A 22-year-old pedestrian was hit and left to die on the side of the road in Wendover on Sunday. The victim was out celebrating his birthday and was walking to the casino when he was hit by a car that never bothered to stop.

The family is handing out flyers as the search for the driver of the car continues. The police are also taking tips to help aid the investigation. Further information about what they do know has not been released.

Hit-and-run accidents have been on the rise with a 19% jump from 1999 to 2001 and a steady rising rate continuing on since 2003. This poses the question: Why? There are many theories as to why people are now more likely to flee from the scene when they are involved in an accident.

Some people are scared of being prosecuted for other crimes that would be discovered if police are involved in an accident. The officer might realize they are driving with a suspended license, or they could have no license at all. Drivers may be too intoxicated to know what happened or intoxicated enough that they would be arrested for driving at all. It could even be something as insignificant as their insurance or tags being expired on their vehicle. But these are all merely reasons, not valid excuses for fleeing the scene of an accident.

A person is no match for a car that hits him or her but there are precautions that could be taken to be safer as a pedestrian. Always look both ways before you cross a street. It sounds elementary because it is. It is the first thing that should be done before you cut across traffic. Just because you are in a crosswalk or someone has a stop sign, does not mean that they will stop. If people will flee the scene after hitting someone then they are just as likely to ignore a stop sign.

Hit-and-run drivers kill nearly 1,000 people each year and forty-six percent of those pedestrian deaths occur between 6 p.m. and midnight. When you can, avoid walking at dusk and in the dark. Visibility is greatly diminished during these times, which increases the probability of a pedestrian-involved accident.

The greatest concern in all of this is the safety of our kids. Among children ages 5 to 9 killed in traffic accidents, more than one-fifth were pedestrians. Children are easily distracted and can be harder to see than adults. If your children do have to walk then make sure they understand the dangers on the road and how to be a safe pedestrian.

The Christensen Law Firm is offering up to $1,000 for any information leading to the arrest and felony convictions of hit-and-run drivers. This Hit-and-Run Reward program is tied to the WeTip crime hotline where you can call to anonymously report information about crimes like hit-and-run accidents.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a hit-and-run accident call the attorneys at Christensen Law Firm to find out what options are available to you. Contact us today at 801-506-0800.

It is true that the most recent available data shows that hit-and-run crashes and deaths have declined in the United States from 1982 to 2002 (http://bit.ly/ppWqWq). However, the statistics are still significant enough to cause alarm. On a national level, government statistics indicate that almost 11% of all vehicle accidents are hit and run car accidents.

More often than not, victims of hit-and-runs often face upsetting injuries that may result in permanent disability or fatality. The painful effects of a motor vehicle accident affect the victim’s relationships, income, and quality of life. Worse, where a hit-and-run causes death, the victim’s family members are left with a lack of closure and in some instances the inability to work through the mourning process.

Safety advocates say most people who escape the scene have something to conceal or protect. Others haven't developed a strict sense of right and wrong, or they have just ignored it until it no longer functions. All of us have the capability to behave incorrectly, and at times we do. Many people have the impulse to leave when they come upon a terrible accident, whether they've caused it or are eyewitnesses.

Motor vehicles of all sizes, including cars, motorcycles and trucks, use the roads every day. Some vehicles pose more dangers than others, but one thing is true no matter what type of vehicle you use or encounter—accidents can be deadly to passengers and motorists.
If you or a loved one sustained serious injury in a Utah hit-and-run accident caused by another person’s carelessness, you may be entitled to compensation for damages. The Utah hit-and-run lawyers of Christensen Law Firm can help. Call us today at 801.506.0800 for a free consultation to find out what your options are.

“Prescription drug misuse and abuse is now competing with street drugs. It is the fourth highest rate of use behind alcohol, methamphetamine, and marijuana use,” Salt Lake Police Chief Chris Burbank told Deseret News reporters on April 28, 2010.

"Drugged Driving" Causing Car Accidents

On April 24, 2010, my clients, Marcy and her husband, Steve, were driving home on Interstate-15 near Sandy when they were involved in a rear-end car accident caused by a woman traveling at speeds over 80 mph! The at-fault driver was obviously impaired as she attempted to flee the scene. Fortunately, several other motorists who had witnessed the accident were successful in detaining her until the Utah Highway Patrol officers arrived. The 23-year-old woman admitted to taking prescription drugs that she was not prescribed as well as excessively drinking at a party she had just left. This woman was arrested for a DUI, DWI and she was cited for following to close.

