Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC - 136 E. South Temple, Suite 1650, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

How to be a Safe Driver

January 29, 2016 By

Give that there are so many accidents on the roads with tens of thousands of deaths and injuries every year, even though you may believe you are a safe driver, many others on the road are not, so it is always worth assuming the worse.

There are so many things other drivers may do wrong such as using a turning signal and not turning, or turning without using a signal, so always assume that they may not do what you expect. If you approach an intersection which is your right of way, do not assume other drivers will stop, even if there is a stop sign, so slow down and be ready to brake if you need to.

When you drive, always check your mirrors so you know what is around you and make sure you check the road ahead and side roads.

If there is an aggressive driver near you, drop back and give him or her distance, as aggression can cause accidents. Always keep within the speed limit and drive according to the conditions and remain calm at all times.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious accident, please call the attorneys at Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC at 801-990-0500 or contact us online today. We have the experience and expertise needed to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Filed Under: Salt Lake City Driver Safety

Man Dies in Single Vehicle Collision

December 30, 2015 By

On Thursday afternoon, December 4, a man was fatally injured in a single vehicle collision with a concrete barrier.

According to the Utah Highway Patrol, 25 year old Keiffer G. Carter of Cottonwood Heights was driving northbound on I 215 East when is seems he took the I 80 eastbound on ramp.S However, his car went off the ramp, up the embankment and hit a cement wall which was separating 1 80 westbound from the I 215 East southbound ramp.

Carter was not wearing a seat belt and according to the authorities it appears he made no corrections to try and avoid the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash is still under investigation and it is not yet know if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accident.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious accident, please call the attorneys at Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC at 801-990-0500 or contact us online today. We have the experience and expertise needed to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Filed Under: Car Accidents

How to Avoid Falling Asleep at the Wheel

November 29, 2015 By

If you drive when you are tired you are greatly increasing the risk to your life and the lives of others so how can you avoid falling asleep at the wheel?

You should never begin a journey when you are tired nor when you have drunk even a small amount of alcohol as that induces sleepiness. Do not drive if you are taking some over the counter cold medicines as these can also make you sleepy as can some antihistamines. Do not drive after a heavy meal as this also leads to drowsiness and try not to start a journey when you body is at its minimum level of alertness which is between midnight and 6 a.m. This is when most accidents involving drivers who fall asleep occur.

You should always plan your journey to take a 15 minute break every two hours and when you do stop do not drink alcohol but try and drink a cup of caffeinated coffee. If you feel very tired then take a short nap.

Don’t set out on a long drive if you have worked a full day and if it is an especially long journey on monotonous roads such as interstates then try and arrange an overnight stop.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious accident, please call the attorneys at Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC at 801-990-0500 or contact us online today. We have the experience and expertise needed to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Filed Under: Salt Lake City Driver Safety

Two People in Hospital After Crash in Salt Lake City

October 31, 2015 By

Early on Sunday morning, October 4, two people were sent to hospital after a crash in Salt Lake City.

According to the Utah Highway Patrol, the accident happened shortly before 2.30 a.m. in Salt Lake City on the Interstate 15 around 600 North. A Red Ford Ranger being driven by 27 year old Steven Colgate of Cottonwood Heights left the travel lane having drifted over and went into a gore area of the off ramp. It then hit a crash attenuator at the end of the concrete barrier. Colgate was taken to hospital in what is said to be fair condition and his passenger, 20 year old Callie Jones of St. George was also taken to hospital.

Following the police investigation of the crash, Colgate was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Police went on to say that the injuries could have been much worse as the driver was not wearing a seat belt and they reminded all drivers not to drive while intoxicated and that they should always wear their seat belts.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious accident, please call the attorneys at Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC at 801-990-0500 or contact us online today. We have the experience and expertise needed to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Filed Under: Car Accidents

Man from Salt Lake City Dies in Single Vehicle Accident

September 29, 2015 By

On Wednesday, September 9, a man from Salt Lake City died in a single vehicle accident.

According to the Washington State Patrol the accident happened on the southbound Interstate 405, just south of 70th Street at the Northeast 70th Place exit, when 36 year old Kyle David Sire lost control of his vehicle in a construction zone. He left the roadway and traveled along the shoulder then hit a temporary barrier and the vehicle rolled over coming to a standstill on the guard rail. As he was not wearing a seat belt he was ejected from his vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to witnesses he had been driving erratically before the single vehicle crash and the police are awaiting results of the autopsy and toxicology to determine whether he was suffering from a medical condition or if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious accident, please call the attorneys at Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC at 801-990-0500 or contact us online today. We have the experience and expertise needed to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Filed Under: salt lake city accident

Cyclist Seriously Injured in Tour of Utah

August 22, 2015 By

During the Tour of Utah, when some of the top cyclists in the world were competing, Matt Bremmeier from Ireland was seriously injured.

