Archive for the ‘ Truck Accident ’ Category

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16
Mar

Free Cab Rides Offered In Colorado Springs On St. Patrick’s Day

March 16, 2012

In anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow and with the NCAA Basketball Tournament running throughout the weekend, more than 114 law enforcement agencies in Colorado will be stepping up their presence to deter drunk drivers from hitting the road.

In an article released by 9 News, the Colorado Department of Transportation stated that the last time St. Patrick’s Day fell on a Saturday was in 2007, and law enforcement across the state arrested 363 people for DUI offenses that night. Since then, the department estimates there has been a 48% increase in the number of drunken driving arrests on that holiday.

So, what should you do if you have had too much to drink and don’t want to drive home? If you live in the Colorado Springs area, you can call a cab free of charge thanks to the Safe and Sober program sponsored by the Colorado Springs DUI Accident Lawyers at the McDivitt Law Firm. The firm says that it will pay for your cab ride home Saturday night if you’ve had too much to drink. Just call one of the following cab companies and tell them your ride home is on McDivitt Law Firm:

  • Colorado Springs – Call Yellow Cab of Colorado Springs at (719) 777-777.
  • Pueblo and Pueblo West- Call City Cab Company at (719) 543-2525.

The McDivitt Law Firm would like to wish everyone a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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14
Mar

Drugged Driving On The Rise On America’s Highways

March 14, 2012

Recent studies have shown that there is a growing problem of drugged driving on America’s highways. The National Institute on Drug Abuse claims that drug use was seven times more common among weekend nighttime drivers in the U.S. than alcohol, as 16 percent of those drivers tested positive for drugs compared to 2 percent who tested at or above the legal limit for alcohol.

For example, police say a 43-year-old Boulder, Colorado, man was under the influence of a narcotic painkiller when he caused a nine-vehicle pile-up Tuesday evening. Reports from 9 News indicated that the accident happened along 19th Street, between Cedar and Iris.

The driver told police that he had taken the Percocet for a stomach problem before blacking out at the wheel and causing a string of collisions. He was arrested and said he didn’t remember hitting the other vehicles. He faces charges of vehicular assault, DUI, reckless driving, and hit-and-run causing injury.

Surveys have shown that many people believe they can get away with drugged driving because they think police can’t prove they are under the influence if they are pulled over. However, advancements in technology and law enforcement education have given officers the tools they need to determine if a driver is under the influence of drugs.

The Boulder Car Accident Lawyers with the McDivitt Law Firm encourage you to take medications only as prescribed and to adhere to all warning labels.

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27
Dec

New Technology Blocks Cell Phone Use By Drivers

December 26, 2011

In response to the growing number of supporters behind the push on federal regulators to ban cell phone use while driving, 9 News reported today that a company has created a device that will block cell phones from being used if the owner is driving.

The new technology, called Cell Control, is being marketed to businesses with large fleets of company vehicles and also to parents of teenagers just learning to drive. The device works by plugging it in to your car’s diagnostic system and running a software program installed on the phone itself. Then, when the car turns on, a blocked screen will come up on the phone. Calls are then forwarded to voice mail and a busy message will respond to any incoming text messages. The software also blocks internet usage while activated.

The Cell Control System is fairly cost effective as well at around $25 per unit, plus $8 per month for service. The only drawback now is that it does not currently work with iPhones; a problem Cell Control Vice President Chuck Cox says will be taken care of after the New Year.

The Colorado auto accident attorneys with the McDivitt Law Firm are glad to see technology being used to keep drivers safe and encourage drivers to put their phones down when behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Eliminating cell phone use while driving significantly decreases your chances of being hurt or killed in a senseless accident.

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12
Dec

New Distracted Driving Laws In Colorado Difficult To Enforce

December 12, 2011

Although it is a common occurrence, texting and driving is extremely dangerous! New laws were recently enacted to battle the problem, but according to 9 News, officers say they are having a hard time enforcing the new measures.

