BYU student dies in collision with pickup truck in Provo

Traffic accidents have many causes. In some cases, only a single cause, such as failing to stop for a red light, can cause a significant accident. In other cases, two or more causes can come together and produce a tragic result. A recent collision in Provo appears to have been the result of both human negligence and the uncontrollable factor of weather.

The accident

The sequence of events began when a student from BYU was leaving the parking lot of a Taco Bell drive-in. As the car left the parking lot, it was struck on the driver’s side by a pickup truck. The driver of the sedan was killed immediately, and the driver of the truck was hospitalized following the crash.

Possible causes

Provo police offered a number of theories on why the crash occurred. Officers said that a rain storm passed through Provo at the approximate time of the accident. One police officer said that the rain may have reduced visibility. Another officer said that drivers should adjust for inclement weather. The officer advised drivers to turn on headlights, slow down, and use windshield wipers. If the weather totally obscures vision, a driver should pull over until the driving may be continued safely. The media report of this accident stated that the accident is still under investigation by the Provo Police Department Accident Investigation team.

Even though weather may have been the major contributing factor in this accident, the comments of the Provo police officers point to several possible human errors that may have been significant. For example, the driver of the pickup truck may have been traveling too fast, perhaps even above posted limits. Any assessment of liability must await the completion of the investigation by the police accident investigation team. Anyone who has suffered an injury or lost a loved one under similar circumstances may wish to pursue a claim for damages. An experienced Salt Lake City car accident lawyer can provide a useful evaluation of the evidence and an estimate of the likelihood of recovering damages for wrongful death or injuries such as lost income, medical expenses and pain and suffering.