Utah Personal Injury Law Firm Blog

Date: March 30, 2009
Location: 1400 North and Beck Street (300 West)
Type: Salt Lake City bicycle accident, Utah hit and run accident Lawyer

Salt Lake City police are investigating a mysterious bicycle accident that took place on Monday, March 30, 2009. A bicyclist was found lying face down in the street last night at around 10:00 pm near downtown Salt Lake City. When he was found, the man was bleeding from his head and face. He was rushed to the hospital and is in serious condition. Detectives are approaching this case as a hit-and-run accident. There is a bicycle lane on the road where the victim was found and investigators discovered skid marks near the scene of the accident. Authorities believe a vehicle possibly ran over the curb and hit the bicyclist. If you have any information pertaining to this case, please call Salt Lake City police at 801.799.3000.

Although it can be a felony to leave the scene of an accident, hit-and-run cases are becoming more common in the United States. Research and statistics reveal that 11% of automobile accidents nationwide are hit-and-runs. Each year, 700,000 people are victims of this type of accident, 900 of which are killed. Along with the physical pain and detriment of injuries sustained from hit-and-run accidents comes the monetary stress. Because the at-fault party has fled the scene of the accident, the victims of hit-and-run cases are stuck footing their medical bills. To avoid such a situation, you may wish to ask your insurance provider if you are protected by Uninsured Motorist Coverage. For more information on this type of insurance and on statistics pertaining to hit-and-run cases, you can read our informative isurance coverage article from the Christensen Law Firm’s website.

Date: March 30, 2009
Location: Baker Canyon, 21 miles south of Fillmore
Type: Truck and bus collisions, Utah bus accident

The Salt Lake Tribune reported a serious accident this morning involving a school bus. The bus was transporting a youth choir group from Payson High School along Interstate 15 during the latest Utah snowstorm. Around 4:30 am this morning, the bus collided with a tractor trailer. Police say the truck was traveling north and slid on an ice patch, causing it to overturn. The trailer broke off from the cab and spilled boxes across the interstate. The bus, which was also driving north, attempted to avoid the trailer. However, it ended up clipping the side of the trailer, causing many of the 52 student passengers to sustain neck and back pains. Many of the students were transported to an armory in Fillmore where they waited for rides back to Payson.

Typically insurance companies try and settle bus accident claims quickly before the injured parties discover the full extent of their injuries. All passengers in the bus would be well advised to obtain a free copy of the Utah Accident Book, "7 Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Utah Accident Case" at www.UtahAccidentBook.com before signing any documents from the insurance companies.

A recent article from the American Association of Justice brings to light an important legal issue pertaining to our nation’s finest: the men and women of the military. Marine Sgt. Carmelo Rodriguez served in the military for a decade before he lost his life, not from enemy fire, but from medical malpractice. When Mr. Rodriguez enlisted in the Marine Corps, he received a routine medical exam in which the doctor diagnosed a blotch on his body as melanoma. However, the doctor did not tell him and the military did not follow up on the diagnosis. The melanoma grew over the subsequent eight years and Mr. Rodriguez had it examined once again while he was serving in Iraq. The doctor there told him the blotch was a wart that he should have checked when he returned to the US. It was too late, however, and Mr. Rodriguez died a year and half later from skin cancer.

Continue reading " US Marines Are Banned From Recovering for A Doctor's Negligence " »

After a lengthy debate during this legislative session, Utah has become the ninth state to ban text-messaging and driving. According to ABC 4 News, Governor Jon Huntsman signed the bill into law on March 26. The bill will come into effect on July 1, making texting and driving a Class C misdemeanor with a fine of roughly $70. This bill has been passed in light of statistics and research showing the inherent dangers of texting and driving. Since 2005, 16 people have died in Utah traffic accidents where texting drivers have been suspected of causing the deaths. Law enforcement worry they will have trouble enforcing the law, as it is difficult to determine whether a driver is texting or simply dialing a number to call. Despite these complexities, police believe that the new law will be beneficial and help make Utah’s roads safer.

