The insurance industry is one of the most profitable areas of the United States economy. The unfortunate fact is, much of the money insurance companies make comes as a result of acting in bad faith by denying, delaying, refusing, and confusing policy holders. Some insurance companies will do everything they can to avoid paying claims.

Here are a few of the tricks that many in the insurance industry don’t want you to know about:

• Credit score discrimination: Some insurance companies charge more to people with poor credit scores. Even those who have a low credit score due to lack of credit activity can be penalized.
• Denying claims: Even some of the largest insurance companies with the best reputations will deny valid claims in an effort to pad their bottom lines. Some even go as far as rewarding employees who successfully deny claims, or firing those who do not.
• Abandoning the sick: Some insurance companies will retroactively cancel insurer’s policies if they become chronically ill. Some insurance company employees will even pay bonuses to those who meet their cancellation goals.
• Delay until death: Insurance companies know that if they delay claims long enough, many policy holders will eventually give up. Some insurers even go as far as delaying a claim long enough until the policy holder passes away.
• Raising premiums because of a phone call: Oftentimes insurers will raise premiums or refuse to renew a policy just because a customer called about making a claim.
• Confusing customers: Many consumers are unaware of their policy details and only find out later that their contract contained a catch that gets the company off the hook for paying what seems like a reasonable claim.

While the state of Arizona has a government agency that regulates the insurance industry, they are often as sympathetic to insurance companies as they are to policy holders. If you’ve been the victim of an unfair insurance company practices, you need the help of an experienced and aggressive attorney. Call Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience for your free initial consultation today at 480-833-8800.

Disclaimer: The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.

After nearly six years of decline, traffic deaths have been on the rise in 2012. Federal data shows that roadway deaths had fallen to their lowest recorded levels since 1949 in 2010 and 2011 but are now reversing from their downward trend.

In a report done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the early estimate of motor vehicle traffic fatalities for the first half of 2012 are estimated at 16,290, an increase of about 9 percent compared to the first half of 2011. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration called this “the largest such increase” since the agency began collecting accident data in 1975.

Some driving safety experts suggest that weather may have played an important role. In a mild winter like the one the U.S. experienced this year, people tend to drive more than usual. Additionally, with improvement in the economy relative to the first half of 2011, a major spike in driving makes sense, as people are more likely to take weekend trips or shop in their free time.

Traffic safety experts are still hopeful that traffic deaths will continue to decline in the coming years due to the wealth of advancements in vehicle safety, such as electronic stability control, and more effective driving laws, like graduated drivers licensing for teens.

Getting in an auto accident can be a devastating experience, resulting in serious injuries, costly expenses, and even death. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an auto accident, it’s important that you know your rights as a victim. At Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, our experienced auto accident attorneys and wrongful death lawyers can help you navigate the difficult road ahead after an accident. For a free legal consultation, call us today at 480-833-8800.

There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road on a motorcycle, with not much between you and the pavement. Yet this is what makes motorcycle transportation one of the most dangerous forms of travel. On average, three motorcyclists are killed every day in the United States as a result of intersection crashes. Motorcycle safety is a big part of preventing accidents and injuries, as well as limiting the seriousness of accidents through preventative measures.

• Always wear a helmet and protective gear while riding.
• Make sure to turn your headlights on when it’s dark out.
• Avoid driving down the center of the lane where debris and oil build up can create slicks.
• Ride safely at proper speed limits.
• Never ride if you’ve been drinking.
• Ride defensively with an eye out for other drivers.

Other drivers should also keep an eye out for motorcycles and safely share the road. Some tips for cars and trucks on the road:

• Look twice for motorcyclists at intersections.
• Exercise caution when entering highways and when changing lanes.
• Always maintain a safe distance behind motorcyclists.
• When passing a motorcyclists, move to the other lane and allow a full lane for the motorcycle.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a motorcycle accident, the personal injury lawyers at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience can help you get fair and full compensation for your losses. Call us today for a free consultation at 480-833-8800.

For Arizona residents, a DUI charge can mean jail time, license suspension and a permanent record. While it goes without saying that if you drink, you should not drive, it is also important to be fully informed of what your rights are, especially when it comes to field sobriety tests.

If you are pulled over on suspicion of a DUI, the officer stopping you is likely to ask you to perform a series of field sobriety tests. These are mental and physical tests which include touching your finger to your nose, standing on one leg or saying the alphabet backwards. Unlike the chemical tests, Arizona law does not require you to take field sobriety tests, and it is within your legal right and your best interest to politely refuse.

