You get hurt in a car accident, and you’re unsure about what to do next. After you treat your accident injuries, pursue compensation from any liable parties. Start by meeting with a car accident lawyer in South Salt Lake, who can determine whether you have a case to seek compensation through a claim or lawsuit.
Siegfried & Jensen has provided legal services to more than 35,000 clients, including those injured in left-turn, rear-end, pedestrian, and other types of accidents on State Street, 2100 South, and other parts of South Salt Lake. Allow a personal injury lawyer in South Salt Lake from our team to assist you with your car crash case. Reach out to us today.
Why You Should Proceed with a Car Accident Claim in South Salt Lake
By filing a car accident claim, you can ask the insurance company of a party liable for your auto crash for compensation for your losses from the incident. A car accident attorney in South Salt Lake can help you submit your claim in alignment with Utah law. From here, your lawyer can build your case for compensation for your losses from your car accident.
Your personal injury attorney can utilize traffic camera footage of your car crash, witness statements, police reports, and other evidence to support your compensation request. On top of that, your lawyer can negotiate a settlement agreement with an at-fault party’s insurer. They can also keep you updated about any settlement offers and evaluate them with you.
If you’re wondering whether you have a valid injury claim for an auto accident, discuss the incident with the team at Siegfried & Jensen. With decades of combined experience, we know how to overcome the challenges you may face during the claims process. For more information, schedule a free case review.
For a free legal consultation with a car accident lawyer serving South Salt Lake, call (801) 266-0999
When to Sue for a Car Accident
Your South Salt Lake car accident lawyer can engage in insurance settlement negotiations for you. Ideally, these negotiations lead to a settlement that matches your expectations. However, if an at-fault party’s insurer doesn’t offer a reasonable settlement, your attorney can help you file a lawsuit within Utah’s car accident statute of limitations.
Under Utah Code § 78B-2-307, if you suffer injuries in a car collision and another party is at fault, you typically have four years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Certain exceptions can apply to the personal injury statute of limitations.
According to Utah Code § 78B-2-304, if you lose a family member in a fatal auto collision and are eligible to sue any responsible parties, you typically have two years from the date of death to file your lawsuit, with some exceptions. Your attorney can assess your fatal car accident case and whether you meet the criteria to sue for wrongful death.
South Salt Lake Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (801) 266-0999
Types of Compensatory Damages That You Can Recover in a Car Accident Case
As your auto accident lawyer tries to achieve the optimal case results, they can put together an argument designed to show a judge or jury why you deserve economic and non-economic damages. Types of recoverable damages in auto crash cases can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of income
- Decreased earning capacity
- Medical expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If you want to recover damages following the loss of a family member in a fatal car accident, it can be beneficial to speak with an empathetic and compassionate attorney who has wrongful death case experience. Depending on the circumstances, your lawyer can seek damages for your loved one’s burial and funeral expenses, as well as other losses, on behalf of you and your family.
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Who Can Be at Fault for a Car Crash
The party responsible for a car crash varies based on the specifics of the incident. Your lawyer can interview auto accident witnesses, review police reports, and do other things to investigate. They may discover that any of these parties can be held responsible for your car accident:
- Motorist
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Cargo loader
- Car parts manufacturer
- Automaker
- Mechanic
- Business operator
- Employer
- Government entity
Regardless of who is at fault for your car collision, your lawyer can prepare an argument around negligence. They want to prove that a party acted negligently and, because of this, is responsible for your auto accident and associated losses.
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What Negligence Means in an Auto Crash Case
To prove negligence, your lawyer can craft an argument showing that someone violated their duty of care. A duty of care refers to a legal obligation that someone has to exercise a reasonable level of caution to protect others from harm.
Per Utah Code § 78B-5-818, modified comparative negligence can affect how much compensation you can recover after a car accident. Under this rule, you can recover damages if your fault is less than the combined fault of the defendants and other persons whose fault the statute considers.
Meanwhile, based on modified comparative negligence, any compensation awarded can be reduced by your applicable allocation of fault. Thus, if your fault for your car accident equals or exceeds the combined fault attributed to the other side, you generally cannot recover damages.
What to Do After a Car Crash
After a crash, stop your car, check for injuries, and, if possible, move your vehicle to the road’s shoulder and turn on the hazards. Call 911 and, if traffic is heavy, stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on.
Let medical professionals evaluate and treat your injuries. Talk with the police and tell them about the accident, but don’t accept responsibility. Outside of these things, get the contact, insurance, and driver’s license information of other motorists involved in the accident. You should also collect at-the-scene evidence and witnesses’ contact information.
In the days after your accident, notify your car insurance company about the incident. Get in touch with a personal injury lawyer who has car accident case experience as well. If you file a claim or lawsuit, your attorney can position you to secure fair compensation from any liable parties.
With Us, You Never Have to Pay Anything Out of Pocket
Trust a South Salt Lake car accident attorney from Siegfried & Jensen to handle all aspects of your case. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, and you won’t be charged anything unless we get you compensation for your auto accident losses. To find out more, request a free case consultation.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form