For more information on the statistics of text-messaging and driving, visit Utah’s accident law firm’s website. (http://utahaccidentlawfirm.com/library/)

Date: March 26, 2009
Location: 230 East at 300 South
Type: Pedestrian accident, drunk driving

The Salt Lake Tribune has reported a disturbing accident that took place in downtown Salt Lake City this morning. According to authorities, a suspected drunk driver was driving downtown early in the morning, around 12:30 am, when he struck a 31-year-old woman with his vehicle. The woman and her boyfriend were moving items from an apartment to a parked car at meters in the middle of the road when she was hit. She was immediately rushed to the hospital in critical condition. As of 6:00 am, her condition was upgraded to serious. Police say the woman suffered from a serious head injury and several broken bones. The driver of the vehicle was given a field sobriety test and subsequently arrested for suspicion of drunk driving.

Pedestrian accidents are a serious problem throughout the country. Statistics show that each year, roughly 64,000 pedestrians are injured in an automobile collision and another 5,000 are killed. Many pedestrian accidents result in severe head injuries, which can have life-long consequences. We wish the victim of this accident a quick and healthy recovery.
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Visit our law firm’s website for more information about pedestrian accidents and drunk driving car accidents.

You can also visit the online library section of Utah’s best personal injury law firm at http://utahaccidentlawfirm.com/library for more information on Utah head injuries and traumatic brain injuries.

Date: March 24, 2009
Location: U.S. 89 on Hancock Road
Type: Utah fatal car accident

The Salt Lake Tribune has reported a tragic Utah car accident took the life of a 72-year-old Kanab resident yesterday. Ernst Paul Eckhoff, one of the founders of Best Friends Animal Society in southern Utah, was driving his Land Rover on the left side of a two-lane four miles west of U.S. 89. Utah Highway Patrol said Eckhoff veered to the left side of the road and overcorrected, making the vehicle rolle 1 ½ times. Although he was wearing a seatbelt, Eckhoff died at the scene of the crash. He was alone in the vehicle. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends and the entire community mourns this loss.
Best Friends Animal Society is located five miles north of Kanab and is the country’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. For more information on Best Friends, please visit their website at www.bestfriends.org

The Utah legislature’s bill banning text messaging and driving is still making progress, although some law enforcement officers worry about its effectiveness. According to KSL News, House Bill 290 will make text messaging or emailing while driving a class C misdemeanor. Governor Huntsman’s spokeswoman said the bill is in the standard legal review. Huntsman has not offered an opinion on whether he intends to veto the bill that has already been passed by the house and senate. If signed into law by the Governor, the bill will come into effect on July 1.

Some authorities in the Utah state police are concerned about the potential law. It will be difficult for officers to enforce the ban: how can they differentiate between someone dialing a phone number and someone text messaging? However, Senator Lyle Hillyard supports the bill, saying it will change driver’s mindsets and aid in promoting road awareness.

Continue reading " Utah Law Banning Text Messaging While Driving Awaits Governor Huntsman's Signature " »

Date: March 22, 2009
Location: 400 North at 307 West, Salt Lake City
Type: Utah pedestrian accident, fatal pedestrian accident

The Salt Lake Tribune reported a tragic Utah pedestrian accident that resulted in the death of a 53-year-old man. The accident occurred on March 17th when Kelly Dale Almond was walking out from behind a parked truck in downtown Salt Lake City. He was struck by a speeding vehicle and immediately rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. Three days later, Almond died from serious head and abdominal injuries. Authorities are still investigating the accident and trying to determine whether the driver of the vehicle was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Please pay close attention for pedestrians and bicyclists on your daily commute, especially if you are driving in a metropolitan area.

Date: March 21, 2009
Location: State Road 138 in Tooele County
Type: Fatal Utah accident, Utah car accident

A community is in mourning after a fatal Utah traffic accident that took place this past weekend. According to KSL News, 19-year-old Jacob White was driving home toward Stansbury Park around 4:00 pm and crossed the center line. White struck another car head-on, killing Kendra Naisbitt (23), Bailey Corless (17) and Taft Ahsltron (20). Police do not believe White was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, but are investigating whether he fell asleep or was distracted when he crossed the center line. Reports indicate that the Utah Highway Patrol will recommend misdemeanor charges for a lane change violation. Such a charge will be similar to a speeding violation.

Attorney and Author Kenneth L. Christensen was featured on KSL TV's Studio 5 program on March 18, 2009. Mr. Chrisensen explained why he wrote the Utah Accident Book, 7 Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Utah Accident Case and how to avoid common mistakes that can be fatal to your acident claim.

To see the KSL TV interview with Mr. Christensen, click on the video below.

According to KSL.com, a serious Utah Tractor Trailer accident occured Saturday March 14, 2009 on Interstate 80. A semi truck and trailer hauling mail plowed into the back of a pick-up truck that was stopped on the side of the road on I-80 in Tooele County. The officers at the scene stated the semi truck was going 75 mph when it ran into the truck. Both drivers were seriously injured.

It appears the professional truck driver hauling mail is responsible for this high speed collision. The pick-up truck driver would be well advised to contact a Utah Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer to ensure his rights are fully protected. Commercial truck drivers are only required to maintain inportant information about accidents they are involved in and how many hours they had been on the road for as little as 30 days. To help preserve the injury claim, a trained Utah accident attorney can ensure this essential documentation is not destroyed.

Utah accident victims now have a valuable resource to help them through the complicated insurance and legal jargon of their Utah accident case. The Utah accident book “Seven Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Utah Car Accident” addresses many of the key issues involved in Utah accident cases, including an analysis on how insurance companies and adjustors operate and a description of what must be proven to win your accident case. Kenneth L. Christensen, founder of Christensen Law Firm, wrote the UT accident book as a service to all Utah residents. In his book, Mr. Christensen debunks many myths concerning accident cases and reveals the 7 common mistakes that accident victims make. He does all this in an easy-to-read format that translates confusing legal and insurance jargon into plain English. Best of all, the Utah accident book is FREE for Utah residents. Just visit www.utahaccidentbook.com to request your free copy. See why a former Allstate insurance adjustor said, “No one should talk to an insurance adjustor or hire an attorney until they've read this book!”

Kenneth Christensen, founder of Christensen Law Firm, has authored the Utah accident book “Seven Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Utah Car Accident.” This book has been hailed as a must-have by a former Allstate insurance adjustor. Written in easy-to-read format, the UT accident book provides important information concerning common myths about Utah accident cases and useful tips on dealing with the insurance companies. This book answers common questions accident victims face, such as how to deal with insurance adjustors, what needs to be proven to win an accident case, and whether or not you would benefit from hiring an attorney. The Utah accident book not only provides its readers with crucial advice, but it does so free of charge. Any Utah resident can request a free copy by visiting www.utahaccidentbook.com. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Utah accident, make sure you request your free copy of the UT accident book as it can help you overcome the many complications of an accident case.

Date: March 10, 2009
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Type: Drunk driving, Utah drunk driving accidents

In the middle of Utah’s legislative session, lawmakers are pushing forward on a bill that will increase the legal consequences of drunk driving. This bill is part of a compromise with new liquor laws that are set to abolish Utah’s private club system. Sen. Scott Jenkins proposed this bill that will increase the amount of time a convicted drunk driver will lose his/her driving privileges from 90 days to one full year. Senate Bill 272 will increase penalties to minors caught driving under the influence, who will have their licenses revoked until 18. DUI offenders between the ages of 18 and 21 will lose their licenses until they turn 21. The bill passed with flying colors through the Senate and will now go through the House.

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For more statistics and important information on drunk driving….

Visit our drunk driving resource library. (http://www.utahaccidentlawfirm.com/library/?catid=PA1267)
Read our compilation of drunk driving statistics. (http://www.utahaccidentlawfirm.com/library/drunk-driving-statistics-utah-injury-lawyer.cfm)
Read about how ignition breath tests could save lives. (http://www.utahaccidentlawfirm.com/library/ignition-interlock-systems-ignition-breath-tests-utah-dui-injury.cfm)
Contact Christensen Law Firm for a free consultation. (www.utahpersonalinjurylawfirm.com)

Date: March 8, 2009
Location: 2100 South and 700 West, Salt Lake City, Utah
Type: Utah car accident, Utah car wreck, Red light traffic collision

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that a young woman died in a tragic Utah traffic accident. A Toyota Paseo was making a left turn on to State Road 201 when a Ford minivan traveling east ran a red light and smashed into the Paseo. 18-year-old Maria Rodriguez was a passenger in the Paseo at the time of the accident and suffered critical injuries. When medical crews arrived at the scene, Maria was conscious and breathing. She was taken to Intermountain Medical Center where she later died from internal bleeding. The driver of the Paseo and two adults and children in the minivan were taken to local hospitals with injuries, although none of them were life-threatening. Utah Highway Patrol has not released the name of the 36-year-old man who was driving the minivan. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Maria’s family and friends.
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Learn more about Utah Wrongful Death Accidents…
Visit our website specializing in Utah wrongful death claims (utahpersonalinjurylawfirm.com)
Visit our car accident resource library. (http://utahaccidentlawfirm.com/library/)
Request your free copy of the Utah accident book, “7 Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Utah Accident Case (www.utahaccidentbook.com)
Contact Christensen Law Firm for a free consultation. (www.utahpersonalinjurylawfirm.com )

