Salt Lake car accident lawyers often represent victims of accidents caused by the negligence of others, but finding a liable party may be difficult in the case of a sink hole related fatality. Heavy rains caused a large sink hole to open up on a Utah highway. The road collapsed into a 40 ft wide, 30 ft deep hole that caused Michael Barneck to crash his SUV. The driver’s 15-year old daughter, Justine Barneck, was tragically lost in the crash.

Accidents Represented By Salt Lake Car Accident Lawyers

It is unclear if there is a liable party in the case of this unfortunate disaster. The Utah Department of Transportation may be liable for negligent construction of the highway, but the heavy rain storm may also have been too much for the road even if it was properly constructed. A Salt Lake car accident lawyer would have to investigate the case more thoroughly to determine whether or not there was negligence on the state’s part. Typically, Salt Lake car accident lawyers represent victims of accidents caused by the identifiable negligence of reckless or dangerous drivers. In this particular case, it is difficult to tell what role a Salt Lake car accident lawyer could play in assisting the Barneck family without a more specific knowledge of the facts.

Call A Salt Lake Car Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of another, a Salt Lake car accident lawyer can help you recover the damages you deserve. With the help of a Salt Lake car accident, you can recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and other damages. The Salt Lake car accident lawyers of the Christensen law firm are professional and honest. They will give you their honest evaluation of your case and make all the available legal options clear to you. Call (801) 506-0800 for a free consultation and find out what a Salt Lake car accident lawyer can do for you.

An Italian study published in Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine shows that poor sleep quality increases the risk of motor vehicle accidents in teenagers. Findings show that young drivers were twice as likely to have had a crash if they experienced sleepiness while driving.

Fabio Cirignotta, lead author of the study and professor of neurology at the University of Bologna, said that the only efficient means to fight drowsiness is to find a safe place and nap for at least 10 minutes. Drinking coffee, rolling down the window, and listening to music are all temporary, and essentially, useless, according to Cirignotta.

Teens Deprived of Sleep

According to a self-administered questionnaire submit by the teenagers studied, an average teen needs approximately 9 hours of sleep each night. For various reasons, teens reported only getting about 7 hours of sleep per weekday night. Chronic sleep loss and poor sleep quality also affects the alertness of drivers, as 45% of teens reported waking in the night with difficulty falling back asleep and 40% having difficulties awaking in the morning.

Sleeping and Accident Prevention

Teens who have enough sleep can avoid severe injuries from vehicular crashes. An Australian study called the Sustained Wakefulness and Performance study by Lamond and Dawson documents that sleep loss can be similar or worse than alcohol intoxication.

However research shows serious benefits to proper sleeping habits. During sleep, the brain and many body organs are able to relax and recover. With proper sleep recovery from illnesses is speed up; accidents are prevented, and sleep can defend against potential heart attacks.

Contact a Utah Drowsy Driving Lawyers

Combining driving with sleep deprivation can prove fatal. In the ill-fated event that a drowsy driver injures you in a Utah accident, contact the Utah drowsy driving lawyers at the Christensen Law Firm for a free consultation at 801.506.0800.

Keiara Roberts was riding her bicycle on the shoulder of a road with her cousin, Brittany McCluskie, when the pair were struck by a Ford Expedition on June 26. The driver of the vehicle first hit McCluskie, knocking the girl into a ditch where she sustained minor scrapes and bruises. The vehicle then collided with Keiara Roberts. According to the Utah Highway Patrol report, the young woman struck her head on the SUV and was then run over by the vehicle. It appears that the accident occurred when Tricia Longman, the driver of the Ford Expedition, temporarily blacked out or fell asleep while driving.

Keiara Robert’s Accident: A St. George Wrongful Death Case?

A St. George wrongful death case occurs when someone is killed by the misconduct or negligent actions of another. Accidents like Keiara Robert’s often become St. George wrongful death cases. Though no legal action can bring a loved one back, wrongful death cases do provide the opportunity for a family to obtain closure by settling any questions and doubts regarding a loved one’s death.

With St. George wrongful death cases there are certain legal issues like statutes of limitations that limit the amount of time a family has to bring a lawsuit against a negligent party. If your family has experienced a death like Keiara Roberts, contact a St. George wrongful death attorney as soon as possible to find out what the statutes of limitations are for your particular case.

A St. George Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help You

The St. George wrongful death attorneys of the Christensen Law Firm recognize these cases bring indescribable grief and confusion to surviving family members. Our lawyers will handle your case with the care and tact you deserve. They will do everything within their power to obtain the best outcome for you and your family. If your family has suffered an accident like Keiara Roberts’, call personal injury lawyers at the Christensen Law Firm today at (801) 506-0800 to find out how a St. George wrongful death attorney can help you.

Two weeks after being struck in a hit-and-run accident in Salt Lake City, Elvia Lopez died July 5 from injuries sustained in the accident. Lopez, a 26-year-old mother of two, had been in a coma since the hit-and-run accident occurred on June 22 and was taken off life support late Monday night. She was crossing West Temple at 900 South when struck by the vehicle, described as a mid-sized Japanese make, which promptly left the scene and the driver of which has yet to come forward. Lopez leaves two girls, aged 8 and 10.

The Christensen Law Firm expresses its condolences to the family of Ms. Lopez. ABC4 reports that those who would like to donate to her children may do so at any America First Credit Union Branch under the account name of Elvia Urcino Lopez.

Hit-and-run accidents are of immediate concern to the public at large as careless drivers can strike any one of us since we are all, at one moment or another, pedestrians. Statistics show that 2 out of 3 people involved in crashes are pedestrians. Many are on the streets with their families walking to work or school or simply for pleasure, which makes all of us vulnerable to injuries inflicted by at-fault drivers. It is no surprise that the top two factors that cause a driver’s involvement in a hit-and-run accident are alcohol consumption and distraction, and with things like texting and driving on the rise, pedestrians must be ever vigilant against the careless and neglectful driver.

In light of the tragic passing of Elvia Lopez and other victims of hit-and-run accidents, partners Ken Christensen and Russ Hymas of the Christensen Law Firm have offered up to $1,000 for anyone who witnesses or provides information leading to the arrest and felony conviction of hit-&-run drivers. This can be done by way of anonymous tips provided through the WeTip crime hotline, 800-6-Hit-N-Run (800-644-8678); more information regarding this reward program can be found at www.hitandrunreward.com.

The confusing nature of the legal system often leaves individuals wondering under what circumstances one should hire a Utah bicycle accident lawyer. Sometimes, victims of an accident may be too intimidated by the complexity of the legal world to hire an attorney. Others may try to hire a Utah bicycle accident lawyer when there is no need for legal representation. At the Christensen Law Firm, we believe that knowledge is power, thus the following information should serve to illuminate some of the complexities relating to bicycle accident cases and thus help you in the future.

A Utah Bicycle Accident Lawyer’s Breakdown of Statutes of Limitations

One of the most important issues in any bicycle accident is the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is the window during which a Utah bicycle accident lawyer can bring your case to court. The specific statute of limitations for most cases is 4 years; there are, however, some exceptions. For example, if the liable party is a government office, the statute of limitations is only 1 year. Due to the statute of limitations it is important for you to file your case with a Utah bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible. Failing to do so may jeopardize your potential to receive financial and other compensation for your injuries. Accident cases can go on for months, and even years, so if you have been injured in a bicycle accident, we strongly recommend you talk with one of our Utah bicycle accident lawyers immediately.

Contact a Utah Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for a variety of damages. It is essential to the welfare of your case that you contact a Utah bicycle crash lawyer today to find out what you need to do to ensure the best possible outcome for your case. Call us today at (801) 506-0800 for a free consultation with one of the Christensen Law Firm’s Utah bicycle accident lawyers.

A 13-year-old girl was killed when she and another teen cyclist were hit by an SUV in Santa Clara, Utah June 26th. The teen, identified as Keiara Roberts of Kingman, AZ, and another girl were riding bikes on the shoulder of Santa Clara Drive when an upcoming Ford Expedition hit them. Police indicated to the family that drowsy driving may have been the cause of the accident.

We express our condolences to Keiara’s family at this time.

Though it appears that the motorist was at fault in this unfortunate accident, it is important for cyclists to be informed of the bicycling rules as the summer hits and more cars and bikes will share the road. These rules include making signs, responding at traffic lights, riding with the traffic flow, and, depending on city ordinance, staying off of sidewalks. It is also important for motorists to be aware that 48.1% of bicyclists bike on the road, and that bikers must be regarded as equal partners in the lane.

Since safety is the objective for all involved, it is worthy to note that 91% of bicycle fatalities in 2008 occurred when bicyclists were not wearing helmets. The NHTSA reports that properly fitting helmets can reduce the risk of head injuries by 74-85%. Bicyclists should take every preventive measure possible against injury in cause of an accident or fall.

Dealing with a bicycle accident caused by another party can leave you facing injuries that will influence your personal and professional life. Contact the Christensen Law Firm for a no-obligation consultation at 801.506.0800 if you have been injured in a bike-related collision, or request a free copy of The Utah Bicycle Accident Handbook authored by the Utah bicycle accident lawyers.

A woman lost control of her car and ended up on the lawn of a West Valley City home June 21. Police say the woman was driving too fast on Benview Drive, slammed into two parked cars and came to a stop on the lawn. The woman’s car caught fire but a neighbor was able to extinguish the flames. The incident is under investigation.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of people are involved in traffic crashes in the state of Utah. Speed played a part in almost one-fifth of Utah car accidents that resulted in deaths, with substance intoxication also playing a part in one-third of the accidents. Other causes of car crashes include poor driving skills, driver distractions, and substandard vehicles. It is estimated that the financial cost of these accidents in America is $230 billion, roughly the cost of constructing 45 airports in China or the US Social Security annual surplus for 2010.

This cost is too large for something that could be prevented by simply obeying the law by following speed limits or exercising common sense and choosing not to drive while under the influence of alcohol or other substances. Americans must choose to exercise more caution in operating motor vehicles, as sadly too many lives are lost each year and too much money is spent due to vehicular negligence.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a serious vehicular accident, contact one of our Utah car accident attorneys at the Christensen Law Firm at 801.506.0800. Our Utah car accident lawyers are experienced, competent, and considerate. Contact us today to find out how we can help you.