Rollover crashes can be absolutely devastating. Victims may be entitled to compensation, and a rollover accident attorney in Utah can assist with every step of the process.
While any type of car accident can generate serious injuries and considerable property damage, the ramifications of being involved in a rollover can be even greater. Tall, narrow, top-heavy vehicles like SUVs, vans and pickup trucks are more prone to flipping and rolling than passenger cars, but any vehicle can roll over. And no matter how careful you are when you get behind the wheel, a rollover accident can happen at any time.
Rollovers can occur in a range of situations and as a consequence of several different factors. Many rollover car accidents are the result of what’s known as tripping, which is when the tires collide with something that disrupts forward motion and causes the vehicle to roll sideways or forward. On-the-road objects that can lead to this scenario include:
In some cases, the above objects don’t cause vehicles to trip – instead, rollovers result from drivers swerving to avoid hazards and straying onto the soft shoulder. However, not all rollover accidents involve tripping. Other causes can include:
Rollover accidents can also involve multiple vehicles. Cars can roll as a result of the following types of collisions:
With some rollovers, more than one issue is a contributing factor. Victims can benefit from expert legal assistance, as a seasoned rollover accident attorney in Utah can determine where to place the blame and hold all responsible parties accountable.
As every car accident attorney knows, these types of collisions frequently result in life-threatening and life-changing injuries. This isn’t surprising when you consider that with some rollover crashes, vehicles tumble multiple times before coming to a stop.
In addition, drivers and passengers can be crushed inside or partially or fully ejected from their vehicles. Items in the car can also become dangerous projectiles and cause significant injuries in a rollover car accident. Several factors – including the speed of the vehicles involved, the point of impact and whether seatbelts were worn – can affect the nature and extent of a victim’s injuries.
Some of the more common injuries seen by rollover accident attorneys in Utah include:
Victims can recover from some injuries, but many face permanent disabilities. In any case, the impact on a person’s life can be significant. When crashes are caused by another driver’s actions, poor road conditions and vehicle deficits, victims have the right to pursue compensation for their damages and losses.
Rollovers also frequently result in fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 6,291 deaths from rollover crashes involving passenger cars and light trucks in 2019. In the event of a wrongful death, an experienced rollover accident attorney can seek justice for the victim’s family.
As with any type of car accident, the party or parties at fault can be held financially liable for damages resulting from a rollover. However, figuring out the cause of a crash and determining who is to blame can be challenging without a rollover accident attorney.
With a single-vehicle rollover, injured victims may be able to pursue compensation from a parts manufacturer, for example, or from the department in charge of road maintenance in the area of the collision. In rollover crashes involving other vehicles, victims may be able to bring a claim for damages against another driver.
While injured victims aren’t required to have legal assistance to recover damages through a personal injury claim or lawsuit, working with an accomplished rollover accident attorney makes it easier to obtain the maximum in compensation. The types of damages a lawyer can pursue vary from case to case, but may include any or all of the following:
Here at William R. Rawlings & Associates, our rollover accident attorneys understand that no amount of money can make up for the trials and tribulations that come with a car collision. We also know that those who aren’t to blame deserve fair and full compensation – and we work hard to fight for every dollar our clients deserve.
No injured car accident victim should have to take on the legal system alone, and if you have the misfortune of being involved in a rollover crash, William R. Rawlings & Associates is here to help. For a free consultation with a highly skilled and experienced rollover accident attorney in Utah, contact our Draper law office today.
For many people, daily use of social media has become routine. But for anyone who is seriously injured in a car accident, attorneys in Utah suggest thinking twice before posting anything on Facebook, Twitter, Reddit or any other social platform.
The reason for this is simple – social media activity can have a negative impact on any Utah car accident case. Insurance providers look at everything injured victims share online, and they’re not above using an out-of-context photo or post to cast doubt on a personal injury claim and keep compensation to a minimum.
Here at William R. Rawlings & Associates, our car accident attorneys have seen too many cases get derailed by social media use. To prevent that from happening to you, consider the dos and don’ts of posting online after car crash.
You’ll need to be careful about how you approach social media until your personal injury claim reaches a resolution. Steering clear of social platforms would be ideal, but since more than a year may pass before a case settles, that may not be feasible. To that end, experienced car accident attorneys in Utah recommend doing the following:
DO change the privacy settings for your social media profiles.
