Utah Personal Injury Blog - Automobile Accidents

Guilty Verdict Sends Message to Both Drivers and Cyclists: Calm Down!

Mark Williams — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:24:11 GMT

A retired emergency room physician was found guilty by a Los Angeles jury for injuries he caused to two cyclists when he deliberately stopped short in front of them on a canyon road leading up to his neighborhood. This case has been seen as a test of the rights of road cyclists. While it definitely is a strike back at aggressive motorists who do not believe cyclists have a place on the road, it also sends a message to cyclist to use restraint when responding to insults from angry drivers. In the fight between a motorist and a cyclist, the cyclist will almost always lose. Because of this disparity, if cyclists want to survive a show-down on the road (especially on the many isolated section in the country or mountains), they need to be the one to exercise restraint and remain calm in a volatile confrontation with a driver. Many drivers do not believe a cyclist has any right to be on the road. Others have anger issues- whether running into cyclists or other motorists. Still others have a disdain for bikers based on past observations of cyclists hogging the road, running stop signs, or riding two or three-abreast in areas designated for singe-file. Because of these factors, the cyclist cannot afford to react with anger. If a cyclist is cut off by a car, if the cyclist reacts with a raised finger or fist, profanity, or an angry shout, this is likely to spark further confrontation. It can only end in injury or even worse, death.

Drivers should be warned by the outcome of this trial. Trying to "teach a lesson" to scofflaw bikers may land you in jail. However, this case should also send a message to cyclists that they may end up on the pavement or sticking their head through a broken car window if they try to take on an aggressive driver. The lesson for all is simple: Calm down! Think twice before retaliating for perceived insults. Practice safe driving and practice peace. Turn the cheek... live another day.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mark Williams

Driver Dies After Causing Multiple Accidents on Interstate 15

Bret Hanna — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:37:42 GMT

Sheldon Taylor, 54, of Sandy, died yesterday afternoon after triggering a series of 3 accidents that snarled the afternoon commute on southbound Interstate 15. The first accident occurred at about 5500 South and the second one occurred at about 7800 South. Six vehicles were involved in these accidents as other drivers tried to get out of Taylor's way.

Witnesses said that Taylor had been driving erratically before and during the accident sequences. He was observed speeding up and then slamming on his brakes and darting back and forth across lanes of travel. The final accident occurred at about 8500 South and involved Taylor and one other driver. Taylor's small SUV struck a white car and both veered into a concrete barrier. Taylor's vehicle then went back into traffic lanes where it rolled onto its top, killing Taylor who was not wearing a seat belt. No one else was seriously hurt in the accidents which occurred over a 5 minute period. Investigators are looking into whether a medical condition caused Taylor's erratic driving.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

The First 8 Things to do After an Auto Accident

Bret Hanna — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:17:20 GMT

Auto accidents are a fact of life and knowing what to do when you are involved in one is critical. Of course, doing anything at all assumes that you are physically and mentally able to do so. If you are not, you will have to rely on emergency personnel and family or friends to step in and act on your behalf - perhaps sharing the information in this post with those close to you will help prepare them in the tragic event that they will need to act to protect your interests.

If you are in an accident and are able to act, do the following in order if you can:

Call 911 and make sure that first responders are contacted and that everyone involved is receiving appropriate medical care.
Do what you can to make sure that involved vehicles are not posing a hazard to those involved in the accident or others.
Work with police or other investigators to make sure they have all critical information concerning the accident and that it is accurate.
Make sure that you have accurate contact and insurance information for all involved in the accident.
Contact your insurance agent immediately and pass along all relevant information to initiate the claims process.
Do NOT communicate with representatives of anyone else involved in the accident without first speaking with your insurance agent or those authorized by your insurance company to assist you.
Follow through on all medical care prescribed until your care plan has been completed.
Consult with a qualified attorney if you have significant physical or economic injuries as a result of the accident to make sure you protect your rights.

As the saying goes, accidents happen. Just make sure you are prepared if you are involved in one.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Halloween Night Hit-and-Run puts 3-Year-Old in Hospital

Bret Hanna — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:25:41 GMT

A 3-year-old boy from Provo was hit by a dark vehicle, a pickup truck or SUV, as he was getting ready to trick-or-treat. The accident happened in the parking lot of a condominium complex in Orem at about 7:20 p.m. Saturday night, just as he was exiting a vehicle driven by his parents.

The vehicle struck the boy and the driver stopped about a half a block away and appeared to be assessing the situation; then he took off. The little boy suffered critical injuries including a broken leg and facial fractures. He was transported to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center and was the flown to Primary Children's Medical Center where he has been listed in serious condition.

