Utah Motorcycle Crash Kills 1, Injures Another

KSL reported (URL: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50165540-76/passenger-canyon-motorcyclist-provo.html.csp) that a Utah motorcyclist was killed and his passenger received minor injury after they crashed with a Ford Fusion, which propelled them into a guard rail in Provo Canyon, last Friday, August 26, 2010. The incident occurred about 3 p.m. Tuesday on State Road 189. The motorcycle driver, 22-year-old Westley N. Moore from Corinne, was brought by life flight to the University Hospital in Salt Lake City. Because of the severe injuries inflicted by the motorcycle accident, he then died. 19-year-old passenger Paige C. Weber, had broken bones but is expected to recover.

A major research carried out by the University of Southern California (URL: http://www.righttoride.co.uk/virtuallibrary/ridersafety/NearMissStudyandMotorcycles2009.pdf) indicates that around three quarters of motorcycle accidents involved a collision with a four-wheel vehicle is usually with a car or bus. Motorcycle riders are frequently perceived as being out-of-control and risky. Although it may be true that many of them break traffic rules, this view does not address the fault of the other driver.

Motorcycle accidents comprised of 13 percent of all traffic deaths in 2007. This statistic can be attributed to the heavier traffic in urban areas because of larger vehicles; riding a motorcycle without endorsement from the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles; drinking and drug/alcohol consumption; and the motorcycle-friendly weather all through the year.

Motorcycles are naturally prone to accidents resulting from other drivers because of their small size. They effortlessly fit into the blind spot of larger, four-wheel vehicles. That is why riders need to watch out for motorists so as to avoid potential risks created by automobiles. If you or your family member is a victim of a motorcycle accident, contact 801-506-0800 for a free consultation with skilled Utah personal injury lawyers. You can also obtain a free copy of Kenny Christensen's book, 7 Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Utah Accident Case by visiting www.UtahAccidentBooks.com.

Utah Bike Accident In Crosswalk

A young man was struck by a car while riding his bicycle in a crosswalk at 500 North and Main Street around 9 a.m. Thursday morning on April 29, 2010.

It does not appear like the snowy weather conditions played a part in this serious bicycle verses motor vehicle accident. According to Lt. Garret Atkin of the Layton Police Department, the 31-year-old driver of the at-fault vehicle ran a red light and struck the 18 bicyclist, who was following traffic signals at the designated crosswalk. The woman was speeding and narrowly missed hitting a semitrailer before striking the young bicyclist. The cyclist suffered from critical internal injuries in this Utah bicycle accident and was initially transported via ambulance to Davis Hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was life-flighted to McKay-Dee Hospital. His identification and current condition have not been released. Deseret News reports that the police are still investigating the bicycle accident.

Please keep this young man and his family in your thoughts and prayers. We hope that he will make a full and quick recovery from the injuries he sustained in this tragic bike verses car accident.

Aggressive Driving Behavior: Speeding on Yellow

The purpose of the yellow traffic light is to act like a warning signal to motorists to prepare to stop. This short “buffer zone” provides enough time for most motorists to slow down to a complete stop before the light turns red. It does not mean to speed up to catch the light. Numerous accidents are caused each day because one motorist is speeding to pass the intersection on yellow while another vehicle guns it out of the intersection right when the light turns green. These two vehicles represent aggressive driving behavior that is dangerous and unwarranted.

Aggressive Driving Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• 62% of Americans admitted to driving through a yellow light before it turns red
• Aggressive driving causes 6.8 million crashes per year

You Need the Best Bicycle Accident Attorney in Utah

Whether you are a cycling enthusiast, a bicycling commuter or a recreational rider, riding bicycles poses some serious physical risks— especially when riding on Utah roads. Attorney Ken Christensen, founder and managing partner of the Christensen Law Firm, has written another accident book specific for Utah cyclists. “The Utah Bicycle Accident Handbook” provides valuable information on how Utah’s no fault auto laws apply to bicycle accidents and how to best protect your interests.  As a public service, you can order a copy of our FREE Utah Accident Handbook by going to www.utahaccidentbooks.com or by calling our main office at 801.506.0800.

The Christensen Law Firm also offers FREE no obligation consultations to Utah bicycle accident victims.

If you have been injured in a Utah bicycle accident and want to sit down with a skilled Utah bicycle accident and personal injury attorney contact us today at 801.506.0800.

