuries in 2010. Luckily, as the result of safer cars and safety measures, according to the NHTSA fatal car accidents are at their lowest levels in 60 years.
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  <p>
    Still, it's likely that if you are a driver, you will be <a href="https://www.personalinjuryattorneys.me/car-accident-attorney-phoenix/">involved in a car accident</a> at some point during your life. There are safety precautions you should take to avoid that accident. Here are a few of them:
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  <ul>
    <li>
      Avoid drunk or buzzed driving. Despite how dangerous drunk driving is, according to the NHTSA, drunk driving claimed more than 10,000 lives in 2012. Always designate a driver or wait until you are no longer drunk before you get behind the wheel of a car.
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    <li>
      <a href="https://www.personalinjuryattorneys.me/bus-accident-attorney/distracted-driving-moms-tale/">Avoid distracted driving</a>. According to the NHTSA, 3,154 people were killed in distracted driving crashes in 2013. Put the phone down - that means no texting and no phone calls while you are driving.
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    <li>
      Stop speeding and follow posted speed limits. When you speed you are putting everyone else on the road with you at risk. As you go faster, you have less time to react and avoid accidents. The faster you go, braking distances increase.
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    <li>
      Be extra careful in parking lots.
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    <li>
      Ensure you car is properly maintained. Schedule regular maintenance for your car to ensure your brakes and engine are properly maintained. Repair all broken windows and lights.
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    <li>
      If you can, purchase a new car. Since 2012, new cars come standard with electronic stability control that has been proven to lower the risk of a fatal single-vehicle crash by about half and the risk of a fatal rollover by as much as 80 percent. Newer cars have safety features, such as lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert aid, that can actively help avoid accidents, or reduce the severity of accidents.
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    <li>
      Buckle up. Fastening your seat belt is the best way to prevent serious injury or death. People that are not buckled up can be thrown from the truck or car they are riding in.
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  </ul>
  
  <p>
    Any time you get behind the wheel of a car you need to practice the utmost awareness and safety. By following the above precautions you can help to avoid accidents. If you do have a car accident, there are some things you'll need to do.
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  <h2>
    Following Car Accident
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  <p>
    There are also some things you need to be aware of if that accident happens. Here are some things you should do following a car accident:
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  <ul>
    <li>
      Stay at the scene of the accident. You are legally required to stop, check on the other person and car involved, if there is one, and exchange all insurance and contact information. While it's not mandatory, it's advised that you report the accident to law enforcement. Failure to stay at the scene is a crime.
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    <li>
      Call 911. Even if the car accident seems minor, with little reason to notify authorities, if you don't get an official police report documenting the accident, what proof do you have? Law enforcement might not respond to collision unless there are injuries, but a report of the accident can help in the claim process, as well as protect you.
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    <li>
      Stay calm. Try to remain as calm as possible and be polite to everyone involved in the accident.
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    <li>
      Don't admit fault. Do not admit to any aspect of the crash. If you do, you're legally admitting liability for the accident. This admittance can expose you to lawsuits or other penalties.
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    <li>
      Make sure you properly document the accident. Document any damage done to cars. Write down any specifics and any necessary evidence should the accident lead to a lawsuit. If you can find a few moments during the aftermath of the accident, try to write down what happened from your point of view. Note time, date, streets, makes models and colors of cars, direction you were heading, contact information, and information from any witnesses that were at the scene. A lawyer will use this to help build your case and help determine liability.
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  <h3>
    What To Do Next
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  <p>
    Following the accident, notify your insurance provider as soon as possible. It's advised that you visit a doctor that can evaluate you for any injuries, even unseen. Sometimes injuries do not quickly or instantly appear following a car accident, and appear weeks much later. Consider calling a car accident lawyer. Should the accident grow to become a lawsuit, working with an attorney early on can help build your case and protect you from making any potential missteps.
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  <h2 class="permalinkable">
    Working with a Personal Injury Attorney
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  <p>
    The attorneys at Personal Injury Attorneys PLLC have experience handling personal injury cases such as motor vehicle, bus, and <a href="https://www.personalinjuryattorneys.me/motorcycle-accident-attorney-phoenix/">motorcycle accidents</a>. It can be difficult dealing with injuries and extensive damages suffered during an <a href="https://www.personalinjuryattorneys.me/azr-accident-attorney/pedestrian-struck-dui-hitandrun/">accident caused by DUI</a>, distracted driving, or drowsiness, or <a href="https://www.personalinjuryattorneys.me/wrongful-death-attorney-phoenix/">general negligence</a>. Following an accident, victims are commonly left with questions and concerns regarding how they can successfully obtain compensation. There are many complicated insurance claim stipulations that can leave you confused. The help of an expert personal injury attorney who is well versed in the laws specific to automobile accidents in Arizona can help ensure you get the settlement you need and deserve.
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  <p>
    After contacting an attorney, they will investigate the specifics of the crash. The more information you can provide to them, the better. That means specifics of the crash, any witness information, any medical bills or time spent in hospital, and the specifics of your injuries. They will build a case for you based on these specifics and then defend you should the case go to trial. You'll want to work with experienced personal injury attorneys like the ones at Personal Injury Attorneys PLLC.
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