A motorcycle driver was seen allegedly by witnesses to be travelling at extremely high speed south on Bangerter Highway. The man was also observed to be weaving between cars. At this point, authorities reported that a northbound Dodge Neon attempted a left turn and pulled out in front of the motorcycle near 13400 South.
Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal said that the two drivers crashed in the intersection around 7 p.m.
The report stated that the 25-year-old motorcycle driver was taken to Intermountain Medical Center in critical condition with serious arm injuries. The 30-year-old female driver of the Dodge Neon did not sustain any injury authorities said.
Travel on Bangerter Highway was restricted until about 11 p.m. pending investigation. Police authorities will reconstruct the accident in order to determine who is at fault for this accident. The said accident reconstruction may take several weeks to complete according to authorities.
The report added that possible charges will be screened in the case. Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal stated that they will take into account the speed of the motorcycle driver as well as the woman’s attempt to turn in front of him.
Motorcycle crashes due to excessive speed are becoming common on Utah highways. Utah Department of Public Safety provided the top five reasons motorcyclists crash on Utah highways based on 2007 statistics. These are:
- Speeding too fast (13%)
- Following too closely (8%)
- Swerving or Evasive Action (6%)
- Failure to Keep in Proper lane (5%)
- Running off road (5%)
Utah Department of Public Safety disclosed that fatalities among motorcyclists have increased the past two years (2011 & 2012), while fatalities among motorists have decreased. Vehicles are made with more and more safety features, but on a motorcycle, all the driver has are his riding skills, personal protective gear and mental strategies for protection.
FIX ME RIGHT NOW PLEASEChristensen & Hymas hopes for the fast recovery of the injured motorcyclist and urges everyone to share the road.
If you have concerns about getting compensation for personal injuries sustained due to the negligence or recklessness of another, call us at (801)-506-0800. We have expert personal injury lawyers to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Original article by McKenzie Romero of Deseret News.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.