December 3, 2008

Ohio's Best Motorcycle Accident Attorneys: Charles Boyk and Associates

Motorcycles are an exhilarating means of transportation, but pose serious threats to the rider. The freedom provided by a motorcycle can easily turn into grave injuries or even death. In most motorcycle accidents, the fault lies on the other driver’s negligence. Car or truck drivers often find it difficult to see motorcycles on the road, which can quickly lead to a life-altering accident for the motorcyclist.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported over 4,000 deaths and 76,000 injuries nationwide due to motorcycle accidents in 2004. Compared to other vehicular accidents, motorcyclists are 32 times more likely to die in an accident.

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December 1, 2008

Motorcyclist Killed in South Jordan, Utah Accident

According to KSL news, a car made a left hand turn in front of a motorcycle in South Jordan on December 1, 2008 at 11:30am near the intersection of 11800 South and 4000 West. Sadly, the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

I offer my condolences to the victim's family.

The police are still investigating this accident, but clearly the driver of the car is fully responsible for turning left and not keeping a proper lookout. Before this tragic accident, the eseret news reported that the number of people who have died from motorcycle accidents in 2008 was at 32. This was 9 more than all of 2007.

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October 21, 2008

Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in Utah Have Increased in 2008

Deseret news reported that the number of people who have died from motorcycle accidents in 2008 is currently at 32. This is 9 more than all of 2007. High gas prices has resulted in a 27% increase in motorcyle licensing and registration, which in turn means more bikes on the roads.

Please keep a look-out for motorcycles and scooters while driving on our Utah roads.

October 8, 2008

Provo Motorcyclist Dies When A Driver Turns Left In Front of HIm

According to the Daily Herald report, 23 year-old Man Dies After Motorcycle Accident In Provo, Joshua Benson from Provo, Utah was riding his motorcycle west on 800 North when the driver of car turned left onto 300 West in front of Joshua Benson, causing Benson to hit the car.

Sadly Joshua Benson did not survive this tragic accident. I offer my deepest condolences to Joshua's family.

The police are still investigating this accident, but clearly the driver of the car is fully responsible for turning left and not keeping a proper lookout. As gas prices have increased so have the use of motorcycles and scooters, especially around universities and colleges.

When motor vehicles collide with motorcycles, it is always serious, and often deadly. Utah Department of Public Safety has made extensive efforts to educate the public about motorcycles on the roads. They wrote a brochure, “Share the Road, Start Seeing Motorcycles” and note that approximately 75% of all motorcycle crashes involve a motor vehicle, and 67% of these crashes were caused by the motorist failing to yield the right-of-way to the motorcyclist.

Everyone should read this brochure and follow their SEE program while traveling on Utah roads. S- Search for factors in the area, search for oncoming traffic, motorcycles, pedestrians, etc. E- Evaluate the potential risk and options. Think about your time and space requirements to maintain a margin of safety. E- Execute with control and precision. Don’t make a maneuver unless it can be done safely.

August 10, 2008

Two Motorcycle Riders Seriously Injured in Provo Canyon

A Provo Canyon Motorcycle Accident near Bridal Veil Falls seriously injured two riders according to a KSL.com news report, "Motorcycle Riders Injured in Provo Canyon Wreck." According to the news report, an SUV didn't see the two motorcycles approaching and hit them.

My deepest sympathies are with the two motorcyclists who were injured in this Provo Canyon morotorcycle wreck. There is no doubt in my mind that the driver of the SUV will be held fully responsible for this accident. The news report is vague, but it appears the SUV made an improper lane change or failed to yield the right-of-way to the motorcycles. Either way, the motorcycles were in their lane of travel and unfortunately, the SUV didn't keep a proper look-out and see them coming.

According to a study reported by the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety , five types of crashes account for 86 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents: motorcycle runs off road (41 percent), motorcycle or other vehicle runs traffic control (18 percent), head on (11 percent), car turns in front of motorcycle (8 percent), and motorcycle goes down in roadway (7 percent). All five of these types of accidents can be caused by drivers failing to look out for motorcycles on our Utah roadways.

