It’s universally accepted that wearing a seat belt dramatically reduces the risk of serious injury in the event of a car accident. However, the level of protection a seat belt provides might be different depending if you are a man or a woman. According to a recent study by the American Journal of Public Health, women who wear seat belts are 47 percent more likely to be injured in an auto accident than men who wear seat belts.

The report suggests that the reason for such disproportionate statistics for men and women has partly to do with the “one-size-fits-all” design of auto safety systems between 1998 and 2008, the years included in the study. Because women tend to be shorter and lighter, they receive different levels of protection from seat belts, air bags and other safety systems than men. The study also determined that other factors, such as differences in driving posture, can affect the likelihood of injuries in the event of a car crash for women.

However, as the study only includes auto accident statistics between 1998 and 2008, it doesn’t factor in recent advancements in safety system design. For instance, many vehicles built after 2007 feature dual-depth and duel-stage driver and passenger air bags, which deploy at difference speeds and levels of force depending on seat belt usage, seat position and the severity of the impact. A study that includes statistics from the last few years may not show as large of a disparity in injury likelihood.

That said, women driving and riding in older vehicles without advanced air bags should be aware of the greater risk of injury.

Whether man, woman or child, if you’re suffering from injuries you received in an auto accident, you might be entitled to compensation under the law. The auto accident attorneys at Skousen, Gulbrandsen and Patience, a Mesa personal injury law firm, can help assess your case and how to go about getting you the most equitable settlement possible. For a free initial legal consultation, contact us today.

According to statistics, the average driver in the U.S. is involved in three auto accidents during their lifetime. Depending on the severity of the accident, this could mean thousands of dollars in auto repair and medical bills and/or, worse, debilitating injuries that leave you in pain and unable to work. Though accidents are commonplace on our nation’s roadways, most are completely preventable. The following are a few of the most common accident causes in the U.S. and what you can do to avoid them.

Speeding

Did you know that almost a third of all accidents in the U.S. are caused by speeding drivers? Speeding is prevalent among U.S. drivers; 90 percent of drivers will receive a speeding ticket at some point in their lives. Fact is, the faster you drive, the slower your reaction time is likely to be. Avoid speed-related accidents by observing the posted speed limit.

Distracted Driving

Talking on the phone, texting, eating – all these activities take drivers’ focus away from the road, which can sometimes result in accidents. While behind the wheel, don’t risk it by attempting to multi-task; keep distractions to a minimum by pulling over or simply waiting until you arrive at your destination to engage in other activities.

Reckless Driving

Drivers who don’t give their driving the proper care by missing/ignoring traffic signals, not using turn signals or tailgating are significantly more likely to find themselves in accidents than careful drivers. Prevent accidents by paying attention to traffic signs and signals and obeying traffic laws.

Inclement Weather

Rain, snow, ice, sleet, fog and other forms of severe weather can impact driving conditions, slicking roads and significantly reducing visibility. If you find yourself driving in less than desirable weather, slow down, increase the amount of distance between you and other cars on the road or simply pull off until conditions improve in order to avoid collisions.

Drunk Driving

Driving while under the influence of alcohol isn’t just illegal; it’s also dangerous. Alcohol can significantly  impair your judgment and reaction times, which can lead to very serious accidents. Don’t drink and drive. Instead, call a cab or plan ahead by using a designated driver.

If you’ve been in a serious accident, you will need a skilled auto accident lawyer. The personal injury lawyers at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience bring more than 50 years collectively of experience to the table and can help your case come to a suitable conclusion. Please contact us today for a free legal consultation.

Inexperienced and prone to risk-taking, teen drivers are among the most dangerous drivers on the road. Adding to the risk is the rampant use of cell phones while driving, a distraction that can lead to car accidents, injuries and fatalities. According to a recent AAA survey, 64 percent of teens answer phone calls while driving, 52 percent make calls while driving and 44 percent text while driving. To help minimize the dangers of unfocused new drivers, a new proposed Arizona law is seeking to prohibit teen drivers from texting or talking on cell phones while operating a motor vehicle.

Arizona SB 1056 would add to Arizona’s current Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) laws, additional restrictions placed on new drivers. Under SB 1056, teen drivers would not be allowed to use any mobile device while driving except in emergency situations during the permit phase and first six months of obtaining a license. More than 30 U.S. states currently have laws in place that restrict cell phone use while driving.

Arizona adopted its current GDL laws in 2008. Since these laws have gone into effect, teen driver-involved fatalities have declined a whopping 61 percent. Despite a decline in deaths in recent years, auto accidents are still the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S.

You can keep up with the progress of this law at the Arizona State Legislature website.

Bicycles are a fun and cost-effective way to get around, and Arizona’s year-round balmy weather allows for plenty of opportunities for riding. However, bicycle accidents do happen, sometimes to leading to very serious injuries or even fatalities. Car crashes, dangerous road conditions, bicycle defects – all can lead to more than a few scrapes and bruises. In 2010 in Arizona alone, there were nearly 2,000 auto accidents involving bicyclists. Of those accidents, 82 percent of bicyclists involved were injured, and 19 people were killed.

Just because they’re small doesn’t mean accidents involving bicycles can’t result in big damages. Here are a few examples of major expenses that can be incurred in bike accidents:

• Medical – Bike accidents can cause a wide variety of serious injuries, from broken bones and disfigurements to head and spinal cord injuries.
• Property Damages – A busted bike could cost you hundreds or even thousands, and that price tag could be even bigger if your bike is your only mode of transportation.
• Lost Wages – If a serious injury prevents you from working, whether temporarily or permanently, you may be entitled to any lost wages.
• Pain and Suffering – Especially if the bike accident causes injuries, it can lead to a great deal of emotional stress. You could be recompensed for any depression, post-traumatic stress or aches and pains resulting from the accident.

