Utah Personal Injury Law Firm Blog

Dangers of Texting While Driving on Utah Roads

On August 2, 2009, Hailey and Shawn were driving northbound on I-15 near the 2-15 Belt Route when traffic slowed down to a stop due to the construction on the freeway. A young man, who was texting while driving, failed to notice and rear-ended Hailey and Shawn. The at-fault motorist was driving 65mph on impact and totaled Hailey’s Honda Civic. Although the vehicle was equipped with air bags and our clients were wearing their seatbelts, they both hit the windshield with their heads and sustained serious injuries to their heads and faces.

Hailey was transported to the hospital for immediate treatment for her head trauma, hip contusions and neck injury. Shawn received treatment for his spinal injuries and back injuries as well as for his multiple facial lacerations from the broken glass. To this day, he still suffers from memory loss and headaches. However, Shawn considers himself lucky. There were construction workers on the road near where the accident occurred. If the at-fault driver had hit these workers while he was distractedly driving, someone could have been killed in this Utah texting and driving car accident.

Texting while driving has increasingly become a safety problem for Utah motorists and their passengers. Despite it being against Utah State Law to text and drive, reckless motorists continue to send or read texts and emails while driving which puts everyone at risk of being involved in a fatal car accident. Join with Zero Fatalities, Oprah’s No Phone Zone, and Utah Bike Coalition to put an end to texting while driving in Utah.

When Insurance Adjusters Win, Accident Victims Lose

Despite the fact that the at-fault driver was breaking the law by texting and driving, when he caused the Utah car accident, Allstate Insurance Company only offered Hailey and Shawn $2,000.00 more than their medical bills. Understandably, Hailey and Shawn were disappointed and distraught at Allstate’s settlement. The at-fault driver’s blatant negligence caused several damages to this young Utah couple including:

• over $10,000 in medical bills,
• total loss of their vehicle,
• months of treatment, and
• Shawn was laid off from his job. Due to his injuries, Shawn was not physically able to keep with his workload.

Insurance companies, like Allstate, will not offer a reasonable settlement when they realize that the accident victims are not being represented by an experienced personal injury attorney. Too often insurance adjusters are successful in manipulating innocent accident victims. Insurance adjusters are rewarded through raises and bonuses for every dollar they don’t pay out in your personal injury claim.

Statistics demonstrate that by hiring a good personal injury attorney, victims receive an average of 3x larger settlement offers from Insurance Companies than if they filed a personal injury claim on their own.

Three things NOT to do When You are Involved in a Utah Accident

• Don’t speak to the at-fault party’s insurance company adjuster before speaking with an experienced Utah car accident attorney
• Don’t give recorded statements to anyone. Despite what the insurance adjuster says, you are not required to give a recorded statement to your own insurance company or the at-fault insurance company.
• Don’t sign any documents until you have spoken to a skilled personal injury attorney.

How Do I NOT Wreck my Car Accident Case

The best way to protect yourself when you have become a victim of an automobile accident is to educate yourself.

• Educate Yourself.
Read 7 Biggest Mistakes that Can Wreck Your Utah Accident Case. This informative resource was written my founding partner of the Christensen Law Firm. Ken Christensen’s book will guide you through complex legal and insurance jargon to help you prepare for the battle ahead.
• Ask an Attorney.
Take advantage of the FREE consultation with the Christensen Law Firm, PLLC, and meet with a real attorney in a setting where you can ask all of your questions and get answers.

Cell Phone Use and Distracted Driving

On October 6, 2007, Nancy Shelley and her husband Steven were driving through the intersection of 1600 North and 1200 West in Orem, Utah, when they were T-boned by a large SUV. The driver of the SUV was cited for running the red light and causing the accident. Witnesses and the Shelley family wondered what could have distracted the motorist from seeing the red light at the intersection. The wondered whether the at fault driver impaired by drugs or alcohol?