Since the injuries associated with motorcycle accidents can be catastrophic, these motorcycle accident victims would benefit from contacting a Utah motorcycle accident lawyer to ensure their current and future medical bills and lost wages are covered by this driver's insurance company, as well as compensation for pain and suffering. Handling these claims alone can be extremely confusing and even damaging to a case. I would encourage these victims to order a free copy of my book "7 Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Utah Accident Case," at our 24 hour pre-recorded phone number (800) 851-3731.

August 5, 2008

Utah Motorcyclist Seriously Injured When Car Makes Illegal U-Turn in Big Cottonwood Canyon

A Utah motorcycle rider was critically injured in an accident up Big Cottonwood Canyon, according to a recent article by KSL News. A vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road when the driver decided to make a U-turn. Unfortunately, the driver did not see the motorcyclist, causing him to slam into the back of the car. The motorcyclist received serious head injuries and was flown to the hospital.

I wish the victim well and express my condolences to the family.

Each year in the United States more than three thousand people are killed and another 50,000 or so are injured in motorcycle accidents. Head trauma in motorcycle accidents are the primary cause of injury and death in these tragedies. Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable to suffering head injuries in motorcycle accidents because they are less stable, visible, and protected on the road. It is estimated that about eighty percent of all motorcycle accidents involve injury or death.

Head injuries in motorcycle accidents occur when a victims head makes sudden and violent contact with an unyielding object. This can result in a concussion or more serious head injuries when significant brain, spinal cord, and central nervous system damage is sustained.

Head injuries from motorcycle accidents are irreversible and can result in partial or permanent disability, serious neurological damage, and even death. If you, or a loved one, have suffered serious or fatal head injuries in motorcycle accidents, you may wish to contact a Utah motorcycle attorney who can help determine your rights and legal options. When another party is at fault for head injuries in motorcycle accidents, victims can seek restitution for medical expenses, loss of income or earning potential, permanent disability or death, and damages for pain and suffering.

August 1, 2008

Motorcyclist Seriously Injured In Sandy When an SUV Pulls Out In Front of Him

A man was riding his motorcycle at 2170 E. Dimple Dell Road in Sandy when an SUV pulled out in front of him, reports KSL News (“Motorcyclist injured in collision with SUV”). The biker, who was wearing a helmet, slammed into the side of the SUV, and suffered serious head injuries. According to Lt. Jason Johnson of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the woman driver of the SUV just didn’t see the motorcycle when she made her turn.

I express my condolences to the victim and wish him a recovery to the fullest extent possible.

It seems that the driver of the SUV is at fault here, and her auto insurance is responsible to cover the cost of her actions. Head injury victims are commonly diagnosed with mild Traumatic Brain Injuries and the symptoms associated with this injury can be very costly. Insurance companies often downplay the long-term effects by quickly trying to settle for a minimal amount. This motorcycle accident victim would be well served to contact a Utah personal injury lawyer that will make sure that the insurance company gives him just and adequate compensation for this serious injury.

July 18, 2008

Bicycle and Motorcycle Accidents Have Increased As Gas Prices Soar

MSNBC report, Deadly Tension on the Road - Cars vs. Bikes, explains that Bicycle sales are soaring since gas prices have reached more than $4.25 a gallon. Previous reports also show that there are more motorcycles on the roads. Sadly, this has lead to an increase in fatal bicycle and motorcycle accidents.

Not only do motorist need to keep a better look out for these smaller drivers, all bicyclist and motorcycle drivers should be fully educated on the rules of operation before sharing the roads with cars and trucks. Contact your state DMV for specific information.

July 11, 2008

High Gas Prices May Be The Reason for an Increase Motorcycle Accidents

According to an American Forces Press article, “Motorcycle, Vehicle Accidents Dominate Off-Duty Summer Fatalities”, 37 service members of our armed forces have died in off-duty motor vehicle accidents since Memorial Day weekend.

