Utah Personal Injury Law Firm Blog

Fatal Rollover Accident Details

On the morning of Monday March 1, 2010, 17-year-old Eaity Emich of Utah died after being involved in a fatal rollover accident on I-84 in Idaho. The driver, 20-year-old Rex Sanasan of Clinton, Utah, had fallen asleep at the wheel, which caused the vehicle to veer off the road. Mr. Sanasan awoke and overcorrected, which caused the vehicle to roll several times. The three passengers, Eaity, Bennett Barry, 22, and 9 –year-old Keio Takky, who were not wearing their seatbelts, were ejected and sustained critical injuries. Bennett and Keio remain in serious condition at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. Mr. Sanasan and his front-seat Passenger Kevin Elimo were wearing their seat-belts on this fatal car accident and have been treated at Twin Falls Hospital for non-critical injuries. The Deseret News reports that alcohol was not a factor in this tragic rollover accident that killed one Utah teenager.

I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Eaity Emich for their tragic and devastating loss. My heart goes how to the driver Mr. Sanasan and his injured passengers for the difficult times that lie ahead. I hope they all will heal emotionally and physically from this catastrophic event. Please keep them in your prayers.

Drowsy Driving Kills

Fatigued or drowsy driving is just as dangerous as being an intoxicated or impaired driver. If you are tired and in danger of falling asleep, your reaction time to avoiding collisions or potential road hazards is significantly reduced. If you fall asleep, you lose that ability to react completely and will most likely overcorrect your vehicle while in panic mode when you are awakened. If you are tired its best to pull over—it’s impossible to predict when you may accidentally doze off. The lives and safety of yourself, your passengers and other motorists are threatened when you engage in drowsy driving.

How do you know if You are a Drowsy Driver?

• You can’t stop yawning.
• You drift out of the lane or hit a rumble strip.
• You don’t keep a constant speed—you slow down or speed up frequently.
• You don’t remember the last few miles you have driven.
• You have “monkey mind” or wondering thoughts.
• You can focus or keep your eyes open.

National Statistics

The National Security Council predicts that these figures are a far below the actual numbers of accident caused by drowsy drivers each year due to the difficulty to prove that the motorist fell asleep or was falling asleep at the wheel when the accident occurred.

• Each year 100,000 reported car crashes are directly caused by drowsy drivers
• 72% of adult American men surveyed admitted to drowsy driving in the last year
• 54% of adult American women surveyed admitted to drowsy driving in the last year
• 37% of adults have report to having “dozed off” for a short time last year

The Importance of Contacting an Experienced Utah Auto Accident Lawyer

The time to file a car accident claim is limited, which makes contacting a skilled Utah Car Accident Lawyer as soon as possible of vital importance. Attorney Kenneth L. Christensen and the Christensen Law Firm, PLLC, know the Utah laws relating to personal injury and wrongful death as they deal with particularly auto accident claims. We see far too many victims who are forced to bear the financial burdens of an automobile accident or wrongful death claim because the time has lapsed for them to receive benefits that are available now. Protect yourself by speaking to a qualified Utah personal injury lawyer.

If you or someone you love has suffered through an auto accident injury 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 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

Orem Woman killed in Idaho Car Accident

On Monday afternoon, January 18, 2010, Carlybeth Ramirez, 21, was killed in a car accident near Pocatello, Idaho. According to witnesses, Carlybeth lost control of her vehicle and rolled it several times. She died at the scene. Her passenger Tihare Salazar of Provo was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

My deepest sympathies go out to Carlybeth’s family for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my condolences to everyone who knew and loved this young woman. I also hope and pray that the seriously injured passenger, Tihare Salazar, will make a quick and complete recovery. The victims and their families will be in my prayers.

Traffic Accident Statistics

In November 2009, the National Highway Traffic Administration released the report titled Fatal Crashes involving Young Drivers which provides national statistics on the frequency of young drivers being involved in car accidents verses older and more experienced drivers. Some interesting facts are as follows:

• Youths and young adults ages 15-20 year old represent 19% of the fatalities in the
United States

• Of the passengers killed riding in vehicles with young drivers, 67% are in the same 15-20
year old age group as the drivers

• 56% of fatal crashes and 57% of the fatalities involving young drivers occur on rural
roadways

Accident Causes and Liability Issues

According to the initial investigation done by the Idaho Highway Patrol, it seems that Ms. Ramirez drifted outside her lane and when she tried to realign her vehicle with the road she overcorrected and lost control of her vehicle. However, it is not clear what caused Ms. Ramirez to lose control of her vehicle and whether she had indeed overcorrected her vehicle. We do not know if there was a mechanical malfunction in her car. Or if there was dangerous conditions or any debris left on the freeway that caused Ms. Ramirez to swerve out of her lane. Did another motorist’s negligence cause this tragic fatal car accident that claimed the life Utah woman?
The victims of this tragic accident would be wise to contact an experienced Utah personal Injury lawyer to ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted before evidence is lost and witness still have the accident details on their mind. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to the victims and their families.