Brammeier crashed his bicycle into one of the service vehicles and fellow cyclists said that he was travelling very fast and lost control going around a corner and was unable to brake in time. Representatives with the Tour of Utah said the vehicle was not to blame as it was in the right position on the road and called the crash an accident with neither being at fault.

Brammeier suffered broken ribs, a fractured pelvis and a punctured lung and was taken to hospital. Luckily he had no head or spinal injuries but his ribs were fractured on both sides which led to the pneumothorax. Although it is not likely he will need surgery it will take time for him to recover.

The Tour of Utah covers more than 700 miles over several stages and has teams of professional cyclist from all over the world.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious accident, please call the attorneys at Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC at 801-990-0500 or contact us online today. We have the experience and expertise needed to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Filed Under: salt lake city accident

Motorcycle Accident Leaves Man Critical

July 31, 2015 By

On Tuesday morning, July 21, a motorcycle accident left a man in a critical condition.

According to Salt Lake police, the accident happened at 2150 W. Indiana Avenue in Salt Lake City. A 54 year old man on his motorcycle was hit from behind by a van being driven by a 60 year old woman. At this time police do not know what caused her to hit the motorcycle. The man was ejected from the motorcycle and sustained serious head injuries and the motorcycle became lodged in the van’s bumper. Police say they believe he was wearing some type of headgear but it was difficult to tell given the state of the debris.

He was taken to hospital but his condition is unknown.

Police have not released the names of those involved and continue to investigate the accident. No charges have been filed at this time.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious accident, please call the attorneys at Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC at 801-990-0500 or contact us online today. We have the experience and expertise needed to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Filed Under: salt lake city accident

Man Died in Auto Pedestrian Accident

June 30, 2015 By

On Saturday, June 20 a man died in an auto pedestrian accident in Salt Lake City.

According to Salt Lake City Police Department, the crash happened shortly before 6 a.m. in the area of Columbus Street and Victory Road. It appears that the pedestrian was walking in the southbound travel lane when he was struck by a vehicle traveling at the speed limit of 60 mph. The driver of the vehicle did not appear to be impaired in any way and cooperated with the police.

The police said that obviously it is not normal for a pedestrian to be in the travel lane but drivers should always be aware of the possibility that pedestrians or animals could be on the roadway.

The pedestrian passed away at the scene and detectives were called out to begin the investigation. Victory Road was closed for several hours while evidence was collected and the crash scene investigated.

So far the victim, a male in his mid 20s has not been identified. The driver of the vehicle who was alone in the car was uninjured.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious accident, please call the attorneys at Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC at 801-990-0500 or contact us online today. We have the experience and expertise needed to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Filed Under: salt lake city accident

Family Wins $1.3 Million for Wrongful Death

May 28, 2015 By

Following a seven day trial a Salt Lake City jury awarded $1.3 million for the wrongful death of a woman who was killed in a car crash and her family claimed the crash was due to bad road design and improper removal of snow.

The law suit was filed in 2012 and stated that 40 year old Diane Berg had tried to enter Interstate 215 in January 2011, but the merge lane was too short and her car went over the overpass, landed on its roof and she died.

Her lawyer said that the authorities had had three days to clear snowfall which had piled up, leading to a type of ramp which launched her car over the guard rail.

The state however, said that Berg could have braked and the jury reduced the award to $750,000 stating that she did bear some responsibility for the crash but that more blame did lie with the state transport authorities.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious accident, please call the attorneys at Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC at 801-990-0500 or contact us online today. We have the experience and expertise needed to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Filed Under: salt lake city accident

Strong Winds Cause Dust Storms in Utah

April 30, 2015 By

On Tuesday April 14 there were strong winds which picked up dust from the desert creating very dangerous conditions on the roads in Utah.

Outside of Salt Lake City in western Utah, visibility was only quarter mile with the winds and the dust clouds resulting in drivers barely being able to see to drive. There were numerous accidents on Interstate 80 and at one stage lanes on both sides were closed from the Utah-Nevada state line to mile marker 99 near Tooele. According to the Utah Highway Patrol, one of the major accidents involved six semi trucks and 11 cars resulting in eighteen people with a variety of injuries being taken to hospital.

Sometimes the gusts of wind were so strong that semi trucks were blown over and windows blown in.

In addition, the air quality plummeted causing problems to those with respiratory problems. Adding to the problems with the air quality and lack of visibility on the roads, a wild fire around 200 miles south of the city in the Quakie Haven area of Fishlake burned out of control and the high winds caused it to spread rapidly covering around 200 acres. Highway 25 was closed and homes were evacuated.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious accident, please call the attorneys at Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC at 801-990-0500 or contact us online today. We have the experience and expertise needed to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Filed Under: Car Accidents
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