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Text-Messaging Causing Car Accidents

Staff Writer — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 19:50:36 GMT

State troopers say cell phone text messaging is causing more accidents than ever before. The problem is that while it's easy to spot people talking at the wheel, it is much harder to catch people texting at the wheel. Troopers
are convinced cell phone use is causing wrecks, but drivers never admit to it.

Trooper Lonnie Haschell sees drivers do it, but he can't stop them. "Unless there is another traffic violation that occurs. If you're concentrating on your Blackberry and then you cross that center line, you cross that white line on the side of the road, you have another traffic violation," Haschell said.

Three states and 50 countries ban phone use in cars. But so far in Texas, only common sense limits texting while driving

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Horrible Car Crash Kills Three

April Armani — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 14:20:03 GMT

A horrible motor vehicle collision has left a mother, father and son dead with another toddler injured. The crash happened south of E. Mississippi Avenue and S. Chambers Road around 11 pm last night. A red 2002 Ford F650 tow truck was headed northbound on Chambers and hit a 1997 Honda CRV traveling in the same direction. The two truck then crossed the center median where it hit a 2003 Nissan Murano, the truck kept going and then hit a 1999 silver Chrysler 300M killing three people from the same family and continuing north.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families who have suffered a tremendous loss due to the actions of another.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by April Armani

Risks of Cell Phone Use While Driving

Margaret Embry — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:14:50 GMT

A year ago, Michelle Smith hit and killed a 9-year-old girl, Erica Forney, riding her bike in the bike lane in Fort Collins. Though she doesn't have a clear memory of the crash, it is believed that Smith was distracted after finishing a cell phone call while driving. As part of her plea agreement, Smith was required to write a letter of apology to the victim's family which was recently published, according to The Denver Channel, ABC 7 News.

The newspaper [Fort Collins Coloradan] reported that Smith wrote in the letter that, if she had appreciated the risks associated with cell-phone use while driving, Erica Forney might still be alive.“My heart and prayers are and will always be with the Forneys,” she concluded in her letter.

Below are some cell phone driving statistics provided by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

Distraction from cell phone use while driving (hand held or hands free) extends a driver's reaction as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08%. (University of Utah)

The No.1 source of driver inattention is use of a wireless device. (Virginia Tech /NHTSA)

Drivers that use cell phones are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (NHTSA, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)

10% of drivers aged 16 to 24 years old are on their phone at any one time.

Driving while distracted is a factor in 25% of police reported crashes.

Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%. (Carnegie Mellon)

Please see the Governors Highway Safety Association to check your state cell phone driving laws.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Margaret Embry

New Colorado Insurance Law Effects Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Linda Snyder — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:54:55 GMT

Founding partners Kyle Bachus and Darin Schanker of Bachus & Schanker, LLC, recently worked with numerous others who advocate for Colorado consumers as well as the Colorado Senate in enacting a proposed bill in the field of auto insurance. As a result of all their hard work, this bill became a new Colorado Insurance Law that will impact your un-insured/under-insured motorist coverage (UM/UIM).

This new law will help consumers receive the coverage they pay for if injured by an uninsured driver. Effective January 1, 2008, this new law will change Colorado's UM coverage in two important ways:

1.) Before the January 1, 2008 law change an insurance company could "offset" the amount paid by the at-fault driver's insurance company against the amount available under your own UM policy;

2.) Before January 1, 2008, insurance companies were able to include "anti-stacking" language in their UM coverage's that prevented those who pay for multiple policies on multiple cars in the same household from adding the UM coverage's on each separate policy together in order to maximize coverage.

This new law makes the UM coverage you purchase "stack" on top of the total amount of insurance available from the "at-fault" driver. For example, beginning January 1, 2008, if you buy $50,000 of UM coverage to protect your family, the entire $50,000 will be available to you on top of the insurance available from the at-fault driver if you need it.

"This is a very important coverage that should not be waived. We see many insurance companies reacting to this new law by sending their policy holders letters asking them to waive the coverage altogether. This is not a good idea under any circumstances," exclaimed Kyle Bachus.

