December is here, meaning that winter is in full force. Here in Utah, winter means freezing cold temperatures and lots of snow and ice. This can be dangerous for drivers and other people out on the road. Car accidents happen frequently in the winter, due to treacherous weather conditions. It is important to understand why car accidents happen often in the winter, how you can avoid them, and what to do if you do end up in a car accident.

Do More Car Accidents Happen In The Winter?

The question of whether more car accidents happen in the winter is a bit of a complicated question to answer. The summer has the greatest number of accidents occur, but the holidays in the winter are also extremely car accident-prone. 25% of all weather-related car accidents happen in snowy, icy, and slushy weather conditions. In fact, over 1000 people die every year in car accidents caused by snowy weather. So while the majority of car accidents happen in the summertime, it is extremely important to be careful in the wintertime and especially in snowy, icy weather.

Holidays

The other important piece of information to understand about the wintertime is that there are several major holidays one after another. These holidays are a time for either celebrating or reminiscing and oftentimes these two types of feelings lead to drinking. That unfortunately means that the number of drunk drivers on the roads during these winter holidays is increased. That can lead to more car accidents than on average.

How To Drive Safely During The Winter

There are several things that you can do to protect yourself and your family when you are driving in the winter. Firstly, make sure to always have as clear a view as possible. Scrape your windows thoroughly before driving and make sure that your lights and window wipers work properly. Secondly, it is important for your car to have good traction. You can achieve this by getting snow tires or at least getting your tires rotated/changed out before winter’s first snowfall. 

The third tip for driving in the winter is to make sure to be extra alert. It is important to be vigilant during snowstorms, but it is just as important to be on the lookout for patches of black ice on a clear day. It is also important to be aware when you are driving on a holiday; as previously mentioned, holidays tend to have more drunk drivers and more accidents than on average.

What To Do If You Are Involved In A Car Accident

Sometimes a car accident simply cannot be avoided. In these situations, it can be hard to know what to do. The first thing to do is get to a safe area and exchange information with the other driver while calling the police. Then get medical attention as soon as possible. If you have recently been involved in a winter car accident and were injured, you may want to contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. 

We at Lebaron & Jensen provide all-inclusive legal services including representing our clients in court, advising our clients about what to do in their situation, and working to reach the most favorable outcome to a client’s case. For more information or to get in contact with our firm, feel free to reach out to us at Lebaron and Jensen today.

Skiing Accidents

Winter can be a beautiful and exciting time of year. There are all sorts of different types of winter activities that are available to participate in. Some of those fun activities include ice skating, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and skiing. However, despite being fun and exciting, some of these activities can lead to serious injuries. If you have recently been in a skiing accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury (or another type of serious injury) and believe that it was caused by another person’s negligence, feel free to reach out to our attorneys at Lebaron & Jensen today.

Kinds Of Skiing Injuries

There are a variety of different types of injuries that can affect the winter sports community. Skiing accidents can result in minor injuries that require some rest and recuperation or in severe injuries that need surgeries, physical therapy, and a LOT of money. That is why it is important to get in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney to help you get the compensation that you need to pay for your medical expenses. Common injuries that can occur due to a skiing accident include:

• Concussions
• Knee injuries
• Shoulder dislocations
• Wrist fractures
• & other head injuries

Common Types Of Skiing Accidents

Falling down is an ordinary thing that happens to many people when they are first learning how to ski. Learning to ski can sometimes lead to accidents or injuries. This is not the type of skiing accident that we are referring to. There are certain things that should not happen on the ski run if each person is paying attention and being careful. So when a skiing accident still occurs, this is due to somebody’s negligence. Examples include chairlift malfunctions, skiing collisions, and dangerous resort conditions.

What To Do After Being in A Skiing Accident

Take Precautions

Before a skiing accident ever occurs, it is important to do what you can to prevent it. Wear the right clothing and gear including a helmet, ski mask, and gloves. Make sure that you are in good physical condition, so your body can handle a day of skiing. Lastly, ski within your range. If you are new to skiing, make sure to practice on smaller hills before hitting the black diamonds. Do not try to push yourself too far before you can handle it.