Marcy and Steve were taken via ambulance to a local hospital. Marcy sustained serious neck and spinal injuries. She is currently treating for this pain and for continued tingling and numbness in her fingers tips. In addition to his spinal injury, Steve, who was the front seat passenger, sustained several facial lacerations from the glass of the broken windshield. With therapy and continued treatment, I am happy to report that this young couple will recover fully from the injuries they sustained in this drunk and drugged driving accident. This accident could have been much worse—especially with the excessive speeding factor.

Drugged Driving on the Rise in Utah

In a 2006 study conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services showed that Utah has the highest rate in the country for nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers.

Prescription drug deaths are the leading cause of injury deaths in the state of Utah. When someone who has abused this medication or consumed a prescribed dosage that is too much for their body to handle, gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, this individual suddenly becomes a serious hazard to other commuters and themselves. The level of impairment varies with the drug amount and type, but a “drugged driver” commonly displays the following symptoms:

• Reduced reaction time and brain control
• Delayed body movement
• Limited control of balance, coordination, memory, judgment and sensation
• Reduced attentiveness, perception of time and speed

Driving under the influence of drugs is an unspoken danger on Utah roads. Until their tragic accident, my clients had no idea that “drugged driving” is a substantial problem. Another common misconception is that DUIs are limited to illegal drug use. However, it is prescription drug abuse and problems with the actual amounts prescribed by medical doctors are on the rise in Utah. 10.2 million Americans admitted to driving when impaired by drugs in a survey conducted by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. This number includes both those who abuse prescription drugs, those take the prescribed dosages correctly but find that they are impaired while driving and those who use illicit drugs. This number also reflects individuals who consciously choose to get behind the wheel when they know they are impaired and unfit for the responsibility of driving. The risk of causing a car accident with injuries or even fatalities is increased substantially. This is a preventable crisis that clearly needs to be eliminated; unfortunately, it currently is a rising problem in Utah.

Utah Statistics on Prescription Drug Abuse

• Since 2000, Utah had a 400% increase in prescription drug deaths.
• In 2008, 277 Utahns died of non illicit drug overdoses.
• In 2009, 310 Utahns died of non-illicit drug overdoses.

How to Hire the Best Auto Accident Attorney for Your Needs

If you have been seriously injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver or by a drugged driver, you will need the experience and skill of the best Utah personal injury and auto accident attorneys. The personal injury lawyers of the Christensen Law Firm, PLLC, will work aggressively to ensure that your legal rights are protected and that you receive the best possible settlement for your specific case. By taking legal action you also ensure that the wrongdoer is punished so that future DUI accidents may be avoided.

To schedule a FREE no obligation consultation with one of our highly skilled Utah persona injury and auto accident attorneys, contact Cara by calling 801.0800.

Early this Thursday morning of February 25, 2010, two teenage kids, allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, crashed through the home of a 7 month pregnant woman and her one year old son. KLS news reports that Sgt. Ross Huff of the Murray Police Department confirmed that the car landed on the bed next to the sleeping woman. She was able to immediately exit the destroyed room to get her son and run to outside to safety.

Fortunately, the woman sustained minor injuries and her toddler were unharmed in this Utah car accident. The teenage drunk drivers also suffered minor injuries and were treated at a local hospital. Although one of the teens fled from the scene of the accident both were quickly caught by police officers. The teens are reportedly not cooperating with Murray police authorities on answering who was driving. The charges that are pending include: for driving under the influence of alcohol, hit and run with injuries, running a red light and lying to police officers.

I hope that this brave woman fully recovers from her physical injuries and her psychological trauma and that there are no long lasting injuries to the unborn child. I also pray that the toddler was not traumatized by having a car crash through his home.

How Did this Car Crash through a Murray Home?

Witnesses stated that the vehicle driven by the allegedly drunk teen sped through a red light at the intersection of 4500 South and 500 East in Murray, Utah, hit the curb which launched the vehicle into the air. The vehicle then flew 45 feet, onto a parked car and then through the house of the Murray woman. While it seems clear that alcohol was the main factor in causing this Utah hit and run motor vehicle accident, the snowy road conditions could have also played a role.