The 101 Critical Days of Summer, which refers to the period between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, usually sees an increase in the number of motor vehicle accidents and motor vehicle deaths. Of particular concern to officials this year is the higher than usual number of motorcycle deaths. Due to high fuel prices it seems that more and more of our service men are using motorcycles as a means of transportation. So far this year, of the 37 off-duty motor vehicle fatalities, 25 involved motorcycles.

July 10, 2008

Motorcyle Accident in West Valley Turns Fatal

According to KSL News, 24-year-old Alex Soderborg was killed in a Motorcycle accident. Soderborg was traveling near 4100 South and 4000 West in West Valley City when a car did not see him and struck Soderborg, throwing him about 10 feet. He was wearing a helmet but unfortunately suffered severe head injuries and died at the scene.

This tragic accident is another reminder to always keep a lookout for motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians when driving on our Utah roads. My deepest condolences to the Soderborg family.

July 10, 2008

Utah Motorcyclist Dies When Semi-Truck Fails To Yield the Right of Way

34-year-old David Lant died in an Orem, Utah motorcycle crash after being hit by a semi truck that failed to yield to Mr. Lant’s motorcycle, according to a recent article by KSL News, “Man killed in Orem motorcycle accident.”

Lant was on his way to work and only a few blocks from his home when the accident occurred. As he entered the intersection on a green signal at 800 North and 1200 West, a semi truck ran a red light and struck David Lant. Lt. Doug Edwards of the Orem Department of Public Safety said that they do have witnesses that indicated the light was green for southbound traffic.

This is such a tragic and heart wrenching accident. Please keep Mr. Lant’s family in your prayers.

When motor vehicles collide with motorcycles, it is always serious, and often deadly. Utah Department of Public Safety has made extensive efforts to educate the public about motorcycles on the roads. They wrote a brochure, “Share the Road, Start Seeing Motorcycles” and note that approximately 75% of all motorcycle crashes involve a motor vehicle, and 67% of these crashes were caused by the motorist failing to yield the right-of-way to the motorcyclist.

Everyone should read this brochure and follow their SEE program while traveling on Utah roads. S- Search for factors in the area, search for oncoming traffic, motorcycles, pedestrians, etc. E- Evaluate the potential risk and options. Think about your time and space requirements to maintain a margin of safety. E- Execute with control and precision. Don’t make a maneuver unless it can be done safely.

Continue reading "Utah Motorcyclist Dies When Semi-Truck Fails To Yield the Right of Way" »

July 1, 2008

Two Utah Motorcycle Accidents Result in Serious Injuries

Two motorcycle accidents sent three people to the hospital, according to a recent KSL News report.

In one incident, a car was attempting to turn left on 700 East but had to stop when it saw a bicyclist coming through the intersection. A motorcycle traveling in the opposite direction was then forced to stop as well but could not, causing the motorcycle to skid across the street and into the back of the car.

Another motorcycle accident occurred on State Street in Sandy. As the motorcyclist changed lanes the car in front of him also changed lanes, forcing the motorcyclist into a 1-foot-tall-island. When the motorcyclist hit the island he flew 40 feet with his motorcycle, which landed on top of him.

It is easy to assume that motorcycle accidents are usually due to some kind of carelessness on the part of the motorcycle driver. However, this is not true. There are a number of possible factors that contribute to motorcycle accidents: the negligence of other drivers or pedestrians, dangerous/faulty road conditions, or even a mechanical malfunction or product defect. In fact, over 80% of multi-vehicle accidents involving motorcyclists are not the rider’s fault. Driver’s have a duty to keep a proper lookout and be aware of others on the road, especially motorcycles. Drivers also are required by law to only make a left-hand turn when the intersection is clear and their turn can be made safely. Unfortunately, these two laws were broken and resulted in serious injuries. We wish these motorcyclists a fast a full recovery.