Hit by a car in Lehi, Utah, and suffered severe injuries? Do you want to recover financial compensation from a car accident but don’t know who to trust? The Personal Injury Lawyers at Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers will fight for you and help you recover what you deserve – whatever the cost.
With over 40 years of experience, our legal team has helped countless clients like you; whether it’s for car accidents, motor vehicle accidents, dog bites, or slips and falls, we have the experience, expertise, and resources to win your case. We offer free consultation, so don’t hesitate to contact us at (801) 876-4107.
Our Experienced and Reliable Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
Car accident victims might feel overwhelmed by the piling-up medical expenses and repair costs. But if you are drowning, we’re here to pull you out of the water.
With over 40 years of legal expertise in Utah personal injury law, our legal team has represented countless victims of car accidents and their families. We know how to help them get what they need to move on with their lives—and we’ll do it with the same compassion and commitment that have earned us a superior reputation throughout the state.
You don’t have to face your personal injury cases alone. Our Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers is standing by to help guide you through the process so you can focus on healing yourself and enjoying your life again.
Car Accident Laws in Lehi, UT
If you were hurt or your car was damaged in a car accident in Lehi, UT, you want to know your options for receiving fair compensation. We’ll go over a few Utah rules that could affect any vehicle accident claim you decide to file, such as:
- The four-year limit for filing most vehicle accident injuries cases;
- The three-year time restriction for filing most lawsuits for automobile or other property damage caused by accidents; and
- The “modified comparative fault” rule in Utah only permits financial compensation when the claimant shares less fault for the collision than the other party or parties.
Utah is a no-fault state for car insurance, implying that regardless of who caused the automobile accident, you will likely need to make a claim under your own personal injury protection coverage policy.
If your injury claim meets specific requirements, you can only step outside of no-fault and pursue a claim directly against the at-fault driver.
Utah Car Accident Statute of Limitations
After a car accident, there are a few different filing deadlines that could apply in Utah.
- First, under Utah Code § 78B-2-307, you have four years to seek compensation in civil court for injuries sustained in a car accident. This means that any injury claim made in the event of a car accident by a driver, passenger, motorcyclist, cyclist, or pedestrian will be subject to this deadline, and the “clock” begins to tick on the day of the collision.
- Utah Code § 78B-2-304 establishes a two-year statute of limitations for any wrongful death claims that the decedent’s relatives or representatives may pursue if they were to sustain a fatality due to the car accident. And it’s crucial to remember that for these types of claims, the two-year “clock” begins ticking on the date of the accident victim’s passing (as opposed to the date of the accident itself).
- Finally, according to Utah Code § 78B-2-305, victims must file any lawsuit concerning property damage resulting from a car accident within three years of the date of the accident if anyone’s vehicle or other property was harmed.
Whichever of these deadlines applies, understanding how the statute of limitations relates to your circumstance is essential.
What Should You Do Following a Car Accident
There’s a lot to think about if you’re in a car wreck. You’ve been in a dangerous situation and feel shaken up. Plus, you may have injuries affecting your ability to walk or perform simple tasks. Where should you go? What should you do? Here’s what you should do after an accident:
Contact the Emergency Team
After any car accident, the most important thing you can do is call 911. Even if there are no injuries, calling the attention of the emergency service team is the best way to ensure your safety. If you or someone else has been injured, you need to let the emergency response team know as soon as possible so they can get to the scene and assess your needs.
Gather Evidence
If you’ve been in a car accident, gathering as much evidence as possible and being aware of your rights is essential.
- First, note the vehicle information of anyone involved in the accident: Identify the license plate number, make and model, color, and even partial or blurry photos can help police track down who was at fault.
- Second, write down everything about the accident: List down what happened, what direction the cars were headed in and when they were last seen driving away, how fast you think they were going, and any other details that could be important for an insurance claim or lawsuit later on.
- Third, take photos of the whole scene: Look for skid marks from tires, damage to both cars involved (don’t move anything), and any physical injuries anyone might have sustained. Don’t forget to get close-ups of dents or cracks on either car.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Even if neither party involved was injured, the sooner you call your insurance company after the incident, the better. This is because there’s always the chance of unseen damage to cars or property even after a collision, which could make someone liable for damages later down the road.
