With Arizona schools back in session, drivers will once again need to be vigilant in school zones and crosswalks. Most drivers realize the serious responsibility they have to drive safely and properly where large numbers of young children may be present. No one would want to live with the lifelong guilt of having injured or killed a child in an Arizona auto accident. Even short of that worst-case scenario, most drivers are aware of the serious consequences of violating our state’s strict laws pertaining to driving in school zones and want to avoid the stiff penalties that can result.

The cardinal rule for driving in school zones is to OBEY THE RULES. Arizona has a zero-tolerance policy towards traffic offenses that occur in school zones. Enforcement is especially strict at this time of year, as police departments lay down the law for the new school term. The city of Phoenix pioneered the 15-mph speed limit for school zones more than 60 years ago. The resulting decline in Phoenix car accidents in school zones proved to the whole country the value of enforcing this very low limit. Citations are issued to drivers exceeding the limit by only a few miles per hour. Because school zone infractions carry doubled fines, speeding violations will cost a driver more than $100 and add points to his or her license. Other school-zone driving tips to keep in mind:

• Come to a complete stop when required in a school zone.
• Stop when pedestrians are in a crosswalk, and do not proceed until they are completely out of the crosswalk.
• Do not pass other vehicles in a school zone, even vehicles in an adjacent lane, no matter how slow they are going.
• Do not pass buses when their lights are flashing or their stop sign is extended.
• Watch for children, especially in the mornings and afternoons, and don’t assume that they are even paying attention to traffic.
• Don’t use a cell phone for any reason in a school zone. Unlike some states, Arizona doesn’t yet prohibit this, but play it safe anyway.
• Don’t drive aggressively in school zones. Expect congestion around schools, plan accordingly and be patient and safe.

It’s important to remember that if you are involved in a school zone accident, or any kind of auto accident, you have rights. An experienced Arizona car accident lawyer can protect those rights during any legal proceedings that might arise. Immediately after a school zone accident or any other kind of vehicular accident, contact the car accident attorneys at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, PLC, at 480-833-8800 or toll-free at 800-501-2782.

The time period immediately following an auto accident can be chaotic and frightening. It’s common to feel a sense of shock, even if the accident didn’t involve any serious injuries or property damage. But, even if you are feeling out of sorts following the collision, it is important to take the proper measures. According to the Insurance Information Institute, doing the following at the scene of an accident can help make the auto insurance claims process easier as well as save lives:

• Stop your car and find out if anyone is injured.
• Call the police or highway patrol. Tell them how many people were hurt and the types of injuries. The police will notify the nearest medical unit.
• Cover injured people with a blanket to keep them warm.
• Try to protect the accident scene. Take reasonable steps to protect your car from further damage, such as setting up flares, getting the car off the road and calling a tow truck.
• Ask the investigating officer where you can obtain a copy of the police report. You will probably need it when you submit your claim to your insurance company.
• If necessary, have the car towed to a repair shop. But remember, your insurance company probably will want to have an adjuster inspect it and appraise the damage before you order repair work done.
• Make notes. Keep a pad and pencil in your glove compartment. Write down:
  • The names and addresses of all drivers and passengers involved in the accident
  • License plate numbers
  • The make and model of each car
  • Driver’s license numbers
  • Insurance identifications
  • The names and addresses of witnesses
  • The names and badge numbers of police officers or other emergency personnel
• If you run into an unattended vehicle or object, try to find the owner. If you can’t, leave a note containing your name, address and phone number. Record the details of the accident.

In addition to these steps, it’s crucial to contact an auto accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. An auto accident attorney can advise you on the best way to proceed and help uphold your legal rights. For a free initial auto accident law consultation, contact the Arizona personal injury lawyers at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience.

Auto accidents involving pedestrians carry a high risk of severe injury or death, particularly among small children or the elderly.

When auto accidents involve pedestrians, there is a high possibility of life-threatening injuries. Because those on foot do not have protection of a vehicle in the event of a collision, grave injuries to the head and spinal cord are more likely in pedestrians than vehicle drivers and passengers. In auto accidents involving pedestrians in Arizona (which make up about 1.5% percent of all auto accidents), about 1,200 pedestrians are injured and 100 pedestrians are killed every year. Here are some more facts about pedestrian auto accidents, according to statistics compiled by the Arizona Department of Transportation:

• About 90 percent of pedestrian crashes in Arizona take place in urban areas; however, about 36 percent of fatal accidents involving pedestrians are in rural areas.
• Pedestrians aged 19 or younger make up 30 percent of the pedestrians injured in auto crashes in Arizona; conversely, fatalities are highest among pedestrians aged 55 or older.
• Most Arizona collisions with pedestrians (about 50 percent) occur while the pedestrian is crossing the road.
• The majority of vehicle crashes involving pedestrians in Arizona take place during the daylight hours with clear weather conditions.
• About 15 percent of Arizona pedestrians involved in auto crashes are under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the collision. These pedestrians comprise 40 percent of all fatalities.

Depending on the severity and complexity of the case, pedestrian accidents may involve special issues. For instance, a pedestrian may be covered by their auto insurance policy even though he or she was not operating a car at the time. Also, settlements that involve minors call for a special set of procedures. Whatever the case, if you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, consulting with an experienced auto accident attorney very soon after your accident is a wise move.

The attorneys at Skousen, Gulbrandsen and Practice law firm have more than 50 years of combined experience handling auto accident and personal injury cases. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, call us. We can advise you on the best next course of action in order to maximize your settlement.

Accidents involving the Phoenix Light Rail can result in serious injuries, including broken limbs, disfigurement and paralysis.

Since it started operating in December 2009, the Phoenix Light Rail has been a boon to our city, providing additional transportation options between Mesa, ASU and downtown Phoenix. However, as much as the light rail has benefited the city, it also presents additional hazards to drivers, train passengers and pedestrians. According the Arizona Republic, the Phoenix Light Rail was involved in an accident every six days on average during its first three months of operation. Although the frequency of light rail accidents has significantly decreased as safety improvements have been made and Phoenix drivers have gotten used to it, light rail accidents in Phoenix are still a serious and frightening possibility.

Accidents involving the Phoenix Light Rail can include, but are not limited to:

• Auto accidents, including vehicles that were struck by the light rail at an intersection
• Pedestrians who were struck by an oncoming light rail
• Light rail commuters who were injured on the light rail because it was maintained properly

Light rail/train accidents can result in life-threatening injuries such as broken limbs, disfigurement and paralysis and even death. Moreover, these serious injuries can lead to thousands of dollars in medical bills and lost wages.

If you’ve been in accident involving the Phoenix Light Rail in which you were not at fault, be advised that you have a limited amount of time to make a claim to recover for any damages resulting from the accident. According to Arizona law, you only have 180 days from the date of the accident to provide official notice to the Phoenix city government. If you fail to file your claim on time or file your claim improperly, you could forfeit your right to recoup expenses stemming from the accident.

If you’re a victim of a Phoenix Light Rail accident, don’t delay in contacting a Phoenix auto accident lawyer such as one of the lawyers at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, PLC. A personal injury lawyer can advise you on the best next steps and make sure your claim is filed and investigated properly to ensure that you get your due compensation under the law. For a free legal consultation, please contact us today.