Why would a driver do such thing? Was he drunk or high? Was he driving distracted - talking on a cell phone or texting perhaps? With luck, the little boy will fully recover and there will be an explanation for what happened and why. Police are looking for the driver - if you have any information, please contact them immediately.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Suspect in Fatal Hit and Run Accident Arrested

Bret Hanna — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:47:18 GMT

Brayden F. Beddoes, 20, was killed Sunday while he worked in a construction zone on the I-215 belt route in West Valley City. Beddoes was employed by A-Core Construction and was in a barricaded work area at the time he was hit. The driver of a pick-up was headed southbound when he went behind the barrel barrier and struck Beddoes.

Beddoes and a co-worker were sweeping the roadway after crews cut recently poured concrete. He was wearing a reflective vest and was in a zone of two lanes that were closed to public travel when he was hit. After the truck struck Beddoes, it hit a concrete barrier and then traveled another 200 yards before coming to a stop. Another worker started to approach the truck but the driver fled the scene.

A witness observed the accident and reported a description of the truck and the license plate to the Utah Highway Patrol who is investigating the accident. The witness followed the truck onto an off-ramp and then back onto the freeway to get the information. Investigators used the information to track down and question 49-year-old Michael Brinkman in Roosevelt on Monday where he has been working. When asked, Brinkman admitted that he was in Salt Lake County at the time of the accident, in a construction zone, and that he had hit something with his truck while there.

There is a lesson here - drive safely but in the event of an accident, stay and deal with the situation. It is only fair to your fellow travelers.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Increased Speed Limits have not Decreased Safety

Bret Hanna — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:03:37 GMT

Toward the end of last year, the speed limit on two stretches of Interstate 15 in southern Utah was raised from 75 m.p.h. to 80 m.p.h. The stretches total about 18 miles and run between Kanosh and Filmore, and Scipio and Mills. According to the Utah Department of Transportation, the increase resulted in drivers going an average of 2 to 3 m.p.h. faster and fewer speeding violations, but no increase in accidents to date.

These statistics are good news to be sure. The lack of an in cease accidents, however, does not mean that drivers should not be constantly vigilant while driving at the higher speeds. Of course, texting while driving is illegal in Utah so drivers should never be distracted in that way. Also, guard against other forms of distracted driving and pay close attention to the onset of drowsiness which is the cause of way too many accidents. Finally, regardless of the speed limit, always drive at speeds that are safe for the conditions. The law requires it and so does common sense.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Car Hits Runner In Crosswalk During Early Morning

Mark Williams — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:17:42 GMT

The Salt Lake Tribune reported another tragic death of a runner hit by a car. Renee Fleckenstein, a 62-year-old Sandy woman, was struck while in the crosswalk by a female driver who said the she was "turning and didn't see the runner" as the runner apparently ran across the crosswalk. It is difficult to tell what happened since only the deceased runner and the driver were present at the time of the collision. It is unclear who had the green light. However, this kind of accident happens all too often. Ms. Fleckenstein was the 19th pedestrian killed this year in Utah. There were 45 total pedestrians killed in Utah last year.

The article in the Tribune contains admonitions of the police that runners/bikers should always have forms of I.D. when they run, which will allow responders to identify injured athletes on the road. Also, an iPod was found on the runner. Certainly, the use of an iPod does not excuse the inattentiveness of any driver who ignores a person in the crosswalk, whether running against or with the light. However, as I've pointed to before in other blogs, runners and bikers sharing the road with motor traffic have to take every precaution to avoid losing the battle for space on the roads. All your senses should be attuned to the surrounding environment to avoid the distracted, inattentive, or even hostile driving public.

Even though an I.D. probably wouldn't have changed the outcome of this horrible accident, it is still a good idea to carry important identifying information with you as you go out on the byways for a workout. One of many such permanent and handy forms of I.D. is Road I.D. bracelet. I've been wearing mine for the last couple of years. There are many stories where the personal contact/emergency information has assisted responders in properly treating injured and unconscious athletes found on the road, many times, far from home.

Drivers need to take greater care to observe the road to avoid these tragic accidents. Runners, bikers, and walkers also need to take precautions to protect themselves. With the increasing number of health-conscious people hitting the roads, particularly in the morning, we all- runners, bikers, walkers, and drivers- need to observe a much higher level of vigilance. 19 pedestrians killed is too many. One person killed is too many. Watch out for each other!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mark Williams

Tragic Death of Boy on Bike in Crosswalk

Mark Williams — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:45:20 GMT

During the evening of September 22, 2009, a 12-year-old boy rode his bike into a crosswalk in Centerville, Utah and was struck by a car whose driver apparently did not see the boy in time to avoid the collision. The boy who had been hospitalized since the tragic accident died yesterday as a result of the injuries incurred from the accident, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. The Tribune reported that the accident "occurred on a dark street, and [the boy] was wearing dark clothes and had no lights displayed on his bike when he entered a crosswalk and rode into the path of the car."

