The Most Scenic Bicycle Ride in Salt Lake Valley

Emigration Canyon is one of the most popular road bicycle rides in the Wasatch Range. With easy access from the Salt Lake City to the foothills, to gentle to moderate difficulty, light traffic and gorgeous scenery it’s understandable Emigration Canyon was voted the favorite ride by the staff of the Christensen Law Firm.

Quick Facts: Utah’s Emigration Canyon Bicycle Ride

Emigration Canyon was the final leg of the Mormon Pioneer’s journey into the Salt Lake Valley in 1857. The expedition was led by Mormon Prophet Brigham Young. Nearby sites include: This is the Place Monument and the Hogle Zoo. Two quaint cafés, Ruth’s Diner and Sun Moon Café are local favorites that shouldn’t be missed!

• Length: 15.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,270 feet
• Skill Level: Moderate
• Type: Road Biking

Spring and summer biking along the canyon is a favorite pastime of many outdoors enthusiasts. It is important to remember that you are riding on the road with several other types of motorists including trucks, cars, motorcycles and more. Accidents do occur—even when we try to take every safety precaution while riding on the road. Therefore, it’s imperative to do your homework by finding the right insurance coverage to protect you and your family.

What You can Do Protect Yourself

Question:

Let’s say you are riding up the canyon and get hit by a car whose driver is either uninsured or the motorist drives off without helping you. Unfortunately, many bicyclists are involved in hit-and-run accidents in the state of Utah. Who will be responsible for paying your medical bill and compensating you for the damages you have incurred including property damage, lost income, future medical expenses or even your long term disability?

Answer:

All bicyclists should ensure that their Uninsured (UM) and Under-insured(UIM) limits are at least as great as their Bodily Injury (BI or liability insurance) limits because UM/UIM protects you from the negligence actions of others while BI protects other from your negligence. These means that if you are involved in a Utah bicycle accident with an uninsured driver or you are involved in a Utah hit-and-run accident, you are legally entitled to file a Utah personal injury claim with your own insurance company. Bottom Line: The auto insurance policy you purchase yourself can protect you and your family when you are involved in a Utah bicycle accident.

Insurance Questions: Ask an Experienced Utah Bicycle Accident Attorney

Kenneth L. Christensen, founder and managing partner of the Christensen Law Firm, is the leading expert on Utah bicycle law. In fact, Mr. Christensen has written the Utah Bicycle Accident Handbook to provide Utah residents with valuable information on the legal rights and obligations of Utah cyclists, motorists and insurance companies in the state of Utah. For a limited time, Utah residents can request a FREE copy of this book at http://utahaccidentbooks.com/.

The Utah bicycle accident attorneys of the Christensen Law Firm have extensive experience in dealing with the liability issues that arise with personal injury claims. To schedule a FREE no obligation consultation to personally discuss the specific nature of your Utah bicycle accident case with one of our skilled lawyers, call us at 801.506.0800.

Professional Athlete In Bicycle Accident

Professional triathlete, Jordan Rapp, was scheduled to compete in the Oceanside 70.3 Triathlon this Easter Holiday weekend; however, the professional triathlete remains sedated, on a ventilator, and  in critical condition from the severe injuries he sustained in an auto-verses-bicycle accident.

What Caused this Horrific Bicycle Accident?

In the afternoon of March 23, 2010, professional triathlete, Jordan Rapp, 29, was involved in a hit-and-run bicycle accident with a pickup truck at the intersection of Old Lewis Road in Los Angeles County, California. The driver of the pickup truck turned left in front of Jordan Rapp and did not stop. In a media update, representatives from Rappstar Racing confirmed that Jordan lost around three liters of blood, sustained numerous broken bones, lacerations and many more injuries. While doctors feel there is no permanent brain damage or spinal injuries; however, it’s too early to confirm the extent of Rapp’s injuries.

Our thoughts and prayers are with this young man and his family. We hope that Jordan Rapp will make a complete and quick recovery so that he may continue competing in the sport he loves. We ask that anyone with information regarding the bicycle accident contact the police department immediately. This wrongdoer should be held accountable for his negligent driving and now criminal behavior.

