With scorching heat during Arizona summers, the cabin temperatures in cars can be dangerous. Unfortunately, some people make the poor decision of leaving their children or pets in cars while they do other things. Although air conditioning should help keep things cool, AC units can break at any time, leaving helpless occupants to suffer in cars. Thankfully, Arizona good samaritan law protects people that break into cars in order to prevent a child or pet from suffering in a hot car. Lerner and Rowe’s Phoenix injury lawyers explain the law and how it can protect you from liability.
What Is a Good Samaritan?
The term “good samaritan” originated from chapter 10 of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Bible. The chapter contains “The Parable of the Good Samaritan” which tells the tale of a traveler that was robbed, beaten, stripped and left to die on the side of a road.
The traveler is implied to be Jewish and was ignored by two Jewish people that came across him. The man was finally aided by a Samaritan, who clothed the traveler, tended to his wounds and provided him with shelter. Jewish people and Samaritans despised each other at this time in history, so the tale is meant to teach compassion for those who are suffering, no matter how different they are from you.
Today, the term good samaritan is used to describe, “one who voluntarily renders aid to another in distress although under no duty to do so.”
How Does Arizona Good Samaritan Law Apply to Hot Cars?
In the context of children or pets suffering in hot cars, Arizona’s good samaritan law is covered in Arizona Revised Statute 12-558.02. The law states:
- A. A person who uses reasonable force to enter a locked and unattended motor vehicle to remove a minor or confined domestic animal is not liable for any damages in a civil action if all of the following apply:
- 1. The person has a good faith belief that the minor or confined domestic animal is in imminent danger of suffering physical injury or death unless the minor or domestic animal is removed from the motor vehicle.
- 2. The person determines that the motor vehicle is locked or there is no reasonable manner in which the person can remove the minor or domestic animal from the vehicle.
- 3. Before entering the motor vehicle, the person notifies a peace officer, emergency medical service provider or first responder or an animal control enforcement agency or deputy, if appropriate, of the minor or confined domestic animal.
- 4. The person does not use more force than is necessary under the circumstances to enter the motor vehicle and remove the minor or domestic animal from the vehicle.
- 5. The person remains with the minor or domestic animal until the person who is contacted as prescribed in paragraph 3 of this subsection arrives at the motor vehicle.
- B. A person is not immune from civil liability if the person fails to abide by any of the provisions of subsection A of this section and commits any unnecessary or malicious damage to the motor vehicle.
- C. For the purposes of this section, “domestic animal” means a dog, a cat or another animal that is domesticated and kept as a household pet.
In practical terms, this means that you have protection from a civil lawsuit if you break into a car in order to help a child or pet that’s suffering in a hot car. This should alleviate any concerns of people worrying about legal actions and encourage people to take action in order to prevent an innocent from suffering injuries, heat sickness, or wrongful death due to extreme temperatures.
24/7 Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyers
The Arizona injury lawyers at Lerner and Rowe hope that you never encounter a child or pet that’s suffering inside of a hot car. However, to prepare yourself for that unfortunate situation, we recommend familiarizing yourself with the Arizona good samaritan law. If you happen to suffer an injury while trying to rescue an endangered baby or pet then you may be entitled to compensation. Give us a call to begin your free consultation and explore your legal options.
Lerner and Rowe is available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can reach us by phone at 602-977-1900, submit your information through our secure contact form, or speak with one of our LiveChat representatives. With more than 30 years of combined experience winning injury victims across the country billions of dollars and a reputation for outstanding customer service, you can feel confident about getting the settlement you deserve when Lerner and Rowe is by your side.