Get Proper Medical Attention

The most important thing that you can do after sustaining any sort of injury is to go to the doctor. Seeking medical attention is important even if your body does not have any visible problems. A medical professional will be able to properly identify the extent of your injuries and tell you what you need to do to treat them. Going to the doctor also allows you to get documentation for your injuries which could be useful for obtaining compensation later.

Call The Snow Patrol

Like the police, the snow patrol needs to be notified when an injury occurs on the slopes. Make sure you have their phone number available and call it if you or a friend/family member are injured in a more remote location.

Contact A Personal Injury Attorney

Suppose you have been injured in a skiing accident due to the negligence of someone else. In that case, it is important that you get in contact with a qualified personal injury attorney as soon as possible. We at Lebaron & Jensen provide comprehensive legal services for victims of traumatic brain injuries as well as people injured in slip and fall cases. If you or a family member are in need of legal representation or advice, feel free to reach out to us at Lebaron & Jensen today.

Personal injury law typically revolves around cases where a person is unexpectedly injured by another party, who may or may not have recognized they had caused someone harm. While a personal injury case may take time, money, and other resources, it is often worth it to those who have been injured. The negligence of others should never be let off the hook, which is why personal injury law exists. Continue reading to learn more about personal injury law and its importance. If you are in need of a personal injury attorney, feel free to reach out to us at Lebaron & Jensen today.

1. Personal Injury Law Covers A Variety Of Injuries

While the majority of personal injury cases are motor vehicle accident-related, there are also several other types of injuries that personal injury law covers. Any situation where one person’s negligence causes injury to another person falls under the umbrella of personal injury. Common types of personal injury cases outside of automobile accidents include animal bite cases, slip and fall cases, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice cases, wrongful death cases, and product liability cases.

2. Each Personal Injury Case Is Different

Another interesting fact about personal injury law is that every case is different. As previously mentioned, there are a variety of different kinds of injuries that can show up as personal injury cases. However, even two cases in the same category of injuries can be completely different in complicated ways. For example, no two car accident cases will be the same; there will always be several factors that make each case special. That is why it is important to have an attorney that has experience with a vast array of personal injury cases.

3. Most Personal Injury Cases Are Settled Outside Of Court

The majority of personal injury cases are settled outside of the courtroom. This is not surprising considering that over 80% of all legal disputes are settled before they go to court. The reason for this is that settlements tend to offer the quickest and most fair resolution to personal injury cases (and many other kinds of legal cases) for both parties. A qualified attorney can ensure that you get the best possible outcome from your negotiations.

4. Each State Has A Specific Time Limit For Victims To File A Claim

In the United States, different states have specific statutes of limitations for personal injury cases. A statute of limitations is the maximum period of time when it is possible for individuals to make personal injury claims. In Utah, the statute of limitations is 4 years.

5. Evidence Is Crucial In Personal Injury Cases

If your case does move into a trial, evidence becomes extremely important. While the movies are far from providing perfect legal advice, they did get it right was the importance of evidence. Evidence helps the judge and jury make decisions about your case and can be integral in helping prove your case. It is important to pay careful attention after an injury occurs to what happened, where it happened, who was around, etc. Read here to learn more about crucial types of evidence in any personal injury case.

Do You Need A Personal Injury Attorney?

If you have recently been in an accident or situation that led to your injury, you should reach out to us at Lebaron & Jensen. We have extensive experience helping people, like you, who have been severely injured by a variety of different types of neglect including car accidents, dog bites, slip and fall incidents, construction accidents, motorcycle accidents, and more. Our clients are our top priority, meaning that our talented attorneys work tirelessly to acquire the best possible result for every case. For more information or to get in contact with our attorneys, feel free to reach out to us today.

This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. If you have specific questions please contact the attorneys at Lebaron & Jensen.