Utah Personal Injury Law Firm Blog

Date: July 28, 2009

Location: State Road 144 in Washington County

Type: New Harmony fatal accident, Cedar City rollover

A blown tire led to the deaths of two commuters yesterday in a violent Utah traffic accident. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, an extended cab pickup truck was traveling eastbound on SR-144 near New Harmony. The vehicle blew a tire, and the driver lost control. The pickup swerved off of the left side of the road, rolled twice, and then flipped end-over-end. It then hit an embankment and became airborne, breaking into two pieces when it landed on the ground. Authorities believe the truck was traveling at high speeds when the tire blew. The driver of the truck, 38-year-old Jason McDonald, and 12-year-old Adaline Moore were killed in the wreck. The two other victims were transported to Valley View Medical Center in Cedar City. Authorities report that both have suffered critical injuries.

Did you know that rollover accidents are involved in only 3% of all traffic accidents, but account for nearly one quarter of passenger fatalities in Utah? Pickup trucks are more prone to rollovers that cars. Consider the statistics: 46% of fatal pickup truck accidents were due to rollovers. Many different factors can cause a vehicle to rollover, such as rough weather conditions, vehicle malfunction, or reckless driving. For more information on vehicle rollovers, read the article “Vehicle Rollover Crash Risks and Injuries” in the Christensen Law Firm’s online Utah Injury Library.
If you need help after a serious Utah car or truck accident, please contact the expert Utah accident attorneys at the Christensen Law Firm. With offices in Draper, Bountiful, and Orem, we will work with you to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your accident-related injuries and suffering.

Date: July 28, 2009

Location: Little Cottonwood Canyon

Type: Utah bicycle accident, Utah large truck accident

The Salt Lake Tribune has reported a serious Utah bicycle accident that took place in Little Cottonwood Canyon early this morning. According to police, a delivery truck was driving uphill around 7:30 am. This morning as the sun came over the hill around 8200 East. The truck was in the right lane of a passing zone, allowing faster traffic to pass. A 37-year-old bicyclist from Draper was also in the right lane. The truck driver saw the bicyclist at the last minute and tried to avoid him. However, the truck’s mirror struck the bicyclist, who was thrown off his bike and fell down the embankment on the side of the road. The cyclist was flown to University Hospital in critical condition, suffering from spinal, neck, and head injuries. He also sustained broken bones. Police believe the sun played a factor in this accident, reducing the trucker’s visibility. Nonetheless, this professional driver is clearly responsible for this accident. The truck driver was cited for driving too close to a bicyclist. We wish the cyclist a full recovery from his injuries.

The cyclist was wearing a helmet this morning. This was a very smart safety precaution and likely spared him from even more serious head injuries. However, it appears that he has still suffered some head trauma. A common form of head trauma is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), which can result in serious symptoms and high medical costs. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1.4 million people sustain a TBI every year. Bicyclists are especially susceptible to TBI in bicycle vs. automobile accidents, even if the cyclist involved is wearing a helmet. For more information on Utah TBI statistics, symptoms, and treatments, visit the “Traumatic Brain Injury” section of the Christensen Law Firm’s online personal injury library.

If you have been injured in a Utah bicycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to full and just compensation for your damages. The Utah bicycle attorneys at the Christensen Law Firm provide superlative legal representation to bicycle accident victims. We will provide you with dedicated and personal service to ensure you receive the settlement you deserve. For a free consultation on your legal rights, call us at 801.506.0800.

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute has concluded a comprehensive study of the dangers of text messaging while driving. The study placed video cameras in several commercial trucks over an 18 month period, and found that the risk of collision is 23 times greater to drivers when they are texting. According to the New York Times, the study also examined the amount of time drivers take their eyes off the road when texting. On average, texting drivers spent roughly 5 seconds looking at their phones in the moments leading up to a crash. This is enough time to cover the length of a football field when traveling at highway speeds. While the study examined commercial truck drivers, the researchers said the data can be applied broadly to all drivers. Research on texting and driving is just beginning, as it is a relatively new phenomenon. Yet despite the inherent risks, a recent poll conducted by AAA found 21% of respondents text message while behind the wheel.

