injured woman in neck brace

St. George man killed by distracted driver.

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We all know that we should not text and drive. We’ve heard the statistics; nine people per day are killed by distracted drivers, texting while driving is a greater impairment than drunk driving, those that text while they drive are twenty-three times more likely to be in a car crash. Those facts should be compelling, yet nearly half of all drivers admit to texting while driving.

On March 4th, 2013, David and Leslee Henson, of St. George, Utah, decided to go for a walk down Dixie Drive towards Sunbrook Golf Course. A driver, speeding down Dixie Drive on her way to work, decided to send a routine text message. Fred Konrath was also driving that day. His car was rear-ended at a high-speed by the texter. All he could do was watch as his car was sent in an out-of-control skid in the direction of the sidewalk where David and Leslee were walking. Fred witnessed Dave desperately attempt to push his wife to safety. They were both hit. Dave Henson lost his life that morning. Leslee underwent major reconstructive surgery and intensive care. Thankfully, she is expected to recover.

This is Leslee’s story . . .

 

Attorney Anthony McMullin Interviewed for Lawyers.com Article

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Our attorney, Anthony McMullin, was recently approached by Lawyers.com to comment on a story they were working on.  The story pertained to a personal injury lawsuit in Utah involving a texting-while-driving accident. Mr. McMullin was happy to discuss this issue and to provide his knowledge and expertise.

The full story can be read by clicking here.

We thank Lawyers.com for looking to McMullin Injury Law for information concerning this interesting and very important topic.

McMullin Injury Law is . . . In your community and on your side!

Utah Beefs Up – Tougher texting laws have taken effect!

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Utah has widely been known as a one of the first and toughest when it comes to texting laws.  In fact, a class C misdemeanor can be heightened to a class B misdeemeanor or possibly a third-degree felony if the violator causes bodily injury or death while texting and driving.

Unfortunately, while the laws appeared to be tough, the language itself made it very difficult to successfully prosecute violators.  In essence, the law was all bark and very little bite as it required prosecutors to prove that the driver was in fact texting at the time an accident occured.

It was with these difficulties in mind that the Utah Legislature amended Utah’s texting statute.  Having taken effect May 8, 2012, the new amended version of the law makes it illegal to do anything but for make or receive a call on ones cell phone.

The law prohibits a person who is operating a motor vehicle from using a cell phone to do the following :

  • Text message;
  • Email;
  • Enter data;
  • Send, read or enter data, text or images; and/or
  • Manipulate an application.

These changes in Utah should result in making it easier for prosecutors to prove cases in which drivers are distracted by cell phone usage.