May 4, 2012

The family of a sheriff’s deputy from Salt Lake City, Utah, who was killed in the line of duty has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the state and those responsible for his death. According to KSL News, the Sevier County Sheriff’s Department sergeant lost his life in an accident that occurred on April 29 2010 on the Fish Creek Bridge.

Reports indicate that the deputy was investigating a single-vehicle collision when the driver of a separate vehicle heading west along the interstate veered off the road and struck him. The impact sent the man sailing over a guardrail on the bridge, causing him to fall 250 feet to his death. The driver later pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in the case.

The lawsuit, which was filed Monday in the 3rd District Court, claims that the owner and driver of the vehicle responsible for the accident “negligently maintained and operated the vehicle” that evening. The lawsuit also alleges that the state was negligent in its maintenance of the bridge where the accident occurred. The family is seeking an estimated $300,000 in damages for “the permanent destruction of their family unit.”

A Salt Lake City Wrongful Death case is always devastating to the family. That is why the Utah Personal Injury Lawyers with Robert DeBry and Associates would like to send their thoughts and condolences to the family of the deputy who tragically died.

March 9, 2012

The parents of a 15-year-old Utah girl who was killed when the car she was riding in crashed into a giant storm-related sinkhole are suing the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) for the wrongful death of their daughter. According to reports from KSL News, documents filed on behalf of the suit in Salt Lake City’s 3^rd District Court Tuesday morning indicate that the family is seeking at least $1 million in damages.

The accident happened on July 13, 2011, along Route 35, after the girl’s father had driven her and a friend to Altamont. By the time they headed back down the highway, it was dark and they were unable to see the giant 20-feet deep and 30-feet wide sinkhole that had formed when the road had been washed away during an earlier storm. The vehicle crashed, killing the young girl; her father suffered only minor injuries and was treated and released from a local hospital.

The lawsuit alleges that UDOT was negligent by not posting warning signs of the imposing danger near the area. UDOT contends they had just checked the flooded culvert before a later storm washed out the road.

The Utah Wrongful Death Attorneys with Robert Debry and Associates would like to send their condolences to the parents and family of the girl who tragically died, and wish her parents the best of luck in holding the negligent parties accountable for this accident.

January 6, 2012

Expiration dates are all around us. On food, credit cards, coupons, and even prescription drugs, all these items are only to be used before a certain date rolls around. Now, it is being discovered that many parents don’t realize their children’s car seats also have an expiration date.

KSL 5 News told the story of a woman who was getting ready to have twins. In order to save some money she thought she would use a car seat she had bought several years before in 2003. That is when she noticed the “best if used by” date on the underside of the seat.

Experts say that the seats are required to have an expiration date because the parts break down over time. A representative for SafeKids of Northeast Florida, Lesley Seaton, explained these breakdowns by saying, “The shell inside, that we can not see, can be broken down and worn out. The harness strap itself that holds the child in safely can be frayed and torn, but look okay.”

These breakdowns could cause the seat to malfunction in the event of a crash, and may not properly restrain the child in the seat.

This is why the Utah auto accident attorneys with Robert Debry and Associates would like to encourage all parents to check for expiration dates in either the product’s user manual or on the seat itself. Doing so will truly increase the safety of your child in the case of a crash.

November 18, 2011

A 19-year-old woman died as the result of a car crash Friday morning on the outskirts of Cottonwood Heights, Utah. According to KSL News, the accident happened at around 4:30 this morning along South Wasatch Boulevard.

A spokesman for Unified Police Department, Lieutenant Justin Hoyal, stated their preliminary investigation determined that the driver lost control of the Chevy Malibu before the vehicle rolled and burst into flames. When emergency crews arrived at the scene, the vehicle was consumed with flames. The driver was able to pull herself from the wreckage before the car was fully engulfed, but her passenger was not and perished in the fire.

Investigators say an autopsy will reveal if the young woman died from injuries or as a result of the fire. Although they say drugs and alcohol were not a factor in the crash, they have determined speed was.

Research by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) has shown that speed is the number one contributing factor in one-third of all fatal crashes–accounting for 42,000 lives in a year’s time and a cost of $150 billion to taxpayers.

The Utah Auto Accident Lawyers with Robert J. Debry & Associates have decades of experience helping victims of car accidents get the care that they need. If you have been hurt in a car crash no fault of your own, contact us today by filling out a free initial consultation form.

November 4, 2011

Family and friends of a 17-year-old boy who was hit by two vehicles and killed while trying to cross a street in Salt Lake City, Utah, Halloween morning are all grieving this week as news of his death settles in across the community. According to The Salt Lake Tribune, the accident happened as the early morning sun was blinding drivers near the corner of State Street and 300 East.

The boy was attempting to cross the road to get to a bus stop when a car struck him. The impact threw the boy into the middle lane where he was then hit again by an oncoming SUV. The boy died a short time later.

Investigators determined that the teen’s clothing, a black shirt and grey pants, made it difficult for passing motorists to see him in the road.

Since the accident, the parent’s of the teen have contacted both drivers to tell them of their son’s death and to pass along the message that they hold no animosity and place no blame for the accident on the them.

The Utah Auto Accident Attorneys with Robert Debry & Associates often handle cases of car accident victims and/or their families. If you or someone you love has been wrongfully injured in a car accident, contact an attorney and have your questions answered by our experienced staff.

October 28, 2011

With zombie fever sweeping the nation, the Utah Highway Patrol thought they would use the un-dead mania to their advantage and use it promote their cause against drunk driving. According to KSL.com, officials with the agency have created a series of 20-second ads, with zombies in the lead roles, focusing on preventing drunk driving.

Viewers must be warned the ads are both hilarious and gruesome at the same time and can be viewed on your local television network. The department felt the ads would be effective this time of year in reducing the number of alcohol related deaths on Utah’s roads this year from the nearly 300 who died last year. In honor of the campaign, the agency has also started an organization called Zombies Against Drunk Driving (ZADD). Together, the police department and the army of undead from the organization will spread the word on the dangers of drunk driving.

Law enforcement says they plan to do their part in fighting drunk drivers by setting up checkpoints through out the state over the weekend

The Utah Auto Accident Attorneys with Robert Debry & Associates would like to remind everyone who plans on drinking as part of their festivities this weekend to plan ahead and use a designated driver. If a sober driver cant be found, call a cab. This will lead to everyone having a Happy Halloween!

October 21, 2011

Families and friends of teenagers who have died in car accidents in the past year gathered together Thursday to share stories and remember their lost loved ones. According to KSL News, the Utah Department of Health (UDOH), as part of their “Don’t Drive Stupid” Campaign, brought the group together to warn teens of the unforeseen dangers on the road.

Speakers at the event each told their tragic story of losing their children to senseless accidents involving drunk drivers, trains, and lack of seatbelts. They say their hope is that the stories will boost a statewide initiative, called Zero Fatalities to curve the high number of teenage deaths behind the wheel in Utah. Last year alone 44 teens died in a car crash. Of those, 65 percent were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.

Jenny Johnson, with the UDOH Violence and Injury Prevention Program, cautioned teens by saying, “Let these stories serve as a warning. Let’s hope there’s nothing to publish net year.”

The Utah Auto Accident Attorneys with Robert Debry & Associates would like to hear your opinion on effective methods for helping teens become safer drivers. What do you think is the best way to help a teen learn to be cautious behind the wheel? Tell us what you think by posting to our Facebook page.

September 9, 2011

A 63-yealr-old woman from Draper, Utah, was killed after a single-car crash on I-15. According to The Salt Lake Tribune, the crash occurred Wednesday afternoon, just before 12:45, outside the town of Leeds, Utah.

Utah Highway Patrol said that the woman was a passenger in Toyota Avalon, driven by a 64-year-old Texas man. The driver lost control of the car and it began to veer off to the right shoulder of the road. The wheels caught on the asphalt and the car flipped, ejecting the woman out of the vehicle. The woman was initially conscious and talking with paramedics at the scene as both the driver and her were being taken away to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George. She later passed after arriving at the hospital. The driver remained in the hospital, listed in fair condition, as of Thursday.

Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the crash.

The organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) reported that in 2004, 74 percent of passengers totally ejected from a vehicle during a crash are killed.

If you have been injured in an auto accident that was caused by no fault of your own, the Utah Car Accident Attorneys with Robert Debry & Associates are available anytime, day or night, to discuss the questions you may have regarding your case. They can be reached by calling them at 1-800-574-5602 or by filling out a free online consultation form.

September 2, 2011

Victory celebrations for the University of Utah football team’s win over Montana State Thursday night were cut short by the tragic death of a teammate’s wife in a car accident. Ksl.com reported that the wife of a Utah defensive lineman was killed just an hour and a half after the win.

The woman was driving through the intersection of 4800 West and 3200 South in West Valley City, Utah, when authorities believe a 38-year-old driver of a Jeep ran a red light and collided with the woman. Both drivers were killed almost instantly and declared dead at the scene.

The driver of a second vehicle, which was hit by the Jeep, was transported to a local hospital and was last listed in serious condition. Authorities are awaiting toxicology test results from the driver of the Jeep to determine if alcohol played a part in the accident and are also working to determine whether or not the driver ran the red light. Results of the investigation could take several weeks.

Getting the medical attention you need after a wreck should be your first priority. After that, contact a lawyer, so the insurance company doesn’t take advantage of you. To get in touch with the Utah Auto Accident Attorneys from Robert Debry & Associates fill out a free online consultation form today.

August 26, 2011

Police were baffled by what they found at the scene of a car crash in Taylorsville, Utah, Wednesday night. According to ksl.com, upon arriving at the crash scene police discovered a wrecked car and the body of a 17-year-old local girl about 300 yards from the crash site. The mystery police are trying to solve is how the body got from the wreckage to where it was found close to a quarter mile away.

Witnesses reported seeing a vehicle leave the road at about 11:00 PM near 3200 West and 5900 South. Police believe the car drove through a chain link fence and down an embankment, into a field. Upon officers’ arrival, they found the vehicle but no passengers. A multi-agency search was launched in the area, including the use of a helicopter, which yielded the body of the young girl.

Police say the victim was not ejected from the vehicle and had no obvious signs of trauma to her body, but are calling the death “suspicious” until questions are answered.

Car crashes can often leave victims with internal injuries they may not be visible to the naked eye, yet can be just as deadly. The Utah Auto Accident Attorneys with Robert Debry & Associates say it is always best to be check by trained medical staff following an accident. After that, they say you should contact a lawyer to ensure insurance companies properly handle the case. To speak with an attorney, fill out an online consultation form today!