A story from Fox13 brings us news of a man in West Valley, Utah who is in critical condition after a rather unusual accident.

The crash happened on Sate Road 201 in West Valley City at about 2:00 am Sunday morning.

The motorcyclist was speeding and may have been drunk as he crashed his vehicle into the back of a pickup truck. The collision sent the cyclist flying into the truck bed. The truck driver, unaware of his new passenger, kept moving forward. The man reported hearing a loud thud, but he thought he had hit a pot hole so he kept driving.

An unusual case indeed. Sgt. Donavan Lucas of the Utah Highway Patrol said, “I’ve been doing this for 18 years, and this is the first time someone actually landed in the ace of the truck, and they drove off the freeway to somewhere else. The guy had no idea that he was in the back of the vehicle.”

The driver exited the freeway before discovering the man and calling the police. The motorcyclist was taken to the hospital in critical condition, with two broken arms and unsurprisingly some head injuries. Police reported the man’s breath smelled like alcohol.

If you are operating any vehicle, it is extremely important to be sober. But the statistics on motorcyclists deaths are staggering.  From the Marine&Family Programs website  one year, out of the 2,007 motorcycle operators killed in single-vehicle crass, FORTY-ONE% had blood alcohol levels of .08 or higher.

From all of us at Christensen & Hymas, keep yourself safe when you are out there on a motorcycle. You’re already more exposed and vulnerable on the road, so make sure you are fully aware of your surroundings when driving!

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Image: http://fox13now.com/2013/04/07/man-in-critical-condition-after-bizarre-motorcycle-accident/

In late 2012, 22-year-old motorcyclist, Joseph Thomas, collided with a vehicle as the car was turning left out of a gas station in Clearfield. The police think that perhaps speed may have been a factor, because Thomas had just come down the off ramp from state Route 193. The car he collided with was a sport utility vehicle driven by a 33-year-old woman from Pleasant View. She only incurred minor injuries and was treated at the scene of the accident. Drugs or alcohol may have been involved. Police investigators have not yet reached a conclusion to that effect. The accident is still under investigation.

Our sincerest condolences go out to the family of this man from Christensen and Hymas law firm. Nothing can replace a loss like this, but Christensen & Hymas can help with the legal implications of such accidents. You may be entitled to compensation for medical and funeral bills, as well as pain and suffering. Please call if we can help your family in this way: Christensen & Hymas at (801) 506-0800.

In a tragic accident early Saturday morning, motorcyclist Nathan Champneys died after his motorcycle drifted off the side of the road and crashed. The accident occurred on U.S. 40 east of Park City about 1 AM Saturday. The rider received serious injuries after being unable to correct his bike after drifting off the side of the road; he was flown to the University of Utah Medical Center where he died Sunday. Champneys was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident; under Utah law, riders over 18 are not obligated to wear helmets.

We offer our condolences to Mr. Champneys’ family at this difficult time. Dealing with such situations can be truly overwhelming, especially when a significant of family is left behind.

When accidents occur and physical harm ensures, or in this sad case a death is involved, and it is determined that the accident was caused through the negligence of another, a motorcycle accident lawyer can intervene on behalf of the family of the deceased. His/her trust is to ensure that the family receives, in terms of financial compensation, what is necessary to pay medical bills, funeral costs, and their own pain and suffering caused by the accident. We seek to do our part by taking the legal burdens off the shoulders of grieving family members, allowing them to heal physically, mentally and emotionally. Our attorneys have a record of compassionate service when it comes to helping families during such a fragile time; we promise this same service to you. Call us today if in need of such attorneys: (801) 506-0800.

Christensen & Hymas, a Utah personal injury law firm, is not representing any of the persons mentioned in this incident at the time of writing/posting. The information reported in this article is taken directly from media sources, and any perceived inaccuracies should be attributed to those sources. If you believe that the information is inaccurate and you would like it changed, or if you or a loved one was mentioned in this article and you would like it removed entirely, please contact us and we will accommodate your request.

In a tragic event Friday morning, off-duty police officer Remington Barron was killed on his motorcycle while traveling on I-15. The accident occurred just before 2 AM when a pickup truck working for Provo River Construction crossed an open lane and was struck by the motorcyclist, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety. The officer was air-lifted to a hospital in Provo, where he died from his injuries.

On behalf of Christensen & Hymas, we offer our sincere condolences to the family of Officer Barron. Such an accident is truly tragic and a great loss to the community as a whole.

At such times, a motorcycle accident lawyer is able to aid the family of the deceased in securing compensation to help pay for medical bills, funeral costs and associated pain and suffering costs. Following such events, money should not even be discussed. Oft times, however, insurance companies will show up just a few days after the accident and offer an unjust ‘settlement’ for the insurance claim you didn’t even know you had, leaving huge financial burdens on your shoulders. You need a compassionate personal injury attorney on your side that can act as a buffer between you and the insurance companies. We will handle the legal side, while you take care of you and your own. Call Christensen & Hymas today if you are in such need—(801) 506-0800.

Christensen & Hymas, a Utah personal injury law firm, is not representing any of the persons mentioned in this incident at the time of writing/posting. The information reported in this article is taken directly from media sources, and any perceived inaccuracies should be attributed to those sources. If you believe that the information is inaccurate and you would like it changed, or if you or a loved one was mentioned in this article and you would like it removed entirely, please contact us and we will accommodate your request.

2 police officers on motorcycles were injured today as they were directing traffic and were then hit by a motorist. The officers had positioned themselves in the middle of the intersection at 400 West and 400 South in Salt Lake City due to a fire truck that was approaching the intersection with its sirens on. After having successfully blocked traffic so the fire truck could pass through, a female motorist hit the two officers from the side. Minor injuries ensued, though the accident was deemed entirely unintentional and there was no evidence of distracted driving or other negligence; indeed, the woman could later be seen crying in the back of a police squad car, according to KSL. Potential charges were pending as of today.

Fortunately, the consequences of this event do not seem to be far reaching. Should either of the motorcyclists have been injured in the accident, they would be able to file an insurance claim and, without filing a lawsuit or ‘suing’ the woman, have received the means necessary to pay for these injuries. Oft times, a motorcycle accident lawyer is able to help secure compensation when insurance companies are too obstinate to pay what the victim is rightfully due. If you find yourself in such a predicament with unjust insurance companies, call Christensen & Hymas today at (801) 506-0800.

A motorcyclist died Monday evening in Box Elder County when his motorcycle hit a mattress that was left on the freeway. The accident occurred Monday night at 10:43 pm on I-15, where a mix of darkness, the speed of I-15 and notably a mattress created a catastrophic event in which a life was lost. A helicopter was dispatched to the scene of the accident, but the biker was pronounced dead before the arrival of the chopper. The deceased has been identified by Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) as Royce Munns (46) of Brigham City. Mr. Munns was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

UHP is looking for the person who left the mattress on I-15. They ask anyone who saw someone lose a mattress last night on I-15 to contact them. The person faces charges, at least charges of not securing their goods properly.

We express our condolences to Mr. Munn’s family. Any death is difficult, but especially when life is taken through a means that could have been prevented. We remind all drivers to secure their goods, and take the necessary measures to ensure that if they lose their goods, they are able to clear them from the road.

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, or if a loved one has been involved in an accident such as the one above, contacting a Utah motorcycle accident attorney will help you know how best to proceed. We promise service with compassion and integrity; with the Christensen Law firm, you are never a number, but a person with a story that needs to be told. Let us do the telling—call us at (801) 506-0800.

The Christensen Law Firm, a Utah personal injury law firm, is not representing any of the persons mentioned in this incident at the time of writing/posting. The information reported in this article is taken directly from media sources, and any perceived inaccuracies should be attributed to those sources. If you believe that the information is inaccurate and you would like it changed, or if you or a loved one was mentioned in this article and you would like it removed entirely, please contact us and we will accommodate your request.

According to Deseret News, the University of Arkansas’ football coach, Bobby Petrino, was in a motorcycle accident this past Sunday.  Apparently he was taken to a hospital to be treated for any injuries; the coach’s status is unknown at this time.  Bobby Petrino has been known to be a motorcycle enthusiast who has spoken about frequent rides around near-by Beaver Lake in Arkansas.

Now that spring is here, motorcyclists are populating the roads once again.  The increase of motorcycles consequently leads to an increase in motorcycle accidents.  The best decisions you could make when riding your motorcycle are to adhere to any safety precaution and know who to call for legal support in case you do become injured.  Thus if you should ever become injured from a motorcycle accident, contacting a motorcycle accident attorney is the legal professional who will represent you.

Lesson Learned from Bobby Petrino’s Accident

Sometimes, as we make decisions, we are often influenced by those around us.  Bobby Petrino is a famously well-liked man who is praised and admired for his coaching skills in college and professional football.  Previous to becoming a coach for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, he had coached the Atlanta Falcons and the University of Louisville Cardinals.  Why is Bobby Petrino a good example for all of us?  The answer is because he is fairly famous and has proven he is not immune to becoming injured.  The lesson we can take from this is that we all are subject to injury, no matter who we are.

The Christensen Law Firm is composed of compassionate legal representatives who take great strides to provide for their clients and community.  We have published a library of accident books to inform the public of what should be your next step following an accident.  For a copy of a FREE Utah accident book, contact us at 1-800 LAW BOOK.

A fact that most motorists would not recognize and certainly not care to admit is that 80% of multi-vehicle accidents involving a motorcyclist are not the fault of the rider. Regardless of this fact, motorcyclists are continually stereotyped against, perhaps as many incorrectly associate the choice to ride a bike, and thus put oneself greater in harm’s way, as being responsible for the accident. In truth, because motorcycles are smaller than vehicles and thus are less obvious to a driver’s eye, common occurrences such as changing lanes can become fatal situations, most often for the innocent motorcyclist. In seeking to protect motorcyclists, motorcycle accident lawyers work to encourage bikers to do all they can to protect themselves against the increasingly unwary and distracted driver.

Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Advocate for Constant Vigilance

According to the Hurt Report, which has been called “the most comprehensive motorcycle safety study of the 20th century,” 92% of those involved in motorcycle accidents were either self-taught or taught by friends or family. The statistics show that when you choose to take motorcycle training into your own hands, you are less inclined to know how to react when a driver chooses to put your safety at risk.

Formal motorcycle training serves to help bikers react instinctively in perilous road situations. Although this is not a requirement by law in order to get motorcycle license, the advantages are many. The most important by-product of a formal training course is the know-how that will allow motorcycle drivers, who are certainly more susceptible to greater harm in the event of an accident, to react well and thus ensure their own safety. Besides this, by taking a formal motorcycle training the riding portion of your licensing exam is usually waived by the Driver License Division, insurance companies will usually provide you a better rate, and there are even some motorcycle manufacturers that will help you pay the cost of the course. Regardless, the cost of such of a course is minimal in comparison to the amount of physical and emotional heartache that can ensue following a terrible accident.

The motorcycle accident lawyers at the Christensen Law Firm acknowledge that in the majority of circumstances motorcyclists are not at fault, and thus deserve compensation in the event of an accident in which the negligence of another has caused them harm. We understand the law and how it affects you, and will provide compassionate legal service at your time of need. Call a Utah personal injury attorney at Christensen Law Firm at (801) 506-0800 for a free consultation.