KSL News reported that 4 adults and two children were seriously injured in a West Jordan, Utah car crash on New Bingham Highway and Airport road Friday night, January 30, 2009. A van made an improper left-hand turn and collided with an SUV. The van's roof had to be removed by emergency personnel to get the passengers out. Two people were life-flighted to the hospital and the other four were taken by ambulance.

Improper left-hand turns result in some of the most serious injuries and accidents. We wish everyone involved in this accident a full and fast recovery.

Since there were multiple parties involved in this tragic accident, there likely will be insuffiecient insurance coverage to pay for everyone's medical bills and damages. However, the parties may be able to make a claim for Underinsured Motorist Coverage. They can protect their claims and learn about their full rights by obtaining a free copy of "7 Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Utah Accident Case" at www.utahaccidentbook.com.

The Tooele, Utah prosecutor handling the criminal case involving the fatal trucking accident that killed UPS driver Alan Christofferson dropped the vehicle homicide charge against the dump truck driver after the blood alcohol tests returned negative. The city is still pursing the charges for "Failing to Yield" and "Failing to Provide a Valid Driver's License."

Another fire has struck Utah. According to KSL News, a house fire claimed the life of a Lehi resident January 31, 2009. A detached garage/apartment behind a house near 900 North and 400 East became engulfed in flames, trapping a man inside the building. When fire crews arrived at the scene, the flames were already too strong to attempt to rescue the trapped victim. After 30 minutes of battling the flames, firefighters were able to find the man’s body in the attic. Authorities believe he was trying to escape, but was unable to after the roof collapsed. The man’s name has not been released at this time, but we do know he was in his mid-to-late 20s. Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fire. The garage/apartment is considered a total loss, while damages to the nearby house and two cars are estimated at $75,000.

We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim.

Deseret News reported that authorities have discovered the cause the Utah refinery fire that took place in Woods Cross earlier this month. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board said a vapor cloud released from a petroleum storage tank suddenly ignited, causing a major fire that forced nearby neighborhoods to evacuate. Investigators are still examining what source actually ignited the vapor cloud. The investigation team will also be looking into the “integrity of the tank seal” and refinery operational procedures to determine why the vapor cloud was released in the first place.

Silver Eagle Refinery suddenly erupted in flames on January 12, 2009, leaving four workers with serious burn injuries. Alex Bloomfield, Phil McSwain, and Rob Benoit were three of the burn victims. The fourth victim, Timothy Harter, suffered the worst burn injuries. Early news reports indicated the refinery will be paying for his medical bills. However, his family worried about potential financial difficulties since he will be unable to work for quite a while.

The employees are still recovering in a local hospital.

The Salt Lake Tribune has reported a fatal Utah car accident that took place on January 28. Sheldon Dudley, a 76-year-old Taylorsville resident, was driving his Honda car in South Salt Lake on Monday afternoon. He was commuting west on Miller Avenue at 3115 South and turned south onto State Street. As he was making his left-hand turn, he did not yield to a pickup truck driving north. Police said that Dudley was struck broadside by the pickup truck. He died at the scene of the accident. The driver of the truck sustained injuries.

Without a green arrow at the traffic signal, left-hand turns can be extremely dangerous. Always make sure you have enough time to make the turn before an oncoming car arrives at the intersection. If you aren’t sure, it is better to err on the side of caution. Also, remember to look for pedestrians crossing the street before you turn left.

A Utah resident faced negligent homicide charges for distracted driving in the midst of increasing debate about a Utah cell phone and text messaging ban for drivers. According to The Herald Journal, Reggie Shaw was charged with two class-A misdemeanor charges after causing an accident that killed James A. Furfaro and Keith P. O’Dell. Shaw, a 21-year-old, was driving his pickup truck on Valley View Highway near mile marker 101 when he crossed the center line and struck a Saturn LS2. The car was thrown into an oncoming Ford F250, killing Furfaro and O’Dell.

As authorities investigated the case, they requested Shaw’s cell phone records. According to court documents, the records indicated that Shaw was text-messaging at the time of the accident. Officials said that the last text message was sent as Shaw crossed over the center line. Shaw entered a plea agreement in Utah’s 1st District Court Monday afternoon, January 26, 2009.

Please remember the dangers of all forms of distracted driving, but especially the threats posed by text-messaging. Research indicates that a driver’s control of the vehicle is reduced 90% when he/she is text-messaging. Simply turn off your cell phone before getting behind the wheel. All Utahns deserve safer roads.