Our hearts break every time we read about such sad events. As parents, we can only imagine the grief felt by the parents who have lost their son. We also feel the horror and grief that the driver must be feeling, who was said to have been obeying the law and driving within the posted speed limit at the time of the accident. None of us would ever want to be in the shoes of either the parents or the driver.

Even in this tragic accident, we can use this story to again emphasize bike safety for our children, regardless of their age. I read some of the readers' comments following this article in the Tribune, and realized that some people still think it is illegal to ride a bike in a crosswalk. That is not always true. It depends on the circumstances and the local ordinances or traffic control signals/devices in the area. Utah Code Annotated §41-6a-1106 establishes the rules regarding bicycles on crosswalks/sidewalks, etc.:

A person may not operate a bicycle or a vehicle or device propelled by human power on a sidewalk, path, or trail, or across a roadway in a crosswalk, where prohibited by a traffic-control device or ordinance.

According to this preceding section, riding a bicycle on a path, sidewalk, or even in a crosswalk across the highway is allowed, except where specifically prohibited by ordinance or a specific traffic-control device. In all other other cases, it is allowable. However, that right to use sidewalks or crosswalks is not unfettered. Subsection (4) of that same section clarifies that:

(4) A person operating a bicycle or a vehicle or device propelled by human power on a sidewalk, path, or trail, or across a driveway, or across a roadway on a crosswalk may not operate at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the existing conditions, giving regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.

In the case of the 12-year-old boy, it appears that the accident might have been avoided by stopping before entering the crosswalk, particularly where it was not illuminated by street lights, in order to determine if he could safely cross. Always stress to your children that they should not ride after dark, unless they comply with the legal requirements of a white front light, a rear red light, and reflectors that can be seen from the side. These safeguards may not insulate your children from accidents, but the greatly increase the level of safety, if they must be on the streets after dark. In all instances, during daylight or at night, care must be taken to avoid rushing out into traffic, even while in a crosswalk. Teach your kids never to cross in front of traffic, until and unless it has stopped for them, or even better, until the road is clear of traffic.

By following these few simple rules, let's hope such tragedies can be avoided.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mark Williams

U-turns Can be Made Safely

Bret Hanna — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:33:42 GMT

U-turns are illegal in many places, but not in Utah unless the narrow exceptions apply:

41-6a-802. Turning around -- Where prohibited -- Visibility.
The operator of a vehicle may not make a U-turn or turn the vehicle to proceed in the opposite direction:
(1) unless the movement can be made safely and without interfering with other traffic; or
(2) on any curve, or upon the approach to, or near the crest of a grade, if the vehicle is not visible at a distance of 500 feet by the operator of any other vehicle approaching from either direction.

Unfortunately, a man was flown to a local hospital in serious condition on Sunday after he attempted to make a U-turn that he could not make safely. The 49-year-old driver of a Geo Metro was driving north on U.S. 89 near the intersection with Utah State Route 126 when he made a U-turn attempting to head south. He turned in front of a Hyundai Sonata which struck him on the driver's side. The passenger in the Metro and the driver of the Sonata were transported with minor injuries.

While the accident that occurred on Sunday is unfortunate for all involved, the fact that accidents occur during U-turn maneuvers does not mean that such turns are inherently unsafe. First, make sure that U-turns are legal where you want to make a turn. If they are, take a moment to think and look before acting. If the coast is clear to make the turn without putting anyone in harm's way, complete the turn. Haste is the cause of most U-turn related accidents so remove from the equation and be on your way.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Tragic Accident Raises Question

Bret Hanna — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:36:27 GMT

A 13-year-old Nevada boy was killed Wednesday night in a tragic rollover accident in southern Utah. Brandon Christopher Arduino-Boggs of Sandy Valley, Nevada, was killed after the car driven by his father left Interstate 15 near Leeds and rolled several times.

Arduino-Boggs was not wearing a seat belt and he was partially ejected from vehicle which caused the injuries that killed him. His father was belted and he only sustained minor injuries in the crash. And there is the question - how could a parent belt themselves and not make sure that their child was also belted before putting the vehicle in drive?

It is not as if seat belts are a novel concept. Nevada law requires seat belt use. So does Utah law. So does common sense. Perhaps there is a good explanation in this case but I certainly can't imagine what it might be.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna