Many Utah newspapers have reported on the recent motorcycle death of Peter Rognile including SaltTVNetwork, Deseret News, Fox 13, and ABC4 News.  What is not talked about is the reporting in and of itself.

Almost invariably the articles mention that Mr. Rognile was not wearing a helmet.  I just wanted to write about this statement.  The law in Utah does not and did not require or mandate that Mr. Rognile wear a helmet.  The law in Utah requires that those under 18 years of age wear a helmet.

When the articles state that Mr. Rognile was not wearing a helmet the inference is that he was responsible for his own death.  Nothing could be farther from the truth. It appears in the reports that a vehicle turned left directly into the path of the motorcycle.  It appears that the car driver may be at fault for causing this crash.  When the reporting lays the blame on the motorcyclist it turns the public attention away from the car driver's fault.  

Every year in Utah and across the United States many motorcycle riders are killed or seriously injured because vehicle drivers are simply not seeing the motorcycle.  We need to start watching out for each other out there.  Motorcyclists are entitled to use their lane of travel.  Motorcyclists are not legally required to wear helmets.  Motorcyclists, because they are not wearing helmets,are not to blame when a car negligently turns in front of them causing bodily harm.  the sooner reporting starts to accurately and fairly look at the facts and place blame where blame belongs they will focus the public's attention on the party at fault.  In doing so perhaps vehicle drivers in Utah will start looking out for motorcyclists.

Utah Bike Law and its lawyers are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted.  Our information source is cited in the article.  If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm.  Do not act solely upon the information provided herein.  Get a consultation.  The best law firms will provide a free consultation.  We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article.  The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.  Utah Bike Law and its attorneys are licensed to practice law only in the State of Utah and maintain offices in Salt Lake City, Utah. No attorney client relationship is established by simply visiting this website.

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