Daily commuters rejoiced at the completion of Utah’s Legacy Parkway, a four-lane highway in Davis County which provides an alternate route from Interstate 15 for commuters. Traffic on I-15 has been reduced since Legacy Parkway’s completion. However, police are concerned that commuters on the new highway seem to have a knack for speeding. According to KSL News, many drivers are disregarding speed limits along Legacy Parkway. The speed limit along the highway is 55 mph. However, the Utah Department of Transportation estimates that commuters are driving an average of 10 mph over the speed limit. Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) worries that there are not enough troopers to properly regulate the highway. UHP has four troopers to patrol Davis County. I-15, Highway 89, and Legacy Parkway are all in their zone, leaving the troopers stretched thin.

If you are a commuter in Davis County and use Legacy Parkway, please abide by the posted speed limit for your own safety and for the protection of commuters sharing the road.

According to a poll conducted by the Salt Lake Tribune, 80% of Utahns are in favor of laws banning cell-phone use while driving. Still, many Utah motorists continue to talk on their cell phones while driving. Worse, many motorists text-message while behind the wheel, especially younger drivers. Yet 75% of men and 85% of women say they would support a cell-phone ban. Representative Phil Riesen is perhaps the strongest proponent of a legislative ban, proposing a bill that would ban just about all electronic communications for motorists, including text-messaging, email, and hands-free cell phones. His bill makes exceptions for emergency situations and two-way radios.

Research conducted at the University of Utah supports Rep. Riesen’s claims of the threats of motorist cell phone use. Researchers found that driving while on a cell phone is as dangerous as driving drunk. Test subjects were placed into a driving simulator. Those who were talking on the phone performed the same as those with blood-alcohol content of .08%. Furthermore, the same study found that hands-free cell phones are not any safer than handheld cell phones.

Although statistics and research show the dangers of driving while using a cell phone, Riesen’s legislation will likely meet opposition. Some legislatures argue that such a bill infringes on civil liberties, stating that laws already exist that punish distracted driving.

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is worried about implications of a new bill being presented in the Utah Legislature. According to KUTV News, Representative Phil Riesen is proposing a bill that would ban cell phone use while operating a vehicle, making such actions a class C misdemeanor. The bill would ban not only cell phone use, but also pagers, text messaging, and two-way radios. UDOT worries this bill will hinder state snowplowing operations since drivers often use two-way radios to communicate during snowstorms. Representative Riesen has said he will likely revise the bill to allow two-way radios.

More information has been released regarding the fatal Utah traffic accident on State Road 112 in Tooele County. According to KSL News, a volunteer firefighter was driving a pickup truck when he drifted across the road and hit a car head-on. The driver of the car, 54-year-old Michael Haydon and a passenger in the car, 83-year-old Alan Carlson, were both killed in the accident. Haydon died at the scene of the accident and Carlson died in the hospital. The driver of the truck suffered injuries. According to police, alcohol was spilled in the interior of the pickup truck. Authorities are still investigating how much of a factor alcohol played in this accident.

KSL News has reported a major Utah Car accident in Tooele the afternoon of January 22, 2009. According to initial reports, two cars struck each other in a head-on collision. The accident took place along Highway 112 at mile marker 3. Police say a westbound Dodge truck crossed into the east lanes and collided into a Chevy Corsica. Authorities believe this may be a drunk driving related car accident. The driver of the Corsica was killed and a passenger of the car is in extremely critical condition. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of the victims involved in this tragic traffic accident.

MSN Health has reported on recent research published in the American Journal of Public Health which found that infants and small children have much better chance at surviving a serious car accident if they are placed in proper car safety seats. The study stated that the fatality rate of infants is dropped 75% if they are placed in a car seat, while toddlers’ fatality rate drops 60%. This study comes in light of statistics showing that car accidents are the leading cause of injury and death among children over 1 year of age. In 2005, over 500 children under the age of 3 died in traffic accidents.

Continue reading " Study Proves The Fatality Rate for Children In Car Accidents Dramitically Drops When Car Seats Are Properly Used " »

KSL News has reported a Utah semi-truck accident on Interstate 215 near 4500 South on January 20, 2009. A semi-truck was driving north along the interstate when it suddenly crashed through the barrier into southbound lanes. The tractor landed on its side while the trailer remained upright, blocking three lanes of traffic. Traffic was backed up to 2800 South and police were diverting commuters off of I 215 at 3500 South. Fortunately, the driver of the semi-truck suffered a broken arm. No one else was involved in the rollover accident.