Depending on the nature of the accident, you may be entitled to one or more of the above expenses. A bicycle accident attorney can work with you to determine which expenses could be accident-related, which could be included in your settlement.

Although it’s not possible to prevent every bike accident, bicyclists can take the following safety measures to help minimize the risk of injuries:

• Always wear a helmet. A properly fitting helmet can help prevent life-threatening head and spinal cord injuries. In Arizona, all riders under the age of 18 are required by law to wear a helmet at all times.
• Ride with traffic. Biking on the right side of the street with the flow of traffic is much safer than riding against traffic.
• Obey traffic signals and laws. Just as you would in a car, stop at stop signs and traffic lights and abide by lane markings.
• Exercise caution when crossing roads and intersections. The majority of bike accidents occur when bicyclists crossing roads or intersections. Look both ways when crossing streets and ride defensively in cases of unexpected road hazards and motorists errors.
• Don’t use sidewalks. In Arizona, the only bicycles legally permitted on sidewalks are police and postal bicycles.
• Wear light- and/or bright-colored clothing. It’s important to maximize your visibility on the road by wearing easy-to-see clothing, especially when riding at night.
• For night riding, use headlights and rear defectors. Arizona laws require bicyclists riding at night to have headlights visible from at least 500 feet and rear deflectors visible from at least 50 feet. Also recommended is a red tail light visible from at least 500 feet.

Use the proper safety equipment, obey traffic laws and ride cautiously, and you’ll be able to avoid most accidents and, in turn, injuries.

If you’ve been injured in a bike accident, you’ll need an experienced bicycle lawyer to champion your legal rights and get you the restitution to which you are entitled. The personal injury attorneys at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience have been practicing law in Arizona for more than 50 years and can offer the legal help you need. Call us today at (480) 833-8800 for more information.

Head injuries, including injuries to the skull, scalp and brain, are among the most serious injuries. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control, injuries related to head trauma constitute a third of all fatal injuries. On average, 1.7 million people experience head injuries from auto accidents, slips or falls, sports injuries or other causes every year in the U.S. Of those 1.7 million people, 52,000 die, 275,000 are hospitalized and many others visit the emergency room. Even if a head injury isn’t fatal, it can lead to life-threatening consequences, including brain damage and paralysis.

Head injuries can take many forms, including concussions, contusions and skull fractures, and can be indicated by a variety of symptoms, including:

• Severe headache
• Numbness
• Dizziness or loss of vision
• Drowsiness
• Weakness in your arms and legs
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Vomiting or nausea
• Difficulties remembering recent events or personal information
• Large pupils
• Slurred speech
• Blurred vision
• Loss of appetite
• Bleeding from the ears or nose
• Convulsions

These symptoms may appear immediately or within hours or days following the injury and can worsen significantly if not given the proper medical attention. Following an injury, it’s important to seek help at the first warning signs, if for no other reason to rule out a more grave condition.

Serious head injuries can lead to big medical bills, lost wages and emotional stress. If you’ve experienced a head injury, you’ll need the help of a skilled personal injury attorney to help you recover expenses and get compensated for your suffering. The personal injury lawyers at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience have over 50 years of experience successfully fighting for injured clients. To find out more about how they can fight for you, call (480) 833-8800 to schedule a personal injury consultation.

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Drunk driving presents one of the road’s biggest dangers. Every year in the U.S., more than 10,000 people die in alcohol-related auto accidents. In fact, one in three people will be involved in an alcohol-related accident in their lifetimes. But, according to a study conducted by AAA in 2010, drowsy driving, operating a motor vehicle while tired, can be just as hazardous as driving while under the influence of alcohol.

The AAA study includes some startling statistics about drowsy driving, including:

• 41 percent of drivers surveyed said they’ve fallen asleep at the wheel at some point; 10 percent surveyed said they’ve fallen asleep at the wheel within the last year.
• Drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 are twice as likely to be involved in a drowsy driving accident than drivers between the ages of 40 and 59.
• Men are more likely to drive drowsy than women.
• 57 percent of drowsy driving accidents occur when drivers drift into other lanes or off the road.
• 16.5 percent of all fatal crashes involve a drowsy driving.

Part of the reason drowsy driving is as unsafe as drunk driving is because they come with the same impairments. Just like driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while fatigued affects reaction time, judgment and vision. According to the AAA, the following are telltale symptoms of drowsy driving:

• Trouble keeping eyes open
• Inability to keep your head up
• Yawning
• Wandering thoughts
• Drifting between lanes or off the road
• Missing important signs or exits
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Being unable to recall how far you’ve traveled or what you’ve recently passed

Even if you don’t fall asleep at the wheel, driving while tired can greatly affect the quality of your driving. If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, then it’s best to stop driving and pull off the road until you are well rested and alert.

Like drunk driving, drowsy driving is completely preventable. To ensure that you’re alert, follow these tips suggested by the AAA:

• Before a long trip, get plenty of sleep (at least six hours).
• Avoid traveling only at times in which you are normally awake; driving overnight when you are typically asleep is risky.
• Take a break from driving at least every two hours or 100 miles.
• Drink a caffeinated beverage, such as coffee, tea or soda. Remember that caffeine takes at least 30 minutes to take effect.
• Travel with an alert passenger; Drivers accompanied by passengers are 50 percent less likely to be involved in an accident.

As with drunk driving accidents, drowsy driving accidents can result in similar consequences – extensive property damage, lost time from work, even death. If you’ve been in an accident with a drowsy driver, contact us for a free legal consultation today.