Pedestrian Killed At DIA

New Shuttle Bus Routes Lead to Confusion, Death

A woman was killed at a DIA by a shuttle bus while walking to the terminal. Construction on the main concourses has caused a rerouting of airport traffic, which is thought to have contributed to the accident, officials say.

Traffic was restricted to traveling in one direction prior to the new construction, and the new routes have admittedly confused taxi cabs and shuttle buses. Investigators are trying to determine what role the construction and new routes played in the incident.

The woman, whose name has not been released pending notification of relatives, was struck by a Budget Rental Car shuttle bus on Saturday, October 13.

Investigators are working to determine if any charges will be filed. The Budget Rental Car employee that was driving the shuttle stayed at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

Pedestrians in the mean time are encouraged to be extremely cautious when navigating through the crosswalks at D.I.A., as a precautionary measure due to the new changes in traffic.

If you are injured in a shuttle or large truck accident, you should contact an attorney before speaking with your insurance company. Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. for a free initial consultation to discuss your case. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Source: Woman Struck, Killed By Shuttle Bus At DIA

Denver's Bicycle Challenge

Growing Trend of Bicycle Use Warrants New Research into Road Safety & Conduct

As Denver becomes one of the nation's premier cities for cyclists, a plethora of new challenges and questions arise from a decidedly beneficial and healthy new fad.

With several agencies and campaigns targeting a 10% or more mode share of individuals using bikes as their mode of transportation to get to work, the city's infrastructure is undoubtedly lagging behind. Despite a doubling of roads outfitted with bike lines or sharrows, which are roads that are wide enough to accommodate both cyclists and motorists, a stiff increase in cycling has overwhelmed the roads and bike systems.

Funds allocated for improving pedestrian and cyclist causeways was increased dramatically over the past five years. A 2006 estimate had the city spending 2.1 million on projects related cycling and pedestrians. By 2011, that number had risen to 10.5 million.

Yet despite the growing allocation of funds for cycling-friendly roadways and streets in the city, there are still several problem areas. Misleading signage, confusing markings, and cycling heavy roads and streets without proper accommodation for bikes have contributed to the challenges facing Denver's goal to increase bicycle use in the city. Many observers have commented that Denver has put bike lanes in "all the easy places," but has yet to implement them in more constricted, troublesome locales.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock notes that much of the problem is still centered around monetary difficulties. "It is certainly a resource issue," Hancock reflected. "This is all going to take time. It's not going to get done overnight."

One of the primary catalysts advancing the initiative to get Denver's residents out of cars and onto bikes is Emily Snyder. A senior planner for Denver Public Works, Snyder has been endearingly labeled "the bike girl" by many of her friends and co-workers.

Snyder admits that creating a totally bike-friendly city in Denver is difficult due to a variety of obstacles. The constrained format of the city and the lack of new roads being built within city limits constitutes an arduous task for city planners such as Snyder. However, "the bike girl" won't back down.

"[...S]omething that I tell advocates a lot: it will all get done, it's just a matter of how fast."

If you have been involved in a bicycle vs. car accident, or any car accident in the greater Denver Metro Area, please call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger today for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Source: As Denver becomes a major bike city, can it put safety first?

Warning: Counterfeit Airbags

NHTSA: Fake Airbags Are Dangerous and Could Explode

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a warning to motorists that counterfeit airbags are being installed in automotive repair shops that could potentially malfunction, or worse, discharge metal shrapnel.

The investigation into the widespread presence of counterfeit airbags initially centered around Dai Zhensong, a Chinese national that was charged with, and pleaded guilty to, trafficking counterfeit airbags. Zhensong traveled to the United States in 2010 to sell counterfeit auto parts.

A list of vehicle makes and models that are potentially affected is available at the government website safercar.gov. The list is expected to evolve as more information about the counterfeit operation becomes available.

Officials indicated that only vehicles that have had an airbag replaced in the last three years at an auto body repair shop are at risk. Repair shops at new car dealerships are not thought to be dangerous, as dealerships are usually required to purchase parts directly from the manufacturer as a result of franchise agreements.

However, many dealerships do not have an auto body repair center, and as a result many insurance companies will refer their clients to auto shops that are not affiliated with automakers. The airbags are frequently advertised as being legitimate, and bear the official-looking emblems of manufacturers such as Honda or BMW.

NHTSA estimates that tens of thousands of drivers may be at risk. Approximately 250,000 cars on the road today can be outfitted with a counterfeit airbag, about 0.1 of the nations vehicles.

A government test conducted last month determined 10 out of the 11 counterfeit airbags tested did not deploy properly or malfunctioned in some way. One test resulted in a shrapnel discharge. NHTSA Administrator David Strickland indicated "It is an extreme safety risk."

If you have been injured in a car accident in the greater Denver area, please call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Sources: Counterfeit air bags could malfunction, explode, regulators warn, Airbag Knockoffs Fail in Crash Test Videos

Denver Police Arrest Suspect In Connection With Hit & Run Death

Arrest Follows Discovery of Car Involved in Crash

UPDATE 10/25/2012 - Authorities have set Esquibel's bond at $100,000 after his arrest for suspicion of failing to report an accident causing death in connection with the hit and run killing of Laura McDermott.

Denver Police have arrested the suspected driver of a silver or gray 1987-1989 Toyota Corolla in connection with a fatal hit and run accident that took place at the intersection of South Broadway and East Cedar Avenue at approximately 1 A.M. Sunday morning.

The Denver Police department released a video to the public showing the suspected vehicle speeding by on Broadway. Seconds later, several witnesses begin running down the sidewalk towards the accident scene where the injured victim lay motionless outside of the scope of the camera's view.