This past year, the Utah State Legislature outlawed text-messaging and driving. Although it is now illegal for commuters, many Utahns still text and drive, and police have a difficult time enforcing the new law. Research and studies only affirm what common-sense dictates: texting and driving is extremely dangerous. This blatant distraction can lead to serious Utah injuries, including spinal cord damage and Utah traumatic brain injury. Please be safe when driving and turn off your cell phone. For more information about texting and driving, read the article “Intexticated” in the Christensen Law Firm’s online Utah accident library. If you have been injured in a Utah car accident because of another driver’s negligence, contact the Utah injury attorneys at the Christensen Law Firm for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.

Date: July 18, 2009
Location: State Road 201
Type: Fatal Utah accident, Utah traffic accident

A tragic Utah traffic accident took place early Saturday morning that claimed the lives of six people, including four children. According to KSL News story “A Family of Crash Survivors Hopes for the Best,” a Mercury Sable was driving west on SR-201 around 1:00 a.m. and T-boned a Dodge Stratus. The Dodge was driving south on SR-202 and was attempting to make a left turn onto SR-201 at the time of the accident. Seven people were in the Stratus and only one survived, four-year-old Ricardo Ramiriez. At the time of the crash, he was sitting on the floor of the passenger seat beneath the dashboard. He was flown to Primary Children’s Medical Center in serious condition, but is expected to make a full recovery. Authorities identified the other victims as Veronica Martinez, 35, Ricardo Ramirez, 29, Mercedes Martinez, 15, Veronica Ramirez, 6, Isabel Ramirez, 5, and Megan Foote, 15.

The driver of the Sable, Jared Perry, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, suffering from internal bleeding. His nine-year-old son was also taken to the hospital. He underwent surgery to have his back fused and had abdominal surgery to remove his colon and intestine. Perry and his son are expected to recover. Authorities are still investigating the accident and are not sure who is at fault. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this tragic Utah fatal accident. We wish Ricardo Ramiriez and the Perrys swift and healthy recoveries.

Date: July 17, 2009
Location: Interstate 15 and 4400 South
Type: Utah traffic accident, Utah drunk driving accident

A routine traffic stopped quickly turned dangerous for a Utah Highway Patrol trooper early Friday morning. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, a Utah Highway Patrol trooper had just let a motorist go after a routine traffic stop on southbound Interstate 15 near 4400 South. He was sitting in his car on the shoulder and was suddenly rear-ended by a Honda Passport that had drifted out of its lane. The collision sent the patrol car 60 feet forward, injuring the trooper inside. He was transported to Intermountain Medical Center in serious conditions, suffering from lacerations and other injuries. He was released after spending several hours in the hospital. The driver of the Honda, a 31-year-old man from West Jordan, was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. Reports indicate that investigators smelled alcohol on his breath and allegedly found an open alcohol container and marijuana.

According to the Utah High Way Patrol, there are 150 motor vehicle crashes every day in the state of Utah alone. On average, 400 people are involved in these accidents with 75 injuries and 1 death each day. These sobering statistics emphasize the need to drive responsibly and cautiously. Avoid distractions like fiddling with the radio or talking on your cell phone when behind the wheel. Keep your stereo volume at a moderate level so you can hear the road conditions around you. Be sure to obey all traffic rules, especially the posted speed limit. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a Utah car or truck accident, you likely have many questions about where to go from here. Kenneth Christensen, founder of the Christensen Law Firm, wrote the Utah accident book “Seven Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Utah Accident Case” as a resource for accident victims. In this book, Mr. Christensen breaks down the complicated insurance and legal jargon, providing his readers with answers to common questions:

“What is a personal injury case?”
“How do I handle the insurance adjustor?”
“Do I need to hire an attorney for my case?”

