Utah Personal Injury Law Firm Blog

A 25-year-old man from Salt Lake County died after his car smashed into the median on an Interstate 215 off-ramp August 15, 2010. What’s more surprising is that the victim is a member of the Utah Highway Patrol. Bryon Rokus was going to his aunt’s house in West Jordan after working a graveyard shift when he turned sharply across three lanes and then crashed with the center line. Troopers told investigators that the victim fell asleep behind the wheel.

Driver drowsiness does not choose its prey. Whether you have the highest of education or not, there is no excuse for driving tired. According to data provided by the National Sleep Foundation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there have been an estimated 100,000 car collisions in the United States because of driver drowsiness.

Sleep apnea and driver fatigue is a serious problem among professional truck drivers. In fact, a recent study of 1,391 commercial truck drivers found that 28% had obstructive sleep apnea, with more than one-third of the drivers’ symptoms categorized as moderate to severe. This is extremely serious, since professional truck drivers operate their trucks for longer distances than the average driver and operate heavy trucks that can more easily cause fatal accidents.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Utah caused by drowsy driving, do not hesitate to contact the Christensen Law Firm for a free consultation. You can also obtain a free copy of our Utah Accident Report, 7 Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Utah Accident Case by visiting www.UtahAccidentBooks.com.

The Department of Transportation reports that in the United States more than half-a-million truck accidents occur annually. Of this number, 5,000 people die. Many of these accidents happen because truck drivers experience fatigue caused by lack of sleep and rest. Since monetary incentives entice them to work longer hours, some drivers forget the fact that their sleep deprivation leads to fatigue, which in turn may result in a collision with another vehicle.

Technology is being developed to avoid truck crashes. One particular innovation that appears to be promising is a device that can help alert truck drivers when they sense fatigue. Dashboard-mounted cameras measure driver's eyelid movement in order to detect fatigue. This technology seems promising, but is still in the development and research stage. Ample support from the government is needed to fully develop this system.

Like alcohol intoxication, fatigue can be a serious threat to a driver’s life. But what’s different is that there is no standard to measure the level of one’s fatigue. People need an average of 8 hours of sleep in order to produce enough energy for the day ahead. It is better to get some rest and be safe than earn a little more money and put other drivers in danger.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a semi-truck or trailer-tractor accident having an experienced attorney can make all the difference. Trucking companies and their drivers are only required to keep crucial evidence like log books for as a little as 30 days after an accident. An experienced Salt Lake City semi truck accident lawyer can help preserve this information. Get a free copy of our Utah Accident Book today or call 801-506-0800 for a free consultation.

Statistics indicate that in the United States more than half of teen deaths result from liquor consumption. That equates to the death of eight teen drivers every day because of alcohol intoxication. In some states, Having blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 is considered legally drunk, and increases the risk of getting in an accident by 18 times compared to driving sober.

The consequences of drinking and driving are serious. Every time a drunk driver is on the road he not only puts his or her own life in jeopardy, he puts everyone around him in jeopardy.

High schools, alarmed by the said scenario, are now acting on ways to address the matter. One way that has been found effective is stirring the consciences of teen drivers by inviting victims of drunk-driving accidents and their families to share their stories. This method generally puts emotions high. Some students even walk out because they’re unable to bear the impact these stories have on them.

Aside from programs like these organized by schools, family’s can confront the drunk driving problem and contribute to shaping teens’ perspective on alcoholism and responsible driving. EHow.com recommends parent's should start conversations in a casual tone. Letting your teenager know driving drunk is something worth discussing will create a serious mood. Then educate your teen on underage drinking. Share facts with them like, "Drunk driving is a worse killer than drugs," or "that 100,000 emergency room cases are caused by teenage drinking yearly," and hopefully these facts and your concern will put the seriousness of this problem into perspective. However, don’t forget to assure your teen that you trust his or her judgment and knowledge.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a drunk-driving accident you know how difficult it can be to cope, heal, and deal with adjusters and medical bills. You may need an attorney to help guide you through the process and remove the pressure so that you can focus on healing. Attorney Kenneth L. Christensen focuses his practice on representing people that are injured in car accidents caused by a drunk driver. To schedule a free consultation contact us today at 801-506-0800.

Accidents caused by drunk drivers happen at an alarming rate in the United States. But, a recent study by McGill University in Montreal, Canada has discovered that many DUI accidents are the result of prescription drugs. But what is most interesting, is that the most common aged drivers under the influence of prescription drugs are age 60 and above.

Continue reading "Utah Car Accidents Caused By Prescription Drugs" »

Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis has been flooding the market with terrifying texting and driving statistics. Studies point to problems like: 1 in 5 drivers text while driving, 80% of accidents are caused by distracted drivers, and ½ million people are injured annually because of distracted driving. These shocking statistics have swept the nation causing 33 states and the District of Colombia to place bans on texting while driving.