12-Year-Old Girl Hit While Riding Her Bike

The bicycle accident that sent a young girl to the hospital in serious condition occurred near 1620 East Spring lane and 5195 South in Holladay. According to the Salt Lake Tribune news, the 12-year-old turned into the roadway and was struck by an oncoming vehicle in the late afternoon on Saturday, April 17, 2010. The driver of the vehicle has not been cited.

My thoughts and prayers go out to this young girl and her family. I pray that she has a speedy and full recovery.

Liability Issues

While the police have not yet cited the driver of the vehicle that struck this young girl who was riding her bike around the Holladay neighborhood, it is important for the victim and her family to contact a skilled Utah bicycle accident attorney. There are several liability issues and unknowns that need further investigation. Time is of the essence to ensure witnesses are interviewed before they forget important details of this car verses bicycle accident.

• Was the Utah driver was texting?
• Was the Utah driver talking on a cell phone?
• Was the Utah motorist speeding in a residential area?
• How much time lapsed between when the child turned into the road before the vehicle struck her?

There are several mistakes that victims of Utah accidents commonly make. The consequences of these seemingly small mistakes are quite large. In fact, there are some things people do that can make or break your Utah accident case. One mistake is not ensuring that the evidence of the accident is preserved.

In order to avoid making the mistakes that Utah accident victims commonly make that hurt their personal injury claims, you should read The Utah Bicycle Accident Handbook written by Attorney Ken Christensen of the Christensen Law Firm.

Educate Yourself against Making these Commonly Made Mistakes. Bicycle Education is a must!

To order your FREE copy of Mr. Christensen’s The Utah Bicycle Accident Handbook you can contact us directly at 801.506.0800 or click on the following link: FREE Utah accident books.

Utah Bike Accident Case Study

Around 10 p.m. on December 3, 2009, my client Matt, a 23-year-old University of Utah undergraduate student, was riding his bicycle home from working at an Italian Restaurant in Salt Lake City. Matt had taken the necessary bicycle safety precautions of night biking by wearing a blinking head lamp on his helmet and a neon yellow reflector vest and ensuring that reflectors were placed on the spokes of his tires. That tragic evening, the driver of a black LandRover SUV, pulled out from a side street and directly into Matt’s bike path. Matt hit the side of the defendant’s vehicle and was ejected from his bicycle where he lost consciousness. Matt was transported to the University of Utah hospital in serious condition where he was kept overnight for medical treatment of  the injuries he sustained in this bicycle accident.

In addition to road rash and an injured right hand and wrist, Matt sustained traumatic facial injuries. His jaw was broken, his right eye socket was fractured, his nose was broken in 12 places which required surgery. Matt’s medical doctor estimates that the nasal swelling will take 3-6 months to go down. The doctor doesn’t think that Matt will heal completely or breathe normally for a year or more.

What an Experienced Personal Injury can do when MetLife Argues for Comparative Liability

Like most insurance companies, MetLife wanted to pay out as little as possible even though their insured had seriously injured this young man. MetLife argued comparative liability that because the head lamp was never recovered, it did not exist. Also, since there weren’t any street lamps installed at the tmne, their insured was not responsible for hitting a bicyclist that he could not possibly see. Therefore, due to the limited visibility, Matt should be partially responsible for the car verses bike accident. Matt was frustrated with the inability to work with the insurance adjuster and he contacted the Salt Lake Cty personal injury lawyers at The Christensen Law Firm, PLLC, for help. Due to Attorney Ken Christensen’s initial investigation of the bicycle collision, he had witness statements from the emergency personnel and photos that demonstrated that police found Matt’s wallet almost 40 feet away from the scene of the collision. It was very likely that the headlamp was thrown several feet away before being run over by oncoming traffic and lost. MetLife is now held to 100% liability for this Utah bike verses automobile accident.

Utah City Regulations and Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the State to ensure our streets are well lit. Like most government sponsored road improvement projects, community members and advocates need to maintain good relations and constant contact with lawmakers to get work done. Bike paths, increased funding for adequate improvements to Utah streets/roads, bicycle laws, infringements and rights of Utah bicyclists are all topics that will be discussed at this year’s Utah Bike Summit meeting in April.

Community Events: Utah Bike Summit

Registration deadline is approaching for the Utah Bike Summit of 2010. Jeff Miller, executive director of Alliance for Bicycling & Walking, is the key note speaker this year. The workshops, held at the Salt Lake City Main Public Library, will be take place over two days, April 16-17. While the event is free, seating is limited for the panel discussions. Registration deadline for these is April 2, 2010. Click on link for more details.