Recently in South Salt Lake, a sedan-style car hit a homeless man and his motorized wheelchair. The victim, Raymond Nielson, was 59 years old. He regularly traveled on 700 East, pulling or pushing a small cart containing his belongings. On his regular route, Wednesday, he was on his way to visit a relative when he was hit.
Unified Police detective Ken Hansen said that the wheelchair appeared to be in the center lane of traffic when it was hit, though it is unclear whether Nielson was crossing the street or going with traffic in the roadway.
The driver told police that he believed he’d hit something in the road, at first he did not know what had happened. The car only had damage on the lower front bumper on the driver’s side. But Detective Hansen is investigating why the driver was unaware he had struck a wheelchair.
Nielson’s belongings were all along the roadway, spilt out more than a block from the impact. His cart found further down the road. The wheels from the chair were completely severed.
This tragedy is an example of increasing pedestrian accidents in Utah. While this case is still under investigation, if this turns out to be a case of driver negligence, Nielson’s family, or the family of someone who might have been in a similar accident, may be entitled to some sort of compensation. Such an accident will most definitely have long-term emotional and financial consequences.
Personal injury attorneys at Christensen & Hymas law firm work closely with clients affected by the terrible costs of negligent driving. Insurance companies are infamous for skimping on settlements victims deserve, but a pedestrian accident lawyer knows the full value of your case, and will fight for it.
Please call us at 801-506-0800 to set up a FREE consultation if you or a loved one has suffered through a pedestrian accident by the negligence of another.