You’ve just been hit. Your car’s a mess, your head is spinning, and suddenly your phone becomes your lifeline. Before calling a car accident lawyer, take a breath. Not everything needs to happen in the first ten minutes, but what you do next does matter. At William Rawlings & Associates, hundreds of millions have been recovered for clients by a team with over 100 years of combined experience. They’ve helped tens of thousands of people—each one given individualized attention, not treated like a case number. And if this is your first time calling a lawyer, here are five things the legal team wishes every caller knew before picking up the phone.
1. Your Words Matter—Even the First Ones
It’s easy to downplay the damage. Saying “I’m fine” after the crash or telling insurance adjusters you “didn’t see the other car” can hurt your claim. Those words can be twisted later. A lawyer wants to help, but cleaning up those first conversations is harder than avoiding them in the first place.
What helps:
- Don’t apologize or admit fault, even if you’re being polite.
- Don’t say you feel okay—injuries can show up days later.
- Stick to the facts when talking to police or insurers.
Working with William Rawlings & Associates means having someone who knows how to protect your case from the very beginning. Whether the accident involves a semi-truck, Uber ride, or a simple rear-end crash, their team listens carefully and pushes for what’s fair. Every case is handled from start to finish by an accident lawyer, not handed off to a paralegal.
2. Photos and Paperwork Are Gold
No one expects you to become a detective, but the more you save, the better. Photos of the scene, names of witnesses, and even a screenshot of the weather report can go a long way. If you’re too hurt to collect anything, that’s okay. Just let the team at William Rawlings & Associates know—they’ll jump in right away.
Keep these:
- Photos of all damage (cars, street signs, injuries)
- Names and contact info of witnesses
- Your medical paperwork, especially ER or urgent care visits
- A written timeline of what happened
And don’t toss anything. Even something that seems small—like a prescription receipt—can help your accident attorney Utah team build a stronger case. The attorneys at William Rawlings & Associates handle it all: intake, pre-litigation, litigation, and trial. They’re there from start to finish.
3. Medical Attention Isn’t Optional—Even If You Feel “Okay”
Not feeling pain right away is common. Adrenaline hides injuries. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t damage. Internal injuries, concussions, and whiplash may not show up until hours—or even days—later. Getting checked out isn’t just smart for your health; it connects the dots between your crash and your injuries.
Here’s what helps:
- Go to a doctor within 24–48 hours
- Keep every appointment (even physical therapy)
- Tell doctors about every ache, not just the worst one.
Saying “I’ll tough it out” can seriously lower the value of your case. William Rawlings & Associates understands that dealing with pain and paperwork can feel overwhelming. But medical records are a key part of showing the insurance company that your injuries are real—and that you didn’t ignore them.
According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, there were 58,992 reported crashes in Utah in 2022, resulting in 25,325 people injured. That reflects thousands of people trying to heal while insurance companies often push for fast settlements.
4. You Don’t Have to “Go It Alone” Against the Insurance Company
Insurance adjusters are trained to save their company money. They may call quickly and seem helpful, but don’t be fooled. Fast offers are almost always low—and once accepted, they’re final. Talking to a car accident lawyer Utah early on helps even the playing field.
With William Rawlings & Associates, you’ll always speak directly to an attorney, not simply a case manager or an assistant. They answer questions, meet you at home, work, or even in the hospital, and speak both Spanish and English. Their team gives each client the time they need—something many larger offices can’t promise.
They’ve gone head-to-head with major insurance companies and won. Their success comes from treating each case like it’s headed for trial, because many of them do.
5. Waiting Too Long Can Cost You
Utah law gives most people four years to file a personal injury claim, but waiting can still cause real problems. Over time:
- Evidence gets lost
- Witnesses forget
- Security footage gets deleted
And if the crash involves a government vehicle or a city sidewalk? That timeline could be much shorter. A car accident attorney Utah can track those deadlines, gather documents, and keep everything moving.
Some people wait because they’re worried they don’t have a “big enough” case. But pain, missed work, and mental stress don’t always come with visible scars. Whether you’re hurt in an accident as a driver, pedestrian, cyclist, or passenger, the law protects you, and William Rawlings & Associates makes sure you get that protection.
So Before You Call, Just Remember:
Here’s a quick list of what an auto accident attorney wants every caller to keep in mind:
- Say less to the other driver and the insurance company
- Save every photo, receipt, and report.
- Get medical care right away—even for a “small” ache.s
- Don’t accept that first settlement offer.
- Act fast—even if the law says you have time.
And most importantly: call someone who pays attention. William Rawlings & Associates is trusted by thousands across Utah. They handle all types of injury cases—car crashes, truck accidents (including commercial vehicles like FedEx or plumbing vans), rideshare accidents, wrongful death claims, and more. Their team is available for home visits, hospital meetings, and late-night calls. Every client can speak to an attorney when needed, and every case is taken seriously from start to finish.
Whether the crash happened in Salt Lake, Provo, Ogden, or anywhere in between, help is one call away. If you’ve been hurt and need a real car accident lawyer, make sure your call counts.
Call (801) 553-0505, start a chat, or fill out the form today.
Let William Rawlings & Associates take it from here.