Drowsy driving is as dangerous as drunk driving and text-messaging while driving. New research has discovered that 44% of Utah drivers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel. KSL News reports that this finding and others have prompted a campaign to enlighten Utahns about the dangers of drowsy driving. Safety groups are hoping to increase citizens’ awareness that drunk driving and drowsy driving are equally fatal. What makes drowsy driving especially dangerous is that it is not limited to nighttime: 3:00 pm is considered the most dangerous hour for drowsy driving. Sleepy drivers often crack the window or turn the radio up to avoid falling asleep. However, this only works for a few minutes and often worsens the situation. Doctors say this is because the driver is stimulating his/her adrenaline but the adrenaline quickly wears out. Once the adrenaline subsides, the driver is worse off than before. Utah police have begun cracking down on drivers who are falling asleep by issuing tickets and not warnings. Safety experts recommend switching drivers or taking a short nap if you become drowsy while behind the wheel. To learn more about the Sleep Smart, Drive Smart campaign, visit their website at www.sleepsmartdrivesmart.com.

If you have been injured in a Utah drowsy driving accident, be sure to contact the Utah Personal Injury Law Firm specializing in drowsy driving accidents at the Christensen Law Firm, PLLC.

We often hear about the dangers of drunk driving and distracted driving, but what about fatigued driving? Feeling drowsy and sleepy behind the wheel can lead to serious consequences. While a person who has had a few drinks will likely avoid driving, sleepy individuals will still get behind the wheel without a second thought. Nearly 51% of drivers in America, roughly 100 million people, admitted to feeling drowsy while behind the wheel, according to a poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation. The same poll found that an astonishing 2 out of 10 of those drivers have actually fallen asleep while driving!

It is difficult to determine accurate statistics for drowsy driving, as there is no method for testing or proving it. As such, many reports and statistical gatherings are considered to be relatively conservative estimates. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 100,000 police-reported accidents each year are due to drowsy driving, resulting in 1,500 deaths and 71,000 injuries.

Continue reading " Utah Drowsy Driving Accident Lawyer | Free Utah Accident Book " »

A fatal Utah car accident occurred in Uintah County on Wednesday night, March 4, 2009. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the crash involved Vernal resident Timothy Reynolds and Provo resident Chad Porter. Around 5:30 pm, 48-year-old Reynolds was driving his Chevy truck on State Road 40 outside of Gusher. He crossed the lane into oncoming traffic and smashed head-on into Porter’s truck. Porter was killed instantly and Reynolds, who was not wearing a seatbelt, died at the scene. The Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) said the roads were dry at the time of the accident and that last night’s snowy weather did not play a role in the crash. The UHP believes fatigue may have been a factor in the accident, but authorities are still investigating the cause of this tragic Utah fatal car wreck.

Many people that contact our office are involved in Utah car accidents and don't know what to do about their medical bills and the insurance adjustors calling to ask them questions. They are afraid if they say the wrong thing or sign the wrong paper they could jeopardize their case. This is a legitimate concern and the insurance companies do take advantage of people's inexperience with insurance claims.

That is why I wrote The Utah Accident Book, "7 Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Utah Accident Case...And How To Avoid Them." I offer this book free to Utah residents. It reveals common insurance company tactics and helps level the playing field between accident victims and insurance companies. If you have been involved in a Utah car, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accident be sure to obtain your free, no obligation copy of this valuable Utah Accident Book at www.utahaccidentbook.com.

An unusual Utah semi truck accident involving 90 hogs left a truck driver seriously injured on February 3, 2009. According to the Salt Lake tribune, the driver of the truck hit a trailer that was being pulled by a pickup on Interstate 15 in Beaver County. The cab of the semi-truck rolled and left a mess on the freeway. Some of the hogs managed to escape the semi, which created a potential hazard to motorists. 30 hogs suffered serious injuries in the accident and had to be destroyed. The Utah Highway Patrol said it took two hours to remove the driver from the wreckage. Once extricated, the driver was flown to a hospital in Salt Lake City. Police are currently investigating the accident and trying to determine why the semi ran into the trailer. Early reports indicate it might be due to problems with the rear lights of the trailer.