If you or a loved one have been hurt in a car accident, you deserve to hold the negligent party accountable for your injuries. However, Utah laws create unique challenges to recovering fair compensation. A car accident lawyer in Cottonwood Heights can go over the details of your case and explain your legal options.
Siegfried & Jensen have handled more than 35,000 clients and recovered over $1.2 billion in settlements and verdicts. Our Cottonwood Heights personal injury lawyer can provide personalized representation with no up-front fees. Our team is committed to helping you pursue the best possible outcome for your car accident claim.
Car Accidents Can Cause Severe and Debilitating Injuries in Cottonwood Heights
The severity of your injuries depends heavily on the force of the crash, point of impact, and vehicle types involved. For instance, a head-on collision at high speeds can cause life-threatening injuries compared to a rear-end accident at low speeds. Some of the most common serious injuries seen at the ER include:
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries: A sudden force on the body can create a jerking motion, stretching and tearing muscles, tendons, and other ligaments. These injuries tend to happen around the neck and back, causing persistent pain or even reduced mobility.
- Lacerations and contusions: Medical terms for cuts and bruises, these injuries typically result from shattered glass, airbag deployment, seatbelts, and being thrown about the interior. In severe cases, victims need surgical treatment or reconstructive procedures.
- Broken and fractured bones: Most people think of broken bones when considering serious car accident injuries. However, fractures can be worse, in some cases, requiring surgical repair and lengthy recovery periods. In addition, fractures can lead to greater complications than clean breaks.
- Knee and joint injuries: When cars are hit with extreme force, drivers’ and passengers’ limbs can be thrown upwards into the dash or steering wheel. People may suffer dislocations and damaged cartilage, leaving them with chronic pain.
- Back and disc injuries: Less severe than spinal cord damage, back injuries can cause the tissue to swell around the vertebrae. The resulting herniated discs and nerve compression can cause extreme pain and weakness.
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis: The spinal cord communicates between the brain and the rest of the body. Catastrophic damage can result in partial or complete paralysis. Victims require lifelong medical care, treatment, and assistance.
- Chest and lung injuries: A car accident produces a jarring force of action, usually leading the driver and passenger to be thrown forward and back. The impact of the seatbelt, airbag, or steering wheel can seriously damage the ribs and chest bone. Lungs may collapse, leading to life-threatening complications.
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions: Severe head trauma can cause memory loss, confusion, and severe headaches. Brain injuries can lead to permanent neurological impairment or disability.
- Crush injuries and loss of limb: When a person’s limbs are trapped during a car accident, blood flow and oxygen can be cut off. If trapped for a period of time, the victim can suffer crush syndrome and may lose the limb to amputation.
It is important to note that some injuries may not be readily apparent after a car crash. Some internal injuries and head injuries may have delayed symptoms due to the adrenaline in the body. Always seek immediate medical care after a car accident to protect your health and the integrity of your claim.
For a free legal consultation with a car accident lawyer serving Cottonwood Heights, call (801) 266-0999
How a Cottonwood Heights Car Accident Lawyer Can Establish Negligence
Proving negligence is critical when pursuing damages, even in a no-fault state. At Siegfried & Jensen, our attorneys can investigate the unique circumstances of your case and help determine all liable parties.
Investigating Your Accident
Our legal team can examine police reports, interview witnesses, request any footage of the accident from surveillance or dashcam owners, and look over physical evidence to reconstruct your collision.
We can also review your detailed medical records to understand the severity of your injuries. Our compassionate attorneys can sit with you to understand how your injuries affect your life day-to-day.
Understanding Utah’s No-Fault Insurance Laws
Following a car accident in Utah, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers some medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, regardless of who is at fault. However, PIP has limitations.
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may qualify to pursue additional compensation. If your medical expenses exceed $3,000 or you have suffered permanent disability, disfigurement, or bodily dismemberment, you may not be limited by Utah’s no-fault laws.
How Modified Comparative Negligence Can Impact Your Case
Under Utah Code § 78B-5-818, the state follows a modified comparative negligence system. If you share fault in an accident, you may recover compensation if you are 49% or less to blame for the crash. It is important to note that your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Insurance companies understand how the various laws can impact your car accident claim. Insurance adjusters may even try to shift responsibility for the accident onto you in order to reduce your compensation or deny your claim entirely. However, our car accident attorney in Cottonwood Heights can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and dispute any discrepancies of fault.
Cottonwood Heights Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (801) 266-0999
Understanding How Utah’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents
It is important to report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. In addition, having skilled and experienced representation from the beginning can help strengthen your claim. An attorney can investigate the accident while the evidence is fresh, contacting witnesses and reconstructing the scene. Then we can gather critical evidence to prepare and file your claim.
Under Utah Code § 78B-2-307, you have four years from the date of your accident to file your claim. If you wait too long, you may be barred from any recovery. Evidence like surveillance footage and dashcam videos may be deleted, witnesses’ memories may not be reliable years out, and physical evidence can disappear. Contacting a lawyer as soon as possible can help preserve important evidence and make sure your claim is filed before the deadline.
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Contact Siegfried & Jensen for a Free Case Evaluation Today
We have been helping car accident victims secure the compensation they deserve for more than 30 years. Our highly skilled team of attorneys will work tirelessly to advocate for your best interests.
Contact our Cottonwood Heights car accident attorney today to schedule a free case evaluation. We can go over your legal options and the next best steps to protect your rights.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form