Right around this time two years ago, the state made it illegal to text and drive at the same time. Since then, Larimer County Sheriff’s office spokesperson, Corporal Nelson Sanderson, says that the department has only written one ticket for an infraction. Fort Collins and Boulder’s Police departments have also had a difficult time enforcing the new laws as well, only writing 41 and 15 tickets respectively. Sanderson blamed the lack of tickets on the difficulty of catching someone in the act while patrolling.

So if new laws and uniformed officers can’t stop the problem, what will? One Fort Collins man has some ideas that may work. He says narrower streets and more bump-outs will cause drivers to concentrate and traffic to slow in the area, thus preventing accidents. He said the idea comes from European streets that create environments where a driver has to be focused and cautious in order to prevent an accident.

The Colorado Auto Accident Attorneys with the McDivitt Law Firm host a contest each year in which students create public service announcements to battle the problems of distracted driving. The videos can be seen on a dedicated YouTube Channel.

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21
Nov

CDOT Developing New Smartphone App To Warn Drivers Of Conditions

November 21, 2011

Cell phone use behind the wheel is becoming a hot topic of debate in regards to motorist safety these days. But the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is trying to make the devices more of an ally by developing an application that will alert drivers to traffic conditions on state roads.

Colorado’s 9 News reported today that CDOT spokeswoman, Stacey Stegman, the smartphone application is in the early stages of development. Stegman confirmed that a contract for the creation of the application would be awarded to a private firm early next year. Then, the product should be available for preliminary testing along the Interstate 70 mountain corridor next summer. Upon testing completion, officials hope the application will be up and running by Memorial Day of next year.

In addition to warning motorists of upcoming stops and delays in traffic, the application would also offer suggestions for alternate routes, stops, and entertainment along the way.

More than 20 percent of accidents in the state of Colorado in 2008 were the result of distracted driving and accounted for the loss of 6,000 lives.

The Colorado Car Accident Lawyers with the McDivitt Law Firm urge drivers to protect themselves and others while behind the wheel by refraining from texting or talking while driving. Putting the phone down is the best way to ensure your attention stays on the road.

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2
Nov

Winter Weather Brings Slick Roads And Fender Benders To Colorado

November 2, 2011

With the second blast of winter weather for the season blowing through the Colorado area this morning, KKTV News is reporting that slick roads and several fender benders have led to slow traffic and several closures on Colorado Springs roads.

Approximately three accidents and two with injuries were reported on Powers Boulevard this morning, with more calls of accidents coming into dispatchers every few minutes.

The Colorado Springs Police Department announced early this morning that it would be on Accident Alert status beginning at 2:35 AM due to the wintry road conditions across the city. They ask that drivers try to stay off roads if at all possible, but if you must travel, slow down! If you are involved in an accident, only contact them if there is an injury, damaged public property, or if a driver is suspected of being under the influence. Otherwise, fill out a cold report form online or at any police department substation.

The Colorado Car Crash Lawyers with the McDivitt Law Firm want to hear from you. Tell us what you do to prepare for a trek out into a winter wonderland in your car by posting your tips and stories on our Facebook page.

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23
Sep

Police Testing “Pacing” Technique On Colorado Highway This Weekend

September 23, 2011

Colorado State Police, along with the Silverthorne Police Department, have run the first tests of a new technique used to control heavy traffic flow on the highway. According to 9 News, the departments are planning a second run of trials this weekend on a 27-mile stretch of I-70 between Silverthorne and Empire Junction in Colorado.

The technique known as pacing puts squad cars into traffic with travelers. These “pace cars” either travel in the center or left lanes, with lights on, at a pace of between 45-55 MPH. The technique is designed to even out congestion and slow traffic down, creating a safer environment on the road and causing fewer accidents to occur.

The first tests were run August 13, between the Eisenhower Tunnel and Silverthorne, to great success. The Saturday trial had approximately 1,200 to 1,500 vehicles per hour traveling the corridor with no crashes reported. The results are in their early stages though and officials say it is too early to judge the campaign’s success. That is why they are hoping to mimic previous conclusions in heavier traffic conditions that are expected for this Sunday’s run. Experts say there could be between 1,800 to 2,300 vehicles per hour traveling the stretch of road this coming weekend.

More tests are scheduled for later this year, and if successful, the technique could be put to use in the line of duty as early as winter of 2012.

The Colorado Auto Accident Attorneys with the McDivitt Law Firm are excited about a new way to save lives on Colorado’s roadways being implemented and wish officers the best of luck.

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1
Aug

Colorado Tow Truck Driver Hit and Killed While on the Job

August 1, 2011

A 41-year-old tow truck driver was hit and killed by a vehicle in Arvada, Colorado, while working with authorities to clear an unrelated accident. According to Channel 9 News, the incident occurred just after 1:30 AM on Sunday at the corner of 58th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard, as the tow truck driver was loading a vehicle onto his truck.

Police say a Nissan Rogue driven by a 28-year-old from Lakewood, Colorado, struck and killed the tow truck operator. The driver attempted to flee the scene of the accident, but was pulled over and arrested moments later, six blocks away from the crash site. The driver was taken into custody and transported to the Jefferson County Jail. The tow truck driver was transported to a local hospital, where he later died. Officers are investigating whether drugs or alcohol played a part in the accident. The 28-year-old accused in the hit-and-run has a history of arrests, with charges for crimes ranging from Larceny to DUI.

Tow truck drivers regularly work in dangerous environments, often loading disabled vehicles on the side of busy roads. Speeding drivers and cramped road shoulders often contribute to injuries sustained by tow truck drivers while on the job.

The Colorado Wrongful Death and Workers’ Compensation Attorneys with the McDivitt Law Firm can help workers or workers’ families who have been injured or killed on the job by settling their cases to receive compensation for the damages incurred. Contact them for a free consultation of your case immediately.

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25
Jul

Two Injured in Baca County Crash Involving a Van and a Tractor-Trailer

July 25, 2011

A crash involving a van and a semi truck in Baca County, Colorado, sent two victims to the hospital Friday night. KKTV.com reported that the accident occurred as the van was attempting to pass the truck at an intersection of Baca County Road West. The van struck the side of the truck and rolled several times. All passengers in the van were luckily wearing their seatbelts, resulting in only the driver and the front passenger in the van requiring hospitalization.

The driver was transported to Southeastern Colorado Hospital, where he was treated and released for lacerations and bruises. The front passenger was airlifted to Swedish Hospital in Denver, where he is still under treatment for spinal injuries. Neither the driver of the semi truck nor his passenger were injured in the accident.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that passenger vans handle much differently than cars because of length, width, and height differences between the two. They say the higher rate of rollovers could be attributed to this, along with inexperienced drivers, improperly sized or inflated tires, or incorrectly loaded cargo and passengers.

The Colorado Auto Accident Attorneys with the McDivitt Law Firm may be able to help you if you have been injured in an accident that was caused by another’s negligence. You may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and other losses caused by the accident. Contact them immediately for a free consultation of your case.

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22
Jul

Three Colorado Men Critically Injured After Driver Dozes Off

July 20, 2011

Three men were critically injured early Friday morning near Kersey, Colorado, after a single car accident in which the driver of the vehicle fell asleep at the wheel. According to the Greeley Tribune, the men were driving east of Weld County Road 44 at 6:30 AM, and ran through the stop sign at the intersection with Weld County Road 49.

The 2007 Chevrolet pickup, driven by a 31-year-old Rifle, Colorado man, plowed into a trailer attached to an 18-wheeler, driven by a 61-year-old woman, causing it to roll. The two passengers in the pick up, along with the driver, were critically injured in the crash and were transported to North Colorado Medical Center for treatment. According to the sheriff’s report, the driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured.

The National Sleep Foundation states that 60% of adult drivers have reported driving drowsy with one-third of those drivers also reporting they had actually fallen asleep at the wheel before. Four percent of those drivers stated they were involved in an accident because they had dozed off behind the wheel.

The Colorado Auto Accident Attorneys with the McDivitt Law Firm may be able to assist someone injured because another driver fell asleep at the wheel. Their team of lawyers can assist with the complicated process of collecting compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and in certain cases, pain and suffering. Contact them now for a free consultation of your case.

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