Complex Insurance Issues Apply in this Bizarre Utah Auto Accident

• Medical treatment to all injured parties
• Property damage to house and fence
• Compensation for all the personal belongings destroyed in the motor vehicle accident
• Property damage to both vehicles involved in this car accident (the car the teen was driving and the parked car that was hit)

There are several factors that influence who will be paying for the medical injuries sustained by the woman, her child and the two at-fault teen drivers. Assuming the teen has auto insurance coverage; his personal injury protection portion (PIP) will cover the initial medical bills for all those injured.

Who Pays my Property Damage?

However, the insurance complexities deepen when we discuss who will pay the property damage portion of this Utah drunk driving accident. As described above, there are clearly thousands of dollars in property damage. More than likely, this teen driver will have only purchased the bare minimum requirements for collision coverage in Utah. The insurance company will only pay up to those limits which usually leaves the victims responsible for any further damages associated with this accident.

Do I have Home Owner’s Insurance?

To receive further compensation for property damage and other costs, the victim may be able to file claims under the at-fault party and their own home insurance policies. We highly advice that the victim and her family contact an experienced Salt Lake personal injury attorney right away to discuss her legal rights and options as well as the intricacies of the insurance world that she is about to face.

Resources Available to Victims of Utah Accidents

The Christensen Law Firm, PLLC, is a premier law firm that specializes in handling these types of accident cases. Whether you have been in a Utah car accident, pedestrian accident, drunk-driving accident, motorcycle accident, bicycle accident or hit and run accident; our experienced and compassionate attorneys will make sure you are informed about your case during the entire legal process. We will ensure you receive the settlement you deserve. Call us today at 801.506.0800 for a FREE consultation with an attorney or to order a FREE copy of Ken Christensen’s guidebook “7 Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Utah Accident Case.”

Utah Woman Charged with DUI and Hit and Run with Injury

Summary:

Police confirmed today that the woman who allegedly caused multiple car accidents downtown on Thursday was in fact driving under the influence of alcohol.

On Thursday morning, January 21, 2010, Ms. Elfida-Eschler rear ended a vehicle, and then she fled the scene in her truck, and was finally stopped two blocks later after she hit a second vehicle. Ms. Elfida-Eschler then got out of her truck and attempted to leave the scene on foot. However, witnesses were able to keep an eye on this obviously disoriented woman until law enforcement officials arrived. Ms. Elfida-Eschler was arrested on suspicion of DUI and hit and run involving injury charges.

Unfortunately, the victims in the two other vehicles were sustained injuries. The second vehicle hit by Ms. Elfida-Eschler was pushed into oncoming traffic which resulted in another Utah car accident. Traffic was backed up along 300 West and 600 South.

I hope that the victims in these tragic Utah DUI car accidents make a quick and full recovery. It would be wise for them to contact a Salt Lake personal injury attorney to ensure that Ms. Elfida-Eschler, and other motorists who drive drunk, are held responsible for their reckless behavior.

3rd DUI Arrest in Utah this Week

Utah has a long tradition of being the state with the least number of DUI arrests and DUI fatalities to any other state in the nation. It’s surprising then to have several reported DUI arrests in Utah during the first two weeks of 2010. As you may recall, former Utah Senator Majority leader Sheldon Killpack-R of Syracuse was pulled over a week ago for drunk driving. Previously, an ATV driver in Salem, Utah, was arrested for crashing his all-terrain vehicle, fleeing the scene, and being under the influence of alcohol. And now Ms. Elfida-Eschler is arrested for drunk driving on Utah Roads.

Vegas Man Pleads Guilty for DUI and Causing Death

Tragically, often times the victims of alcohol-related accidents are innocent bystanders. On January 8, 2010, Deseret News reported that the Las Vegas man pled guilty to killing a Utah athlete in a DUI car accident in October of 2009. 33 year-old Jeremy Kunz of Kamas, Utah, was participating in the Ragnar Relay run in Nevada when Mr. Salayisch, who was driving drunk, hit and killed Mr. Kunz. Mr. Salayisch then left the runner in the road and fled the scene. This unfortunate pedestrian verses automobile accident is a reminder of the catastrophic costs of a driving under the influence of alcohol.

Legal Issues

According to Utah law, the victims of alcohol related motor vehicle accidents have several legal options and resources available to them. Talking to an experienced Utah personal injury attorney can help you navigate through the complexities of the legal and insurance fields. Commonly asked questions include:

• How to file a personal injury claim?
• How to settle a property damage claim?
• Who files the criminal charges?
• How long do family members have to file a Wrongful Death Claim?

