Earlier this month two companies came together in an effort to insure cyclists on a national scale. Better World Club and Gales Creek Insurance have launched what they call the “first nationwide, comprehensive and affordable” insurance for cyclists.

The insurance program offered, known as BIKEon provides up to $100,000 in reimbursement for injuries received while cycling, and liability insurance of up to $1 million in the event of an injury caused to other people or property damage. Cyclists who ride road bikes, mountain bikes and electric bikes will have coverage under this new policy. Roadside assistance will also be offered, as will bike theft protection later this summer.

Bicycles are a fun and affordable way to get around town, especially with Arizona’s year-round warm weather. However, bicycle accidents can lead to serious injuries and even fatalities when combined with local traffic, dangerous road conditions or bicycle defects. The most common and major expenses that can be incurred in bicycle accidents involve medical costs, property damage, lost wages due to injuries and pain and suffering.

While not every bicycle accident is preventable, cyclists can take steps to minimize the risk of injuries, such as always wearing a helmet, riding with traffic in bike lanes and not on sidewalks, obeying traffic signals and using extra caution when crossing roads and intersections.

Depending on the severity and nature of the accident, cyclists may be entitled to compensation. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a bike accident, having an experienced personal injury attorney that will fight for your legal rights is the best decision you can make. At Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, our attorneys have been practicing law in Arizona for more than 50 years and can offer you the best legal help available. Call us today to set up a free consultation at 480-833-8800.

It’s monsoon season in Phoenix, which means high winds, heavy rains and even dust storms occasionally interrupt the usual stretch of hot, sunny and dry weather. With these weather conditions, it’s important to be extra cautious, especially if you’re caught in them while on the road. Every year in Arizona, dust, wind and rainstorms contribute to thousands of injuries and dozens of deaths during auto crashes. To steer clear of accidents during monsoon season, here are a few driving safety tips to keep in mind:

· Make sure your car is in good working condition. Monsoon season can be a particular challenging time for vehicles. So, it’s essential to thoroughly check your out and fix any mechanical problems before storm season hits. Check your tires, brakes, windshield wipers, headlights, brake lights, electrical equipment, etc. and repair or replace any faulty parts.

· Slow down. While driving in a storm, reduce your speed. When water mixes with oil, grease and dirt on the road, roads can become slick, making it more difficult to manage your vehicle.

· Increase distance between you and other cars. Slick road conditions affect braking ability and increase risk of skidding. Reduce your risk of collision during a monsoon by keeping your distance between the vehicles in front and next to you on the road.

· Turn on your headlights. Storms mean lower visibility. Make yourself more visible to other motorists by turning on your headlights.

· Drive as straight as possible. During a storm, don’t change lanes frequently and keep your steering wheel straight.

· Avoid puddles on the road and don’t drive into floodwaters. During and following a heavy rain, the Valley is prone to flooding, especially in low-lying areas near creeks, rivers and ponds. A car can be swept away in as little as 18 inches of water, so don’t drive into floodwaters. Also, driving into puddles can increase your risk of hydroplaning, so avoid driving into any large, deep puddles you see on the road.

· If conditions get too bad, pull over safely. If weather conditions worsen to the point where you feel unsafe driving, pull completely off the road and stop with your lights off. Keep your foot off the brake to avoid flashing your brake lights.

· Keep emergency supplies in the car. In case you get stranded during a storm, make sure your car is properly stocked with the necessary supplies, including food, water, flashlight, blankets and warmer clothing.

Even when being cautious, not all auto accidents are avoidable. If you’ve been injured in an accident, seek the help of an experienced auto accident attorney such as the attorneys at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience in Mesa. To find out more about how we can help you, please call us toll-free at 800-501-2782 or contact us online at http://www.sgplaw.com/contactus.php.

The beginning of next month will usher in stricter child restraint laws for Arizona. Starting August 2nd, children under age 8 or 4’9” will be required to use booster seats in addition to seat belts while riding in vehicles. Current Arizona law requires children to be in a car or booster seat until age 5.