Ground breaking research recently published by the professors at the University Of Utah through measurable data extracted from a test simulation solidified the truth of these statistics. University Research says, “In the text-messaging [experiment] participants displayed no impairment during the times when not interacting with their cell phone, but later demonstrated clear impairments in driving performance when interacting with their cell phone.” The numbers show that the risk of getting into an accident while texting and driving increases to 45% as opposed to 9% while driving and talking on a phone.

This alarming research has not fallen on deaf ears. Today a Georgia company announced a partnership with an Irving, Texas, firm to provide software to government agencies and businesses that disables the texting, e-mailing, and web-browsing functions of a wireless phone in moving vehicles. CEO Rowland Day says, “We believe that employers are becoming fully aware of the extension of liability for crashes caused by employees texting while driving.” The software uses the GPS system in cell phone to determine if the vehicle is moving more than 5-10mph and then disables the phones text function. Ford recently announced that some of its 2011 vehicles will be equipped with a “Do Not Disturb” button to block incoming calls and text messages. With this kind of new technology the age of texting and driving may end as we know it.

KSL News reports a rollover in southeastern Idaho that resulted in a wounded Utah passenger. The Idaho State Police indicate that eight passengers from Honeyville, Utah were hurt after a 16-year-old driver curved swiftly and then overcorrected. The car rolled, landing on its top in the middle of the eastbound lane. While most of the passengers only incurred minor injuries, one 74-year-old woman was not so lucky; she suffered a serious neck injury and was rushed to McKay-Dee Hospital. Investigators said that the incident was NOT a DUI and that the woman was the only one not wearing a seat belt.

About 75% (or three out of four) of rollover fatalities are not wearing seat belts, and alcohol consumption is also a prime factor. Turning too sharply and driving over the speed limit are the most frequent causes for rollover accidents. NHSTA's study identifies males under 25 as the most susceptible to experience rollovers. Sadly 600 to 800 people are killed annually because of rollovers.

Based on the alarming rate of rollovers, measures have been taken by car manufacturers to curtail incidents. Car developers unified the special characteristics of a car and a sports utility vehicle, in view of the fact that as an SUV becomes closer to the ground it is considerably safer. This development agreement made by car companies in 2009 hopes to save thousands of lives by producing vehicles that don't include some of the physical factors that contribute to this kind of accident.

When a parent is killed in a car accident, the family members suffer enormous emotional turmoil. This turmoil is known by many as grief. Grief can be defined as "the response you experience as a result of loss. This could be emotional - sadness, anger, disbelief, despair and even guilt and relief are responses that may come with grief."

It can be difficult dealing with grief from the weakened health or death of a parent. If a parent is lost during childhood or teenage years, pain's scar can be felt until the moment of forgetting and moving on is reached. Even when death is expected, grief can seriously impact those left behind. Death is still death, and a parent or loved one has been lost.

In Washington County, just this July 18th, Russell and Emelda Welsh, a couple from Pennsylvania were killed in a crash on Interstate 15. Based on the news provided by KSL.com, a Kia SUV approached an area where traffic was backed up due to construction and a lane closure. Because of the victim's fast driving, he lost control making a semitrailer heading north near Pintura turn sharply into the southbound lanes and hit them head on.

Untimely accidents like these happen and children suffer the most because they grow up dealing with the grief and memory of their parents' death. However, focusing on the grief may only make things worse. The person-at-grief needs to find healthy outlets to deal with stress and emotional attachments. Talking about the problem, learning how to identify and explain your feelings, changing situations or events that activate feelings of depression and stress, proper exercise and diet are all significant actions you can take to deal with these feeling in a healthy way.

When a loved one is lost relatives need to support orphaned children for them to be able cope with the difficulties created by losing a parent. Family members should be on the lookout for depression or trauma symptoms created by the sudden loss of loved ones. A trained grief therapist can help a family with their new responsibilities and relationships after a parent has died.

According to American Automobile Association (AAA) “more residents in mountain states will hit the road this Independence Day weekend than last year”.

Before hitting the road on holidays, it is important to plan ahead to avoid road congestion. According to the Washington University in Saint Louis (WUStL), holiday weekends are considered the heaviest times for driving so it is important to prepare for bad traffic. The holiday season also makes people apprehensive and preoccupied so drivers should be more vigilant by giving people more distance and be forgiving when someone does something irritating or absent-minded. Internal uneasiness of a driver is proven to cause serious accidents on the road.

Also, be sure to have your vehicle checked so you won’t be upset by unplanned repairs on the road. Check your engine performance, windshield wipers, oil, brakes, air filter, belts, battery, lights, fluids, tires. Examine tires for remaining tread life. Replace old windshield wipers.

Once you get on the road, drive safely. Since you have your teens or toddlers in the car, it is very obvious that they are the most vulnerable in case of an accident. So avoid risks by shunning drinking before driving. Enjoy your weekend by driving safely and carefully.