Deseret News reported a serious rollover accident on January 17, 2009. According to the source, the accident took place in the northbound lanes of Interstate 15 near 4800 South. The accident occurred after a woman attempted to change lanes. When checking her blind-spot, she noticed another vehicle in her way. She quickly hit her brakes, which caused her vehicle to spin out of control. She broadsided a Chevy Tahoe, causing the SUV to rollover. Emergency crews removed the driver of the Tahoe from his wrecked vehicle and transported him to the hospital.

According to KSL News, a rollover took place in Summit County on January 17, 2009. Passengers in a KIA vehicle said the car traveling in front of them suddenly slammed on its breaks. This caused the driver of the KIA to lose control of the car, which subsequently rolled on Interstate 80. A passenger of the KIA was 8 months pregnant. She was taken to the hospital.

KSL reported another accident on the same day, this one in North Salt Lake. Two cars collided near 1100 North and Highway 89. One person was taken to the hospital with injuries.

As the economy took a turn for the worse this past year, many drivers dropped their car insurance. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, 15% of drivers were uninsured in 2006. The Insurance Research Council, who will be releasing a study about this trend next month, estimates this rate has only gone up due to increased unemployment in the United States. Auto insurance rates are also increasing, adding fuel to the fire. Premiums have risen 3.8% in a year.

Driving without insurance is risky to all parties involved in the accident. If you are hit by an uninsured motorist, suing is the only way to recover costs. This process is not only complicated, but doesn’t guarantee results, as many uninsured drivers have few assets. One way to avoid litigation is to purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage from your insurance provider, which will cover costs up to a certain amount if you have been in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist. However, this coverage increases premiums by an average of 7% - 9%.

Continue reading " Slow Economy Has More Drivers On The Road Without Car Insurance " »

The American author Henry Miller once wrote, “The ordinary man is involved in action, the hero acts. An immense difference.” The validity of this statement was recently seen in the actions of Chelsey B. Sullenberg III, the pilot who safely landed US Airways Flight 1549 into the Hudson River.

Landing a jet on water is an incredible feat. The pilot must touch-down on the water at the perfect angle. If one of the wings touches the water during the landing, it can cause the plane to literally cartwheel out of control. Water landing is a rare occurrence for planes – so rare that flight schools rarely train pilots for such an occurrence. Yet Sullenberg’s masterful landing demonstrated his incredible ability as a pilot and reflected well upon the training he received from the United States Air Force.

Continue reading " Pilot Chelsey B. Sullenberg III - A True Hero " »

Traffic accidents often lead to back injuries, which can be especially tedious since they impair the mobility of your entire body. Even the slightest back injury can have you down-and-out for days at a time. If you have injured your back, make sure you seek medical attention immediately. Because back injuries affect your entire body, you may want to seek a second opinion so you do not rush into unnecessary surgery or leave the issue untreated, thereby risking elongated consequences.

While minor back injuries can be cured with rest, medical attention is often needed to ensure full recovery. Physical therapy, chiropractic care and epidural injections are all beneficial treatments to consider after an accident. However, despite conservative treatment measures, sometimes back surgery is inevitable. Here is a list of different procedures that you may want to discuss with your doctor.

Continue reading " Back Injuries and Surgical Options Following an Accident " »

KSL News reported a serious Utah car accident on Interstate 15 in the early hours of January 15th, 2009. Around 1:15 a.m., a Ford SUV struck a Nissan car from behind, thrusting the car off the road near the Point of the Mountain. The car toppled down 40 feet of the embankment. The Utah Highway Patrol reported the Nissan was either driving slowly or stopped in the far-right lane when it was hit, possibly checking on an abandoned vehicle on the shoulder of the Interstate.

The northbound lanes on I-15 were closed for more than an hour as a medical helicopter landed to pick up the driver of the Nissan, who was flown to the hospital and remains in critical condition. The driver of the SUV sustained minor injuries. Our thoughts and concerns are with people involved in this accident and we wish them both a speedy recovery.

As a Utah personal injury lawyer, I understand how important it is for accident victims to hire an experienced attorney that cares more about people than cases. Arizona accident attorneys, Mark Breyer and Alexis Breyer do just that! By providing personal attention and expertise for all of their clients, they ensure that every client receives the full value of their claim and always understnad the personal injury legal process.