Contacting your insurance company after an accident helps protect yourself from unnecessary legal fees or future claims.
Schedule a Consultation With a Car Accident Attorney
Car accident attorneys can help you understand local laws and procedures to address issues relating to establishing fault. A Lehi personal injury attorney may also help you determine the documentation required to support your case.
What Not To Do After a Car Accident
When you get into a car accident, it can be emotional, confusing, and scary. Feeling frustrated and wanting to lash out when things go wrong is natural. But there are specific actions that you might think are harmless but could make the situation worse for you in the end. Here are some things you should avoid doing after an accident:
Don’t Leave the Accident Scene.
The most important thing to remember is that you should remain at the scene of an accident until all parties involved have exchanged information and no longer need your presence.
Leaving the accident scene may also subject you to judgment from an insurance company, and they may hold it against you for fleeing the accident scene and deny your insurance claim later on.
Don’t Admit Fault or Apologize.
No matter who is responsible for the accident, it’s best to avoid admitting fault. Even if you know in your heart that you were not entirely at fault, it’s always best to leave that information out of the conversation.
In addition, admitting fault can make the other person feel like they have reason to be angry with you regardless of who is at fault, and this could cause them to cast blame and be less likely to accept responsibility for your injuries.
Don’t Wait to File a Personal Injury Case.
Car accident victims often don’t know what to do and wait too long before seeking legal advice. This can lead to two significant problems: the statute of limitations runs out, and you lose the right to recover compensation for your injuries.
By speaking with a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident, you give yourself time to investigate the cause of the crash and fully develop your claim before the statute of limitations expires.
Insurance companies know that most people don’t contact a car accident lawyer immediately after an accident, so they will try anything to discourage you from getting professional help. Don’t let them bully you into making bad choices.
Suppose you have suffered a serious injury due to another person’s negligence. In that case, you must contact a Lehi personal injury attorney immediately for more information about your rights and options for pursuing compensation for your losses.
Don’t Accept the Initial Settlement Offer.
If you’ve been in a car accident and you’re lucky enough to receive a settlement from the other driver’s insurance company, you might think that the biggest pressure is off—you don’t have to worry about the money anymore!
However, it’s essential not to let your guard down even after the initial offer comes in. Settlements are negotiated case-by-case basis, and there is no set figure for how much your claim will be worth.
If you accept the first offer, you essentially agree to settle for whatever that number is. But if you pay attention to a few things, you can get more money out of this process than you ever expected.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Successful Car Accident Claim
An accident victim is entitled to PIP coverage for up to $3,000 under Utah Code § 31A-22-307. The victim may also recover compensation from their own insurance up to the limit of their no-fault and uninsured/underinsured driver policies.
The victim may file a personal injury claim outside the no-fault system if the case satisfies the threshold for significant or permanent injury or disability to recover a range of damages, including economic losses and non-economic injuries, such as pain and suffering.
Why You Should Hire Car Accident Lawyers To Help With Your Case
You might be tempted to handle everything on your own—but this can lead to more trouble down the road. If you choose to represent yourself in a personal injury case, you’ll be responsible for gathering all the relevant information about the situation.
You’ll have to track down witnesses, file police reports, and gather photos from the scene—and making sure you do it all correctly is crucial. But gathering and organizing all those things can be impossible if you don’t know how to handle any aspect of an injury case or are unsure what information is most important.
When you work with an attorney at Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ll take care of everything for you. We’ll get the facts together and decide what’s relevant, so you don’t have to spend time ensuring everything is right. This will help to ensure that your settlement reflects your injuries and damages as accurately as possible.
You may have a lot on your mind after an accident or injury, but one less thing to worry about will make it easier for you to recover from your injuries and the accident itself.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Lehi Car Accident Lawyer
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers has a history of successful trials and settlements in Utah. Our accident lawyers have collected millions for our clients over the past few years. With injuries as serious as yours, our team is prepared to do whatever it takes to win your case. Schedule a free consultation by texting or calling us at (801) 876-4107