For a FREE copy of the Utah accident book, visit www.utahaccidentbook.com or call the expert Utah accident attorneys of the Christensen Law Firm at 801.506.0800.

A recent article from Reuters Health has some important safety information for parents. Researchers at two Australian hospitals have found that children under the age of 12 are at an increased risk of suffering a spinal cord injury during a car accident. According to the study, children under 12 were seven times more likely to sustain a serious spine injury than teenagers. The children studied in the research had all been restrained, leading researchers to hypothesize that the heightened risk stems from standard safety belts not fitting young children properly. Therefore, experts advise parents to use booster seats for children who do not fit into standard child safety seats, but are not yet big enough for the standard safety belt. Researchers suggest parents use booster seats until their children are 4 feet, 9 inches and can sit with their knees over the front of the seat cushion. As a guideline, the shoulder strap of the seatbelt should pass over the center of the chest and the lap belt should cross over the hip bones.

Did you know that over 27,000 commuters are injured in Utah traffic accidents every year? These wrecks can result in serious health implications, including spinal cord damage or Utah traumatic brain injury. For more information on health implications of spinal cord injuries, read the article “What You Need To Know About Spinal Cord Injuries” in the Christensen Law Firm’s online library If you or a loved one has suffered a serious Utah injury because of another person’s negligence, you have the right to full compensation. The Utah accident lawyers at the Christensen Law Firm can provide you with the expert legal representation you need to receive the settlement you deserve. For a free consultation, call 801.506.0800.

Large trucks such as 18 wheelers and tractor trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, posing a serious threat to other vehicles on the road. Truck drivers have enormous responsibility of driving cautiously with such a powerful, and potentially lethal, vehicle under their control. Yet almost one in every four fatalities resulting from a multi-vehicle collision involves a large truck. According to SafeRoads.org, one of the most common causes of Utah trucking accidents is truck driver fatigue. Truckers often drive long, consecutive hours without necessary breaks. This leads to reduced reaction time, nodding off, or even falling asleep at the wheel. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimates fatigued truck drivers cause 750 deaths and 20,000 injuries every year. Here are some more shocking facts about fatigue and commercial vehicle drivers:

• In 1999, large trucks represented only 3% of the nation’s registered vehicles, but account for 13% of all passenger vehicle deaths.
• Driver fatigue is a factor in almost 40% of all large truck crashes.
• According to recent international research, one in every five truck driving crashes results from drivers falling asleep at the wheel.
• A poll conducted in 2000 found that 68% of Americans would willingly pay more for goods and shipping if it meant that truckers would work no more than 12 hours per day.

For more statistics and information concerning large truck accidents, read the article “Large Truck and Bus Crash Statistics” in the Christensen Law Firm’s online library. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Utah large truck accident, contact the Christensen Law Firm for a free consultation at 801.506.0800. Our Utah injury attorneys are well-versed in commercial trucking laws and will diligently work to ensure you receive the settlement you deserve.

Date: July 12, 2009
Location: Interstate 15 outside Cedar City
Type: Utah fatal accident, Utah traffic accident

A devastating Utah fatal traffic accident occurred yesterday morning near Cedar City, leaving the southbound lanes of Interstate 15 closed for nearly seven hours. According to KSL News, a family of five from California was driving south on the freeway around 4 a.m. when the driver quickly swerved to avoid hitting a deer. He overcorrected the Range Rover, causing it to roll several times. It landed in the middle of the freeway. A few seconds later, the driver of a Toyota 4-Runner crashed into the Range Rover, unable to slow down in time. The driver of the Toyota was then able to move his vehicle into the emergency lane. Shortly after, a pickup truck collided with the Range Rover. Unfortunately, this major accident took its toll on the commuters involved. Two people in the Range Rover, Olegario Angulo and his 4-month old daughter Assata, were killed instantly during the rollover. Although Mr. Angulo was wearing a seatbelt, his daughter was not in a proper child car seat and was ejected from the SUV. The driver of the Range Rover suffered serious injuries and was taken to Valley View Medical Center in Cedar City. Two other passengers in that vehicle sustained injuries. Two people in the pickup truck suffered injuries and were flown to Intermountain Medical Center.

