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

Faulty Switch Compensation Plan Revealed

June 30, 2014 By

General Motors has announced that it will begin to compensate the families of the victims of car accidents due a faulty switch installed in 2.6 million of its vehicles.

They have hired lawyer Kenneth R. Feinberg, a compensation specialist, to draw up the details of the fund and to handle its administration.

Feinberg has said that the size of the settlement to the families of those killed or seriously injured would be based on a variety of factors including age at the time of the incident, future earning potential, and medical expenses. It would also depend on the nature of the injury. Awards were expected to begin at a million dollars with no upper limit.

Those who were less seriously injured would receive compensation depending on how long they were in hospital, with payments beginning at $20,000 and going up to $500,000 for those hospitalized for more than a month.

It is not yet known how many of the victims might take part in the scheme as opposed to taking General Motors to court for damages, although Feinberg expects the situation to be similar to 9/11, when 90% of the victims chose to be compensated via a fund rather than go to court.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious auto accident with a teen driver, please call the 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: Uncategorized

Choosing the Safest Vehicle for Your Teen Driver

June 22, 2014 By

Most states allow teenagers to begin driving on their own between the ages of 16 and 18. For decades the most dangerous time in any driver’s driving career has been those few years when they first got behind the wheel and began learning to drive. Teen drivers face all manner of distractions including lack of familiarity with how to handle certain driving conditions, typical teen inabilities to focus and pay attention, and friends roughhousing and playing in the car.

Because teenagers are far more likely than every other age group to become involved in a serious automobile accident, parents have long wondered what they can do to help increase their teen’s chances of avoiding such accidents, or walking away unhurt in the case they should be involved in a serious car crash. One of the best things parents can do is to give their teen driver the very best vehicle possible, as a vehicle which handles better and is better able to withstand a serious car accident will, on average, ensure that the teen driver fares as well as possible in such a dangerous situation.

Here we present a video from a safety expert which gives you some tips to consider when deciding on a car for your teen driver.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious auto accident with a teen driver, please call the 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

High Numbers of Teens Still Texting While Driving

June 15, 2014 By

Teenagers in the United States have always engaged in risky and questionable behavior. But while traditional teen behavior has been a live-and-learn type of affair, the proliferation of instant communication – namely texting devices – has made certain behavior among this age group increasingly dangerous over the past several years. The United States government, through the oversight of the Centers for Disease Control, has conducted its most recent biannual study of worrisome behavior in America.

The study found that while many forms of risky behavior have been on the decrease in recent years, texting while driving has been increasing steadily. The study found that teens interestingly are increasingly engaging in favorable habits such as wearing bicycle helmets and seat belts but are texting while behind the wheel at an ever-increasing rate.

A spokesperson for the CDC indicated that in a general sense, behavior among teens is much healthier than it was 20 years ago. Still, the study, which anonymously surveyed 13,000 high school students across the United States, indicated that 41 percent had texted or emailed while driving during the previous month. The highest number of students texting while driving were found in South Dakota (61%) while the lowest number (32%) was in Massachusetts.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious auto accident with a distracted driver in Utah, please call the 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

Biomechanics and Your Auto Accident Case

June 8, 2014 By

Biomechanics is a science which studies the temporal and spatial responses of various biologic solids and fluids. Researchers in this area of science are interested in determining how the human body responds to internal and external forces, especially as it relates to human injuries. Biomechanical engineers use all available evidence, primarily focusing on the human body itself, to reverse engineer a theory of the most likely scenario to have caused a particular injury to the human body.

An injury causation analysis is used by biomechanical engineers to effectively rule out certain claimed causes of a particular injury. The engineers use such factors as fracture patterns and biologic responses to help determine whether or not witness testimony is supported by the physical evidence encountered in the case.

When investigating major automobile accidents, for example, the best attorneys employ expert witnesses in order to help establish the facts of the case. This is one of the reasons that any Salt Lake City resident who is injured in a major automobile accident is best to work with and experienced attorney. With today’s rapidly advancing technology, an inexperienced attorney may find himself or herself if up against a well prepared defense. If the attorney is not ready to overwhelmingly prove the case, complications can certainly result. If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious auto accident in Utah, please call the 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

How to Handle Hydroplaning and Driving in the Rain

June 1, 2014 By

Hydroplaning is a condition in which a car skims across the top of a body of water, causing the driver to momentarily lose control. Hydroplaning generally happens either during rainy conditions or immediately following a downpour. Though most drivers may not be familiar with the term, almost everyone who has driven in rainy conditions has experienced the loss of control due to hydroplaning. Here we present a video which will help you learn what to do in the case that you hydroplane in your car.

Driving in rain is obviously always hazardous, as the water from the rain, mixed with the oil and dirt from the road, create slippery conditions. Additionally, rain tends to limit visibility, meaning that both your ability to see other drivers and their abilities to see you, are diminished. We recommend that Salt Lake City drivers continue to educate themselves on how to best handle adverse weather conditions, in an effort to continually improve your abilities to handle such situations.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious auto accident in Utah related to severe weather, please call the 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

3 Teens Killed in Tragic Salt Lake City Car Crash

May 24, 2014 By

Salt Lake City residents are grieving after a one car crash killed three people last Saturday.

