A few months ago, I represented an injured client who was involved in a car crash on Bangerter Highway in West Valley City, Utah. My client entered the intersection on a green light to cross Bangerter Highway in West Valley City when he was suddenly struck on the side of his car by another car. When the police arrived at the scene of the accident, the other driver said that her brakes failed and suddenly she hit my client’s car. She then claimed that she had a yellow light.

Fortunately, the officer at the scene did not just take the other driver’s word. He tested her brakes as the tow truck was pulling the car onto the tow bed. He thought that the brakes seemed to work fine. He further noted that the brake pedal was not sponge or soft and did not freely go to the floor. He also noticed that there was no leaking brake fluid or any skid marks before the crash. It was apparent to him that the other driver was not be truthful about the crash.

Thanks in part to the good police work, my client was able to get a fair settlement and not have to take his case to court. He was also fortunate that his injuries were not too severe from the car crash. If you are not needing immediate medical attention, it can be helpful to suggest to police officers to check certain things, especially when the other driver is making claims such as her brakes failing. Another thing to keep an eye out for is an intoxicated driver. Sometimes the driver may only be buzzed and the police office might not notice. If you notice erratic behavior at the scene of the car accident, bring it to the police officer’s attention.

Please call me if you have been injured or hurt in a car crash anywhere in Utah, but especially call me if the car accident is on Bangerter Highway in West Valley City. 801-738-9999.