Safety advocates have been calling for years for Arizona to bolster its child restraint laws. According to medical experts, adult seat belts don’t offer children adequate protection in the event of a crash. Seat belts that hit higher on the abdomen rather than at the hip can cause spinal injuries in a collision.

Using a booster seat can reduce a child’s fatality risk in an auto accident by 71 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In fact, all children between the ages of 5 and 8 who died in auto crashes in 2010 were not properly restrained.

The fine for not complying with the new law is $50. However, the fee will be waived if a booster seat is purchased before the court date. Approved booster seats typically cost about $20 at most retailers.

Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience is dedicated to protecting the rights of the injured. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident or due to someone else’s negligence, please call us at or visit us online at http://www.sgplaw.com/contactus.php to schedule your free initial consultation.

In the Phoenix area, the summer is a popular time for Arizona residents to escape the heat and head out of town for a little bit. Virtually anywhere you travel outside of the city will involve two-lane highways and plenty of delivery trucks, service trucks and semi-trucks. As important as these commercial trucks may be, they also make travel dangerous, especially if you’re involved in an accident with one. In the case of a truck accident, serious damage and even death can result.

In the United States, more than 100,000 people are injured in accidents involving trucks every year. 98 percent of those accidents result in at least one fatality. There are many potential causes for truck accidents, but statistically, the most common include:

• Driver fatigue
• Speeding
• Poor driving conditions like rain, snow, ice or fog
• Overloaded trucks
• Failure to yield to the right of way
• Poorly maintained brakes or other vehicle safety systems
• Inadequate training in commercial truck driving technique

Regardless of what caused the accident, it’s important to take the right steps after a truck collision. In many cases, commercial truck companies will conduct their own investigations of the accident. It’s imperative that you don’t rely on that investigation and that you contact the proper legal authorities to advise you in gathering evidence that will help your case, such as finding witnesses and taking pictures. As every truck collision case is different, it’s important to seek experienced legal advice for guidance on the best course of action in your particular case.

Truck accidents are typically much more complicated than regular car accidents. With special regulations and vehicle codes that apply to commercial truck drivers and trucking companies, it is critical to find a lawyer that understands the federal and state laws governing truck accidents to assure your damage recovery.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a truck accident, you need an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer that will fight for your rights. The accident lawyers at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience have years of experience with truck accident cases and have helped many clients receive the compensation they deserve. Contact us today at www.sgplaw.com to speak with a lawyer regarding your case.

One of the most common misconceptions about whiplash is that it is not a legitimate injury that causes real suffering for the victim. This couldn’t be any further from the truth. Whiplash is a soft tissue injury to the neck, also known as a neck sprain or neck strain, which is most commonly the result of being rear-ended in an automobile accident. Even while wearing your seat belt, the impact from being rear-ended forces your neck and spine to quickly whip forward and back.

Whiplash may include injury to intervertebral joints, nerve roots, muscles, discs and ligaments, and may result in a variety of symptoms that range from mild to debilitating, including:

• Neck pain
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Shoulder or back pain
• Burning or prickling sensations
• Memory loss
• Concentration impairment
• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Sleep disturbances
• Depression

If you’re suffering from whiplash due to an auto accident, it is critical for you to take the right steps to avoid further injury and to get the compensation you deserve. Symptoms of whiplash don’t always show up immediately after the impact. Sometimes it can take hours or even days before the full effect of the injury is felt. If left untreated, whiplash can lead to more serious and permanent injury. For this reason, it is important that you visit a medical specialist to get an accurate diagnosis and specific treatment after the accident has occurred.

If you or someone you know has suffered whiplash due to an auto accident, contact the personal injury lawyers at Skousen, Gulbrandsen and Patience today at www.sgplaw.com. Our accident attorneys will fight for you to get the compensation to which you are entitled under Arizona law.