Auto Accident Injury in Utah

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Utah? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in UT that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Utah

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. While Utah has a program to eliminate traffic fatalities, the state has a long way to go. According to 2018 numbers from the Utah Department of Public Safety, someone dies in a motor vehicle accident somewhere in Utah roughly every 33.7 hours. Accident-related injuries occur about every 20 minutes.

Specific DPS data indicates more than 62,000 motor vehicle accidents occurred in the Beehive State in 2018. That year, 260 individuals died and 25,645 sustained some type of injury in car crashes. The leading causes of death for traffic accidents in Utah were speeding, failing to maintain the lane, not wearing a seat belt, impaired driving and failing to yield.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

Under Title 41, Section 41-6a-41 of the Utah Code, you also have an affirmative obligation to notify law enforcement of a crash if any of the following applies:

• The accident causes more than $1,500 in property damage
• The accident causes someone’s death
• The accident causes serious injury

According to public information from the Utah Highway Patrol, you also must remain at the accident scene until officers arrive.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

The cost of traffic fatalities and injuries is astronomically high in the Beehive State. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that injuries and deaths cost nearly $336 million in Utah in 2018 alone. Along with roughly $4 million in medical bills, this number includes $332 million in lost work.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Utah

Liability Laws for UT

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

Utah is a no-fault state for car accident fatalities and injuries, meaning your insurance company likely must cover your damages. Still, because of Utah’s comparative negligence statute, you may be able to proceed with a legal claim against the responsible party, provided you were not more than 50% responsible for the accident.

Statute of Limitations in UT

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. If you or a loved one sustains an injury in a car accident in Utah, you likely have up to four years to file a legal claim.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer In Utah

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in UT!

There are still many areas of Utah law you may want to explore to be sure that you have completed all the necessary research for your particular case. Our home page is always ready when you are ready to get matched with a local lawyer in your area today!