The driver, Dennis Esquibel, is suspected of speeding and is estimated to have been traveling at about 65 mph in a 30 mph area. After colliding with the victim, Esquibel did not stop or attempt to help the injured person and continued driving without contacting the police.

Laura McDermott, 32, was crossing Broadway westbound on Cedar Avenue when she was struck by the Toyota. She was transported to Denver Health Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead.

The Toyota suffered significant damage to is front passenger side, including a missing turn signal and shattered windshield. It was later found in an abandoned parking lot near Louisiana Avenue and Jason Street.

"Absolutely no doubt, they knew they hit someone," traffic detective Dave Carroll told the Denver Post.

Esquibel has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident in addition to vehicular homicide. Both charges are felonies.

If you are injured in a hit and run accident, or any accident in the Greater Denver Area, contact The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger today for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Sources: Denver police release new information in hit-and run death, Denver police hope new video will lead to arrest in deadly hit-and-run

Man Ticketed for Honking Spree Targeted at Cyclists

Former Professional Cyclist Posts Encounter on Youtube

A viral Youtube video of an incident between two cyclists and a driver of a Ford Explorer has resulted in the ticketing of the driver in addition to an outpouring of criticism and debate surrounding cyclist-motorist encounters.

The altercation took place on a road just east of Longmont, CO this past Sunday. Dirk Friel, former professional cyclist and founder of a software development company targeting coaches of endurance athletes, was riding with a friend on the shoulder of the road when a an older male driver approached them from behind in his grey SUV. The driver began honking repeatedly, and would not speed up to pass the two cyclists even after they slowed to a near halt.

After a two day investigation, Colorado State Patrol located the driver. James Ernst, 75, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of harassment, impeding the flow of traffic, and improper use of a horn or warning.

Friel indicated that less experienced cyclists could have easily become distracted and crashed as a result of the excessive honking. The both bikers and police are still baffled as to why the driver initiated the honking spree, though it appears that the vehicle has been involved in other situations with cyclists.

"We were single file even when he approached us," Friel said. "At least we kept our cool."

In the description section of Friel's video on Youtube, expresses more frustration: "Here is what was supposed to be my relaxing Sunday morning ride with my teammate until things became a bit unsettling when an older male driver came up behind us in his Ford Explorer (license plate Colorado 893 EKG)."

If you are injured in a bicycle-car accident, or any car accident in the greater Denver area, call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Sources: Longmont-area driver honks at cyclists nonstop; Colorado State Patrol investigates, Man ticketed on suspicion of harassing cyclists

Cycling Laws Gain Attention from Drivers and Bikers

Study Group in Jefferson County to Analyze Road Safety Issues

The Jefferson County Commission will be creating a new focus group to analyze and interpret many of the issues raised during several meetings conducted regarding public road safety between cyclists, motorcycle drivers, as well as standard motorists.

The bulk of the participants were cyclists, though individuals representing an array of driving factions were present at the meetings.

Donald Rosier, Jefferson County Commissioner, said a group of 11 would be formed with approximately one month to analyze and create solutions to the problems created by an influx of cyclists over the last 10 years.

"Whether it's putting signage on the road that talks about the rules for both motorists and cyclists, or identifying hills you're about to ride, we need to take a real look at how we address what has become a large issue," Rosier explained.

The meetings were intended to raise awareness and education regarding the growing issues that are present when cyclists and motorists are forced to share the roadway. The various groups maintained a tranquil environment for debate and brainstorming.

"Everyone was well-behaved, and Rosier was very receptive," said Kelly Garrod, road-safety-advocacy chairman with Team Evergreen.

A sheriff from Jefferson County Sheriff's Office was present to disseminate statistics regarding cyclist-motorist conflicts, which helped shape the discussion and lead Garrod and Rosier to the same conclusion. Education is the key.

"From cyclists, it came out that a lot of the cyclists don't really understand the laws. People have different interpretations of what the 3-foot law means," Garrod said in reference to the state law that requires motorists to allow 3 feet between their auto and a cyclist when passing.

If you are injured in a bicycle-car accident, or any car accident in the greater Denver area, call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Source: Jefferson County creating group to study roadway safety issues

4 Colorado Cities Among Nation's Safest in Terms of Driving

Allstate's "America's Best Drivers Report" is Good News for Coloradans

Of America's 200 largest cities, Fort Collins ranks third overall behind only Boise, Idaho and Sioux Falls, SD, in terms of accident rates compared to a national average. 

Colorado Springs, Denver, and Aurora all were listed within the top 60, showing a positive trend of Colorado drivers.

The study, conducted by Allstate insurance with the goal of sparking conversation nationwide regarding safe driving, has consistently ranked Fort Collins in the top 10 safest driving cities in their annual report.

"Allstate's Best Driver's Report was created to boost the country's discussion on safe driving. Each year we hope the report will increase awareness about the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel," said Mike Roche, senior vice president of claims at Allstate

Colorado Springs was ranked at number 23, while Denver and Aurora came in at 55 and 54 respectively.

The Allstate study aims to quantify how frequently drivers in specific cities are involved in car accidents. Using its claims information, the study computes an average number of years between accidents for an average driver in a specific city. 

Fort Collins' ranking as the third safest city to drive in coincides with a 13.6 year gap between accidents for the average driver, 27.6% less likely than the nationwide average.

The least safe city for driving was Washington D.C., which has reluctantly held that spot for 4 consecutive years.

If you are injured in an car accident in the greater Denver area, do not hesitate to contact an attorney. At the Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C., we offer a free initial consultation to help you understand possible legal action you may want to pursue with your case. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Sources: 4 Colorado cities rank in Allstate's 'Best Drivers Report', Where do American Cities Rank in Eighth Annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report™?"