Accidental Discharge of Guns | Utah Hunting Accidents, Gun Accident Attorney
Many Utah residents have spent their summer anxiously awaiting the autumn months for one reason: hunting season. With lush wildlife and beautiful landscape, hunters from around the country flock to Utah during hunting season. Most people exercise all safety precautions when hunting, whether it’s wearing bright orange during deer season, standing in a line when hunting for quail, or simply making sure the gun’s safety mechanism is always on. However, Utah hunting accidents do sometimes occur, and can have deadly consequences. In light of the upcoming hunting season, the Christensen Law Firm will post some informational blogs about hunting accidents and hunting safety tips.
One of the most common types of hunting accidents is accidental discharges. Even when the safety mechanism is on, some rifles and shotguns will malfunction and fire. If the gun is pointed in the wrong direction, someone in the party can face serious injuries. Consider the statistics: according to the International Hunter Education Association, 39% of gun-related hunting injuries in 1997 were incurred from accidental discharge. In 2004, 700 hunters nationwide were killed from accidental firearm-related injuries.
There are several reasons for accidental discharge. Product malfunction is at the top of the list. The safety mechanism in a gun can malfunction, creating a dangerous scenario for the gun holder. In other cases, the gun may simply fire for no apparent reason. Accidental discharge may occur because of the negligence on the part of the gun holder. For example, a hunter may accidentally drop the rifle, which subsequently fires upon hitting the ground. Another common cause occurs when a hunter keeps loaded guns in the vehicle. The rocky roads in Utah’s mountains jostle the guns around in the truck, causing one to accidentally fire.
Depending on the injuries, each of these scenarios leads to different personal injury cases for the victim involved. However, if a person is injured or killed by the accidental discharge of a gun or is in a Utah hunting accident, the injured party or their family can make a claim against the person's homeowners insurance policy. Even if the claim is against a family member! In Utah, family members can make insurance claims against each other. Utah law even has a provision stating that if the insurance claim cannot be resolved, the family may have the claim arbitrated in lieu of a jury trial in court.
If you have been injured in a Utah hunting accident, working through insurance papers and legal documents can be overwhelming, especially during a time when you should be focusing on your physical and emotional recovery. Hiring the best Utah injury lawyer can help alleviate your legal concerns and ensure you receive the full settlement you deserve. For a free, no-obligation consultation about your legal rights, contact the expert Utah injury lawyers at the Christensen Law Firm at 801.506.0800 or request a free copy of Mr. Christensen's book, "7 Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Utah Accident Case at UtahAccidentBook.com