After a thorough investigation, Orem City Police reported that the at-fault driver had been talking on his cell phone when the accident occurred. The driver had been so focused on the conversation he was having that he failed to notice the traffic lights. Unfortunately, cell phone use by motorists causes inattentive driving, which has increased the number of Utah car accidents and accident fatalities by an alarming rate.

Statistics

The correlation between texting or talking on a cell phone while driving and increasing the likelihood of causing a motor vehicle accident has been confirmed by several studies. In the Highway Safety and Statistics Report released in September of 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that distracted driving caused by cell phone use was increasing at an overwhelming rate nationwide. Several states have attempted to curb this dangerous trend by banning texting while driving or the use of handheld cell phones by motorists. However, many studies demonstrate that any type of cell phone use—texting, talking, emailing, and even listening to conversations—is especially distracting to motorists. The alarming statistics for 2008 are as follows:

• 5,870 people died in car accidents caused by distracted driving
• 515,000 people sustained injuries in car accidents attributed to distracted driving
• 16% of all fatal crashes were due to driver distraction
• Motorists 20 and under are most likely to cause car accidents due to distracted cell phone use
• Daily, 800,000 motorists are driving while using their cell phones

Scare Tactics Used by Insurance Companies

Nancy and Steven originally thought they did not need an attorney for their Utah personal injury claim because the facts of the accident seemed clear cut. The at-fault driver, driving recklessly because he was distracted on his cell phone, ran a red light which resulted in the high impact collision with the Shelley family’s vehicle. The injuries Nancy sustained in this automobile accident were serious—a fractured arm, a fractured ankle, and injuries to her neck and back. For some time, Farmers Insurance Company gave the Shelley family the go-around. Farmers Insurance questioned Nancy’s treatment. They asked for prior medical records and other documentation. The insurance adjuster did not return phone calls. Not once did Farmers Insurance provide Nancy with an offer of settlement. Farmers Insurance Company was complying with a commonly used insurance strategy in their attempts to hold off negotiations until the Utah Statute of Limitations expire and Nancy would be left to pay for all her accrued medical bills.

What an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Can Do for You

After reading the book 7 Biggest Mistakes that can Wreck Your Utah Accident Case, written by attorney Kenneth L. Christensen, Nancy and Steven made an appointment with The Christensen Law Firm, PLLC. A decision that the Shelley family is grateful they made. Ken Christensen has filed a lawsuit against Farmers Insurance Company for the policy limits of their insured, the at-fault driver. Nancy now has the sense of security and comfort knowing that she will receive compensation to cover the costs of her current and future medical treatment. They are also pursing compensation for Nancy’s pain and suffering, lost wages and more.

No Phone Zone Campaign

As Salt Lake personal injury attorneys, we have had the opportunity to guide victims of Utah accidents through the legal and insurance aspects of their claim. While we have been successful obtaining substantial settlements and compensation for our client’s pain, suffering and more; we cannot make up for the long term emotional consequences of being a victim of a Utah car accident or wrongful death. Accidents caused by distracted driving are preventable. We urge you to take part in Oprah Winfrey’s No Phone Zone Campaign. Imagine how much safer Utah roads would be for you and your family if all motorists put their cell phones away and focused on driving. No Phone Zone is a realistic goal that we urge you to adopt.

2009 Statistics on Utah Traffic Deaths

On Tuesday January 19, 2010, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and Utah Highway Patrol (UTP) released their 2009 findings during a press conference for the Utah Zero Fatalities Campaign. Last year there were 245 Utah car accident fatalities on Utah highways. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that 2009 had the lowest number of Utah traffic deaths statistic since 1974. UDOT Executive Director John Njord attributed the decline of fatal car accidents to more motorists wearing their seat belts and the increased implementation of educational programs, including the Zero Fatalities Campaign, to high school students.