According to the Utah Highway Patrol, three teenage passengers were killed in a car accident on Interstate 80 last Saturday, while the driver of the car was seriously injured. According to police reports the 23 year-old driver was in the parking lot of the Salt Lake International Airport at about 5:00 AM on Saturday morning, when police attempted to perform a traffic stop. The driver fled from police, who initially chased a car, but reportedly called off the chase before the crash.

Police believe that the driver was going close to 100 miles per hour when it appears that he made a last second decision to turn on to I-215, causing the car to roll. Police are still unsure why the driver chose to flee.

The investigation into the crash is still ongoing. But the initial reports indicate that one of the passengers was the driver’s girlfriend.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious auto accident in Utah, please call the 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

Salt Lake City Woman Killed in Construction Site Auto Accident

May 16, 2014 By

Driving in construction zones can be very perilous as a result of the reduced speeds, uneven roadways, and obstructions in the road. When driving on Salt Lake City streets we always recommend that construction zones be treated with particular caution. The city was recently reminded of the dangers of riding through construction zones when a local woman was killed in a construction zone accident in South Salt Lake.

According to Police Lt. Gary Keller, a 31 year-old Salt Lake City woman was killed when the Chevy Malibu in which she was traveling collided with a Dodge Durango, partially ejecting the woman from the car, causing it to roll over. The Malibu was traveling northbound on 700 West near 3800 South, apparently near a lane shift at a construction site. The woman was a passenger in the vehicle.

This tragic accident is yet another reminder that driving in area construction zones presents motorists with unique challenges which are not typically encountered on area roadways. We strongly suggest that all Salt Lake City drivers practice the utmost caution when driving in construction areas, for their safety, the safety of their passengers, and the safety of workers.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious auto accident in Utah, please call the at Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC at 801-990-0500 or contact us online today. We look forward to providing you with a free initial consultation and getting started helping you and your family recover the compensation you need and deserve for your injuries.

Filed Under: Car Accidents

Police Believe Drowsiness a Factor in Fatal Salt Lake City Crash

May 8, 2014 By

Police believe that drowsiness could be a factor in a recent accident which are left a Salt Lake City man fatally injured.

According the Utah Highway Patrol, 34 year-old Abraham Majok apparently fell asleep at the wheel as he traveled westbound on I-80. His automobile struck a light pole, causing a serious injury to Majok’s head. The accident went unnoticed for some time before police were finally alerted. Police say that Majok was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Majok’s tragic death is yet another reminder to Salt Lake City drivers to avoid driving while drowsy. Many studies have concluded that driving while drowsy could be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you feel yourself becoming drowsy as you drive, it is best to seek the nearest rest stop or another place where you can safely pull over.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious auto accident in Utah, please call the Salt Lake City truck accident attorneys of Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC at 801-990-0500  or contact us online today. We look forward to providing you with a free initial consultation and getting started helping you and your family recover the compensation you need and deserve for your injuries.

Filed Under: Car Accidents, salt lake city accident

Utah Man to be Featured on “The Bachelorette” Dies in Paragliding Accident

April 29, 2014 By

A man who will be featured as a contestant on the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette” died Wednesday as a result of injuries he suffered in a paragliding accident.

31 year-old Eric Jonathan Hill suffered a devastating crash on Sunday, April 19 at the Point of the Mountain paragliding location in Draper.  According to Hill’s brother, his chute initially deployed, but then collapsed.  The faulty chute apparently caused him to sail too close to the mountain, and then slammed into it. He was left in a coma, and died the following Wednesday of his injuries.

In paragliding the pilot sits in a harness which is suspended the below a large parachute like structure.  Due to lift forces which are generated by up drafts of wind and thermal vents, paragliders can stay aloft for several hours and travel tens of miles in a single flight.

Filed Under: utah accidents

Salt Lake City Police Department Safety Campaign to Reduce Truck Accidents

April 24, 2014 By

The Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) has launched a safety campaign called “It’s Not a Race, Trucks Need Space” to raise public awareness of safe driving around large commercial trucks in the hopes of reducing truck accidents. The SLCPD says it is stepping up enforcement and drivers of passenger vehicles can be fine up to $500 for aggressive driving. Here are some tips for driving safely around large commercial vehicles.

Stopping Distance

Large commercial trucks need at least twice as much stopping distance as passenger vehicles. Never cut off a big rig. They simply cannot maneuver and accommodate you the way other drivers might.

Blind Spots

Stay out of blind spots. If you have to move through a truck’s blind spot, do it quickly and move along. If you can see the truck driver directly or in the truck’s mirrors, you are in a blind spot.

Remember to Signal

Always use your turn signals and give the trucker plenty of time to react to what you are doing. Even if you think you are giving the truck plenty of space, you still need to give warning before changing lanes.

Watch for Wide Right Turns

Trucks often have to swing out to the left before making a right hand turn. Do not pull into the empty space to the right of the truck. You will be in a blind spot and could easily be crushed.

If you have been injured in a truck accident in Utah, please call the Salt Lake City truck accident attorneys of Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC at 801-990-0500 or contact us online today. We look forward to scheduling your free initial consultation and getting started helping you and your family recover the compensation you need and deserve for your injuries.

Filed Under: Truck Accidents
« Previous Page
Next Page »