Utah Drunk Driving Arrests on the Rise

According to national traffic safety experts, the daily death toll from drunk driving crashes during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday period is significantly more than during the rest of the year. A report presented to state legislators indicates that Utah has the lowest percentage of fatalities attributable to driving under the influence in the nation. The most recent statistics demonstrate that the United States average for traffic fatalities involving alcohol is 41%. In Utah, DUI accounts for 22% of road fatalities. However, the report indicates there is an upward trend in the number of arrests for driving under the influence in Utah. Last year, there was an increase of 639 arrests to a total of 15,300.

States taking Action to Stop Drunk Driving Accidents

Several states are taking additional action to reduce the number tragic deaths resulting from alcohol related traffic accidents. The State of New York recently passed legislation named “Leandra’s Law” which increases the punishment from a misdemeanor to a felony when a motorist drives under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs with passengers that are under the age of 16. The new legislation is named after a 11 year-old Leandra Rosado was killed on October 11, 2009, when her friend’s mother, who was driving drunk, rolled the vehicle Leandra was a passenger of.

NBC reports that more than 12,000 children under 14 died in alcohol-related traffic accidents between 1994 and 2000, according to a recent report of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA found that in 64 percent of those deaths, the child was in the car with the drunken driver. Online polling after the NBC report demonstrated that 75% of New Yorkers were pleased with the new legislation on drunk driving which has caused other states’ legislatures to consider tightening their DUI laws as well.

Utah taking enough action to reduce DUIs?

In the 2009 during the Halloween blitz, the Salt Lake Tribune reports that there were 124 DUI related arrests made by the Utah Highway Patrol during that Saturday evening alone. UHP Sergeant estimates that there are typically 40 percent more drunk driving deaths when the holiday is on a weekend. UHP is pleased to report that there were no DUI crashes or fatalities this past Halloween; however, there were numerous drunk driving arrests made. Many of the arrests found minor is the possession of alcohol or parents driving drunk with their children in the back seat. This presents a social problem for Utahns. How do we stop drunk driving? It is safe to assume that we all agree that minors and alcohol should never mix. Zero Tolerance is already in effect in the state. If Utah implemented a felony punishment for those persons caught driving under the influence of alcohol and with children as passengers; would that help curb the number of DUI motorists on Utah roads?

An Experienced Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help

In cases where such negligence or wrong doing is involved, such as drunk driving, families of the deceased victim may file what is known as a wrongful death claim. An experienced Utah personal injury attorney can help you through this difficult time. In Utah a wrongful death case can be brought by the legal heirs of the person whom died as a result of the Utah accident. Only one single claim can be made on behalf of all heirs, but each of the heirs are entitled to a settlement. It is extremely beneficial to contact a Salt Lake City personal injury attorney specializing in fatal accident claims to ensure that the case is fully settled, so that legal heirs will not appear later to collect against the settlement. If you have lost a loved one in an accident, it is important to educate yourself before making any legal decisions. Visit www.UtahAccidentBook.com and get your free copy of attorney Ken Christensen's Utah Accident Book "7 Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Utah Accident Case." It's free!

In the space of 6 months, Hailey was a victim of two different Utah car accidents. The first occurred when she was rear ended by a motorist who was texting. The second automobile accident was much worse. Hailey was t-boned by a teenager who was speeding across traffic lanes. The force of the impact caused Hailey’s Toyota Camry to roll 4 times. Hailey’s four week old infant was in the back seat. To make matters worse, Hailey’s husband was stationed in Iraq. Due to the nature of his deployment, Hailey was not guaranteed frequent contact with her husband. Hailey was on her own to make all the decisions surrounding her infant and her medical treatment and personal injury claims.