Utah Hit and Run Accident Statistics

We find it atrocious that any individual could leave this injured young man on the road. Sadly, hit-and-run accidents occur much more frequently than you would imagine. According to the Utah Department of Health, in 2009, there were 297 hit-and-run collisions were reported. As Salt Lake City personal injury attorneys, we have had the opportunity to assist many of these victims of Utah hit-and-run accidents get through this difficult time.

Liability Issues: What Happens if the Driver of the At-fault Vehicle is Not Found?

Who is held responsible if the driver of the at-fault vehicle is not found? This is a major concern since Jordan Rapp’s hospital bills to date are already in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. This amount does not include the costs of his continued treatment, physical therapy and lost income. Hopefully, Mr. Rapp purchased an adequate uninsured motorist (UM) auto insurance policy. In most states, including the State of Utah, bicyclists are covered under their auto insurance policy when they are involved in an auto verses bicycle accident. The cyclist’s health insurance would be secondary source of coverage.

As you can see victims of bicycle accidents face several complexities when dealing with insurance companies. The legal issues that arise in hit-and-run accidents can be even more overwhelming. It is highly advised that if you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident or a Utah hit-and-run accident, that you contact an experienced Utah Personal Injury Attorney to ensure that your legal rights are protected and that you receive a fair settlement. You can contact the Christensen Law Firm at 801.506.0800 to schedule a FREE consultation.

Christensen Law Firm Settles Personal Injury Claim for Policy Limits

After incurring $6,000 in medical bills for the treatment their ten year old son received after being involved in a Utah bicycle verses auto accident, the Larson family was unsure of how to proceed to get compensated from AAA Insurance, the at-fault insurance company. After getting the run around for months, Mr. Larson contacted The Christensen Law Firm for help. Attorney Ken Christensen was able to settle their bicycle accident claim with AAA Insurance Company for the maximum policy limits of $50,000.00.

What Happened in this Utah Bicycle Accident?

On October 16, 2009, 10-year-old Jonathan L. was riding his bicycle around his Riverton neighborhood when he was struck by a pick-up truck. A woman, driving a Toyota Tundra truck, had pulled out from her driveway too quickly and without properly looking to see if anyone was behind her. Jonathan sustained serious injuries including a broken collar bone, a concussion, loss of consciousness at the scene, multiple contusions to the entire left side of his body.  The effects of his closed head injury may be long term and he may need additional physical therapy for his shoulder. Fortunately, Jonathan now has a structured minor’s settlement with funds available for future medical and therapy costs and for his future endeavors after he graduates from high school.

Why Hire an Experienced Utah Bicycle Accident Attorney?

Statistics show that on average, victims of Utah Accidents receive three times more for their personal injury claim when they hire a skilled personal injury attorney than when they go about filing the claim alone. In the Larson case, AAA insurance company was taking advantage of how low Mrs. Larson’s demands were. She was merely asking for reimbursement for her hospital bills and was unaware that her son had a valid Utah personal injury claim. No insurance adjuster was going to inform her of that legal right!

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Utah bicycle accident, you want to ensure that you have the best personal injury attorney on your side.  The attorneys at the Christensen Law Firm have years of successful experience working with insurance companies to get their clients the best possible settlement. Call and schedule a FREE no obligation consultation today at (801) 506-0800.

Utah Summer Bicycling

With spring officially here, it’s time to trade in our skis for our road and mountain bikes. Riding a bike on the open road can be exhilarating and even liberating, but it also carries some danger. Over 80 million people regularly ride bicycles in the United States, whether as a form of transportation or outdoor recreation. In 2007, 67,000 cyclists suffered serious head injuries in bike verses automobile accidents. Over 900 cyclists lose their lives in accidents with motor vehicles every year. In Utah, five bicyclists were killed in 2008 alone.

Due to the inherent risk of road biking, it is important to educate yourself on what do you if you find yourself a victim of a Utah car and bike accident. The Christensen Law Firm, PLLC, has been assisting injured cyclists in the Salt Lake City area for years. We understand how to deal with difficult insurance companies and how to protect the rights of our clients. One of the more frequently asked questions our clients have is how to deal with the property damage portion of a Utah bicycle accident. View the following video to hear what Attorney Kenneth L. Christensen’s advice.

If you are dealing with the aftermath of a Utah bicycle accident, you need skilled legal representation. You can contact us at (801) 506.0800 to schedule a FREE no obligation consultation with one of our experienced Utah personal injury attorneys.