Facts..

According to the National Safety Administration, there is one new victim every seven minutes in an accident involving a pedestrian. Pedestrian accidents include those injured while biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, running or walking. Victims in automobile accidents have the vehicle to absorb some of the force from a crash but pedestrian victims don’t have that advantage. For this reason, pedestrians involved in accidents often suffer serious, if not catastrophic injures.

A pedestrian accident can leave you feeling angry, helpless, and scared. What happened? Why did the other driver hit you? How can you support your family when you’re struggling to recover from serious injuries?

The Utah accident attorneys at the Kramer Law Group focus on representing clients who have been injured in pedestrian accidents. Whether we work with you to pursue a settlement or build your case in court, we rely on our experience and knowledge of the law and the facts to pursue the compensation you need to recover fully.

even against bus companies, such as Greyhound and the Utah Transit Authority (“UTA”)….

We begin with a thorough investigation of the facts surrounding your crash. Then we reach out to experts in other fields: accident reconstruction specialists, physicians, and similar professionals. With their assistance, we build a strong case for securing the compensation you deserve.

We have helped many victims of Utah pedestrian accidents handle their claim against the at-fault parties insurance, even against bus companies, such as Greyhound and the Utah Transit Authority (“UTA”).

Drivers must be aware of pedestrians and should be held accountable if their negligence causes harm to a pedestrian. Our clients can feel confident that we will recover payment for past and future medical bills, receive compensation for lost wages, past and future, obtain fair compensation for pain and suffering and chance in lifestyle, and hold the guilty party responsible for his or her actions.

You are not alone. The team at Kramer Law Group can help.

Common factors in pedestrian accidents…

The time of day, place, type of collision, and injuries suffered in car accidents can all vary widely. But most Utah car accidents have a few things in common: they cause damage and injuries, they snarl traffic, and they’re typically caused by a driver’s negligence behind the wheel.

Here are some of the most common causes of car wrecks in Utah:

Drunk Driving

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that as many as two in every three U.S. residents will be in an alcohol-related car accident at some point in their lives – even if they have never touched a drink in their lives. Drunk driving remains the No. 1 cause of car accidents in the United States, costing U.S. drivers and passengers $132 billion a year in medical bills, repair costs, and police response to accident scenes. Drunk driving is not only negligent, it is also entirely avoidable – and so are the injuries and deaths it causes.

Distractions

Like drunk driving, distracted driving can be avoided by drivers who are taking proper care behind the wheel. Sending text messages, making phone calls, eating, playing with the radio, or having a conversation can all distract a driver away from the road and into a crash. NHTSA estimates that in a single recent year, over 421,000 people nationwide were injured in distracted driving crashes.

Speeding

Most drivers think of “speeding” as going faster than the posted speed limit. While this is a common type of speeding, it is not the only type. Driving too fast to control your vehicle in the weather, lighting, and other surrounding conditions is also speeding – and it can easily cause a serious accident. NHTSA estimates that speeding is a factor in one in every three car accidents, and that the costs of speeding-related crashes top $40 billion nationwide each year. Side-impact collisions due to driving at high speeds are very common, as are failing to stop for red lights or signs and sliding on wet or icy pavement because the car was going too fast for safety in bad weather.

Weather

In most parts of the United States, rain causes more crashes than snow – but both can be dangerous, particularly during Utah’s often snowy winters. Fog, wind, and darkness or glaring sunlight that make it hard to see can also cause serious accidents, especially if a driver is not paying attention or is not prepared to make the adjustments necessary to keep driving safely in bad weather.

Who may be liable for a car accident…

When another car collides with yours, it’s easy to blame the driver of that vehicle for the accident. In fact, many car accidents are the fault of one of the people who was behind the wheel when the crash occurred. But the driver of the vehicle that hit you might not be the only person responsible when it comes to a crash.

In addition to the driver, here are some of the other most common liable parties in Utah car accidents:

Employers

If the driver was operating the vehicle to do his or her job, the driver’s employer might also be liable for the accident. It is important to check whether an employer is behind the scenes and how much control the employer had over the driver or the vehicle – including any insurance for accidents that the employer might carry in addition to the driver’s individual coverage.

Vehicle Manufacturers or Distributors

Some accidents cannot be predicted or prevented by the people involved. This is because the crash is caused not by a driver’s negligence, but by a hidden defect in one of the vehicles or its equipment or parts. If a defect results in an accident, the injured parties can often pursue compensation from the vehicle manufacturer, distributor, or mechanic if the defect was supposedly addressed. To know whether a defect caused an accident, a thorough investigation is required.

Alcohol Vendor

In a drunk driving accident, an injured motorist may seek damages not only from the driver, but also from an alcohol vendor or social host who continued to serve the drunk driver after realizing he or she was drunk. This type of case is known as “dram shop” liability. In a dram shop case, the injured person must demonstrate that the bar, restaurant, or host served alcohol to someone who was “actually or apparently intoxicated” or underage. The purpose of dram shop cases is to compensate those who are injured by drunk drivers and also to encourage alcohol vendors to watch carefully whom they serve.

How our lawyers investigate car crashes and help victims…

It isn’t always easy to determine who should be liable in a Utah car accident case and why. Working with an experienced attorney like those at the Kramer Auto Law can help you build a strong case.

When we work with a client, we begin by listening carefully to your memories of the accident and the events that led up to and followed the crash. We gather police reports and other documentation that can shed light on the events of your case. We also look at your insurance coverage and the insurance available from any other involved parties. We look into whether an employer, vehicle manufacturer, alcohol vendor, or other responsible party might also be involved in the case. We talk to witnesses and gather their testimony for use in negotiations or in court. If needed, we consult with experts in fields like accident reconstruction and medical care to determine both what happened and how the resulting injuries will affect the course of your life, work, and hobbies. Then, we use the evidence to establish the precise extent of the harm caused and your right to full compensation for that harm.

With the evidence in hand, we represent your interests in every setting: at mediation, at trial, or on appeal if needed. We’ve won substantial settlements for clients in negotiation and landed significant verdicts for the injured at trial, and we strive to represent each client with the same dedication and rigor.

If you’ve been in a crash, you probably have questions. Our attorneys offer free and confidential consultations. To talk to us about your auto accident, call the Kramer Auto Law today or fill out our online contact form.

Sources…

Crash Stats

“Crash Stats: Critical Reasons for Crashes.” National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Crash Statistics

NCSL