Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) confirmed that 46- year- old Troy Palmer of Herriman, Utah, was killed yesterday afternoon in a single rollover accident on Interstate 215.

What Caused this Fatal Rollover Car Accident?

The UHP are still investigating the fatal rollover accident that occurred around noon on April 20, 2010. The late Troy Palmer was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe through the entrance of the on ramp leading to westbound I-80 from northbound I-215 when his vehicle veered off the right shoulder and rolled at least one time. The three passengers of the SUV were wearing their seatbelts and sustained only minor injuries. The man and two women were taken to Intermountain Medical Center via ambulance for medical treatment. UHP spokesman Cameron Roden told Salt Lake Tribune reporters that he did not think Troy Palmer was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Could this Tragic Accident have been Avoided?

While the cause of this horrific fatal car accident has yet to be determined; it is clear that seat belts saved the lives of the passengers of the SUV. It makes this tragic accident even more heartbreaking when we learn that the late victim was not wearing his seat belt.

Seat Belt Statistics

The following statistics were compiled by the Utah Department of Health and the Violence & Injury Prevention Program:
• Unbelted occupants are 20 times more likely to die than those who wear their seatbelts in a car accident
• Seatbelts reduce the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers or drivers by 45%
• In a study of 13,197 Utah teens, overall seatbelt use was 67%

Protect Yourself: Talk to an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Before you Sign Anything

The exact cause of this tragic rollover accident has yet to be determined. However, insurance companies are not going to wait for the final police report to evaluate this claim. A tactic that insurance companies commonly use is to immediately pressure Utah accident victims to sign paperwork, make decisions, and give recorded statements. Overwhelmed by the recent accident, many Utah residents follow the insurance adjustor’s advice only to find out later that these rash decisions severely hurt their personal injury case.

In order to avoid making decisions that can hurt your accident case, you can contact the Christensen Law Firm and schedule a FREE no obligation consultation with an experienced Utah personal injury attorney. Learn about the legal rights and benefits that are available to you by calling us at 801.506.0800.