Hiring an Experienced Utah Personal Injury Attorney

The time to file a car accident claim is limited, which makes contacting an experienced Utah Auto Accident 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. While we cant 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 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.

Date: October 31, 2009
Location: 1340 N. 1200 W., Orem, UT
Type: Utah hit-and-run accident law

A young boy from Orem was critically injured in a horrible Utah hit-and-run accident Halloween night. According to KSL News, the young boy was walking by his parent’s car to go out trick-or-treating around 7:30 PM. A truck or SUV hit the boy while he was in the street. Sgt. Craig Martinez said the driver knew what happened; it pulled over on the side of the road less than a block away. It idled for a short time, and then left the scene of the accident. The boy was initially taken to Utah valley Medical Center, and later flown to Primary Children’s Medical Center in critical condition. He has since improved to serious condition, and suffers from at least one facial fracture and a broken leg. We wish this young boy a healthy and quick recovery from his injuries.

The driver of the vehicle is still on the run. If you have any information pertaining to the accident, contact your local sheriff’s department. Keep your eye out for a dark truck or SUV with damage to the right front corner.

In addition to the physical and emotional difficulties that accompany a Utah car accident, hit-and-run victims often face financial challenges with insurance companies. In a normal accident, the insurance company of the responsible party pays for vehicle damage, medical costs, and other expenses. However, in a hit-and-run accident, the responsible party is absent and the victim often gets stuck with the bill. This is why it is important to make sure your insurance policy has Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM Coverage.) This type of policy will help cover the victim’s costs for property damage, lost wages, and medical bills.

If you have been involved in a Utah hit-and-run accident, you may consider hiring Utah’s best injury attorney. The Utah accident lawyers at the Christensen Law Firm are experts in Utah’s personal injury and insurance laws, providing victim with diligent and knowledgeable legal representation. Hit-and-run accident victims can still make a claim for their full injuries and damages, even if the at-fault driver is never found. We offer personal attention to every client, successfully representing injury victims all along the Wasatch Front. For a free consultation about your case, contact us at 801.506.0800.

Date: October 25, 2009
Location: West Valley City, UT
Type: Salt lake City fatal accident, Salt Lake City, Utah hit-and-run accident, Utah wrongful death

A tragic Salt Lake City car accident killed a construction worker on Interstate 215 Sunday evening. According to KSL News, a truck was driving south on the interstate near 3300 South around 7:30. The driver entered a lane near the shoulder that had been coned off. The truck was traveling around 50 miles per hour, and struck one of the workers. The Utah Highway Patrol has reported that the worker was 20-year-old Brayden F. Beddoes. When emergency crews arrived at the scene, Beddoes was alive. However, he passed away before he was taken to the hospital.

The truck sped away from the scene of the accident, and authorities are asking the public for help finding the driver. The truck is an older model, possibly a dodge, and is blue and white colored. Lt. Robert Anderson of the Utah Highway Patrol said that based on the damage to the vehicle, there is no doubt the driver knew he hit a pedestrian. If you have any information about the truck, please contact the Utah Highway Patrol at 801.887.3800.

Even though it is a felony to leave the scene of an accident, over 900 pedestrians are killed in hit-and-run accidents nationwide every year. Hit-and-run accidents are becoming more frequent, especially in urban areas. USA Today reported that the rate of hit-and-runs has increased 20% since 2000. Studies have revealed that 11% of all automobile accidents are hit-and-run. In fact, 700,000 people fall victim to hit-and-runs annually.

Hit-and-run accidents can be difficult for victims on a number of levels. Beyond the physical and emotional recovery a victim faces, the insurance process can be extremely cumbersome. The responsible party is absent in this type of accident, and the victim is left footing the bill. Although the victims family will be able to make a Workers Compensation Claim, because this accident was the fault of a third-party, the family can also make a claim under their own car insurance as an uninsured motorist claim. THe family should contact their own car insurance company to ensure an uninsured motorist claim is made.

Working with the insurance company is a complicated process. If you have been involved in a Utah hit-and-run accident, you may consider hiring the best Utah personal injury lawyer to handle your case. The

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Posted In: Hit-and-Run Accidents , Wrongful Death Claims - Utah