Category: Vehicle Accidents
Winter Car Emergency Kit: 20 Recommended Items
October 23, 2025 | Adriel B. Villarreal
Driving during the winter can be hazardous. Severe weather, accidents, and engine troubles can happen at any moment. That’s why you should always drive prepared. If you do find yourself stranded on the road during the winter, having these emergency supplies in your vehicle will help you stay safe until help arrives. Stocking caps, warm socks, mittens, boots, and layers: Frigid temperatures are likely to be the biggest threat to your wellbeing if you get stranded during the winter, so warm clothes are essential. Blankets or sleeping bags: If you’re traveling a long distance or in a remote area where you could be stranded for several hours or even days, then blankets or a sleeping bag will help keep you warm and give you the opportunity to rest while you wait for help. Hand and foot warmers: Small and compact, hand and foot warmers are easy to store and provide lots of heat. First-aid kit: Bandages, antiseptic wipes, sterile gauze pads, tweezers, pain relievers, and other basic medical supplies are critical for addressing injuries sustained in an accident. Drinking water: Bring at least one gallon of emergency drinking water per person on extended road trips. High-energy, non-perishable food: Foods like trail mix, protein bars, dried fruits, unsalted and canned nuts, raisins, and peanut…
Read MoreIs There a New Cellphone “Touch Law” for Minnesota Drivers?
July 14, 2025 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.
A rumor has been circulating on social media and across the internet that a new “touch law” went into effect on June 5, 2025, in 31 U.S. states, including Minnesota. The purported law bans handling or touching your phone while driving. This claim is misleading, however. Such a law did go into effect in Pennsylvania on June 5 and is known as “Paul Miller’s Law.” But the other states mentioned in the claim, including Minnesota, already have similar laws that have been in place for several years. In Minnesota’s case, the hands-free cell phone use law went into effect in 2019. So, while there is no new “touch law” in Minnesota, drivers should still act in accordance with the existing law. What is Minnesota’s Hands-Free Cell Phone Law? Minnesota’s hands-free law makes it illegal, in most cases, to use a handheld cell phone while driving. This includes when a driver’s vehicle is stopped at a traffic light or in a traffic jam. However, it is legal for drivers to use cell phones in hands-free mode. This means that drivers are permitted to use their phones through voice commands or with a single-touch activation. So, you are allowed to make or take phone calls, send or receive messages, listen to audio, and receive GPS…
Read MoreWhat to Do after a Car Accident
July 15, 2024 | Adriel B. Villarreal
No one plans to get in a car accident, but knowing the right steps to take in the event of one can help you stay safe and receive appropriate compensation. Protect your rights and calmly navigate the situation with these tips from the car accident attorneys at Barna, Guzy & Steffen on what to do after a car accident. 1. Stop your vehicle State law requires drivers to stop after an accident, even if it is minor. You also must stop regardless of who you believe to be at fault. If possible, pull off to the side of the road and out of the way of traffic. Just make sure to stay at the scene of the accident. 2. Check for injuries Health and safety are paramount. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries, then check the driver and occupants of the other vehicle. If anyone is seriously injured, call emergency medical services immediately. 3. Contact the police Even if the accident isn’t serious, police officers can help manage the scene and redirect traffic. They will also create an accident report, which you should ask for a copy of when possible. This can aid in both insurance claims and legal proceedings. Before the officers leave, write down their names and badge numbers as…
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