In fact, Mark and Alexis Breyer recently wrote an exceptional book that provides answers to every possible question that may arise after an Arizona car accident. Their book "13 Biggest Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Arizona Injury Case" is free for Arizona accident victims. No one should talk to an insurance adjustor or sign papers from an insurance company until they've read this book!

Statistics show that over one million people each year receive medical treatment for head and brain injuries. Furthermore, between 50,000 and 100,000 people suffer prolonged effects from these injuries. Many head injuries are the result from car accidents, even at low speeds. While some head traumas occur from hitting one’s head on the steering wheel or headrest, head injuries can still occur without hitting an object within the car.

Continue reading " Car Accidents and Brain Injuries " »

I am often asked when it is the best time to contact a lawyer after being involved in an accident. The general rule is that sooner is better than later.

Continue reading " When Should I Contact A Lawyer After Being In A Car Accident? " »

The National Safety Council (NSC) is calling for a nationwide ban on cell phone use while driving. While a handful of states have outlawed hand-held cell phone use for drivers, they still permit hands-free headsets. However, the NSC plans on lobbying in all fifty states to ban all types of cell phone use, including hands-free, as well as text-messaging while driving.

The NSC’s aggressive actions follow years of studies and research involving driving and cell phones. According to research performed by the Harvard Center of Risk Analasys, 6% of traffic accidents nationwide are the result of cell phone use. This equates to 330,000 injuries and 2,600 deaths annually. A study conducted by the University of Utah shows absolutely no difference in concentration levels between drivers using hands-held cell phones and drivers using hands-free headsets.

Many states are issuing laws that require cameras on red light signals. These cameras take a picture of the license plate of vehicles running red lights. They have allowed law enforcement officials to crack down on this extremely dangerous traffic violation. Red light cameras also capture pictures of drivers speeding, illegally crossing rails, or violating tolls.

Nationwide, 21 states and the District of Columbia have laws that permit these cameras for at least one type of traffic enforcement. Although Utah permits red light cameras, their use is strictly regulated.

Continue reading " Red Light Cameras and Traffic Citations " »

Winter weather makes driving extremely difficult. Icy roads, white-out snow storms, and heavy winds provide even more dangers to commuters. While it is best to avoid driving in the winter whenever possible, below is a compilation of winter driving tips from The Weather Channel and AAA Insurance.

First things first: vehicle maintenance. Keeping your vehicle in good shape will help prevent needless accidents. Make sure to keep your gas tank at least half full. Gas lines can freeze if the tank falls below half full and it is expensive to repair. Also, it is important to keep your tires properly inflated and do not mix radial tires with other types of tires.

Continue reading " Winter Driving Tips " »

According to the Daily Herald, Bryce Christensen from Spanish Fork, Utah was traveling on I-15 when his car was struck by another car merging from highway 6. The impact caused Christensen's vehicle to spin out of control and into oncoming traffic where it was hit by a semi truck and trailer. Sadly, Mr. Christensen sustained head trauma and later died.

We offer our deepest condolences to the Christensen family. Clearly this tragic accident never should have happened and is not Bryce Christensen's fault.

Erin Mahoney recently wrote an interesting article that took an in depth look at auto insurance policies and what type of coverage the average driver really needs. Auto insurance is a necessity for every driver, but insurance policies can be complicated to understand.

The insurance everyone is required to have is liability insurance, which provides coverage if you are at fault in a car accident. Utah residents are required by law to have liability insurance with minimums of $25,000 for single person bodily injury liability, $50,000 for all people bodily injury liability, and $15,000 for property damage liability.

Continue reading " What Type and How Much Car Insurance Should I Have? " »

Aaron Summerill plead guilty to negligent homicide for hitting and killing a 78 year-old woman with his car in July 2008. Mr. Summerill had cocaine in his system at the time of the accident and fled the scene, but returned a short time later. This reckless driver also had criminal charges pending for prescription fraud and forgery theft.

According to KSL News, cold winter weather is causing an increase in Utah carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning injuries. Local hospitals are reporting a CO poisoning “epidemic” due to weather. Cold temperatures are leading residents to warm up their vehicles in their garage before leaving. The buildup of CO in the garage from vehicles’ exhaust is causing CO poisoning in some residents. Doctors have also reported construction workers suffering CO poisoning after sealing their work areas with plastic to stay warm and subsequently inhaling CO fumes from their equipment. Space heaters in cabins and houses are also causing residents to fall victim to CO poisoning.

