When a car runs into a pedestrian, it’s likely to be very serious. In fact, every 90 minutes in the U.S., a pedestrian is killed in an auto accident, and another 80,000 are seriously injured every year. As you would expect, more pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas like Phoenix than rural areas. Intersections with signals and crosswalks are a common place for collisions with pedestrians, but just as many accidents happen at places without crosswalks or signals.

If you’ve been hit by a car, it’s very important that you follow these steps to make sure your rights are protected:

• Call the police.
• Don’t leave the scene of the accident before the police and, if necessary, the paramedics arrive.
• Get the names and phone numbers of those involved in the accident and any witnesses.
• Don’t make any statements to anyone except the police about the accident.
• Don’t admit fault.
• Following the collision, see a doctor for your injuries.

After you’ve been injured in an accident, you’re sure to have plenty of questions. The personal injury lawyers at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience in Mesa can answer any of your legal questions and provide you with the guidance you need. Please call us toll-free at (800) 501-2782 for a free initial consultation or contact us online at http://www.sgplaw.com/contactus.php.

If you’re considering filing a personal injury claim, you’ll need proof to support that claim. So, it’s very important to gather and preserve evidence that corroborates your case. Here are a few things you can do to strengthen the evidence involved in your lawsuit.

• Gather any documents related to the case. Keep any medical bills, accident reports, insurance policies, correspondence and other receipts in connection with the case.

• Keep in contact with key witnesses to the injury or damage. Talk to and record testimonies from key people who can confirm your injury claim, such as anyone else involved in the accident, any accident witnesses, police officers, doctors or anyone else you talked to about the injury. Get full names and contact information.

• Take photos. Photographs of the injury or damage provide evidence that’s more difficult to dispute than simply words.

• Record any important places or dates. Write down any important dates (i.e. the date of the accident or injury, any date(s) on which you were examined by a doctor) or locations (i.e. where the accident or injury took place, addresses of any hospitals).

• Don’t discard any defective products. If you have a product liability case on your hands, be sure to keep any malfunctioning products that led to injury or damage.

In any case, it’s important to gather evidence sooner than later. Photos are more effective when taken hours or days after the injury or damage rather than weeks, months or years later. Also, as memories tend to fade with time, it’s better to record witness accounts when they are fresh in your mind or the minds of others.

Be sure to show any evidence you can find to your personal injury lawyer, who can advise you on the next steps in your case. For legal help in the Phoenix area, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience at (480) 833-8800 or contact us online at http://www.sgplaw.com.

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) provide a fun way to explore Arizona’s rugged offroad wilderness. However, as with any activity involving high speeds and heavy machinery, ATVs can be risky. On average, more than 700 people are killed and 135,000 people are injured annually in ATV accidents in the U.S. What’s more, a third of those injured or killed are children under the age of 16. By observing these safety tips, you can prevent many ATV-related injuries and fatalities:

Always wear a helmet and proper protective gear. Most ATV-related injuries are head injuries, so it’s important to wear a helmet approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation while riding an ATV. Also, in the event of a crash, any exposed skin could be prone to cuts, bruises and scrapes. So wear long sleeves, pants and boots while riding to help prevent these injuries.

Get proper training. Taking a safety course can help you better handle your ATV and significantly reduce your risk of serious injury or death.

Only ride on ATVs appropriate for your age. Don’t ride on ATVs that aren’t specifically designed for your height and weight. In particular, don’t let kids ride on ATVs intended for adults.

Supervise all ATV riders under the age of 16. Young riders need additional supervision for their safety.

Cross paved roads with caution. Many serious injuries and fatalities occur when the ATV is hit by another vehicle. Look both ways and exercise caution when crossing highways, streets and trails while riding an ATV.

Don’t speed. Traveling too fast on an ATV increases your risk of collision and makes it more difficult to handle.

Don’t ride with a passenger or as a passenger. Most ATVs are designed to carry only one person. Also, proper riding depends on the rider’s ability to shift weight according to the terrain. A passenger can make it more difficult to control the vehicle.

Don’t drive ATVs while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. As with any vehicle, ATVs can be dangerous to operate with drugs and alcohol in your system.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an ATV accident, and it’s someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to compensation under the law. The personal injury attorneys at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience can evaluate your case and provide you with the proper guidance. For a free legal consultation, please call 800.501.2782 or contact us online at http://www.sgplaw.com/contactus.php.

Your tires are one of the most important parts of your car. If your tires are underinflated or tattered, they leave you at a greater risk for a breakdown or an accident. In fact, every year, underinflated tires cause more than 33,000 injurie and 600 deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. Particularly in Arizona, the hot climate can accelerate deterioration. In honor of National Tire Safety Week, the auto accident attorneys at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience offer these tire maintenance tips:

Keep tires properly inflated. Driving on underinflated tires can cause tires to wear faster and unevenly, and can even cause the vehicle to lose control. Be sure to check your tires’ inflation pressure at least once a month and before long trips.

Inspect tire tread. Advanced and uneven wear on tires can significantly impair a vehicle’s ability to grip the road, a real hazard in rain, ice, snow or adverse road conditions. Regularly check tires for wear and damage. A good way to check whether your tire has sufficient tread is by using a penny. Place the penny in a groove of your tire. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace the tire.

Check your vehicle’s alignment. A vehicle with a suspension system out of alignment, perhaps from hitting a pothole or driving on rough roads, can make handling difficult, causing tires to wear unevenly. Have your alignment checked periodically and correct any problems with the suspension.

Rotate your tires. Each tire supports a different amount of weight, causing tires to wear at a different rate. Rotate your tires approximately every 5,000 miles (or whatever your vehicle manufacturer recommends) for more even wear.

In addition to proper maintenance, you can extend the life of your tires with good driving habits. Driving the speed limit, avoiding hitting potholes and curbs and not overloading the car can all slow down wear and prevent damage.

The personal injury law team at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience is always looking out for safety on the road. Collectively, we offer more than five decades of experience fighting for injured victims’ rights. If you need legal help, please contact us online at http://www.sgplaw.com/contactus.php today.