Utah Motorcyclist Dies When Semi-Truck Fails To Yield the Right of Way
34-year-old David Lant died in an Orem, Utah motorcycle crash after being hit by a semi truck that failed to yield to Mr. Lant’s motorcycle, according to a recent article by KSL News, “Man killed in Orem motorcycle accident.”
Lant was on his way to work and only a few blocks from his home when the accident occurred. As he entered the intersection on a green signal at 800 North and 1200 West, a semi truck ran a red light and struck David Lant. Lt. Doug Edwards of the Orem Department of Public Safety said that they do have witnesses that indicated the light was green for southbound traffic.
This is such a tragic and heart wrenching accident. Please keep Mr. Lant’s family in your prayers.
When motor vehicles collide with motorcycles, it is always serious, and often deadly. Utah Department of Public Safety has made extensive efforts to educate the public about motorcycles on the roads. They wrote a brochure, “Share the Road, Start Seeing Motorcycles” and note that approximately 75% of all motorcycle crashes involve a motor vehicle, and 67% of these crashes were caused by the motorist failing to yield the right-of-way to the motorcyclist.
Everyone should read this brochure and follow their SEE program while traveling on Utah roads. S- Search for factors in the area, search for oncoming traffic, motorcycles, pedestrians, etc. E- Evaluate the potential risk and options. Think about your time and space requirements to maintain a margin of safety. E- Execute with control and precision. Don’t make a maneuver unless it can be done safely.
The family of David Lant may want to consult with one of Utah’s premier wrongful death and personal injury law firms to investigate this accident and explain to them their rights and options. Semi-truck drivers, by law, are required to maintain certain logs of their time and travels. These documents are very important for making wrongful death claims. However, the drivers are only required to keep them for a short period of time before they can be destroyed. A lawyer needs to write a specific letter to the trucking company to ensure they are preserved. A personal injury lawyer can also ensure the family is compensated for their loss, including the future earnings David Lant would have received over his lifetime.