KSL News reported some good and bad news concerning traffic fatalities in Utah. According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, the number of Utah traffic fatalities in 2008 was the lowest it has been in 16 years. Reports indicate 272 deaths on state roads this past year, compared to 299 deaths in 2009. Authorities believe high gas prices might have played a role in the low fatality rate, as many commuters chose to drive less and use public transportation.

Although the overall number of traffic deaths was low this past year, Utah saw an increase in motorcycle fatalities. 35 Utah motorcyclists died in 2008, which is the highest rate of motorcycle fatalities since 1985.

Spanish Fork Canyon, known to be one of Utah’s most dangerous canyons, saw a serious car wreck on January 4, 2009 which shut down the canyon for several hours. According to KSL News, a minivan was slid out of control after hitting a patch of ice. The minivan slid sideways into oncoming traffic and was hit by a truck. Luckily, all the passengers in the van were wearing seatbelts. The driver was taken to the hospital in critical condition along with eight children from the minivan. One of the children is in critical condition. The driver of the truck was not hurt in the accident.

We wish this family and their child with serious injuries a full recovery. They will likely have extensive medical bills as a result of this accident, and although it appears that the parent driving the van may be responsible for driving too fast for conditions, Utah is a unique state in that Utah law allows family members to make injury claims against eachother. The family would benefit from contacting a Utah personal injury attorney to ensure the passengers' medical bills and damages are fully covered.

Most of us are aware of the dangers of talking on the cell phone while driving. Yet some of us just can’t bring ourselves to ignore the phone when it rings and pick it up regardless of the sobering statistics, endangering ourselves and our fellow drivers. For those socialites and multi-taskers who can’t drive without the phone, two inventors may have found the solution.

According to an article by Michael W. Jones, two San Francisco inventors are marketing a new gadget that can block cell phone use on the road. The device, called Key2SafeDriving, is an automobile key holder that will prevent the use of cell phones for talking and texting while driving.

Continue reading " New Device Can Block Cell Phone Use In Cars " »

As of January 1, 2009, California drivers will find themselves a bit removed from their social loop while behind the wheel. New legislation came into effect at the turn of the New Year which outlaws any texting while driving, even when the car is at stand-still at a stop sign or traffic light. California already had laws against talking on a cell phone while driving unless the commuter was using a hands-free headset. The bill was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger in September, making California one of the first states to ban text messaging while driving. Connecticut, Washington, Louisiana, Minnesota, and New Jersey also have laws against texting and driving.

Utah currently has no laws directly forbidding cell phone use or text messaging while driving. However, according to www.handsfreeinfo.com, Rep. Carol Spackman Moss is working on a bill that would ban use of hand-held cell phone use while behind the wheel. Such legislation could greatly improve the safety of our roads. A University of Utah study in 2005 found talking on a cell phone while driving can be equivalent to driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08. Text messaging statistics are even more frightening: text messaging on the road lowers a driver’s reaction time by 35%.

New Year’s Eve 2008 produced some interesting Utah drunk driving statistics. According to an article in the Salt Lake Tribune, there were no major Utah DUI accidents as a result of holiday celebrations last night. However, this is not to say that there were no intoxicated drivers. Utah Highway Patrol reported 14 drunk driving arrests this New Year’s Eve. This is double the amount of DUI arrests made on December 31, 2007. New Year’s Eve 2006 saw 10 DUI arrests.

Police credit the large numbers of arrests this year to increased patrol on the roads. Authorities said eight additional deputies were placed on the roads to watch for intoxicated drivers. While there were several arrests for drunk driving, public intoxication, and fighting, police felt there was a decrease in alcohol-related crimes compared to past New Year’s Eve celebrations.

According to a report from KSL News, more than 30 people from Ogden were treated at a hospital last night for carbon monoxide poison. These residents had breathed in high amounts of the poisonous gas in a home near 200 West and 400 South. Sources said Rogeilo Godinez, the owner of the house, was using a propane grill in the garage to cook for guests. One of the residents began feeling ill and called the police.

When emergency crews arrived, they found many of the guests exhibiting symptoms similar to the flu. They tested for carbon monoxide and found extremely high levels of the gas inside the house. Many of the residents had CO levels as high as 35%. The house did not have a carbon monoxide detector.

Carbon Monoxide is an odorless gas and exposure to it can be fatal. If your house does not have a detector, you may consider purchasing one for as little as $10. It could save your life.

The people injured in this home would greatly benefit from contacting an Ogden Personal Injury attorney to ensure they are not resposible for the medical bills and other expenses.