The implicit dangers of texting and driving have become common knowledge in American households. Many parents warn their teenagers not to send text-messages while behind the wheel. As teenagers tend to use text-messaging features more often than parents, safety advocates often focus on the dangers of teenagers texting and driving. However, a recent study conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project reveals that adults are more likely to text and drive than teenagers. According to Informationweek.com, the study found that almost half of all adults who text-message admit to texting while driving. Conversely, only one in three teens texts while behind the wheel of a car.

Texting motorists aren’t the only problem
The same study found that pedestrians may also find themselves in dangerous situations when they are texting. The study revealed that one in six adults who own cell phones have physically run into another person or object while texting. While an accidental bump might not lead to serious injuries, consider the dangers of focusing on text message while walking in a busy urban environment. Pedestrians engrossed in a text are far less aware of their surroundings, which can prove fatal in cities with heavy auto traffic. A recent article in Time Magazine reports on the hazards of pedestrians texting in urban areas.

Texting is one of the most dangerous distractions to motorists
Several studies in recent years have reinforced the fact that texting is one of the most dangerous hazards on the road. A study conducted by Virginia Tech found that drivers who text are 23 times more likely to be involved in a car accident than drivers who refrain from texting. In some ways, texting is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Studies have found that drivers have a reduced reaction time of 35% while text-messaging. This is more than double the 12% reduced reaction time of drunk drivers. Texting and driving is always a dangerous mix, no matter the street, time of day, or speed of the vehicle. If you are behind the wheel, texting is never safe.

Continue reading "Adults Are More Likely to Text and Drive Than Teenagers" »

KSL News has reported some major construction changes along Interstate 15 in Utah County. This construction is accompanied by lane shifts and lower speed limits in the stretch from Lehi to Spanish Fork. The speed limit is now 55 miles per hour for most of this 24-mile stretch along I-15. However, Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) troopers are worried about the amount of drivers who are not slowing down. One officer said he stopped three different drivers within less than hour who were all driving over 85 mph in the construction zone. Speeding in construction zones is dangerous to both workers and other commuters.

Remember that this construction can lead to delays, especially during peak driving hours. If you are going to be driving through the construction zone, give yourself extra time to arrive at your destination so you do not feel the need to drive over the speed limit and endanger those around you.

Speeding is a major factor in traffic accidents.
As any seasoned driver knows, it becomes more difficult to control a vehicle the faster it is going. Furthermore, victims in high-speed accidents are much more likely to suffer serious injuries than victims in accidents at lower speeds. Over the years, state and federal officials have placed speed limits in accordance with research and data to help protect the safety of commuters.

Continue reading "Construction On I-15 Can Lead To More Utah Car Accidents If We're Not Careful" »

A recent article in US News and World Report brought to light some interesting research concerning traffic safety. A study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Sleep Societies found a correlation between early classes and auto accidents with teenage drivers. The data suggests that the lack of sleep hinders teenage drivers' alertness and driving precision on their commute to morning classes. The study’s author, Dr. Robert Vorona, an associate professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School, said that the amount of sleep teenagers receive often depends on the time they wake up in the morning. In light of the study’s findings, he suggests that high schools consider starting the day later.

Teenagers’ biological clocks work differently than adults’
Dr. Barbara Phillips, of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, agrees with Dr. Vorona’s recommendations. Dr. Phillips asserts that teenagers tend to go to bed later than adults no matter how early they woke up. She stated that teenagers are biologically programmed to wake up and become sleepy later than adults. This makes waking up at 7:30 AM to get to class on time extremely difficult. Consequently, their alertness and reaction speed while behind the wheel is severely hampered.

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Joshua Yazzie, a federal law enforcement officer, was killed in a single-vehicle Utah auto accident on June 7, 2010. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Yazzie was driving his car on the Ute Indian Reservation in Uintah County while on duty. He lost control of his vehicle a mile south of U.S. Highway 40. He overcorrected in an attempt to stabilize the vehicle, causing the car the roll off a 200-foot embankment. He was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. The force of the accident ejected him from the vehicle and he died at the scene. We offer our deepest condolences to his wife and two children as they mourn this tragic loss.

The rate of rollover accidents is increasing
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), from 1991 to 2001, the rate of rollover fatalities increased by 10%. Although rollover accidents are generally rare, accounting for 3% of passenger vehicle accidents, they account for almost one-third of all accident fatalities every year. In 2001, over 10,000 people died in rollover vehicles, accounting for 32% of all traffic accident fatalities.

A thorough analysis of traffic safety statistics reveals that SUVs are more prone to rollovers. According to the NHTSA “fatalities in rollover crashes accounted for 82% of the total fatality increase in 2002.” Furthermore, 61% of all SUV fatalities in 2002 involved a rollover.

Continue reading "Rollover Car Accident Attorney in Salt Lake City Utah" »