Deer can be an extremely dangerous safety hazard for Utah drivers, especially during the early morning and late evening hours of the day. Associated Content has a list of ten safety guidelines to prevent deadly Utah deer collisions; here are just a few of tips they mentioned. Bear in mind that if you see one deer near the road, there will likely be more. Drive with your high-beam headlights when you can to illuminate the eyes of the deer. This will give you more time to respond. Most importantly, do not swerve to avoid hitting the deer. Hitting a deer head-on is much safer than swerving and losing control of your vehicle. Damage to your front bumper and windshield is preferable to a serious and potentially fatal accident.

After a spring of consistent rainstorms, the summer sun is finally here and Utah is seeing an increase in outdoor recreation. Utah is the home of many outdoor motorcycle and ATV recreation areas, from the Salt Flats to the red rocks of Moab. However, with the summer fun comes the risk of serious injury. An article from TheSpectrum.com offers some safety tips for off-road enthusiasts. Of course, helmets are strongly recommended. Children under the age of 18 must wear a helmet according to Utah State law. While adults are not required to wear one, we strongly recommend the use of helmets to avoid serious Utah traumatic brain injury or fatalities. Recreational vehicles can be difficult to handle, so avoid riding too fast and taking sharp turns, as this can quickly lead to rollovers.

In the event of an accident, it is important to properly assess the situation. Some injuries may not require hospitalization and can be treated from home. However, if you are unsure of the magnitude of the injury, it is best to call 911. Symptoms to look for when you are assessing an injury include pains in the chest, abdomen or head; incessant bleeding; loss of consciousness or confusion, and difficulties breathing. If any of these symptoms occur, it is best to call an ambulance.

Many Utah off-road motorcycle and ATV accidents occur in rural locations, far from the hospital. Beginning in 2010, Southern Utah will have access to a Life Flight helicopter to help transport and treat severely injured victims. Life Flight helicopters make transportation to hospitals much quicker and are equipped with the latest medical technology, offering life-saving services to Utah accident victims.

Now that summer is here, the Utah injury lawyers at the Christensen Law Firm encourage you to be safe and to have fun!

Davis County is continuing to ramp up its efforts to promote traffic safety. According to KSL News, the Utah Highway Patrol and 10 other police agencies are utilizing a federal grant to enforce speed limits. With the help of $150,000, authorities will take on 45 overtime shifts per month through this September. Police and troopers will increase enforcement on Interstate 15, business thoroughfares, and neighborhood roads throughout Davis County. Police regularly clock drivers at speeds exceeding 20 miles per hour above the limit. School zones and neighborhood roads are especially prone to speeders, as commuters are more likely to speed in areas in which they are familiar. Authorities believe that commuters are simply in a hurry and do not give themselves enough time to arrive at their destination on time. A similar speed enforcement program in Tooele County last year helped lower speeds in that area of the state and police hope that the same will happen in Davis County.

Speed plays a large factor in Utah traffic accidents. In 2007, speed was a contributing factor to 52% of Utah fatal traffic accidents. In addition, an average of 10,000 accidents occur statewide because of speeding. Please consider your own protection and the safety of your fellow commuters. Obey all posted speed limits, no matter the situation. If you have been injured in a Utah motor accident because of another driver’s speeding or negligence, you are entitled to receive full compensation for your injuries and other damages. Contact the expert Utah injury attorneys at the Christensen Law Firm for a free consultation. Together, we will work to ensure you receive the settlement you deserve.

