Strict requirements were imposed on drivers under 18 to lower the risk of accidents involving new and inexperienced persons on the road. It worked. According to a study on crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, states with the most restrictions had 26 % fewer fatal crashes involving 16-year-olds. Unfortunately there was another outcome that no one expected. Fatal crashes involving 18-year-old drivers went up by 12%.

While the amount of fatal accidents involving 16-year-olds has declined, the number of fatal accidents involving 18-year-olds has increased. The cause of the decline has been attributed to the driver’s education classes, significant permit period and behind the wheel instruction that helped to educate young drivers and give them experience handling day-to-day situations while driving. These requirements, however, do not apply to persons over the age of 18 in most states. This has led to an increased number of young teens waiting to get their licenses until they do not have to complete the training.

The data brings up an even more disturbing concern. Are teens choosing to drive without any kind of license at all until they reach the age of 18? A nationally representative sample was taken for the National Young Driver Survey and it found that 4.2% of 9th-11th grade teens have driven without a license.

In California only 13% of 16-year-old’s have driver’s licenses which means that the rest of the population is waiting until an older age to get their licenses and is driving on the roads without much, if any, experience. Yes, they are older but age alone does not teach you to handle the many dangerous situations that can occur while driving.

Having a license is a privilege no matter what age. There should not be incentives for putting off getting a license because it is a hassle or too much work. Driving is a serious responsibility that puts you in the position of operating a vehicle that could affect the lives of yourself and many others.

Licensing requirements need to be standard for people of all ages. This would continue the trend of a decrease in fatal accidents due to the training people would be required to complete before obtaining a valid license. It cannot be expected for those over the age of 18 to be able to drive with another licensed driver at all times but it can be expected that they complete driver’s training before being allowed to drive on the road.

Driving without a license or without training is a great risk for all those involved. Make it a priority to teach your children or family members about proper road safety and encourage them to complete driver’s training, no matter what their age. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident contact the accident attorneys at Christensen Law Firm to find out what options are available to you. Call us today at 801-506-0800.

Utah injury attorneys have noticed more vehicular crashes caused by reckless driving become a common sight in major cities and towns in Utah. The definition of reckless driving in Utah is operating a vehicle “in a manner that shows disregard for other drivers, pedestrians, passengers or property.” While major cities and towns have more cars interacting with each other these accidents happened because of drivers’ recklessness and other factors such as alcohol intoxication, lack of skill, fatigue, and speeding. Accident statistics are staggering, and studies sponsored by a variety of institutions remind us to pay attention to the road in order to avoid committing driving errors and needing Utah injury attorneys.

Reckless Driving Statistics

More than 40,000 people are killed a year because they make the decision to drive aggressively instead of defensively. Experts say that more people are involved in accidents on the road than in airplanes, trains, or work-related incidents. This mainly occurs because of negligence and drivers’ poor understanding of their accountability behind the wheel.

People become busy and distracted, so when driving they forget their most important responsibilities behind the wheel such as traffic safety. Drivers need to realize that reckless driving doesn’t just affect them. An accident involves them, normally another party, and on lookers. This means drivers have a responsibility beyond themselves when they get behind the wheel. When these consequences are kept in mind it reminds drivers how necessary it is to develop safe driving habits and keep their mind on the road.

Reckless driving has the potential for deadly consequences and harm that may require a Utah injury attorney. Although motorists should realize they can affect other people’s lives, accidents may still happen. If you are a loved one has been injured by reckless driving contact the Utah injury attorneys at the Christensen Law Firm for a free consultation at 801-506-0800 to find out how they can help you.

Due to the increase in car accidents caused by teenagers, there has been debate on whether the minimum driving age should be raised. In most states (including Utah) the minimum driving age is 16 years old, while in others, children can drive as early as 14 years old. State legislatures may be forced to revisit this issue in light of a recent study highlighting a staggering number of accidents and fatalities caused by teen drivers.

Researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Research Institute, with support from State Farm Insurance Companies, recently published Miles to Go, a study carefully examining teen driver safety.

They discovered the following statistics:

Continue reading "Accidents Caused By Teenage Driver | Utah Legal Help" »

What car drivers need to know about motorcycles

Many motorcycle riders in Utah become frustrated on the road because it does not seem as though car drivers are looking out for them. Unfortunately, in many cases they are right. Car drivers often only look out for other large motor vehicles like trucks and buses, forgetting that they also have to share the road with smaller vehicles like motorcycles and bicyclists. The result is that motorcycle riders are needlessly injured and killed every year in Utah in avoidable traffic crashes.

In an effort to educate car drivers about the importance of keeping an eye out for motorcycles, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) publishes quick tips and other advice for car drivers to follow. If you are a motorcycle rider, share this information with your car driving friends; if you are a car driver, see if you learn anything new about motorcycles.

Did you know…

1. Over 50 percent of all motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle, and of these accidents usually the other vehicle is at fault. Car drivers tend to unintentionally ignore motorcycles on the road, which can lead to disastrous results and serious damage.
2. Motorcycles are small and easily hidden in your car’s blind spots or camouflaged by background scenery (like bushes, fences, and bridges). Try to always be aware of what is going on around you and make frequent use of your windows and mirrors to spot motorcycle riders.
3. When a motorcycle slows down, they don’t always show brake lights. This is because motorcycles can be slowed down by downshifting or rolling off the throttle, so if you are driving behind a biker you may not realize they are slowing down. Maintain a little extra following distance so you aren’t surprised by a motorcycle’s actions.
4. It is usually difficult for car drivers to judge a motorcycle’s speed or distance; this is because of a motorcycle’s small size. Always assume that a motorcycle is closer than it looks, just to be safe.
5. Motorcycle turn signals are not self-canceling, so sometimes they get left on by accident. Don’t assume that just because you see a turn signal the motorcycle rider is going to turn; give the rider the benefit of the doubt.
6. Motorcycle riders need the whole lane to ride in. Sometimes they need to move within their lane to be seen more easily or to minimize the effects of wind, passing vehicles, or to avoid road debris. Don’t crowd their lane and definitely don’t try to share their lane.
7. Motorcycles have a similar stopping distance to cars. Give them the same amount of space as you would another full-sized vehicle.

Do you need help after a serious motorcycle accident?

If the worst has happened and you are the victim of a serious motorcycle accident, consider hiring an experienced attorney to fight for your rights. The skilled lawyers at the Christensen Law Firm have offices in Draper, Bountiful and can work with you to ensure you receive the compensation you need to recover.

On April 14, 2010, five girls, ranging in age from 5 to 9 years old, were seriously injured in a single ATV crash. The girls were riding on a private ranch in a rural residential community 40 miles West of Cedar City. Police are investigating into negligence charges against the guardians of the children, the owner of the private ranch, and the owner of the all-terrain vehicle.

What Caused this Tragic ATV Accident?

Iron County Sheriff Mark Gower stated that a 9-year-old was driving the Yamaha Rhino ATV with four other young girls as passengers. None of the young children were wearing helmets or were wearing the available safety belts. The group was traveling at excessive speeds when they hit a tree. 5-year-old, Avalon Carlisle was thrown off the ATV and sustained serious head trauma when she hit the roll bar. She was flown by Life Flight to Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City. The other three victims suffered minor injuries.

Who is Responsible for the Children?
There are several major liability issues to be addressed according to the Iron County Sheriff’s office.
• Children too young do be driving an ATV unsupervised
• Too many passengers for a 9-year-old driver
• None of the girls were wearing the required safety helmets or seat belts
• Delayed medical treatment

Liability Still Under Investigation

A major problem in this accident, according to Officer Gower, is that the parents of the injured girls had initially taken the girls to private homes instead of seeking the much needed medical treatment. All five girls were eventually taken to Valley View Medical Center in Cedar City after deputies tracked them down. Medical doctors then had Life Flight transport Avalon Carlisle to Primary Children’s and they admitted another child into the Valley View Medical Center. The other three girls were treated for their injuries at Valley View and are back home.

Iron County Police Department is adamant the young girls should not have been riding on their own. Sheriff Gower stated in a Salt Lake Tribune interview, “It was negligent and charges could be filed against whoever allowed them to continue riding.”

Learn Utah ATV Laws Before You Ride• Children ages 8-15 can only operate an ATV on public lands after completing the Know Before You Can Go safety course
• ATV operators 16 years of age and older must have a valid driver license
• ATV operators under the age of 18 are required to wear helmets
To learn more about Utah law regarding ATV accidents and to complete the safety course click on the following links:

• Utah State Parks
• Utah Accident Books

If you or a family member has been injured in an ATV accident caused by the negligent decisions of another, you are well advised to contact a skilled Utah personal injury attorney. Bodily injury claims quickly become overwhelming with pressure from insurance companies, mounting medical bills and Under Utah ATV laws, passengers of ATV accidents are able to make personal injury claims in accidents such as the tragic ATV accident that occurred last Wednesday in Cedar City.

Contact the Christensen Law Firm at 801.506.0800 to schedule a FREE no obligation consultation with an experienced Utah ATV accident and personal injury attorney. Learn about your legal rights and protections before you make any decisions.

As a parent of a teenager, you’re constantly on the lookout for possible dangers. Driving is both a rite of passage and a huge responsibility that Utah teenagers take on. Tragically, car accidents are the leading cause of death among Utah teenagers and teens nationwide.

On March 18, 2010, US News Media Group published its findings for teen driver safety in its report Best States for Teen Drivers, which will be featured in the April Issue of US News and World Report Magazine. US News gathered government statistics on the 11 variables that affect teen driving safety including safety belt use, teen DUI/DWI, distract driving, cell phone use, average vehicle miles traveled per teen and the number of teenagers that have a driver’s license in each state. The report also examined each state’s road safety conditions including driving laws, road conditions and weather.

The US News Best State for Teen Drivers is as follows:

1. District of Columbia
2. California
3. Colorado
4. Maryland
5. Illinois
6. New Jersey
7. Oregon
8. Minnesota
9. Utah
10. Washington

Statistics on Fatal Utah Motor Vehicle Crashes Involving Teenagers

The Violence, Injury Prevention Program (VIPP), of the Utah Department of Health, confirms that Utah automobile accidents are the leading cause of death for Utah teenagers ages 15-19 years old. Each year, Utah car crashes result in the deaths of 40 teens, 330 hospitalizations and 5,400 emergency department visits each year for Utah teenagers.

• Utah Teens account for only 7% of Utah Drives; however, they are involved in 27% of all motor vehicle crashes in Utah and 18% of all fatal Utah car accidents.

These grave statistics demonstrate the dire need for Utah residents to take action in solving why teenagers are disproportionately prone to being involved and even killed in car accidents. As skilled Utah personal injury and auto accident attorneys, we have seen the catastrophic effects of teenage car accidents on families and communities. According to a recent Allstate Foundation study, parents are the #1 most important driving influence on teenagers.

A Call to Action to Utah Parents

• Enforce Concept that Driving is a Privilege
-Studies show that teenagers obey and respect their parents when adequate rules and consequences are established. Parents have a huge influence on the safety of their children.
• Set Teen Driving Rules
-No Cell Phones. Period. Utah distracted driving accidents are preventable.
-Always wear seat belts. Passengers must always wear their seat belts too.
• Early Curfew-Drowsy Driving is a leading contributing factor to 80% of Utah Accidents.

Why You Need the Best Salt Lake City Car Accidents Lawyers

Dealing with insurance companies is frustrating and the consequences of the decisions you make will affect your child’s future. It is important for parents and guardians of injured teenagers to get legal guidance ASAP from experienced Salt Lake City Injury and Car Accident attorneys. If your child was injured in the State of Utah, you can turn to the Christensen Law Firm, PLLC.
Call today for a free consultation: (801)506-0800.

The snow storm that hit the Salt Lake Valley early Thursday morning made for bad driving conditions and directly affected commuters during rush hour traffic. Car accidents, unplowed roads and low visibility slowed traffic by up to a reported 45 minutes on I-15 southbound near Provo. Unfortunately, on 5400 South and State Road 111, in West Valley City, a car accident involving three cars left five people in critical condition.

What Caused this Utah Car Accident?

Around 7 am on February 11, 2010, three men in a pickup truck attempted to make a left hand turn when they crashed into an oncoming car. The pickup truck was then hit by another oncoming car. All three men in the pickup truck and woman in the car that were involved in the initial head on collision sustained critical injuries. The specifics of their injuries and the names of the victims have not been released to the public at this time. The driver of the third car also sustained injuries but has been released. Witnesses state that the low visibility may have contributed to the truck not seeing the oncoming small sedan. The Salt Lake tribune reports that citations have not yet been issued as West Valley Police Department are still conducting their investigation of what caused this Utah motor vehicle accident.

My concern and sympathy go out these car accident victims and their families as they go through this difficult time. I pray that they each make a speedy and full recovery from the injuries they sustained in this tragic Utah car accident.

How Weather Conditions Can Affect Rescue

Utah is known for its heavy snow storms that blanket the mountains and neighborhoods in the surrounding Salt Lake Valley. Last Thursday’s snow storm was no exception. Due to the severity of the storm, the life flight medical helicopters dispatched to the scene of this West Valley City car accident were unable to land. Consequently, all five seriously injured victims were had to be transported via ambulance to the emergency room at the Intermountain Medical Center. Fortunately, all victims were able to receive medical treatment in time.

Snow and Ice Car Crashes in Utah

On December 28, 2009, there were an astounding 208 motor vehicle accidents on Utah Roads alone. Roads that are covered with ice and snow often cause a loss of control and skidding of a motor vehicle. Car tires have reduced traction during these conditions. Utah residents should take the initiative to have all terrain and weather tires put on their car especially if they do not drive cars with four-wheel drive. Here are some safety tips for driving in inclement weather conditions:

• Drive with your lights on to promote visibility
• Scrape off all the snow off your vehicle. This included all windows and the top of your car. Sudden stopping with cause the snow on the top of your car to fall onto the windshield of the car behind you.
• Check your tire pressure. Low tire pressure significantly reduced the traction ability on your tires.

An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You

The time to file a car accident claim is limited, which makes contacting an experienced Salt Lake personal injury attorney as soon as possible of vital importance. Attorney Kenneth L. Christensen and The Christensen Law Firm, PLLC know the laws relating to personal injury, particularly auto accident injuries. If you or someone you love has suffered through an auto accident injury in Utah and you feel it is 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.

According to a recent report released by the Salt Lake Tribune, car accidents caused by West Valley City employees, while driving city vehicles, have increased by an astounding 54% in the last year. West Valley City employees cost the city over $107,000.00 in damages so far for 2009. This amount is likely to rise as there are still pending personal injury claims that have yet to be settled. Utah residents are angry that instead of spending public monies in areas like health care or education, these funds are being funneled into paying for reckless and preventable accidents caused by city employees.

West Valley Police Officers Overwhelmingly At-Fault in Car Accidents

West Valley City Attorney, Richard Catten, explained to the public that WVC employees have increasingly been cited for causing minor accidents like backing into other vehicles, mail boxes, trees or rear ending other motor vehicles. Distracted driving is a key characteristic of these types of accidents and the damages are not cheap. For example a city employee, driving a WVC water truck scraped his truck against two parked cars when making a right turn. The city employee was not observant that he was driving an extra wide load and his mistake cost the city $11,000 in property damages.

Interestingly, the report demonstrates that West Valley City police officers caused 37 of the 60 at-fault car accidents in 2009. In fact, for the past three years, police officers have consistently caused 60% of at-fault traffic accidents.

• One officer attempted to make a U-Turn over a median and got stuck. This accident cost the city $6,000.

• Another police officer rear ended a vehicle causing $14,000 in property damages and injuring the driver of the other motor vehicle.

Warning:
Your Ability to File a Utah Personal Injury Claim is Affected if a Government Entity is Involved

Utah statute of limitations is an important time line that designates your window of opportunity to file a claim against the responsible party. If the statute of limitations expires, you may no longer bring a case to court. In standard Utah motor vehicle accidents, the statute of limitations is four years. However, In the State of Utah, the statute of limitations on filing a personal injury claim is decreased to one year if the at-fault party is a government agency.

Attorney Ken Christensen’s book Seven Biggest Mistakes that can Wreck Your Utah Accident Case contains additional information on Utah Traffic Laws and guidelines on how to file an insurance claim for bodily injury. It is an invaluable resource that offers real life education and advice on how to protect yourself if you have been in a Utah personal injury accident. Give the Christensen Law Firm a call to request a FREE copy of this book at 1.801.506.0800 or visit us online at www.utahaccidentbook.com.

WVC Fire Department Takes Action to Curb Accidents

Several years ago, the West Valley Fire Department also experiences a substantial increase in accidents. Most of the accidents were from hitting objects when backing out. WVC instated a policy that a “spotter” is designated whenever the fire truck backs out of any premise. The results have been significantly positive: the department has seen a 50% reduction in their at-fault truck accidents. If West Valley City were to implement basic changes on employee driver protocol, training and safety then the West Valley City won’t lose so much public money on preventable car accidents. Increased driver’s education on how to on how to maneuver government vehicles properly and how to avoid distracted driving will be quite beneficial to all.

The ongoing push for a cell phone ban for drivers seems to be coming to resolution. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, a Senate committee unanimously passed a bill that would prohibit emailing and text-messaging on a cell phone while driving. The bill was passed Friday, February 6 and will now move to the full Senate for voting. The bill proposes strict violations analogous to charges for driving under the influence. For the first two offenses, drivers will face a class B misdemeanor and class A misdemeanor for the third offense. If a driver is text-messaging and causes a death, he/she will be charged with third-degree felony.

This bill, sponsored by Sen. Lyle Hillyard, does not ban any other use of electronics while driving. Other Utah legislators worry the bill does not go far enough. Rep. Phil Riesen wants a bill that will completely ban wireless devices for drivers except for two-way radios and emergency situations. Rep. Riesen’s bill has not yet had a hearing. Rep. Carol Moss is sponsoring a bill that bans text messaging while drivng and requires hands free devices at all times.

I think Rep. Moss' bill is best. Although some research indicates its the distraction with the brain, not the hands that causes people talking on cell phones and texting on cell phones to drive like a Drunk Driver. I think we should clearly ban texting and emailing while driving, but also require hands free devices. Then lets wait and see if the amount of accidents caused by distracted drivers decreases. California and Washington have already enacted similar laws. However, I think texting and cell phones is only part of the problem. I have seen just as many accidents caused by drivers distracted by IPODS as cell phones and text messaging.

Daily commuters rejoiced at the completion of Utah’s Legacy Parkway, a four-lane highway in Davis County which provides an alternate route from Interstate 15 for commuters. Traffic on I-15 has been reduced since Legacy Parkway’s completion. However, police are concerned that commuters on the new highway seem to have a knack for speeding. According to KSL News, many drivers are disregarding speed limits along Legacy Parkway. The speed limit along the highway is 55 mph. However, the Utah Department of Transportation estimates that commuters are driving an average of 10 mph over the speed limit. Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) worries that there are not enough troopers to properly regulate the highway. UHP has four troopers to patrol Davis County. I-15, Highway 89, and Legacy Parkway are all in their zone, leaving the troopers stretched thin.

If you are a commuter in Davis County and use Legacy Parkway, please abide by the posted speed limit for your own safety and for the protection of commuters sharing the road.

Winter weather makes driving extremely difficult. Icy roads, white-out snow storms, and heavy winds provide even more dangers to commuters. While it is best to avoid driving in the winter whenever possible, below is a compilation of winter driving tips from The Weather Channel and AAA Insurance.

First things first: vehicle maintenance. Keeping your vehicle in good shape will help prevent needless accidents. Make sure to keep your gas tank at least half full. Gas lines can freeze if the tank falls below half full and it is expensive to repair. Also, it is important to keep your tires properly inflated and do not mix radial tires with other types of tires.

Continue reading "Winter Driving Tips" »

A new program at Miller Motorsports Park is teaching teen drivers how to deal with dangerous situations, according to a Deseret News Article “Programs steer Utah teens toward safer driving.” The program, called the Teen Driving Academy, provides teen drivers with professional training on how to handle a skidding vehicle, avoid accidents at high speeds and properly use a car’s anti-lock braking system.

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, in the year 2006, car accidents were the leading cause of death for American teenagers, accounting for 36 percent of all death in this age group. The CDC also suggests that the most strict and comprehensive drivers licensing programs (like the one at Millers Sports Park) have shown a 40 percent reduction in fatal and injury crashes among 16 year-olds.

This program is unique and very valuable in that it provides drivers with such experiences in a simulated environment. Directors of the program hope that by experiencing such situations in a safe environment drivers will be better prepared to handle them.