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.

The Gran Fondo Moab

The beautiful red rocks of Moab have long been a major attraction to cyclists around the country.  The Gran Fonda Moab event will kick off National Bike Week here in Utah on May 1^st and 2^nd with a 60 mile ride encompassing 5500 feet of climbing.  The route follows the mountain pass in Manti-La Sals, also known as Loop Road.  It will begin and end in Moab.   For more information on this race, visit www.granfondomoab.com

BCC Build Series – Basic Bike Skills

The Bonneville Cycling Club is hosting several classes throughout the month to help beginner cyclists master their skills.  The class meets for a 7, 10, or 15-mile loop ride, followed by a brief class session.  A new topic is covered each week, teaching beginner cyclists how to ride in traffic, avoid accidents, and proper bicycle maintenance.  Classes meet on May 3^rd, 10^th, 17^th, and 24^th.  For more information, visit www.bccutah.org

UTA Bike Bonanza

The UTA Bike Bonanza is a great event for the entire family to celebrate bicycling.  It runs from 4:00 – 8:00 PM on Friday, May 14^th at the Gallivan Center.  Bring the entire family for free food, fun activities, and demonstrations of the latest bikes. 

Salt Lake City/County Mayor’s Bike to Work Day

Take your bicycle to Liberty Park on Tuesday, May 18 to join County Mayor Peter Corroon and City Mayor Ralph Becker for a leisurely ride under a police escort to the County Government Center and then to Library Square.  The ride begins at 7:30 AM and all participants will be greeted with free bagels for breakfast!

National Bike to Work Day

Although you will have to make your own breakfast for the National Bike to Work Day, it is still a wonderful way to show your solidarity with the cycling community nationwide, save money on gas, and begin your day with healthy exercise.  On May 21^st, strap on your helmet and take your bicycle to work.  You may enjoy it so much that you’ll start biking to work every day!

Bicycle Commuter Master Class

This class is a wonderful asset to Utah residents who commute to work on a regular basis.  Presented by the Salt Lake Bike Collective, the class offers detailed instruction on how to commute in urban settings.  Learn how to properly ride with the flow of traffic, position yourself in the correct part of the lane, and reduce your safety risk.  The class meets on Saturday mornings (May 15^th, 22^nd, and 29^th) from 8:30 – 11:30 AM in Salt Lake City.  Tuition is $15.  To register, visit www.slcbikecollective.com/programs/classes

For more details on upcoming events for National Bike Month, visit the website www.utahbikemonth.org.  Please remember to be safe and wear a helmet every time you ride.  We hope to see you at some of these events!

Many cyclists in Utah are preparing for the month of May, as it is National Bike Month.  Utah’s community has come together to offer cyclists a series of competitive rides, training courses, and other fun events for the month-long celebration.  Here are just a few events to mark on your calendar:

The Gran Fondo Moab

The beautiful red rocks of Moab have long been a major attraction to cyclists around the country.  The Gran Fonda Moab event will kick off National Bike Week here in Utah on May 1^st and 2^nd with a 60 mile ride encompassing 5500 feet of climbing.  The route follows the mountain pass in Manti-La Sals, also known as Loop Road.  It will begin and end in Moab.   For more information on this race, visit www.granfondomoab.com

BCC Build Series – Basic Bike Skills

The Bonneville Cycling Club is hosting several classes throughout the month to help beginner cyclists master their skills.  The class meets for a 7, 10, or 15-mile loop ride, followed by a brief class session.  A new topic is covered each week, teaching beginner cyclists how to ride in traffic, avoid accidents, and proper bicycle maintenance.  Classes meet on May 3^rd, 10^th, 17^th, and 24^th.  For more information, visit www.bccutah.org

UTA Bike Bonanza

The UTA Bike Bonanza is a great event for the entire family to celebrate bicycling.  It runs from 4:00 – 8:00 PM on Friday, May 14^th at the Gallivan Center.  Bring the entire family for free food, fun activities, and demonstrations of the latest bikes. 

