Page 6 November 2 0 1 4 By Jennifer A. Cranston Rideshare companies, like UberX and Lyft, offer a popular alternative to traditional taxi service by using a smartphone app to connect available drivers with passengers. The service is touted for its affordability and convenience, as well as environmentally friendly mission to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Recently, however, rideshare companies have become a topic of significant debate in the media and legal community. The controversy stems from the fact that most of the drivers are not commercially licensed and lack some of the legal safeguards imposed upon standard taxi companies. For instance, taxi drivers and other individuals who offer transportation- for-hire services are subject to state regulations, including the requirement that they have a commercial driver’s license. Rideshare drivers who operate without a commercial license may be fined by the state. However, these fines are typically paid by the rideshare companies on behalf of the drivers. An additional concern associated with the rideshare trend is safety, specifically the lack of pre-employment drug testing and background checks. While some companies voluntarily conduct pre- employment screening, opponents argue that the checks are insufficient and fall below the standards applicable to licensed transportation companies. Perhaps the greatest concern raised by rideshare critics is the lack of sufficient liability insurance, which can expose victims of rideshare accidents to uncompensated injury and property damage. Most rideshare drivers use their personal vehicles, which are covered by personal use auto policies. These policies only provide coverage for damage caused Legal controversies raised by new rideshare trends while the vehicle is driven for personal use. They exclude coverage for accidents arising from commercial (for pay) use of the vehicle. In response to this problem, the more popular rideshare companies now purchase separate policies that provide insurance for their drivers while carrying passengers. But there is still a gap in coverage for accidents that occur between passenger pickups. This gap was highlighted by an accident in California in late 2013, when an UberX driver hit and killed a 6-year-old girl while he was driving around waiting for his next passenger. Because the driver did not have a passenger at the time of the accident, the rideshare company’s insurance arguably did not apply. In the wake of the California fatality, several states considered laws that would require rideshare companies to obtain certain minimum levels of insurance coverage, but still less than required for other commercial drivers. Proponents of rideshare services argued that additional insurance coverage, which would lead to higher insurance premiums and higher passenger fares, was unnecessary. In Arizona, the legislature approved a bill that would have imposed some regulation on rideshare companies. However, Governor Brewer vetoed the bill, citing concerns that the law did not do enough to protect the public because it did not require pre-employment drug testing or close the gaps in insurance coverage. Jennifer A. Cranston is a shareholder at Gallagher & Kennedy, where she focuses her practice on three primary areas: real estate disputes, including condemnation and valuation matters; insurance coverage analysis and bad faith litigation; and public utility regulation. For more information about Ms. Cranston, please go to gknet.com. One appointment. Expert doctors. Convenient services. 4350 E. Camelback Rd., Ste F100 Phoenix, AZ 85018 602.955.8700 • FPSAZ.com Because caring for your health has always been our passion, we’ve made the following services conveniently available in our office. • Excellent care for all ages • Same day appointments • On-site clinical laboratory and X-rays • Dermatology and Optometry services • Botox and Obagi skin care now available Celebrating 45 years of family care M-F 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to noon. Mark A. Wyse, M.D. Kate Montgomery, FNP Allan Goldman, D.O. IMG_0897.JPG IMG_0900.JPG IMG_0898.JPG IMG_0901.JPG IMG_0899.JPG IMG_0902.JPG Lanterman Photo 602.577.1640 David Anderson, O.D. Optometrist David Francyk, D.O. T.E. McCauley, M.D. Tyler Southwell , M.D. Andrew Racette, D.O. Certified Dermatologist James Leap, PA-C Physician Assistant Alisha Archibeck, D.O. Jennifer Francyk, PA-C Victoria Rhodes, P.A. Charles Levison, M.D.

2014 Tavan School District Sales Results (1/1/2014- 9/30/2014) Active Homes - 81 Homes Homes Sold - 152 Homes Average Sale Price - $449,155 Average Sold $ Per SF - $208 Average Days On Market - 77 days • There is currently 4.5 months of home inventory (based on 2013 sales results) • 2014 home sales have decreased 6% this year. (based on 2013 sales results) • Home prices have increased 10% this year. (based on 2013 sales results) • $ Per Square Foot prices have increased 9% this year. (based on 2013 sales results) • Homes are taking 14% more time to sell this year. (based on 2013 sales results) 2013 Tavan School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 217 Homes Average Sale Price - $403,875 Average Sold $ Per SF - $189 Average Days On Market -66 Days 2012 Tavan School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 207 Homes Average Sale Price - $326,316 Average Sold $ Per SF - $158 Average Days On Market -66 Days 2011 Tavan School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 203 Homes Average Sale Price - $265,505 Average Sold $ Per SF - $128 Average Days On Market -102 Days 2010 Tavan School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 145 Homes Average Sale Price - $294,278 Average Sold $ Per SF - $142 Average Days On Market -140 Days Arcadia Real Estate Stats 2014 Hopi School District Sales Results (1/1/2014- 9/30/2014) Active Homes - 135 homes Homes Sold - 178 homes Average Sale Price - $970,317 Average Sold $ Per SF - $280 Average Days On Market - 121 days • There is currently 5 months of home inventory (based on 2013 sales results) • 2014 home sales have decreased 22% this year. (based on 2013 sales results) • Home prices have increased 13% this year. (based on 2013 sales results) • $ Per Square Foot prices have increased 6% this year. (based on 2013 sales results) • Homes are taking 26% more time to sell this year. (based on 2013 sales results) 2013 Hopi School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 305 Homes Average Sale Price - $845,430 Average Sold $ Per SF - $262 Average Days On Market -88 Days 2012 Hopi School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 282 Homes Average Sale Price - $777,607 Average Sold $ Per SF - $235 Average Days On Market -102 Days 2011 Hopi School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 238 Homes Average Sale Price - $635,344 Average Sold $ Per SF - $197 Average Days On Market -124 Days 2010 Hopi School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 202 Homes Average Sale Price - $670,142 Average Sold $ Per SF - $200 Average Days On Market -156 Days If you are buying or selling a home in Arcadia, call Tommy! 4344 E Clarendon • $595,000 2,605 square feet • 18 car parking • Swimming Pool Arcadia Home Offi ce Potential 3111 N 53rd Street • $1,100,000 5 bedroom / 6 bathroom • 4,818 square feet Charming Arcadia Ranch visit Tommy Atkinson .com Free MLS Access • Complete list of ALL Hopi properties for sale • Complete List of ALL Tavan properties for sale • Complete list of ALL Arcadia foreclosures 5625 E Exeter • Call for Pricing 5 bedroom / 5 bathroom • 5,400 square feet Charming Exeter Ranch 6243 E Monterosa • $1,895,000 6 bedroom / 4 bath • 4,593 square feet Charming Arcadia Ranch 6310 E Lafayette • $879,000 3 bedroom / 2 bath • 2,099 square feet Arcadia Fixer Upper 2536 N 57th Street • $495,000 3 bedroom / 2 bath • 1,491 square feet 17,712 square foot lot 4849 E Earll • $595,000 4 bedroom / 3 bath • 2,673 square feet Arcadia New Construction 6241 E Calle Del Norte • $1,595,000 6 bedroom / 5 bathroom • 4,800 square feet Spacious Santa Barbara West USA Realty Cell: 602-625-6020 tomatkinson1@msn.com Fax: 480-275-7368 5500 N 67th Place • $2,200,000 5 bedroom / 5.5 bath • 5,773 square feet Paradise Valley Estate Thinking Of Selling Your Home? Call Today About My Flexible Commission Program Geared To Save You Money!