This bill, which is now law, can be found on the Colorado Legislature website.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Linda Snyder

6 Face Charges In Drunk Driving Accident That Killed Teen

Chrissie Cole — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 01:09:51 GMT

Six people are facing criminal charges in a drunk driving accident that claimed the life of a teenage girl, 17, in a head-on car crash in March.

Her friend was also seriously injured in the accident. Authorities say, another teen, 17, was driving drunk when she crossed the median into oncoming traffic. Now, charges are being filed against all the teenagers in the vehicle and the liquor store clerk who sold them the alcohol. The girl is being charged as an adult.

Documents claim the girl was drinking vodka, beer and smoking marjuana on the evening of the fatal crash. She is being charged with nine counts including vehicular homicide along with an attempt to influence a public servant by lying to police about who was driving the vehicle.

During the investigation, there were contradictory statements and information about who was driving the vehicle at the tiem of the accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Lights, Camera, Traffic Ticket. Denver plans to use Red-Light Cameras.

Linda Snyder — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:36:45 GMT

We’ve at some point in our driving careers, we’ve run a red light. Whether it’s been intentional, “gunning it” to beat the light or just not paying attention when the light changes, let’s admit it. All of us have done it.

Personally, I know from my own experience, I approach intersections that I know have cameras with more caution than those without cameras. I know exactly which intersection it is and I consciously alter my driving habits. Not only am I aware of my own position but I’m also more attentive to those ahead who may suddenly slam on their brakes to avoid triggering the camera.

Public safety measure or scheme to generate revenue? That seems to be the heart of the controversial decision to install red-light cameras at several high collision intersections in Denver.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, there are 106,000 crashes a year in the US involving drivers who ran red lights with 1,000 fatalities and 89,000 injures. Drivers and passengers are injured in 45 percent of the collisions involving a driver who ran a red light.

Critics claim that increasing the length of the yellow light will decrease most red light runners, so cameras are unnecessary. Some see the cameras as the next step in the “Big Brother” movement of invasion of privacy and loss of civil rights. And red-light cameras have been proven to cause more rear-end accidents according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Proponents cite research that cameras reduce red light runners by 40 percent and the most dangerous of crashes, the broadside or T-bone impact have been reduced by 25 percent.

I believe that having the longer yellow lights have “trained” us in the mentality that in that “go or no-go moment”, we typically speed up to make it through the intersection. Maybe cameras at intersections would “re-train” us to approach intersections with more caution. Because now when we decide to go for it and beat that red light, we just might get caught.

The interesting thing about this debate is both sides have this all or nothing mentality. You either win this debate or you lose it. What about a compromise? Common sense dictates that if you increase the yellow light time you give drivers a better chance to make it through the intersection in that “go, no-go” moment and a camera would catch those of us who choose to go for it when we really should have stopped.

One last thing to consider…cameras at intersections also have the potential to eliminate the “he said, she said” situation at the scene of a car crash. The red-light cameras would provide photographic evidence on who was at fault in the accident. In my opinion, that in itself is worth risking a traffic ticket for running a red light.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Linda Snyder

Will the Denver Democratic National Convention Lead to Personal Injury Lawsuits?

Kyle Bachus — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:47:39 GMT

The craze has begun, as the City of Denver works hard in anticipation and preparation for the Democratic National Convention (DNC). Set to take place on August 25 - 28, 2008, the DNC may generate more than a nominee for the Presidency. The DNC may generate a “suit-boom” in Denver.

As a Denver resident, anticipating the increases in traffic and pedestrians on the streets, the use of public transportation, accommodating out-of-state guests and members of the media with lodging and rental cars, and welcoming the arrival of politicians in private aircrafts poses some concerns. Will all this spark a “suit boom” in Denver?