DUI Related Fatalities on the Rise in Utah

However, alcohol-related traffic fatalities Increased in 2009. Over the past few years, Utah has seen a rising trend with motorists drinking and driving. Just last week, State Senate majority leader Sheldon Killpack was arrested on a DUI charge. The UHP has increased their DUI blitzes and they are happy to report that there was not a single fatality on the New Years holiday of 2010 on Utah highways. A problem, voiced by the public and by tourists, is that Taxi services in Utah are quite limited. If often takes 30 minutes for a Taxi to arrive. In major cities across the country it only takes commuters a few minutes to catch a cab. Regardless, DUI driving in Utah is unacceptable. As experienced Utah personal injury attorneys, we have seen too many of our community members become victims of an alcohol-related car crash.

Cell Phone-Related Car Crashes Rising Trend in Utah

The increasing problem of cell phone use while driving was addressed several times during the conference on Tuesday. The Utah Highway Patrol and many transportation safety advocacy groups list cell phone use as one of the most distracting behaviors of motorists. Unlike many states, Utah does not have a ban on hand held cell phones.

Motorists who talk on their cell phones usually do not realize how much it impedes the quality of their driving. Inattentiveness at the wheel is especially dangerous. Studies show that a motorist talking on a hand held cell phone is just as distracted as one that drives with a blue tooth device. The results are the same: Distracted Driving Kills! While talking on cell phones, motorists tend to:

• drift off out of their lanes and hit other vehicles
• speed
• fail to use turning signals
• drive recklessly
• overreact -i.e. yanking steering wheel, overcorrecting and rolling their vehicle

How to Get Informed on Your Personal Injury Case

Attorneys Kenneth L. Christensen and Russ Hymas of The Christensen Law Firm, PLLC, know the laws relating to Utah personal injury. While we can’t undo the harm that's been done, we can provide your family with a sense of security and comfort, knowing that you can receive compensation to help cover the costs of current and future medical bills relating to the injury. Compensation may also be sought for pain and suffering, disability, lost earning capacity, and more.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury you believe to be the result of the negligence of another, we urge you to contact us online or call us at 801-506-0800(Main number), 801-224-2999 (Utah County) or 801-294-9500 (Davis County) to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal rights.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published a study containing surprising statistics regarding cell phones and car accidents. Despite an increase in local laws banning cell phone use for drivers, and other public safety awareness campaigns, drivers are increasing their use of hand-held cell phone devices. The research found that any given day in 2008, over 800,000 drivers were using a hand-held cell phone.

According to the study, nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 due to distracted driving. An additional 500,000 people were injured in crashes involving inattentive drivers. The study found that text-messaging is an especially prevalent danger, especially with drivers under the age of 20. Local commuters aren’t the only drivers using cell phones. Consider the statistics: 16% of all fatal crashes and 21% of injury crashes in 2008 involved distracted drivers

We all need to do our part in ending distracted driving. KSL News recently held a Cell-Phone Free Car Challenge, in which they challenged viewers to make a pledge to not use their cell phones while driving for a week. Many drivers who took the pledge found it easy to turn the phone off when behind the wheel, it just took a simple reminder. The Salt Lake City car accident attorneys at the Christensen Law Firm encourage you to make the extra effort to drive without the distraction of a cell phone. Encourage your friends and family to turn off their phones before getting in the car. Together, we can help make Utah roads safer.

Our Utah personal injury lawyers are dedicated to providing Utah residents with helpful and important information to aid their commute. The founder of our law firm, attorney Kenneth Christensen, has authored the Utah car accident book “Seven Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Utah Accident Case” to provide even more advice to Utah accident victims. The Utah accident book offers detailed analysis of Utah’s accident laws, provides tips on how to work with insurance adjustors, and debunks common myths about accident claims. For your free copy of the Utah accident book, visit www.utahaccidentbook.com or call us at 801.506.0800.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published a study containing surprising statistics regarding cell phones and car accidents. Despite an increase in local laws banning cell phone use for drivers, and other public safety awareness campaigns, drivers are increasing their use of hand-held cell phone devices. The research found that any given day in 2008, over 800,000 drivers were using a hand-held cell phone.

According to the study, nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 due to distracted driving. An additional 500,000 people were injured in crashes involving inattentive drivers. The study found that text-messaging is an especially prevalent danger, especially with drivers under the age of 20. Local commuters aren’t the only drivers using cell phones. Consider the statistics: 16% of all fatal crashes and 21% of injury crashes in 2008 involved distracted drivers

We all need to do our part in ending distracted driving. KSL News recently held a Cell-Phone Free Car Challenge, in which they challenged viewers to make a pledge to not use their cell phones while driving for a week. Many drivers who took the pledge found it easy to turn the phone off when behind the wheel, it just took a simple reminder. The Salt Lake City car accident attorneys at the Christensen Law Firm encourage you to make the extra effort to drive without the distraction of a cell phone. Encourage your friends and family to turn off their phones before getting in the car. Together, we can help make Utah roads safer.

Our Utah personal injury lawyers are dedicated to providing Utah residents with helpful and important information to aid their commute. The founder of our law firm, attorney Kenneth Christensen, has authored the Utah car accident book “Seven Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Utah Accident Case” to provide even more advice to Utah accident victims. The Utah accident book offers detailed analysis of Utah’s accident laws, provides tips on how to work with insurance adjustors, and debunks common myths about accident claims. For your free copy of the Utah accident book, visit www.utahaccidentbook.com or call us at 801.506.0800.

Rainy weather, icy roads, sudden tire bursts—these are all dangerous threats to Utah commuters, as they can cause serious accidents. One of largest threats on our roadways, however, isn’t an outside factor like winter weather. It’s the driver. Distracted drivers are the cause of many Salt Lake City car accidents, some of which result in serious injuries or fatalities. In our fast-paced society, many commuters attempt to multi-task while driving by eating lunch on the go, putting on make-up, or taking a business call on their cell phone. Such behavior puts lives in danger.

According to KSL News, engineers at the University of Utah are trying to limit the number of distracted drivers. While lawmakers have attempted to do this by passing legislation, such as Utah’s texting and driving ban, these engineers are taking a less conventional route. Mechanical Engineering associate professor Mark Minors says that teams from all over the university are working on devices that can be attached to a vehicle’s interface and take control of certain aspects of the driving. Although he could not divulge much information at this time, Minors said that this new technology may be able to help prevent distracted driving. Similar technology is already in use in high-end cars. Radar devices in some cars are able to sense if the vehicle is approaching an object too quickly, and automatically apply the brakes if the driver is distracted and doesn’t notice the object. While technology is for automatic driving is still far away, recent technological advances are helping to reduce the threat of distracted driving.

Cell phone use is one of the most common types of driver distractions. According to a study at the University of Utah, using a cell phone (hand held or hands free) reduces a driver’s reaction time to that of a driver with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent, the legal limit. Furthermore, a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that drivers using cell phones are four times more likely to get into a crash. For more information on distracted driving and other Utah car accident statistics, visit the Christensen Law Firm’s online library.

One quarter of all accidents results from distracted drivers. If you have been in a Utah accident due to another driver’s negligence, you are entitled to receive full compensation for property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Working through insurance papers and dealing with adjustors can be very cumbersome and time-consuming. Consider hiring Utah’s best personal injury lawyer, attorney Kenneth Christensen. With years of legal representation and expertise, Mr. Christensen can help ensure you receive a fair and just settlement. He diligently works on every case, offering personal attention and dedication to your accident claim. For a free consultation about your legal rights, contact the Christensen Law Firm at 801.506.0800 or visit our Utah car accident law online library

At the Christensen Law Firm, we have represented several clients that were injured in car accidents caused by drivers that were texting while driving, including a husband and wife that were rear-ended at a high rate of speed on I-15 in a construction zone by a teenager that was texting. The Christensen Law Firm has posted several blogs and articles that examine the dangers of text-messaging and driving. In our library article “Intexticated," we analyzed research conducted by the Transport Research Laboratory, which found that the reaction time of a driver who is text messaging is reduced by a staggering 35%. As text messaging has become increasingly popular, more institutes have studied the dangerous effects of texting behind the wheel.

Some drivers might ignore the research and warnings of texting and driving. Text messaging has become an old hat for many people, as easy as typing or writing. As such, some commuters may think they are less likely to get in an accident if they text and drive. However, KSL News has reported on a recent study that found text messaging and driving is always dangerous, no matter how good you are at typing on the phone-pad. A panel of social media experts were placed on a driving simulator while they text-messaged. The results show that texting and driving is always a risky combination.

Continue reading "Utah Accident Attorney Handling Accidents Caused By Text Messaging" »

At the Christensen Law Firm, we have represented several clients that were injured in car accidents caused by drivers that were texting while driving, including a husband and wife that were rear-ended at a high rate of speed on I-15 in a construction zone by a teenager that was texting. The Christensen Law Firm has posted several blogs and articles that examine the dangers of text-messaging and driving. In our library article “Intexticated," we analyzed research conducted by the Transport Research Laboratory, which found that the reaction time of a driver who is text messaging is reduced by a staggering 35%. As text messaging has become increasingly popular, more institutes have studied the dangerous effects of texting behind the wheel.

Some drivers might ignore the research and warnings of texting and driving. Text messaging has become an old hat for many people, as easy as typing or writing. As such, some commuters may think they are less likely to get in an accident if they text and drive. However, KSL News has reported on a recent study that found text messaging and driving is always dangerous, no matter how good you are at typing on the phone-pad. A panel of social media experts were placed on a driving simulator while they text-messaged. The results show that texting and driving is always a risky combination.

Continue reading "Salt Lake City, Utah Accident Attorney Handling Car Accidents Caused By Text Messaging" »

Is there a difference between texting and driving, and Twittering and driving? According to some states in the nation, there is a substantial difference. KSL News has reported on the discrepancy between some state legislatures’ words and their actions. Many states have outlawed text-messaging while behind the wheel. Yet more than 22 of these states offer motorists with traffic updates and road conditions through Twitter, which many commuters check on their phones.

There are good intentions behind both the text-messaging ban and the Twitter updates. Transportation officials want to help commuters through difficult traffic situation, while state legislatures are trying to ensure the public safety. Yet many traffic safety advocates believe this practice of state-sponsored twittering negates text-messaging laws. However, transportation officials argue that they are not urging people to check their Twitter accounts while driving, but should do so before they get behind the wheel. Safety experts, including AAA, aren’t convinced, and worry that drivers are more prone to being involved in an accident from checking their Twitter accounts.

Texting and driving is an extremely dangerous distraction for Utah motorists. But the risks do not stop with texting. Using your cell phone to check email, read the news, or update your Facebook account is just as dangerous as texting. Just dialing a cell phone increases your risk of collision by six times, according to a study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. For your safety, and that of your passengers and fellow motorists, turn off your cell phone before getting behind the wheel. For more information on cell phone statistics and research, visit the Christensen Law Firm’s online library.

According to KSL News, Cache County is upping the ante for drivers who text-message and drive. Utah State law is currently the strictest in the nation for “texters,” with convicted persons facing up to 15 years in prison. In Cache County, the police department is especially aggressive in stopping texting and driving. The crack down accompanies a tragic story for one of the officers involved. Police Chief Kim Hawkes was killed just one week ago because of a distracted driver. Hawkes is joining other Cache County police agencies to stop distracting driving, especially texters. Authorities are urging parents to teach their children about the inherent dangers of texting and driving. The easiest way to do this is by setting a good example: put down the phone when you’re behind the wheel. We all must do our part to end distracted driving. Be attentive when you are behind the wheel, do not fuss with the radio, talk on the phone, or needlessly take your eyes off the road. Let’s work to keep Utah roads safe.

If you do not think distracted driving is a serious threat, you are incorrect. According to ZeroFatalities , one out of every four auto accident nationwide is the result of a distracted driver. Text messaging is an especially dangerous distraction. Recent studies have found that the reaction time of a driver that is texting is three times slower than that of a drunk driver. Spare yourself the risk of a 3rd degree felony, not to mention a lifetime of guilt, and never text and drive. For more information on Utah accident statistics, visit the Christensen Law Firm’ online library.

Even the most responsible of drivers can suffer serious injuries in a Utah car accident. If you have been injured in a Utah auto accident due to another driver’s negligence, you understand the frustration and struggle that accompanies an accident. The physical and emotional recovery can be overwhelming. The experienced Utah personal injuries at the Christensen Law Firm understand the difficulties following an accident, and are dedicated to providing superlative legal representation to Utah accident victims. For a free consultation about your legal rights, call the best Utah injury lawyer at 801.506.0800.

Date: August 14, 2009
Location: 700 East and 550 South, Salt Lake City
Type: Text message accident, Salt Lake City car accident

Utah’s new texting and driving ban could be put to the test after a Utah car accident that occurred in downtown Salt Lake City this weekend. According to KSL News, a 49-year woman was driving her car erratically for blocks. Witnesses say she was text-messaging behind the wheel and was obviously distracted. Around 600 South, she suddenly changed lanes and crashed into a parked car. The crash caused her car to flip upside down. She was able to escape the car on her own with injuries. Thankfully, no one else was hurt in this accident, although there was significant property damage. Authorities are currently investigating the accident, and believe alcohol and text-messaging played a role in the accident. If text-messaging was a factor, this will be one of the first cases under the new texting and driving ban that came into effect in May.

Texting and driving is becoming a serious problem around the country. A recent texting and driving study conducted by Virginia Tech found that drivers who text are 23 times more likely to be involved in a car accident than drivers who do not. Consider the facts: studies have found that drivers who text-message face a reduced reaction time of 35%, which is almost double the 12% reduced reaction time of drunk drivers. Text-messaging is becoming the nation’s deadliest driving distraction. Please consider your own safety and that of your passengers and fellow commuters. Do not text and drive under any circumstances. For more information on texting and driving statistics, read the article “Texting and Driving is More Dangerous Than Drinking and Driving” in the Christensen Law Firm’s personal injury online library.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to another driver’s negligent driving, you are entitled to compensation for your damages. The Utah personal injury lawyers at the Christensen Law Firm are experts Utah accident and injury law, and successfully represent injured persons across the Wasatch Front. For a free consultation, contact us at 801.506.0800. Together, we will ensure you receive the settlement you deserve.

Texting and driving has become an epidemic around the country, and it is one of the most dangerous distractions on the road. Recent studies have found that the reaction time of someone who is texting while driving is reduced by 35%, which is double the 12% reduced reaction time of drunk drivers. Yet despite the inherent risks involved, many people continue to text and drive. A study conducted by AAA found that 50% of drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 text and drive on a regular basis. A handful of states, including Utah, have taken action by enacting laws that prohibit texting while behind the wheel. But now the gravity of the situation has trickled its way up to the White House.

According to KSL News, the White House will hold a summit to address the growing problem of texting and driving, also known as “intexticated” driving. Ray LaHood, the Transportation Secretary, plans to hold a meeting with safety officials, traffic authorities, and law enforcement in September to discuss the growing number of fatalities and crashes due to intexticated driving. Officials of the Utah Highway Patrol are encouraged by the summit, saying it would be a welcome meeting to promote safe driving.

Continue reading "US Government Takes a Closer Look at Texting and Driving" »

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.

School is out and summer is here, which means Utah will see an increase in teenage commuters for a few months. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that the 101 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are the most deadly for teenager drivers. The rate of teenage fatalities in Utah traffic accidents continually increases throughout the summer months, peaking in July and August. In the article entitled “Summer Deadly For Teen Drivers,” ABC4 News reports on some important safety guidelines from AAA for teenage drivers. Here are just a few of the important tips to pass on to your teenage children:

Continue reading "Teenagers and Utah Car Accidents" »

KSL News reports that 319 new laws have gone into effect in Utah today, May 12, 2009. Two of these laws in particular are aimed at cracking down on traffic safety throughout the entire state. The first law aims at reducing distracted driving by banning text-messaging while driving a vehicle. This new law will enact strict consequences for drivers caught text-messaging while behind the wheel. According to research, texting reduces a driver’s reaction time by 35%. It is estimated that one-fifth of all adult drivers send text messages while driving. While Legislators hope this new ban will reduce distracted driving, law enforcement officials worry it will be difficult to enforce. Police officers may find it difficult to know whether a driver is text-messaging or simply scrolling through the phone’s contact list to make a call.

Continue reading "New Laws Hope To Make Driving Safer in Utah" »

University of Utah researchers are finding links between cell phone use and traffic jams. According to Houma News, text-messaging and talking on cell phones while driving is not just a concern for auto accidents, but for cumbersome traffic congestion as well. David Strayer, a psychology professor that led the research team at the university, found that drivers who talk on their phones often drive slower and impede traffic flow. This can add up to a 10% increase in a person’s commute time. The study also found that drivers talking on cell phones drive an average of 2 mph slower and are 20% more likely not to change lanes --actions that often cause a bottleneck in traffic flows. While this might not be a large hindrance when looking at a single driver, this becomes a serious concern when multiplied by the mass number of drivers who use their cell phones during their daily commute.

Of course, traffic jams are a minor concern compared with the injuries and deaths that distracted driving can cause. Many studies are finding that text-messaging and cell phone use can cause horrific distractions for drivers. Research indicates that the reaction time of a driver who is text messaging is reduced by 35%, more than double the 12% reduction in a drunk driver’s reaction time. In addition, the steering control of a driver who is text-messaging is reduced by a staggering 90%. For more information on research about cell phone use and driving as well as recent legislation banning text messaging behind the wheel, visit the library section of the Christensen Law Firm’s website.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Utah accident due to someone’s distracted driving, please contact the expert attorneys at the Christensen Law Firm for a free consultation of your legal rights at 801.506.0800. We will diligently work to ensure you receive just compensation for your injuries. For a free copy of the Utah accident book, written by Kenneth Christensen, visit www.utahaccidentbook.com. This book offers substantial advice on how to handle your Utah accident case.

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/)

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" »

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.

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.

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.

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%.

A serious accident occurred on Interstate 15 and 10600 South December 16th, according to Whit Johnson of KSL news. A 64-year-old woman from Kearns, Utah crashed into a parked truck in the emergency lane. Police reported the woman was driving in the emergency lane and failed to brake before she hit the truck. Sources say she was talking on the cell phone at the time of the accident. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

Continue reading "Woman on Cell Phone Seriously Injured In Sandy, Utah Accident" »

A recent article by the Associated Press, “Pittsburgh cancer institute warns of cell phone-cancer risk, defying published research,” reported Dr. Ronald B. Herberman of the University of Pittsburg Cancer Institute believes cell phone use could cause cancer after all. Dr. Herberman issued a warning on Wednesday about the possible link between cell phone use and cancer, making the University the first major academic cancer research institution to issue such an alarm.

However, Herberman’s warning is based on early unpublished data, and many are remaining skeptical. Numerous reputable studies across the world – including a 2008 University of Utah study – have all concluded that there is no known link between cell phone use and brain tumors.

Herberman nevertheless defends his warning by taking a better-safe-than-sorry approach. “Really at the heart of my concern is that we shouldn’t wait for a definitive study to come out, but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later,” he says. Herberman recommends that children should only use cell phones for emergencies because their brains are still developing while adults should keep the phone away from the head and use the speaker phone or a wireless headset.

Along with a previous University of Utah study indicating that driving while talking on the cell phone is equivelant to drunk driving, this study is another reason why more states should consider banning cell phones without ear pieces while driving.