Anyone who’s ever been in an auto accident can tell you that the crash scene can be one of chaos. Though accidents involving serious injuries and major damage can be difficult for anyone to process and handle, even a non-injury collision with minimal damage can be jarring in the moments following the crash. For many motorists under such pressure, it’s difficult to remember exactly what to do and whom to contact. Thankfully, a personal injury law firm recently released Car Accident Sidekick, a free iPhone app packed with tools and resources intended to help beleaguered accident victims at the scene of an accident.

Car Accident Sidekick offers a wealth of handy features that simplify dealing with the immediate aftermath of a crash. With this app, you can:

• Go through a step-by-step accident checklist
• Store emergency contacts, such as the names and numbers of local towing and cab services
• Call 911 with one click
• Keep accident information about insurance, injuries and damage photos in one place
• Find your exact location on a map
• Locate an auto accident attorney

The app even comes equipped with a voice recorder and flashlight to make accident note taking easier. Having access to all these convenient features within one app can save you valuable time and energy while trying to manage after a collision.

Following the accident, one of the first things you should do is get in touch with a personal injury lawyer who can help you assess your situation and advise you on the best way to proceed. Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience is a trusted Mesa personal injury law firm with more than 50 years of experience handling auto accident and other injury cases. For a free legal consultation, please contact us.

One of the very first things you should do following a serious injury is consult with a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case, your rights under the law and the best course of action for getting you the compensation to which you are entitled. In order to help your personal injury attorney in their fight for your rights, it is important to provide him or her with as much helpful information as possible. The following are lists of documents and information to collect if relevant before visiting your lawyer for the first time:

People

Record the name and contact information of the following people, if applicable:

• Everyone involved in the accident
• Accident witnesses
• Police officers at the scene of the accident
• Doctors who examined you following the accident
• Chiropractors you consulted
• Insurance adjustors
• Anyone else you talked to about your accident injuries

Dates

Provide the following dates as accurately as possible:

• Date and approximate time of the accident
• Dates you were admitted to the hospital
• Dates of any medical exams related to your injury
• Dates of any days of work missed because of your injury

Places

Gather as much information as possible about the following places:

• The location where the accident took place – If you don’t have an address, provide the closest cross streets as well as a complete as possible description of the area.
• The addresses of any hospitals, clinics or emergency rooms you visited after the accident.

Documents

Collect any documents that might have pertinent information to your case, including:

• Accident report
• Any written statements
• Medical bills
• Your auto insurance policy as well as your declarations page and coverage page
• Your homeowners insurance or renters insurance policy as well as your declarations page and coverage page
• Your medical insurance policy or coverage certificate
• Any other applicable insurance policies
• Any correspondence from the insurance company about your injury
• Receipts for any expenses related to the accident

For best results, store this information together in a binder or any other place where you can easily access it. The more information in connection with your injury you can provide, the more likely you are to receive a satisfactory outcome in your case.

If you’ve been injured in an accident, the Arizona accident lawyers at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience in Mesa can provide you with the quality legal representation you need. Contact us for a free initial legal consultation.

You just bought that great bike you’ve always wanted. Whether it’s a heavyweight Harley, a sport bike or a touring cycle, safety should always be your number one concern when riding. Arizona motorcycle accident attorneys know the kinds of serious injury that motorcyclists risk when riding among cars and trucks that may not be as alert to their presence as they should be. When others aren’t looking out for you, it’s important to do everything you can to look out for yourself.

Motorcycle riders may dream about taking their machines out on the miles and miles of open highway that crisscross our vast state, but most Arizona motorcycle accidents actually happen in our cities. The Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) issues an annual “crash report” of statistics for every Arizona motor vehicle accident in a given year. In both 2010 and 2009, motorcycle accidents that caused injury or death were more than twice as likely to happen on urban streets as on rural roadways. A Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyer can help if you’ve suffered injuries due to another person’s failure to take proper caution in crowded city driving conditions.

