Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC - 136 E. South Temple, Suite 1650, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Teen Dies in Car Surfing Accident

December 23, 2014 By

An accident on Friday resulted in the death of a 14 year old girl.

According to Police in Twin Falls the accident happened around 7.45 p.m. on Friday in the 100 block of 7th Avenue North. When police were called to the scene they found the girl in the middle of the road and witness say she was riding on the trunk of a car, taking part in what is known as “car surfing’ when she fell off and hit the pavement.

The victim was taken to St. Luke’s in Twin Falls and from there she was later air lifted to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah where she succumbed to her injuries and died.

The police have not yet released her name as the investigation is ongoing. They have said that the driver of the car was a 17 year old female whose name has also not been released and at this time no charges have yet been filed.

If you have been injured as a result of an auto accident, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at  (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Filed Under: West Valley City Accident

Speed Increases in Utah

December 19, 2014 By

This week the legislative session approved House Bill 80 allowing the Utah Department of Transportation to implement a speed increase on some Utah Freeways.

The speed limit is increasing from 65 mph to 70 mph and crews have already started changing the speed limit signs along Interstate 80.

According to the Utah Department of Transportation, who carried out a study, 85% of drivers are already going at 70 mph so they do not think that the actual speed people are driving will change.

The new speeds will include sections of I-80, I-215, and I-15 from Spanish Fork to Ogden. However Utah Highway Patrol is concerned that accidents will become more severe as going too fast is a major contributor to crashes. In addition they are asking people to use common sense as to the weather conditions as just because the speed limit is 70 it doesn’t mean people should drive at that speed.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident involving negligence, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at  (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Filed Under: West Valley City Driver Safety

Three Year Old in Critical Condition

December 10, 2014 By

Following a car accident, a 3 year old boy is in critical condition.

According to Weber County Sheriff’s Office, the accident happened in west Weber County on Sunday night around 7 p.m. at the intersection of 4700 West and 900 South.

The boy’s mother who is aged 20 and from Plain City, was driving south in a Dodge Durango and she tried to turn left, but she drove directly in front of a northbound Dodge Ram 2500 that was traveling on 4700 West. The truck driver, a 38 year old man from Warren, could not avoid the Durango and smashed into it.

The Dodge Ram hit the passenger side directly and inside on the back seat, it is thought in a car seat, was the young boy. He was transported by medical helicopter in critical condition to Primary Children’s Hospital with injuries to his face and head.

Neither of the drivers was seriously injured.

The Sheriff’s Office said that the accident is under investigation and that drugs or alcohol are not believed to be a factor. The do believe however, that the boy’s mother failed to yield the right of way when turning in front of the truck.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident involving negligence, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at  (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Filed Under: West Valley City Accident

Man under Influence of Drugs or Alcohol Seriously Injures Cyclist

December 3, 2014 By

On Thursday a man had to go to hospital having been hit off his bicycle.

According to Salt Lake City police, the incident took place just after 10.30 a.m. when a car and a cyclist were traveling west on 800 South near State Street. The car, which was being driven by 34 year old Russell Hobbs, then drifted into the bike lane, hitting the bicyclist and knocking him off his bicycle.

Police went on to say that Hobbs remained at the scene and the bicyclist was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries although they are not thought to be life threatening. His name was not released.

However, Hobbs was thought to be driving under the influence and was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving on an alcohol-related revoked, suspended or denied license, possession of a controlled substance, and improper lane movement.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident involving negligence, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Filed Under: West Valley City Accident

Brain Damaged Boy Collects Millions in Accident Compensation

November 18, 2014 By

An 11 year old boy collected $16.4 million in accident compensation for the loss of his family and to pay for his care.

The accident happened when a truck driver lost control of his rig, owned by Dick Simon Trucking, when he was driving along Route 6 in Price Canyon. He went too fast down a curve and collided head on with a car. The car was being driven by Patricia and the passengers were Angelo who was six and Anthony Rynes  who was eight at the time. Patricia and Angelo both died, and although Anthony survived, his skull was severely fractured, as was his arm, leg and spine. He had a severe brain injury as his frontal and temporal lobes were badly damaged, permanently crippling his executive functioning, intelligence and behavior control.

After a four week trial, the Salt Lake County jury awarded $16.4 million to Rynes who is now living in a care facility.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident involving negligence, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at  (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Filed Under: West Valley City Accident

New App for Texting While Driving

November 11, 2014 By

Everyone knows that texting while driving is dangerous, and a new survey just released by AT&T in conjunction with a professor at the University Of Connecticut, School Of Medicine, explains the reasons why people still text even though they know they should not.

The survey revealed that almost a third of drivers continued to text while driving simply out of habit, nearly half as they wanted to keep in touch with friends, work or family and just below a third as they did not want to miss anything important.

As far as their feelings are concerned, nearly two out of 10 drivers admitted to feeling anxious if they did not reply immediately. What is concerning is that over 25 percent think that texting has no affect on their driving ability.