The estimated $40 million it will cost to host the DNC will likely be spent, in large part, on the implementation of federal anti-terrorism procedures and security during the week. According The Rocky Mountain News, Sara Burnett reported the DNC is expected to draw thousands of protestors, and from the sounds of it, there are also thousands of rumors of what security measures will be taken by organizers of the DNC and how it will accommodate both Denver residents and visitors.

Noelle Leavitt, from the Denver Business Journal, reported Airspace around Denver is likely to be severely restricted when top political figures, Democratic Party sponsors and celebrities visit for the Democratic National Convention in August. General aviation airports in the metro area expect a huge surge in business from attendees who choose not to fly through Denver International Airport during the convention. But the event could temporarily ground some private aircraft. All forms of transportation will likely have to operate differently during the DNC. With these expectations, it is only logical to prepare for the worst.

All this leads me to the very real possibility that the DNC, and the 35,000- 50,000 people it will bring to the city, will inevitably ignite a small “suit- boom.” Think about it. More traffic and more pedestrians mean more accidents and more insurance claims for bodily injury. Visitors, by foot or by vehicle, will hurriedly and carelessly try to get downtown in time for floor sessions, scrambling through mobs of lobbyists and news reporters. Residents will become frustrated with the incessant traffic on their journey to and from work. One thing is probably true—Denver Police will not only be busy keeping protestors in line, they will be filling out traffic accident reports and issuing citations constantly.

Niki Skaggs
Law Clerk
J.D. Candidate 2009
University of Denver

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Kyle Bachus

Arrow Stage Lines Crash Kills 8 Passengers

Linda Snyder — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 11:29:41 GMT

A bus en route from Telluride, Colorado to Phoenix, Arizona crashed in southeastern Utah on Sunday, January 6th.

The Utah Highway Patrol stated that the Arrow Stage Lines bus was southbound on State Route 163 when it went off the wet road and rolled numerous times. The crash killed 8 passengers and injured 20 others.

There were about 56 seats and 51 passengers on the bus, all returning from a ski trip in Telluride. The exact cause of the crash is still unclear.

Arrow Stage Lines is a family owners charter bus rental and service business that has been around since 1928. The bus line serves Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Arizona and Nevada.

The Center for National Truck and Bus Statistics reported that between the years 1999-2002, 325 buses were involved in a fatal traffic accident. In 2002, there were 359 persons killed in crashes involving a bus; 11 of them were bus drivers, and 44 were passengers on the bus. Other vehicle drivers and passengers represented the largest source of fatalities with 207 (57.7%) and non-motorists represented 97 (27.0%) of the fatalities.

For more information on the subject, please refer to the section on Injuries and Wrongful Death aboard Airlines, Cruise Ships, Ferries, Buses and Trains | Lawsuit.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Linda Snyder

Woman Survives Five Days In the Wilderness After Crash

Chrissie Cole — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:56:00 GMT

A Colorado woman survived five days in the wilderness with no food or water by drinking rainwater from her hair, after crashing her vehicle.

Cynthia Blair-Hoover, 52, swerved to avoid a deer when her car ran off the road and plunged down a hillside, landing on its top. She suffered 11 broken ribs and a punctured lung among other injuries.

Armed with only a golf club, she faced the threat of wild animals, rain, freezing temps and no food, but she managed to stay alive by draining water from her hair into her mouth.

Eventually she was able to crawl 450 yards to a mine where she cried out for help and was heard.

She is recovering in a hospital in Denver.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Denver Airport Traffic Snarled Following Accident

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:56:00 GMT

Traffic was snarled Thursday afternoon following a car accident which involved a Denver Police car.

The accident happened early afternoon, near the toll plaza and wait area approaching Denver International Airport.

The officer was reportedly responding to a two car accident when another vehicle rear-ended the officer’s parked cruiser, according to police.

No one was injured in the crash. Following the accident, Pena Boulevard was closed for about two hours and later re-opened.

In a separate accident on Friday night, a Denver Police officer was injured when his patrol car was struck by a suspected drunk driver.

The officer was taken to the hospital but treated and released for minor injuries.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole