Auto Accidents Caused by Snow
Winters in Utah can be beautiful, especially for those who love skiing and other outdoor activities involving snow. However, for drivers, Utah winters can be nightmarish. Snowstorms and snow on the roads can dramatically increase the risk of serious and catastrophic auto accidents. Cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, motorcycles, and large commercial vehicles are all at the mercy of nature under such conditions, and nature is not always all that merciful. Many victims of auto accidents wonder whether they have the ability to seek compensation for their losses and expenses if poor weather conditions such as snow contributed to their accident. The answer is, “it depends.” When it comes to evaluating cases involving auto accidents and snow, the Salt Lake City, UT personal injury attorneys of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton consider each individual case according to its own merits. Just as you would consult a doctor rather than diagnosing your own illness, you should always consult an experienced lawyer rather than trying to evaluate your own case. If you have been injured in an auto accident caused by snow, we encourage you to contact our personal injury law firm for an evaluation of your case today. Our attorneys would be pleased to advise you of your legal rights and options. Liability in Auto Accident Cases Involving Snow It is important to note that the contents of this blog post are not intended as legal advice. We cannot provide advice on your particular case without knowing the exact circumstances surrounding your accident, your injuries, and other particulars. In general, however, weather is rarely the sole cause of a multi-vehicle auto accident. Snow might – and often does – contribute to such accidents, but it is rarely the exclusive cause. Usually, when two or more vehicles collide, fault can be attributed at least to some degree to the driver of one of the vehicles, even if other factors such as snow came into play. As drivers, each of us owes the drivers and occupants of other vehicles on the road a duty of care. This duty of care is a somewhat fluid thing; it is generally defined by the rules of the road, but common sense, reason, and the unique circumstances of a given situation also help to define that duty. For example, the speed limit on a certain road helps to establish part of a driver’s duty of care to others on that road. However, when there is snow on the road, or when snowfall limits the visibility of drivers on that road, it may be unsafe to drive at the posted speed limit. In that circumstance, the duty of care is no longer defined by the speed limit but by the speed a reasonable person would safely operate his or her vehicle under the same exact conditions. If a driver failed to meet that reasonable standard and caused an accident, he or she could be held liable for any injuries or deaths that resulted, even if he or she observed the posted speed limit. Therefore, you may be entitled to compensation in your case, even if the driver responsible for your accident was observing the “normal” rules of the road. Arrange for an Evaluation of Your Auto Accident Case To arrange for an evaluation of your auto accident case, please contact our personal injury law firm today.
Auto Accidents Caused by Improper Turns
Auto accidents can occur due to any number of causes. However, when they are caused by someone’s negligent actions, the result is almost always the same: innocent people are needlessly injured or tragically killed. At the law firm of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton, our experienced personal injury attorneys provide exceptional legal representation to the injured victims of negligence and their families, helping them to obtain the compensation they deserve to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other losses and expenses related to their accidents. One of the most common causes of auto accidents is improper turns made by other drivers. These turns may be the result of reckless driving, ignorance of the law, drunk or otherwise impaired driving, or simple poor judgment, but it ultimately doesn’t matter. What matters is that the victims of such auto accidents are properly compensated for their injuries. Through their experience in handling cases involving auto accidents and improper turns in the Salt Lake City, UT region, our personal injury attorneys are able to present the strongest cases possible on behalf of auto accident victims. If you or a member of your family has been injured in an auto accident caused by a driver who made an improper turn, or if you have tragically lost a family member in such an accident, please contact Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton today for an evaluation of your case. What Is an “Improper Turn”? An improper turn refers to any turn that violates the rules of the road, thereby putting other motorists at risk of harm. It can also refer to a turn that, while it technically does not violate the rules of the road, was not safe to execute at the time it was made. For example, while it may be legal to make a left turn at a given intersection when the traffic light is green and the driver yields to oncoming traffic, it would be an improper turn if the oncoming traffic was too heavy to allow the safe execution of such a turn. Common Examples of Improper Turns Improper turns can take several possible forms. The most common examples of improper turns include: Right turns at red lights when there are signs clearly stating, “No Turn on Red” Turning the wrong way onto a one-way street Executing a turn into oncoming traffic without properly yielding Left turns at red lights Executing turns without first signaling that turn, whether by hand or through the use of electronic turn signals Making an illegal U-turn Making a turn from the incorrect lane Not fully stopping at a stop sign before executing a turn Not properly yielding at a yield sign before executing a turn Turning without the right of way Otherwise turning in a manner that poses dangers to pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists Arrange for an Evaluation of Your Auto Accident Case To arrange for an evaluation of your auto accident case, please contact our personal injury law firm today.
