According to the Utah Department of Health’s Violence and Injury Prevention Program (VIPP), a person suffers injuries related to a car accident every 23 minutes, while every 36 hours, a person dies in a crash. The leading causes of fatalities resulting from Utah car accidents included:
- Speeding
- Failure to stay in the proper lane
- Failure to use seat belts
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failure to yield the right of way
If you suffered injuries or losses, or if your loved one died as a result of a car accident anywhere in the state, learn how a Utah car accident lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you recover compensation for your damages. Call our team today at (800) 794-0444 for your free case review.
Types of Car Accidents in Utah
Every car accident will have its set of facts and circumstances; however, some of the types of car accidents that occur in Utah that a personal injury attorney could assist with investigating include:
- Accidents involving drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Rear-end accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Sideswiping accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Multiple car accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Fatigued driving accidents
- Distracted driving accidents (including but not limited to texting while driving)
A car accident attorney can help you understand your legal rights after any type of crash in which you suffered injuries, harm, or financial losses.
Types of Compensation
If you suffered injuries or losses because of a car accident anywhere in the Beehive State, you might have the ability to receive compensation for your injuries and losses. While no amount of compensation will ever replace your health, a financial award allows a victim to obtain justice for injuries and losses suffered because of someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or recklessness. Some of the types of compensation a person could receive following a car accident include:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Loss of future wages or earning capacity
- Property damage invoices
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium or companionship
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Some of these types of compensation can prove difficult and challenging to calculate, such as pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life. A Utah car accident lawyer with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you understand these calculations and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Call us today to get started.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 794-0444
Understanding Comparative Negligence in the State of Utah
Utah is a “modified comparative negligence state,” as established by Utah Code § 78B-5-818. This doctrine means that as long as a victim has less responsibility for the accident than the party they sued, they can still obtain compensation for their injuries and losses from other negligent parties.
The calculations regarding comparative negligence can prove complicated and legally challenging. A Utah car accident attorney can fight for you when insurance companies and at-fault drivers try to shift the blame onto you and demonstrate their responsibility for the crash.
Personal Injury Protection Insurance in the State of Utah
Utah is one of a dozen states that follows a no-fault insurance plan. As the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) explains, every driver must maintain no-fault (also known as personal injury protection or PIP) coverage on their vehicles. Car accident victims must first turn to their PIP policy to receive compensation for their medical bills and other out-of-pocket losses associated with the crash.
However, PIP coverage does not apply to damage to your car or other personal property. You can also pursue a personal injury lawsuit if your medical bills total more than $3,000 or your injuries meet a threshold described in Utah Code § 31A-22-309. A Utah car accident attorney can explain how PIP coverage affects your ability to pursue a personal injury claim and determine whether you qualify to file a lawsuit.
Click to contact our lawyers today
Statute of Limitations in the State of Utah
You have specific deadlines by which you must file a lawsuit to receive compensation for your injuries and losses related to a car accident in Utah or possibly lose your legal right to do so. The following are the statutes of limitations that apply to Utah car crashes:
- If an insurance company or at-fault driver fails to offer you a fair and just settlement, you have four years to request that Utah’s civil courts provide you with an appropriate remedy and compensation for your injuries under Utah Code § 78B-2-307.
- However, if a loved one suffered fatal injuries resulting from a car accident, the deceased’s family only has two years after their loved one’s death to bring a wrongful death claim under Utah Code § 78B-2-304.
- Additionally, for any property damage that occurred in the car accident, the victim has the legal right to bring a claim within three years of the car accident to receive compensation for the repair or replacement of their property under Utah Code § 78B-2-305.
Building personal injury claims and property claims following a car accident can take a considerable amount of time. You might want to visit with a Utah car accident attorney soon after your car accident to start work on compiling evidence and documents needed for your case.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Learn How a Utah Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
There are many moving pieces following a car accident. You may feel overwhelmed attempting to juggle your medical appointments, financial challenges due to lost wages, decisions regarding whether to repair or replace your vehicle, or tragically, make funeral and burial arrangements for a beloved family member.
A Utah car accident lawyer can help take some of those burdens off your shoulders. Call the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 for your free case review. Learn how we can ensure your legal rights remain protected as we help you with all the steps you need to take following your car accident.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form