We often equate Utah car accident injuries with broken bones, cuts, and bruises. However, we tend to overlook rare injuries that can be both painful and expensive. One such injury occurs to women who have had breast augmentation or reconstruction surgery. If a woman is in a car accident and receives a blow to the chest, her implants may rupture, causing potential health risks and expensive replacement surgery.

Breast implants consist of a silicone envelope with a saline or silicone gel filling. The design of the implant leaves it susceptible to potential tears or holes, causing it to deflate. When a saline implant ruptures, it leaks quickly out of the envelope and the body absorbs it. In some instances, this leak can lead to serious infection.

Silicone gel implants leak very slowly and can go unnoticed for years. The silicone may spread into other parts of the body, including lymph nodes under the arm and the lungs. If this happens, the silicone gel is impossible to remove. The FDA has reported that women with leaking silicone implants may suffer from fibromyalgia --a very painful disorder-- or other harmful diseases. Because of the potential health risks and the difficulty in detecting silicone gel leaks, it is important for women with silicone implants to schedule an MRI after a car accident.

It is essential to remove a ruptured implant as quickly as possible, a processes known as explantation. This process involves removing the implant in addition to some of the tissue and muscle in the surrounding area. Ruptured implants can usually be replaced with new ones, but this depends on the circumstances. Removing a ruptured silicone gel implant can be a difficult process, as the surgeon must ensure that the remaining gel does not spill into the body. A woman who needs to undergo explantation surgery should choose her surgeon wisely. She should pick a plastic surgeon who has substantial experience in removing implants. For more information on ruptured implants and subsequent surgeries, visit www.breastimplantinfo.org.

As you might guess, the cost of explantation surgery, follow-up visits with the surgeon, prescriptions, and other medical bills can quickly add up. Depending on the specifics of the procedure, an explantation surgery can cost anywhere from $8,000 to over $18,000. Insurance companies will try to find loopholes to avoid paying for the surgery, especially for women who received implants for augmentation rather than reconstruction. In both cases, the victim will need to prove that the implant was ruptured. This can easily be done through an MRI.

If you have suffered a ruptured implant due to a Utah car accident, you should not have to live with the consequences simply because the insurance company refuses to pay for the surgery. Implant leaks can lead to serious health complications that have debilitating effects on your life. Do not take the chances with insurance companies that will either refuse to pay the settlement or offer a lower payment than you deserve. Contact the expert Utah injury attorneys at the Christensen Law Firm for a free consultation. We approach each case with the knowledge and dedication needed to ensure our clients receive a just settlement. For a free, no-obligation assessment of your case, call 801.506.0800.

El Nino is coming to Utah, and it’s going to bring a wetter winter for the southern part of the state. According to an article by the Salt Lake Tribune, the National Weather Service’s Salt Lake City office has stated that southern Utah will experience a stormy fall and winter. El Nino occurs every 2 – 5 years when the waters of the central and eastern tropics warm. It hits hardest on the west coast of the country and will likely have an impact on southern Utah. While the storms won’t start brewing for a few months, authorities in southern Utah have been warned to prepare for water emergencies such as flooding and mudslides. This can have a troubling effect on southern Utah drivers, as it is much more difficult to navigate through wet conditions. To make matters worse, southern Utahns are used to warm weather and may be less prepared to drive in wet and stormy conditions. Drivers may be more likely to fall victim to southern Utah traffic accidents. Hazardous weather conditions necessitate cautious driving, and commuters in southern Utah should be prepared for slick roads, flooded streets, or heavy rainfall. For more information and tips on how to navigate Utah winter and rain conditions, read the article “Winter Driving Tips” in the Christensen Law Firm’s online library.

With the current economic recession still looming throughout the nation, many consumers are tightening their budgets. This has affected auto insurance companies, as fewer motorists have been “insurance shopping” this past year. According to Bloomberg News, the proportion of consumers seeking a new auto insurance provider fell to 28% from March 2008 to March 2009. This is a significant drop from 36% in the previous year. Analysts say that the recession has caused a “hunker down” mentality, as customers prefer to play it safe and stick with their current provider rather than take the risk of switching insurance companies. In addition, drivers have reduced the coverage in their policies in an attempt to save money.

