Do I need a lawyer if I’m not at fault for an accident? You will likely need a lawyer if you are not at fault, if you are seriously injured, the at-fault party tries to pass on the blame to you, or insurance companies may try to minimize your damages to avoid making a fair payout.
Partnering with a Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer can help you avoid losing out on securing the financial justice you deserve.
The Role of an Accident Lawyer
An accident lawyer’s job is to protect your rights as an injury victim and help you get the damages and justice you deserve for your accident-related losses. There may be some very minor accidents that do not require an attorney’s help. In these scenarios, no one is injured or claiming injury, the other side accepts full responsibility for any property damage, and the involved insurance companies cooperate.
Unfortunately, many accidents come with much less straightforward and agreeable circumstances. In many cases, there is disagreement about what happened or who is to blame, and there is more damage than initially meets the eye. These are among the reasons why you need an accident lawyer even if you are not at fault for the accident.
Your attorney will look into the circumstances of the incident to find out what happened and then deal with all insurance company matters. Insurance companies, even your own, are ultimately on their “own” side. You need an advocate who is only on your side, who recognizes the true value of your case, and who has the legal skills to bring your situation to a favorable resolution.
For a free legal consultation, call (801) 266-0999
If You are Seriously Injured, You May Need a Lawyer if You are Not At Fault
When you are hurt in an accident, get a lawyer even if you are not at fault. Victims do not always realize how much injuries will affect their lives. The initial physical damage is just the beginning. Healing requires time away from working and earning, and a loss of sick days. Those losses deserve fair compensation.
Some accident injuries are catastrophic and change your life permanently. A lawyer can consult with medical experts, determine your lost earning capabilities, and put a dollar amount on your loss of quality of life to get you a fair settlement or trial award. Victims often do not realize how much their case is actually worth and settle for less than they need and deserve.
Other non-catastrophic injuries can still have long-term effects. You could have mobility limitations, chronic pain, or scarring. These effects can make life less comfortable and prevent you from enjoying activities you participated in prior to the accident. Your personal injury will work to protect you from insurance companies attempting to minimize your losses and deny you justice.
If the At-Fault Party Tries to Pass the Blame to You
You may know you are not at fault for an accident, but the other party may say otherwise. This represents another situation when hiring a personal injury lawyer is in your best interests. If the other side is claiming injury, it is likely that you need a personal injury lawyer.
An experienced personal injury lawyer knows how to investigate accidents and collect evidence to support your claim against the at-fault party and to protect you from unjustified blame. Levels of blame play a major role in determining a party’s eligibility for filing a personal injury claim and in how much compensation they can potentially receive.
The 50% rule is how Utah’s comparative negligence laws are explained. Victims cannot seek damages if they hold 50% or more fault, and eligible victims have their compensation lowered according to their smaller percentage of fault.
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If The Insurance Adjuster Does Not Offer a Fair Settlement
It is best to secure representation as soon as possible after your accident. An early connection supports evidence collection. Physical evidence from the scene, potential camera footage, and witnesses’ testimonies are all more accessible–and less likely to get lost or fade–soon after the incident.
A lawyer can also give you immediate support and guidance. Your lawyer can help you say the right things and avoid saying the wrong things to insurance adjusters. Remember, insurance adjusters handle personal injury claims to serve their interests, and their interests are much different than yours. This conflict emphasizes why you need a lawyer if you are not at fault for an accident.
Your personal injury lawyer can also make sure you are getting thorough documentation from your medical doctors regarding your diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment protocols. Having a lawyer guide your steps and your case from the start helps strengthen your claim and reduce your stress.
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A Lawyer Understands the Role of Legal Deadlines in Accidents
Every state has a statute of limitations, or legal deadline, for filing an injury claim. These deadlines are another reason why consulting with a lawyer quickly is best. An attorney will review your case for free, letting you know if you need a lawyer and if you have a case at no cost to you.
Utah usually imposes a four-year deadline per Section 78B-2-307. Your attorney can tell you if other deadlines apply based on the specific circumstances of your accident. For example, if you are hurt on government property, by a government vehicle or government employee, the deadline for filing will be shorter and the process more complex.
When You are Not at Fault for an Accident, You Deserve Justice
Protect yourself from unfair blame and from losing out on much-needed compensation after an accident. You may need a lawyer even if you are not at fault for the accident, and Siegfried & Jensen is here for you.
We will fight to protect your rights and get you justice. The at-fault party and involved insurance companies need to pay for accident-related damages, not you.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