Hailey’s first impression of the insurance company was bad. Hailey’s baby girl was still in intensive care when Hailey was being pressured to purchase a new car within two to three days. She wasn’t clear about her policy coverage and she didn’t feel that she was getting straight answers from her insurance adjuster. Hailey needed help and fast. Hailey remembers feeling fearful that being a young mother and without her husband, personal injury lawyers and insurance adjusters may try to take advantage of her. She states, “I had been hit twice by negligent drivers in less than a year. The first law firm I worked with dropped my case because they were afraid it was going to be too difficult to handle both claims. During one of the most stressful times in my life, Kenny Christensen took both my cases and got excellent settlements for me. During the entire process, Mr. Christensen kept me updated and informed about my case. He made himself available to answer my questions and explain my legal options. I was treated like a person. I know that I made the right choice. I highly recommend The Christensen Law Firm.”

Hiring an Experienced Utah Personal Injury Attorney

Despite our attempts to be safe drivers, accidents still happen. Attorney Ken Christensen remembers Hailey’s plight very well. He states, “Hailey was wise to realized that it was not right for her be pressured by her former attorney to settle her first case prematurely.” Mr. Christensen is passionate about fighting for people who might be considered underdogs. If Hailey had listened to her former counsel and complied with their legal advice to drop the case; Hailey would have been in a far worse position. For one, she would be responsible for the additional medical bills she incurred as her personal injury protection benefits were exhausted quickly. The Christensen Law Firm, PLLC, was able to settle both of Hailey’s personal injury claims, made sure all her bills were paid and ensured that her property damage portion of her claim was resolved in a just manner. Attorney Christensen offers the following advice:

• Don’t rush to settle your Utah Personal Injury Claim
• Make sure you are comfortable with your Personal Injury Attorney

If you are at all uncomfortable with the process of hiring a Utah personal injury attorney, call today and get your free copy of the Utah Accident Book, 7 Biggest Mistakes that Can Wreck Your Accident Case at 801.506.0800. This handbook, written by Mr. Christensen offers an insightful look on what you should and shouldn't do after you've had an accident in Utah. It reveals what your rights and expectations should be when hiring legal counsel.

A Kearns woman is in critical condition after she lost control of her vehicle on Interstate 15 near St. George early in the morning of January 4, 2010. Witnesses stated that the woman hit the median, overcorrected and drove through all lanes of traffic before rolling her vehicle. Fortunately, no other cars were hit. Utah Highway Patrol Lieutenant Shawn Hinton confirmed that the two passengers in the woman’s car, a seventeen year old and a nine year old, are in good condition. The woman; however, sustained multiple serious injuries and was airlifted to Salt Lake City for emergency medical treatment.

It is unknown why the critically injured woman was driving erratically. Witnesses did not believe drugs or alcohol was involved. My heart goes out to the injured victims and their families. We hope they each make a speedy and full recovery.

Continue reading "Utah Rollover Car Accident Leaves Kearns Women Critically Injured" »

Date: August 22, 2009
Location: 5225 South, Redwood Road
Type: Utah rollover, Utah car accident
KSL News has reported on a serious accident that occurred over the weekend. According to authorities, a van carrying a family of six crashed into another vehicle carrying a family of five Saturday afternoon. The vehicle rolled over, trapping the family inside. Pedestrians near the accident rushed to the scene and pulled three children out of the overturned vehicle. Fire crews had to rescue their mother from the vehicle, and have reported that she lost one or two fingers in the accident. No one else was seriously injured.

Did you know that there are 150 motor vehicle crashes on an average day in Utah? Each day, these accidents involve nearly 400 people, and result in 75 injuries and 1 death. The Utah Highway Patrol, who published these statistics, emphasizes that seat belt use is the single most effective way to reduce fatalities in crashes. In fact, unbuckled motorists are 19 times more likely to die in a crash than those wearing seat belts. Please remember to always buckle up, and to make sure your passengers are properly secured. For more information about seat belt and driver safety statistics, read the article “Utah’s Seatbelt Statistics and Enforcement Effort” in the Christensen Law Firm’s online library.

If you have been involved in a Utah car accident, you know how difficult the recovery can be. The emotional and physical ramifications can be overwhelming. Working through insurance papers and adjustors to receive your proper settlement can worsen the burden. Hiring Utah’s best personal injury lawyer can provide you the legal security you need during this trying time. The Utah accident attorneys at the Christensen Law Firm are experienced in personal injury law, and will diligently work to ensure you receive a proper settlement. Knowing your Utah accident case is in good hands will allow you the peace of mind to focus on your important recovery. For a free consultation on your legal rights, contact us at 801.506.0800.