Some insurance companies are managing to stay above water during this recession, however. Geico Corporation added 505,000 customers this past year. Warren Buffet, CEO of Geico’s parent company Berkshire Hathaway Inc., attributes the company’s success to its lower prices. He believes the American psyche has changed, and people are more anxious to save a few hundred dollars on an insurance policy.

Continue reading " Car Insurance and Utah Car Accidents | Dealing With Insurance Adjustors " »

Date: July 3, 2009
Location: Interstate 80 in Parley’s Canyon
Type: Utah motorcycle accident, Utah motorcycle fatality

A tragic Utah motorcycle crash occurred this past Friday in Parley’s Canyon, taking the life of West Jordan resident Charles Taylor. According to KSL News, Taylor was riding his bike down I-80 in Parleys Canyon when a car suddenly swerved in an attempt to avoid slowing traffic near the Jeremy Ranch exit. The car crossed into the biker’s lane. Taylor tried to avoid the car, but couldn’t brake in time. After colliding into the back of the car, he flipped and was thrown from the bike. Unfortunately, he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and suffered severe head trauma. He was flown to University Medical Center, where he died shortly after.

This tragic Utah motorcycle fatality is a reminder to motorcyclists to always wear a helmet. Utah State law does not require adults to wear helmets while biking, but statistics show that they can greatly reduce the chance of serious injury or death. Research conducted by National Highway Traffic Safety Association found that helmets reduce the risk of fatality by 29% and are 67% effective in preventing severe brain injuries. For more information on Utah helmet laws and motorcycle statistics, you can read the article “Utah Motorcycle Helmet Laws” in the Christensen Law Firm’s online library. If you have been injured in a Utah motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. The expert Utah motorcycle lawyers at the Christensen Law Firm offer superlative legal representation and can help you retrieve the settlement you deserve. For a free consultation, call 8901.506.0800.

An everyday semi-truck on the road can appear harmless, but quickly turn deadly when the truck goes out of control. Large Truck accidents are far more frequent than you may know. Every 16 minutes, a person is killed or sustains injuries in accidents involving 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, or semi-trucks. Truck driver’s work long hours at a time transporting merchandise all over the country. They often become fatigued while driving which often results in poor judgment calls in critical moments on the road.

In 2001, 429,000 large trucks were involved in traffic crashes in the United States. Sadly 4,793 of those were fatal causing the deaths of 5,082 people. If these numbers appear staggering, the number of people injured in large truck collisions in 2001 is even more dramatic. 131,000 people were injured in collisions with heavy trucks in 2001. These accidents happen frequently and are affecting large numbers of innocent people. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that in crashes involving large trucks and other vehicles, 98% of the fatalities occur to people in vehicles that collide with large trucks. Consequently it’s generally not the truck drivers who are seriously affected by their mistakes, it’s you.

Continue reading " Utah Semi Truck Accident and Injury Lawyers " »

Bountiful and Woods Cross police officers successfully apprehended several Utah drunk drivers this past weekend. According to KSL News, authorities set up a DUI checkpoint at 500 West and 500 South around 10:30 pm Saturday night. The checkpoint screenings lasted until 2:00 am Sunday morning. Officers and Utah Highway Patrol troopers arrested a total of seven people for driving drunk. In South Davis, another DUI patrol squad arrested four more. The high number of arrests surprised authorities, as there was a large amount of media coverage beforehand. The checkpoint came after an increase in the amount of drunk drivers in Davis County. 352 people were arrested for driving under the influence last year alone. Police believe DUI arrests will only get worse as the summer wears on, especially during summer holidays.

Continue reading " Utah Police Crack Down on Drunk Driving " »