Studies have shown that field sobriety tests are often inaccurate, and that people with serious medical conditions or injuries, the elderly, and those that are seriously overweight cannot pass standard sobriety tests whether they are sober or not. Additionally, there are no hard and fast rules about what constitutes passing or failing these tests, as the outcome of each test is at the discretion of the officer. It is even possible for a person who has no drugs or alcohol in their system to fail a test.

If at any point during the stop you are asked for information that does not pertain to your license and registration, you have the right to politely say you would prefer not to answer any questions without an attorney present.

One of the most important things you can do if you are charged with a DUI is to call an experienced DUI defense attorney. At Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, we have some of the best DUI attorneys in the Phoenix metro area that can help you fight an unfair or particularly harsh DUI charge. Call us today for a free consultation at 480-833-8800.

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.

Every year in the U.S., more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs. Though fatalities are rare, many are seriously injured, possibly sustaining lasting injuries such as broken bones, lacerations, disfigurements and nerve damage. Among the most at risk are children and senior citizens. Also, men are more likely to be bitten by dogs than women. Although not all dog bites are preventable, there are many things you can do to minimize the risk of serious injury from a dog attack. From the dog bite lawyers at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, here are a few dos and don’ts for dog bite prevention:

DO

• Spay or neuter your pet to reduce aggressiveness.
• Make sure any dog in your household is properly trained and socialized.
• Know the classic signs of aggression in dogs such as ears up and forward, fur on its back standing straight up, becoming stiff, barking, growling, showing teeth and lunging forward. Seek professional help for any aggressive behaviors you notice in your dog.
• Stand very still and be quiet if approached by an unfamiliar dog. If a dog knocks you over, roll into a ball and remain motionless.
• Put items between you and an attacking dog, such as jackets, purses or book bags.

DON’T

• Leave infants or small children unattended with dogs.
• Play aggressively with dogs.
• Pet a dog without letting it sniff your closed hand first.
• Look a dog directly in the eyes.
• Disturb a dog while it is sleeping, eating or nursing.
• Approach an unfamiliar dog.
• Chase a dog.
• Run away from a dog or scream.

If you are bitten by a dog, immediately wash and sanitize the wound and seek medical attention. Then, call a personal injury attorney to find out what your rights are under the law.

The attorneys at Skousen, Gulbrandsen and Gulbrandsen have more than 50 combined years of experience practicing personal injury law. We can represent you in a wide variety of injury cases, including dog bites, auto accidents and dangerous products. If you’ve been injured, contact us today to for a free legal consultation.

Disclaimer: The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.

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.

Disclaimer: The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.

Driving is a commonplace activity that we usually take for granted, but as any Arizona car accident attorney or police officer will tell you, driving is a serious job. An average car weighs about two tons, and moving even at modest road speeds a motor vehicle is potentially a lethal weapon that must be handled with care. If you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs, your judgment and reflexes are not adequate for the task of driving. You could injure or kill yourself, your passengers or one or more complete strangers.

Many Arizona personal injury cases and Arizona wrongful death lawsuits begin with someone’s foolish or uninformed decision to drink and drive. You can cause harm that far exceeds what your auto insurance liability coverage will pay, especially if you are carrying only the absurdly low minimums required by Arizona law. Any assets you own could be at risk if you’re sued by an injured party for damages above what your insurance will pay.

Whether or not you’re drinking and driving causes an accident, driving under the influence (DUI) by itself can land you in big trouble. Although DUI is illegal in every state in the Union, some aspects of Arizona drunk driving laws are harsher than ”average” DUI laws elsewhere in the country. Anyone who operates a motor vehicle in our state should know what Arizona law will and won’t allow:

• The Legal Limit: As in other states, the law in Arizona will assume that you’re too impaired to drive if you have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. If you’re operating a commercial vehicle, the limit is only 0.04 BAC. However, Arizona law also states that you can be charged with DUI for operating a motor vehicle when you’re impaired to the slightest degree, regardless of your measured BAC. Any Arizona DUI lawyer will tell you that the best idea is to refrain from driving after drinking any amount of alcohol.
• Zero Tolerance for Drivers Under 21: Since it’s illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to drink, it’s illegal for anyone under 21 to drive with any amount of alcohol in his or her system.
• Arizona Open Container Law: Literally drinking and driving – as in drinking while driving – is against the law. So is having an open container of alcohol in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. In either case, you’ve broken the law regardless of your BAC.

