If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may wonder whether filing a claim with your own insurance is your only option. Our car accident lawyer in Wasatch Hollow can help you decide whether to seek compensation from other parties.
Siegfried & Jensen offers you the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer in Wasatch Hollow. Our law firm has recovered over $1.2 billion in compensation for clients, and we’re ready to determine whether you might qualify for compensation from at-fault parties. Contact us today.
Primary Corridors Where Wasatch Hollow Accidents Frequently Occur
Car accidents can happen anywhere, but the busier the roads, the greater the statistical likelihood of someone’s mistake causing an accident. In Wasatch Hollow, Foothill Drive and 1700 East are the primary corridors. Additionally, pedestrian crossings at Wasatch Hollow Park can lead to situations where pedestrians are directly or indirectly involved in crashes.
Fault is always determined based on evidence and the circumstances of an accident. Generalizations don’t always apply, so it’s best to consult a professional to determine whether you should accept others’ opinions about your degree of fault. That’s particularly true if you sustained injuries that might qualify for compensation.
For a free legal consultation with a car accident lawyer serving Wasatch Hollow, call (801) 266-0999
When Your Case May Require Consideration Beyond Utah’s No-Fault Insurance Rules
Utah follows no-fault insurance rules. That means you carry the required personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, and it pays out regardless of who caused the accident. However, specific circumstances allow you to go beyond that, claiming compensation from other parties, depending on their share of fault. These include:
- Injuries exceeding the $3,000 PIP coverage required by law
- Bone fractures
- Injuries causing permanent impairment
- Loss of a limb (dismemberment)
Naturally, loss of life is considered even more serious than any of the listed injuries that may qualify you for compensation. In Utah, you can sue for wrongful death after a car accident and should consider doing so due to the extreme financial or personal loss inflicted on you.
Wasatch Hollow Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (801) 266-0999
How Modified Comparative Fault Rules in Utah Affect You
Per Utah Code § 78B-5-818, your right to compensation depends on your share of fault. If you are less than 50% at fault, you can qualify for compensation, subject to the no-fault insurance rule. Implications of this generally include:
- Having no right to compensation if you are 50% or more to blame
- Being able to recover damages when the combined fault of other parties is over 50%
- Only being able to recover damages proportional to your share of fault. For example, if you are 49% at fault, you can only recover 51% of your damages.
Because these rules affect the financial liability other parties face, they will seek evidence that reduces their share of fault. Your Wasatch Hollow car accident lawyer will gather evidence to support your case and will work to counter any unfair attempts to shift blame.
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Negligence and Fault in Utah Car Accident Cases
Most car accidents happen because someone failed to exercise due care. In other words, they were negligent. To show who was negligent, your car accident attorney in Wasatch Hollow must show that:
- Another party owed you a duty of care.
- They failed to meet that duty.
- Their failure caused the accident.
- You suffered injuries or losses as a result.
In many car accident cases, these points are heavily debated. For example, defendants may claim you failed to meet your duty of care, or that their failure wasn’t the direct cause of the crash. They may even argue that your actions aggravated some of your injuries. Your attorney’s experience prepares them to handle these challenges.
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How Long You Have to File a Case After a Wasatch Hollow Car Crash
Utah law sets deadlines for filing lawsuits. Some people only realize that they could have sought compensation long after a crash. They can lose the right to sue if they wait too long. Per Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-307, you would generally have four years from the date of an accident to file suit.
If a car accident causes someone’s death, eligible surviving family members or other authorized parties may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. The usual deadline is two years from the date of death. An attorney can explain who may bring the claim and what damages Utah law may allow you to recover.
Consider consulting your Wasatch Hollow car accident attorney as soon after your accident as you can. The main concerns include preserving evidence that may not be available later and the time it takes to prepare a case. In addition, Siegfried & Jensen often negotiate out-of-court settlements that still do you justice, but we would need time to attempt this.
Damages Siegfried & Jensen Can Seek On Your Behalf
If your accident qualifies you for compensation, valuing your damages is an important step. Your attorney will consider your current and future situation when helping you seek compensation for damages such as your:
- Medical expenses and future medical costs associated with your injuries
- Loss of wages or earnings during times you’re unable to work
- Loss of earning capacity due to debilitating injuries
- Emotional distress and psychological trauma
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Depending on your situation, each of these elements can include several components. For example, if you have suffered a spinal cord injury, we will consider how a spinal cord injury will affect your life. That could add elements like changes to your home to accommodate a disability, as well as lifelong medical costs associated with your injury.
What to Do After a Crash
After a crash, your injuries may prevent you from following the usual advice on what to do after a car accident. Typically, this includes calling 911, gathering evidence at the scene, exchanging details with other drivers, and dealing with law enforcement. If your injuries prevent you from following this guidance, you still can seek compensation.
Next steps include:
- Notifying your insurance company as soon as possible
- Complying with your treatment plan
- Documenting your damages
- Being careful what you say about the accident
- Getting legal representation
Your Wasatch Hollow car accident attorney can advise you on your options. If they believe you have a case, they can gather evidence, prepare and submit insurance claims, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if necessary, build a case to support a lawsuit.
Reach Out to Discover How We Can Help You
If you were injured in an accident, your health should come first. However, many accident victims live with additional worries, like how they will pay their hospital bills and how they will deal with life’s demands during their recovery.
Call Siegfried & Jensen right away. Our car accident lawyer in Wasatch Hollow can evaluate your case and offer informed opinions. If we agree to work together, we will do our utmost to seek a fair outcome. Call us 24/7 or fill out our online contact form.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form