If you ride a motorcycle, protect yourself by following these safety guidelines:

• Learn and Practice

You took a class to learn to drive a car, so why not take a motorcycle safety class, too? Attending a class prior to riding your motorcycle will ensure that you’re familiar with the necessary defensive maneuvers and safety measures. You can also practice emergency riding techniques in a remote area or parking lot. These include learning how to safely swerve and change speeds quickly, without losing control of your bike, in order to avoid a crash.

• Scan Ahead

When you drive a car or truck, you look ahead to spot upcoming problems or potential hazards in your path. Operating a motorcycle requires even more alert and attentive scanning. Why? Because motorcycles can go down easily whenever your balance is upset. An empty bottle or other small debris in the road can abruptly force you into a spin or uncontrolled skid. Also, since motorcycles are relatively small compared to other vehicles, you run more of a risk of getting lost in a car or truck’s blind spot, and you may have to take quick evasive action if a vehicle begins to unexpectedly move into your lane.

• Dress Appropriately

Have you ever heard of a motorcyclist being called an “organ donor?” This grim joke usually refers to a motorcyclist who rides without a helmet, as an unhelmeted rider is likely to suffer massive head trauma in a serious accident. Helmet use for anyone 18 or over is not mandated in Arizona, but you’d be wise to ALWAYS wear a good quality helmet that protects your head, face and eyes when riding. In 2010 motorcycle accidents, according to the MVD crash report, riders not wearing helmets were about twice as likely to be killed. Always follow the helmet manufacturer’s directions for securing their product properly on your head. In the event of an equipment failure, a helmet maker’s first attempted defense in a product liability lawsuit is often that the rider wasn’t wearing his or her helmet properly.

It’s also important to wear the proper clothes when riding your motorcycle. Did you ever get your pant leg stuck in your bicycle chain as a kid? Imagine the serious consequences of something similar happening on a motorcycle! Avoid loose or hanging clothing that may get caught in your bike or impede your vision. It is also a good idea to cover as much skin as possible with heavy protective clothing, like riding leathers, even in hot weather. You don’t want to suffer “road rash” – or worse.

Have you been involved in a motorcycle accident? The experienced accident attorneys and personal injury lawyers at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, PLC will fight for your rights and for all the compensation you’re entitled to. Call us today for a free initial legal consultation at 800-501-2782 or 480-833-8800.

For Arizona residents, a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) means mandatory jail time. Whether it’s your first offense or you’ve been charged with DUI before, your best defense is to hire an experienced Arizona DUI attorney. Are you not convinced that you really need a lawyer to represent you? Consider the reasons that it’s very important to have a DUI attorney at your side:

• Your DUI case is likely to have a better outcome with an attorney representing you

Dealing with an Arizona DUI charge is a more complicated process than you might imagine, and the penalties for a conviction can be severe. In addition to paying sizable fines, you will be facing suspension of your driver’s license and jail time. Hiring an attorney who knows the law and how it’s enforced increases the chances of winning your case or reducing the severity of the charges. Don’t let courtroom inexperience hurt you. Hire a professional to represent you instead.

• Previous DUI charges make your defense even more difficult and complicated

Are you a repeat DUI offender? If you have been charged in the past with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you definitely need a DUI attorney. Having a previous DUI conviction on your record can affect your current case. Let an experienced DUI attorney defend you.

• Fighting for dismissal or acquittal of a mistaken DUI charge requires legal expertise

Did you know that something as innocent as rinsing your mouth with Listerine can affect your measure blood alcohol content? What if the officer who cited you for DUI did not rightfully disclose your BAC to you? A DUI attorney can defend your rights when you’ve been falsely charged.

So you know you need a good DUI defense attorney, but where do you start? How do you know you’re getting the best representation for your case? The experienced legal professionals at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, PLC will fight to reduce or dismiss even the most serious DUI charges. To schedule a consultation, call 800-722-0765.