If you find yourself in need of an Arizona DUI attorney, call the law firm of Skousen, Gulbrandsen and Patience, PLC. We can assist you in getting the best possible outcome for your DUI case. Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience also handles auto accident injury cases, as well as other kinds of personal injury or wrongful death cases. Call us at 800-501-2782 or 480-833-8800 for a free initial consultation.

The insurance industry is one of the most profitable sectors of the U.S. economy. Unfortunately, much of the money insurance companies make comes from acting in “bad faith” – a strategy of denying, delaying, confusing and refusing. Some bad faith insurance companies do everything they can to keep from paying out claims.

Although Arizona, like every state, has a government agency that regulates the insurance industry, these regulators are often as sympathetic to the industry as they are to the insurance consumer. If you’ve been the victim of unfair insurance company practices, you might need the help of an aggressive Arizona bad faith insurance attorney.

Here are six tricks of the trade that the insurance industry doesn’t want you to know about:

1) Denying claims: Some of the largest insurance companies with the best reputations routinely deny valid claims in an effort to pad their bottom lines. They go so far as to reward employees who successfully deny claims, while penalizing or even firing those who do not.

2) Delaying until death: Insurance companies know that if they delay claims long enough, many policyholders will eventually give up in frustration. An insurer may even successfully delay an older policyholder’s claim long enough that he or she will pass away while the claim is still being bounced around.

3) Confusing consumers: One of the main principles underlying our free-market system is that two parties can freely and fairly arrive at a mutually beneficial contract. But what happens when one party writes a contract in a way that the other party cannot hope to fully understand? Consumers all too often buy insurance policies and only later find that the insurance contract contained a “catch” that gets the company off the hook for paying what seems like a reasonable claim.

4) Discriminating by credit score: Instead of basing premiums on risk assessment alone, some insurers charge more to people with poor credit scores. This penalizes the poor, those on fixed incomes and those who have had financial troubles in the past. Even those who responsibly choose to stay out of debt and pay their expenses in cash are affected, because a lack of credit activity also negatively affects a credit score.

5) Abandoning the sick: One way for insurers to cut costs is to cancel, sometimes retroactively, the policies of the seriously or chronically ill. Some insurance companies even pay bonuses to employees who meet “cancellation goals.”

6) Canceling because of a phone call: Have you ever had a small loss that you decided to pay out of pocket, even though your insurance policy would cover it, just so that your insurance rates wouldn’t go up? If you called to even discuss making the claim, that plan probably wouldn’t work. Oftentimes insurance companies will raise premiums or refuse to renew a policy just because a customer called to inquire about the possibility of making a claim. When it comes to protecting their profits, insurance companies can’t play it safe enough.

If you’ve been unfairly hurt financially by one or more of these questionable insurance industry practices, call the law firm of Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience for a free consultation with an experienced Arizona bad faith insurance lawyer. Contact us online or by phone at 800-501-2782 or 480-833-8800.

Arizona has a reputation for having some of the strictest DUI laws in the country. However, in the last year, the Arizona legislature has reduced some of the penalties for DUI convictions. Here are some of the major recent changes to Arizona drunk driving law:

Ignition-Interlock Devices – In Arizona, DUI convicts are required to install ignition-interlock devices, mechanisms that prevent vehicles from starting if a breath simple indicates intoxication. Recent changes in the the law have reduced the time requirement for these devices from one year to six months if convicts complete an education program and calibrate the device monthly with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Work Release – While serving their jail sentence, first- and second-time DUI offenders will be able to leave jail for up to 12 hours per day for school or work.

Home Detention – Arizona courts now have more license to sentence those convicted of a DUI to home detention with electronic ankle bracelets rather than jail time.

Jury trials – With this year’s changes, most DUI suspects have lost the right to a jury trial. However, the right will remain in cases involving extreme, super-extreme or aggravated DUIs.

Even with a reduction in penalties, an Arizona DUI conviction can carry very serious legal consequences, including thousands of dollars in fines, alcohol counseling and jail time. A Phoenix DUI lawyer helps defend your rights to keep repercussions to a minimum. If you’ve been arrested for a DUI, contact us at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience.