November 11, 2008

Legal Options Following a Utah Hit and Run Accident

There is nothing worse than being involed in an accident; well actually, there is, being involved in a hit and run accident. I am often contacted by people who were injured in an accident, but the driver that caused the accident left the scene and is nowhere to be found. They all have the same question: My car is damaged and I have medical bills that need to be paid, I can't afford to pay them, what can I do?

I am also asked this same question by people who were in an accident and the at-fault driver does not have insurance. In Utah, Hit-and-Run accidents and Uninsured Motorist Accidents are treated the same. They fall under the Uninsured Motorist Coverage of most car insurance policies.

Continue reading "Legal Options Following a Utah Hit and Run Accident" »

September 23, 2008

Centerville Girl Seriously Injured In a Hit-And-Run Accident

On September 22, 2008, six year-old Amelia Cordova was riding her bike near 300 North and 300 East when a car hit her and left the scene. Amelia was unconscious and suffered a broken arm, concussion and bruises. Police are looking for a light grey or green colored minivan. The van may have front end damage to its bumper. If anyone witnessed this accident or has seen a matching minivan, please contact police.

I offer my condolences to Amelia Cordova and her family and hope the community can help find the person responsible for this sad accident.

Sadly, 100,000 pedestrians are injured each year and half of those injuries result in death. Even worse, many of these accidents are caused by a driver's inattentiveness and the driver leaves the scene and can't be found.

After a Utah hit-and-run accident, victims are left with expensive medical bills and serious injuries and don't know what to do. Fortunately, if you are involved in a Utah hit-and-run accident and have proof that the accident was caused by the negligence of another, you can make a claim for both medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages under your household's own automobile insurance policy.

Amelia's family would benefit from contacting a Utah pedestrian accident attorney who can help explain what insurance policies may apply and how their damages can be fully covered.

August 26, 2008

Murray Hit-And-Run Accident Injures a Couple While Walking On The Sidewalk on State Street

Midvale police located and arrested Neil Delynn Lewis for hitting Jaime Arbon and his pregnant fiance, Kari Bushnell and leaving the scene. The couple was walking on the sidewalk on State Street in Midvale when Lewis' vehicle hit them and fled away. Both Jaime and Kari were seriously injured and sadly Kari had a miscarriage due to injuries associated with this tragic accident.

I offer my deepest condolence to Jaime, Kari and their families. This accident never should have happend.

Both Jaime and Kari would be well advised to contact a Utah Pedestrian Accident Attorney to learn their rights. What most people do not understand is that in addition to making a claim against this reckless driver and his insurance company, Jaime and Kari can make claims under their own insurance policies for their injuries and the loss of their child.

August 15, 2008

Utah Family Seriously Injured When Their Car is Forced Off the Road and Rolls Near Willard

jA Utah family was seriously injured after an Cadillac Escalade with Idaho license plates negligently drove into the family’s lane of travel near Willard, causing their vehicle to veer off the road and roll. According to KSL News report, “Reckless Driver Causes Rollover Accident,” the Escalade fled the scene and Utah Highway Patrol is hoping the public can help track down the driver responsible for this serious accident.

I deeply sympathize with the injured family and am saddened by their unnecessary suffering. I wish them a speedy recovery.

What legal recourse is there against a driver that does not make actual contact with another vehicle, but clearly causes an accident to occur?

Under Utah law, a vehicle that leaves the scene and is not identified, but was the proximate cause of the accident is defined, by statute as an uninsured motorist. The existence of such a vehicle, however, must be established by clear and convincing evidence. In this case there is sufficient evidence as independent witnesses saw the Escalade force the car off the road. Almost every automobile insurance policy has a portion of coverage called Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM). UM coverage allows accident victims who were injured by an unidentified or uninsured driver to make a claim under their own insurance policy for the full extent of their damages.

The family involved in this accident would be well served by consulting with a Utah uninsured motorist attorney to ensure that all medical bills and other damages, including pain and suffering, are completely covered for an accident that was clearly not their fault.

August 8, 2008

Bicyclist Seriously Injured By A Hit-and-Run Driver Near Jordan Landing in West Jordan

KSL News reports that West Jordan police are searching for a man who hit a bicyclist and did not stop on August 5, 2008 near Jordan Landing in West Jordan, Utah. According to West Jordan police Sgt. Greg Butler a Dodge pickup made a left turn and ran into the bicyclist who was traveling in the other direction. The Dodge made no attempt to stop, but witnesses followed the truck and were able to get a description and a possible license plate number. The bicyclist was critically injured and is now in stable condition.

I wish a fast and full recover to this victim and hope this irresponsible driver decides to come forward.

What most people do not know is that Hit and Run Accident Victims can still make an insurance claim for medical bills, lost wages and even pain and suffering, even if the driver that caused this tragic accident is not found. Almost every automobile insurance policy has a portion of coverage called Uninsured Motorist Coverage. This allows accident victims who were injured by an unidentified or uninsured driver to make a claim, and since the victim did not cause the accident, their insurance rates should not increase. In Utah, a statute that has been referred to as the “phantom vehicle statute” allows hit-and-run accident victims to qualify under this coverage.

A vehicle that leaves the scene and is not identified, but was the proximate cause of the accident is defined, by statute as uninsured. The existence of such a vehicle, however, must be established by clear and convincing evidence. In this case there is sufficient evidence as several independent witnesses saw the car hit the bicycle and leave the scene.

The bicyclist would be well served by consulting with a Utah Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney to ensure that all medical bills and other damages, including pain and suffering are completely covered for an accident that was clearly not his/her fault.