Salt Lake City/County Mayor’s Bike to Work Day

Take your bicycle to Liberty Park on Tuesday, May 18 to join County Mayor Peter Corroon and City Mayor Ralph Becker for a leisurely ride under a police escort to the County Government Center and then to Library Square.  The ride begins at 7:30 AM and all participants will be greeted with free bagels for breakfast!

National Bike to Work Day

Although you will have to make your own breakfast for the National Bike to Work Day, it is still a wonderful way to show your solidarity with the cycling community nationwide, save money on gas, and begin your day with healthy exercise.  On May 21^st, strap on your helmet and take your bicycle to work.  You may enjoy it so much that you’ll start biking to work every day!

Bicycle Commuter Master Class

This class is a wonderful asset to Utah residents who commute to work on a regular basis.  Presented by the Salt Lake Bike Collective, the class offers detailed instruction on how to commute in urban settings.  Learn how to properly ride with the flow of traffic, position yourself in the correct part of the lane, and reduce your safety risk.  The class meets on Saturday mornings (May 15^th, 22^nd, and 29^th) from 8:30 – 11:30 AM in Salt Lake City.  Tuition is $15.  To register, visit www.slcbikecollective.com/programs/classes

For more details on upcoming events for National Bike Month, visit the website www.utahbikemonth.org.  Please remember to be safe and wear a helmet every time you ride.  We hope to see you at some of these events!

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.

5 year-old Utah child is injured from a pit bull dog bite.

Tragedy struck a Hurricane family early Monday evening of April 20, 2010. 5-year-old Saleena Wickward was viciously attacked by a neighbor’s pit bull. Katie Weeks remembers her daughter playing outside when she heard Saleena’s screams. Although the Pit Bull was on a chain, the child had gotten close enough that the dog was able to bite her several times on the face. Katie told KSL reporters that the dog owner had to pry the jaws off Saleena’s head.

The Severity of Dog Bite Injuries

Katie faced a mother’s worst nightmare when she saw her daughter’s disfigured face after the dog owner was able to pull the dog off of Saleena’s head. The young girl’s face was completely mutilated and unrecognizable.  Two plastic surgeons at Dixie Regional Medical Center worked for 6 ½ hours to put Saleena’s face back together. Saleena Wickward needed around 900 stitches to close up the exterior cuts and lacerations on her face. The stitches are concentrated from the middle of her lip, to her nose and cheek and around her head to her ear.  A metal plate and screw are stabilized her fractured cheek. It is too early to determine whether Saleena has suffered irreparable nerve damage in this horrific dog attack. There is no doubt that the child will need therapy to deal with the psychological trauma she endured in this Utah dog attack.

My thoughts and prayers are with Saleena Wickward and her family as they go through this difficult time. I pray that Saleena will have a full recovery and that her injuries will not have a lasting effect on her life.

Warning: Dog Bite Statistics You Need to Hear

Contrary to popular belief that dogs only bite unfamiliar people, statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 77% of dog bite victims are members or friends of the dog owner’s family. Each year 800,000 people suffer injuries from dog bites that require medical attention. Children 4 year of age and younger account for 64.9% of dog bite attacks.

The Utah Dog Bite & Accident Handbook

As a father of three young kids, Attorney Ken Christensen understands a parents’ fear for the safety of their children.  Statistics demonstrate that young children are the most susceptible to being attacked by a dog. A child may incite a dog to aggressive behavior with actions that the child thinks is playful. Due to their small size, children are completely helpless to fend off a dog attack. Mr. Christensen has written a Utah accident book for Utah residents that delicately approached how to deal with aftermath of a dog bite and how to prevent a dog attack. Look for other possible Blogs and Websites Marketing for more information.

To get a FREE copy of Attorney Christensen’s The Utah Dog Bite and Accident Handbook visit our website at www.utahaccidentbooks.com or call The Christensen Law Firm directly at 801.506.0800. You will find the information in this book to be empowering and beneficial to you and your family.