The survey was launched to coincide with the wider availability of the AT&T mobile phone app which turns off the incoming text noise when the driver is travelling at more than 15 miles an hour and instead sends a message to the sender that the recipient is busy.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident involving a driver who was texting while driving, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at  (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Filed Under: distracted driving

Man who Caused Triple Fatality Sentenced to 60 Days in Jail

November 4, 2014 By

On Thursday a Texas man who caused a fatal car accident last year in southeastern Utah in which three people died, pleaded guilty on Thursday to three counts of class A misdemeanor negligent homicide and was ordered to serve 60 days in jail and 12 months probation.

David Lewis, 29, of Saginaw, Texas, was originally charged with three counts of second-degree felony manslaughter in connection with the August 2013 crash.

The accident happened on August 16, 2013 on State Road 191 about 30 miles south of Moab when Lewis tried to pass a semitrailer and collided with an oncoming vehicle.  Juan Vidales, 54, who was in the front passenger seat of Lewis’ car, was killed on impact and Stephanie Vidales, 28, in the rear seat was ejected and also died. Both were from Saginaw, Texas. In the other vehicle 69 year old Arthur Loewen, of Perry, Georgia, who was the front passenger in the other vehicle, was also killed on impact.

The Judge, during the sentencing hearing, was told that the family of the two victims riding in Lewis’ car did not want to pursue felony charges, and the family of the third victim could not been reached.

Neither alcohol nor drugs were a factor in the accident.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident involving negligence, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at  (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Filed Under: West Valley City Accident

Seat Belt Facts

October 27, 2014 By

Seat belts are required in all automobiles manufactured in the United States and in the vast majority of countries around the world. The reason is because they have been proven to save lives and reduce the risk of serious injury in car crashes. The following are some facts about seat belts that may compel those who don’t normally wear them to change their ways.

  • Of the non-driving car occupants killed in car crashes in the United States in 2009, more than 20 percent were not wearing their seat belt.
  • More than 70 percent of all of the car crashes in which someone was killed or suffered a serious injury as a result, the posted speed limit on the road in question was between only 30 and 40 miles per hour.
  • Car crashes that occur even at speeds as low as 30 miles an hour can cause serious injuries and even death if passengers are no wearing seat belts.
  • At a speed of 30 miles per hour, passengers not wearing a seat belt would be thrown forward with a force equaling more than 25 times each one’s individual body weight.
  • Failure to wear a seat belt can result in significant fines.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident involving negligence, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Filed Under: West Valley City Accident, West Valley City Driver Safety

Safety Tips for Senior Citizens Behind the Wheel

October 13, 2014 By

The older we all get the more our skills and abilities diminish. This is particularly true when it comes to driving. There are a number of health concerns that are common among older people in the United States and around the world and some of these concerns can have an adverse effect on one’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Identifying these issues is the first step in working toward compensating for them. Some of the biggest concerns among senior drivers include the following:

  • Poor hearing and vision – Seeing and hearing the sights and sounds around us as we drive is obviously critical to staying safe on the road. These senses deteriorate gradually with age which makes it increasingly more difficult to see and hear critical driving cues such as traffic lights, posted signs, and emergency or law enforcement vehicle sirens.
  • Diminished reflexes and motor skills – Reaction time slows significantly with age as does our ability to performs certain movements like steering and shifting gears due to muscle stiffness and joint pain. These are factors that can make driving dangerous for seniors and others on the road with them.
  • Issues with prescription drugs – Most senior citizens in America are on at least one prescription medication and often those medications can adversely affect driving ability. Seniors and their loved ones should talk to their doctors about what medications they are taking and how they may affect their ability to drive safely.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident involving negligence, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Filed Under: West Valley City Accident, West Valley City Driver Safety

Crossing the Street Safely: Lessons for Kids

October 2, 2014 By

Crossing the street is something that adults take for granted but it is a skill that needs to be taught to children and at a reasonably young age. Crossing the street can make children a bit apprehensive and it is the responsibility of a parent or guardian to show kids that it is something that must be done with care and caution but that does not need to be feared. Properly and effectively teaching kids how to cross the street is not difficult but it does need to be demonstrated as much as explained. One of the best ways to do that is to take children out and impart these four steps to them.

Stop – Always stop on the curb or the grass and never on the street itself.

Look – Look both ways and make sure that all lanes of traffic are visible from where you’re standing.

Listen – Carefully listen for vehicles that may not be in the immediate line of sight.

Think – Before stepping out to cross the street, ask yourself “is it safe to cross now?”

These are steps that are simple to teach through demonstration and explanation and that kids can learn quickly and easily. Parents should always hold a child’s hand when teaching them to cross the street if they are under the age of ten. Following these steps will make for a lifetime of safe street crossing.

Filed Under: West Valley City Safety
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