Top Five Tips for Avoiding Auto Accidents on Icy Roads
Anyone who has lived through a typical Utah winter knows how dangerous the roads can be during the coldest months of the year. Driving can be a nightmare, and the risk of catastrophic auto accidents is extremely high. At the law firm of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton, we handle cases involving the full range of auto accident types, including those resulting from hazardous weather conditions. We know firsthand how devastating auto accidents involving icy roads in the Salt Lake City, UT region can be. With this in mind, our personal injury attorneys have created a list of tips to help motorists minimize the risk of auto accidents caused by icy roads. Of course, if you have been injured in such an accident, or if a member of your family has been injured or killed in such an accident, we encourage you to contact our law firm for an evaluation of your case. We would be pleased to advise you of your legal rights and options. By following these five tips when driving on icy roads, you can help to minimize your risk of an auto accident: Do not use cruise control: While cruise control is often convenient, it forces you to yield control of your vehicle. This could be hazardous if, for example, you have to slam on your brakes to avoid a patch of ice when your vehicle is accelerating to maintain a set speed up a hill. Make sure your tires have the proper air pressure: The air pressure in your tires will be lower in colder weather. Check your tires regularly and make sure that the air pressure is correct. Your vehicle will handle better, which is important on icy roads. Watch out for “black ice”: Be on the lookout for spots on the road that appear slick or shiny, or that appear puddle-like even in frozen conditions. This could be “black ice,” nearly transparent ice that is difficult to discern and extremely dangerous. Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and other vehicles: It’s never a good idea to tailgate, of course, but it’s an especially bad idea on icy roads, where you’ll need extra time and space to brake. If someone is tailgating you, don’t speed up or engage in unsafe, aggressive driving practices. Simply wait until it is safe to pull over and let the tailgater pass. Be particularly attentive when you drive on bridges and ramps: Bridges and ramps are generally the first roads to develop ice, so be particularly attentive when you drive on these roads. Whatever you do, be sure not to engage in any distractions while driving on snow. Keep your attention focused on the road at all times. Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm Today We hope that you find these tips for driving on icy roads helpful. If you require an evaluation of an auto accident case, please don’t hesitate to contact our law firm today.
Street Racing: Dangerous for Drivers and Bystanders
Street racing has been going on since the invention of the first automobile. Despite the increasing public awareness, this pastime seems to be more popular than ever. In the same way people play sports or video games, street racing is becoming a hobby of choice. As you might imagine, there is a direct correlation between auto accidents and street racing. These auto accidents result in unnecessary injuries and fatalities. What is most frustrating is that street racers not only put themselves in danger, but they compromise the lives of other innocent drivers on the road. In Salt Lake City, UT, the attorneys at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton can help the victims of street racing accidents obtain the compensation they deserve. Common Injuries Caused by Street Racing Injuries sustained from an auto accident can result in profound emotional trauma for the victim and family. In addition to the psychological devastation, these injuries can result in serious financial burdens. Victims of serious car accidents may require several surgeries or a lifetime of therapies and treatments. Injuries that are common as a result of a collision include: Severe burns Internal bleeding Organ damage Lacerations Broken bones Brain damage Spinal cord injury Street Racing Statistics People of all ages enjoy the adrenaline rush of street racing. However, young men between the ages of 15 and 23 are more likely to participate in this hobby. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that auto accidents are the primary cause of death among drivers 16- to 20-years-old. Common Factors in Street Racing Accidents A car can be a weapon, resulting in fatalities when it is not properly operated. For people who participate in street racing, there are a few common factors that can ultimately lead to collisions, including: Ignoring Inclement Weather: Typically, rain, ice, or snow makes drivers more cautious behind the wheel. Participants of street racing tend to ignore bad weather, which can result in skidding, sliding, or losing complete control of the vehicle. Drunk Driving: Believe it or not, many participants in street racing are under the influence of alcohol. Driving drunk while going normal speeds significantly impairs your judgment and reaction time. When driving at speeds 20, 30, or 40 miles over the speed limit, this impairment reaps even more severe consequences. High Emotions: Driving while angry is not a good idea for anyone. Speed racers can become caught up in adrenaline-fueled moments, and lash out in anger against their opponents. This can impair judgment and result in a devastating accident. Ignoring Red Lights: When driving at extremely high speeds, it becomes more and more difficult to react in enough time to successfully control a motor vehicle. In many cases, speed racers are driving so fast they fail to slow down or stop at red lights or stop signs. Not only can this result in a collision with cross-traffic, it can also increase the risk of the driver slamming into cars in front of them, or swerving into oncoming traffic. Find Out How You Can Receive Compensation for Your Injuries If you or a family member has been involved in a street racing-related accident, you are entitled to compensation. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton can help you receive the justice you deserve. To find out more about compensation from auto accidents, contact us online anytime or call our office at (718) 624-1211.