Lock down all of your accounts, making sure that the general public doesn’t have access to your information. While setting your profiles to private doesn’t mean everything you put online is completely private, your posts will be more secure.
DO ask others to refrain from posting anything about you or the car wreck.
Your loved ones may be tempted to lament over your injuries or vent about the auto accident online to their own friends. Ask them not to mention your ordeal, explaining that insurance adjusters may use what they say as evidence against your claim.
DO request that others avoid tagging you in any online post or story.
Being tagged in a photo or post about an activity – like riding a bike or even going to the store – could be used against you, as adjusters may imply that you’re actually engaged in the activity. Ask everyone you know to keep from tagging you until the case ends.
DO watch the comments you make on social media posts.
On Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social platforms, people can see the comments others make on their friend’s posts and on public posts. It’s best to avoid commenting anything that relates to the car accident, your injuries or how you feel.
As we mentioned, anything you post online after a car crash can come back to bite you. Insurance providers will be scanning your social media accounts, and they’ll use whatever they can find to devalue or deny your personal injury claim. For that reason, Utah car accident attorneys say to keep the following don’ts in mind:
DON’T post any photos of yourself or your injuries.
Insurance adjusters will use any picture of you looking happy to argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim. Even photos that document your recovery could be used to diminish your credibility. As such, you’d be wise to hold off on posting pics for now.
DON’T share any information about the car crash or your personal injury claim.
After an auto accident, you may be eager to share your side of the story or provide updates on how your personal injury claim is progressing. Keep from doing so, as every time you put any information online you run the risk of having it used against you.
DON’T express how you’re feeling or talk about getting better.
While you may want to reassure loved ones that you’re on the mend and doing well in light of the circumstances, doing so isn’t a good idea. These sorts of statements could put your injury claim in jeopardy, leading to less compensation than you deserve.
DON’T accept any new online friends or followers.
One tactic insurance adjusters use is to follow injured victims on social media or add them as friends, as that allows for easy access to information. Knowing this, you may want to postpone accepting friend or follower requests until your injury claim is resolved.
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident and plan to file a personal injury claim, following the advice above is to your benefit – and so is talking to an experienced Utah car accident attorney. A legal professional can provide you with advice on how to proceed and, if you like, take over your case to ensure the best possible outcome.
In Utah, the car accident attorneys to trust are here at William R. Rawlings & Associates. Our law firm has been protecting the rights of injured car crash victims for over 35 years, and we’ll fight to get you every dollar you deserve.
For a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your personal injury claim with a seasoned car accident attorney in Utah, contact William R. Rawlings & Associates today.
Any type of motor vehicle accident has the potential to cause life-changing injuries. When that happens, calling a Utah catastrophic injury lawyer is the right move.
Accident claims that involve catastrophic personal injuries present unique challenges. The stakes in these cases are high, and the majority of the damages victims seek – including future medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment and emotional distress -- are inherently difficult to calculate. With so much on the line, insurance companies put up a fight before handing over compensation.
Experienced catastrophic injury lawyers know how to fight back and pursue a settlement or jury award that accounts for all past, current and future expenses. For accident victims with serious injuries, having legal counsel can be extremely beneficial.
Generally speaking, catastrophic injuries are those which have a significant long-term impact on a person’s life. These types of injuries are often life-threatening, and they can result in a range of devastating consequences, including:
Accident victims with catastrophic injuries require intensive medical treatment, a lengthy rehabilitation program and, in some cases, specialized lifelong care. Many are unable to return to work or take part in activities they once enjoyed. A catastrophic injury can result in losses in just about every aspect of life.
Any injury that can be described as serious and life-changing may be considered catastrophic. Specific examples of catastrophic injuries include:
Any freak accident can result in catastrophic injuries, but statistically, certain types of incidents are more likely to bring on a personal injury of this nature. In Utah, the leading causes include:
Whatever the cause and whoever is to blame, experienced catastrophic injury lawyers can help victims pursue full compensation for all of their losses. And while no amount of money can make up for the pain, emotional suffering and dire life consequences, holding the at-fault party or parties accountable provides victims with some relief.
In Utah, anyone who is injured as a result of someone else’s actions has the right to seek out compensation for all of their losses. Catastrophic injury lawyers know how to determine which damages apply, and an accident claim may include the following:
Medical Expenses
For accident victims with catastrophic personal injuries, the cost of medical treatment can be significant. Injury lawyers fight to recover compensation for past, ongoing and future:
Economic Damages
Accident victims suffer a range of measurable monetary losses, known as economic or special damages. Experienced catastrophic injury lawyers pursue compensation for the following:
Non-Economic Damages
Catastrophic injuries come with intangible losses, referred to as general or non-economic damages. These aren’t easily quantified, but injury lawyers seek compensation for:
Are you an accident victim with catastrophic injuries? At William R. Rawlings & Associates, we represent people whose lives have been turned upside down due to a motor vehicle accident. With a catastrophic injury lawyer from our Utah law firm in your corner, you’ll have the legal help you need to get the compensation you deserve.
Our legal team can handle all of the work your accident claim requires. The steps we’ll take to help ensure a positive case outcome include:
We’ll work hard to secure a fair financial settlement, but if the negotiations break down, our catastrophic injury lawyers are ready to go to trial. We know how to get results – and since our legal team won’t get paid unless we’re successful in securing compensation, you can count on William R. Rawlings & Associates to make every effort to make sure that happens.
A free consultation with an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer is only a phone call away. For expert help with your Utah accident claim, contact us today.
Are you in need of help from a Utah personal injury lawyer? If so, there’s certainly no shortage of attorneys who specialize in this area of the law in our state. Legal professionals are plentiful – which can make choosing one a challenging task.
Finding the right personal injury lawyer is crucial for any accident victim. If you’ve been hurt in an accident and plan to pursue compensation from the at-fault party, you’ll want to interview at least a few local attorneys to determine which one is the best fit for your situation. Fortunately, most of the top-rated personal injury law firms in Utah, including William R. Rawlings & Associates, offer free initial consultations. As such, you can get the information you need to make a decision without opening your wallet.
How will you know which personal injury lawyer is the right one to hire? Asking these questions will help you find an attorney who can fight for the compensation you deserve.
In the field of personal injury law, experience matters – and you’re better off putting your case in the hands of a seasoned attorney. While years of experience doesn’t necessarily indicate a lawyer’s level of skill or ability, it does show that they know the ropes. A rookie is more likely to make mistakes, and a lack of real-world practice can lead to a less-than-desirable case outcome.
The field of injury law is broad, and many attorneys specialize in certain practice areas. Just as you wouldn’t hire a plumber to fix your roof, you wouldn’t want to hire a personal injury lawyer who only assists clients with Utah car accident claims if yours is a dog bite injury case or a wrongful death claim. An attorney without relevant experience may not have what it takes to fight for the maximum in compensation.
Don’t assume that a personal injury lawyer has worked on cases that are similar to yours. An attorney may routinely help car accident victims, for example, but your car accident claim could involve unique circumstances they’ve never seen. To get every dollar you deserve from the party at fault for your injuries and losses, you need to find a legal professional with experience resolving similar Utah accident claims.
Just because a personal injury lawyer has experience working on cases that are similar to yours doesn’t make them the person to hire. You need an attorney who wins the cases they take, someone who has a history of negotiating favorable settlements for accident victims. Make sure, too, that the lawyer has jury trial experience, as you need a legal professional who is prepared to take your case as far as necessary to get results.
A personal injury lawyer won’t make promises or guarantees about the amount of financial compensation you can expect to receive due to the many variables that could affect your case outcome. However, an experienced lawyer should be able to explain the types of damages that may apply to your case and provide you with a general estimate as to the worth of your Utah accident claim.
Virtually every injury case, no matter how strong, comes with unique issues and potential shortcomings. An experienced personal injury lawyer should be willing and able to point out the areas of concern, and they should also have viable solutions. Be wary of any attorney who tells you that your case will be smooth-sailing, as you need a lawyer who will be upfront about the challenges they’ll need to overcome.
Most personal injury law firms in Utah operate on a contingency fee basis, which means clients don’t pay upfront legal fees. With this fee arrangement, your attorney will get paid when you do, taking a fixed percentage of the amount you receive as compensation for their services. You may be responsible for case-related costs as well. Make sure you discuss the expenses you can expect to avoid surprises later on.
The highly skilled legal team at William R. Rawlings & Associates has decades of experience and a long track record of successful case outcomes. We know the ins and outs of personal injury law and the accident claim process in Utah – plus, as former adjusters and lawyers for insurance companies, we know the shady tactics they use to take advantage of accident victims.
We’d be happy to answer all of the questions above as well as any other questions you may have, and we’d love to put our skill, knowledge and experience to work for you. If you were injured in an accident and want to discuss your legal rights with an accomplished personal injury lawyer in Utah, contact our office and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.
If you were recently injured in a car wreck, you’re likely feeling pretty stressed. With all that’s on your plate at the moment, calling a Utah car accident lawyer may be last thing on your mind – but you should consider doing so soon.
Right now, getting better should be your number one priority. However, medical treatment costs money, and eventually, it will be time to pay the bills. If you didn’t cause the car wreck, those bills shouldn’t be your concern. Yet you don’t have the freedom to wait until you’re ready to deal with the situation.
The Utah car accident claims process takes a while to navigate, and while many cases settle out of court, filing a lawsuit is sometimes the only way to get a fair payout. And if you don’t file within the time limit – known as the statute of limitations – you may lose your right to compensation. Here’s what you need to know to meet the legal deadline.
Statutes of limitations are laws that establish a cutoff point for taking legal action, and they exist in both criminal and civil law. In the context of car accident claims, the purpose of the deadline is twofold: to ensure that lawsuits are handled promptly and to ensure a sense of fairness, as building a solid case becomes more difficult as time goes on.
In Utah, the statute of limitations on car accident injury claims is four years, and the clock started ticking the day your car wreck occurred. The time limit for property damage claims is shorter, and you’ll have just three years to pursue compensation for your vehicle. If you don’t file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires, you may not be able to hold the at-fault party financially accountable for your losses.
If your car wreck just happened, it may seem as if you have plenty of time to take legal action. Why call a Utah car accident lawyer now, when you need to be focused on recovering?
In a way, that’s the point – by turning your case over to an experienced attorney now, you can put your mind to healing and getting your life back to normal. With legal burden off of your shoulders, you’ll have an easier time on the road to recovery. However, waiting until the last minute to contact a Utah car accident lawyer could seriously undermine your claim.
To build a sound case for compensation, an accident lawyer will need time to conduct legal research, investigate the car wreck, prepare any necessary court filings and engage in settlement negotiations with the insurance company. Negotiations may go back and forth many times – and if an agreement cannot be reached, the claim must be taken to court.
The sooner you start working with a Utah car accident lawyer, the better chance you have at recovering the maximum in compensation. Wait too long, and you may weaken the persuasiveness of your legal claim.
Having an experienced attorney on your side can dramatically decrease your stress, as you won’t have to worry about the steep costs of recovery. You can count on legal professional to protect your interests, and that may be reason enough to hire a Utah car accident lawyer.
If you want to know how an attorney can help with your claim, you can always ask -- many personal injury law firms in Utah, including William R. Rawlings & Associates, offer free legal consultations. Generally speaking, however, an accident lawyer will help you by doing the following:
In addition, a seasoned Utah car accident lawyer will know how to maximize the amount of money you receive. An attorney can pursue every possible avenue of compensation that applies to your case. You may have the legal right to recover both economic and non-economic damages, including compensation for:
At William R. Rawlings & Associates, we always fight for every dollar our clients deserve. We have decades of experience in personal injury law, and we never charge a fee unless we recover damages. Our legal team is ready to go to work for you – contact us online or call our office in Draper, Utah, for a free car accident lawyer consultation today.
Most Utah car accident claims are settled out of court, and in some cases, the injured party receives compensation in the form of a single lump sum payment. In others, auto accident attorneys negotiate structured settlements.
What is a structured settlement? The arrangement allows for compensation to be paid out over a period of time, through a series of regular payments. Handled properly, a settlement with an extended payment schedule can be advantageous for an accident victim, particularly one with catastrophic injuries. But while a structured injury settlement is a good option for some, it isn’t necessarily right for everyone.
As a general rule, auto accident attorneys consider structured settlements in cases involving large sums of money. For more on how the arrangement works, take a look at the following.
Let’s say that you’ve resolved your car accident claim and have agreed to a structured settlement. What can you expect?
You’ll have a steady stream of income, as you’ll be receiving periodic payments over the course of several years or, perhaps, for the rest of your life. The specific terms will be tailored to meet your needs. A skilled auto accident attorney can negotiate:
With a structured injury settlement, an auto accident attorney can design the payment plan to suit your personal preferences. All of the terms are negotiable, so you can get creative with the structuring – any arrangement may be possible as long as your settlement award is large enough.
When you understand the benefits of a structured injury settlement, you may know whether it might be an option for you. Consulting an experienced auto accident attorney is a good idea, of course, but here are the upsides to accepting a structured settlement.
Financial Certainty
A lump sum payment may provide you with a fresh financial start, and getting a large amount of money can leave you thinking that you’ll always have enough cash to meet your needs. But if you opt to receive payments over time instead, you’ll be more likely to set a realistic budget based on your actual income.
Money Management
You’ve no doubt heard stories about lottery winners who lose it all in a very short period of time. That can happen to anyone who receives lump sum compensation in a Utah auto accident claim, too. Getting a structured injury settlement is a good safeguard against undue influence and poor investment decisions.
Reasonable Expectations
Receiving a large amount of money can result in pressure from family and friends who are facing financial difficulties – and turning everyone down isn’t easy. With a structured settlement, you can preemptively avoid this potential burden. If you want to help someone, you can, but the bulk of your funds will be protected.
Tax Benefits
Proceeds from structured injury settlements are considered tax-free, so deciding against lump sum compensation could mean paying a good deal less in taxes. Exceptions may apply, however, and some portions of your award could be taxable. An experienced auto accident attorney can explain your tax liability.
As with most everything in life, structured injury settlements have both plusses and minuses. Some people who win Utah auto accident claims prefer lump sum payments, so you should certainly consider the following downsides to structured settlements.
Less Control
After the terms of a structured settlement are finalized, little can be done to modify the arrangement. You won’t have the power to manage your money, the freedom to make investments or the ability to handle large unexpected expenses. If you want to be in command of your cash, you may be better off with lump sum compensation.
Vulnerability
A qualified auto accident attorney will structure the settlement arrangements to meet your financial needs, but economic conditions aren’t set in stone. Inflation, recession and changes to aggregate demand are constant threats – and your payments may end up being too small if there’s an unexpected fluctuation in the economy.
Loss of Public Benefits
If you accept a structured injury settlement, you could become ineligible for public benefits. That could be particularly problematic if you need ongoing medical care and don’t have private health insurance. Setting up a trust may allow you to avoid this issue, but you may need help from an experienced attorney to keep receiving benefits.
The decision on whether to go with lump sum compensation or a structured injury settlement is yours to make. The right auto accident attorney will consider your needs and preferences, as you deserve a payment arrangement that works for you.
Regardless of which way you’re leaning, the experienced and knowledgeable legal team at William R. Rawlings & Associates can advise you on your settlement payment options. Our Utah law firm settles car accident claims on a regular basis, and with over 35 years of experience in the field of personal injury law, we know how to protect our clients’ interests.
To get more information on structured settlements, or to arrange for a free, no-obligation consultation with a highly skilled Utah auto accident attorney, contact William R. Rawlings & Associates today.
You have your driver’s license, so you learned the rules of the road in Utah – but no one taught you anything about how to get compensation for losses resulting from a trucking collision. Is hiring a semi-truck accident lawyer necessary?
Actually, no. Legal representation isn’t required to file an accident claim in Utah.
That said, you can’t expect insurance adjusters to offer good advice or advocate for your rights. Their goal is to save their employer money, which is contrary to your goal. The reality is, you may need to have an experienced semi-truck accident lawyer in your corner to obtain the maximum in financial compensation.
Some victims of trucking collisions receive fair settlement offers from insurance companies, but most face an uphill battle in terms of compensation. All too often, filing a semi-truck accident lawsuit is the only way to get an acceptable payout.
If you’re compelled to go that route, you won’t have all the time in the world to bring an accident claim. In Utah, the statute of limitations for truck accident lawsuits is four years – and the clock started ticking the date of your trucking collision. With very few exceptions, injured victims lose the right to make a claim for compensation after the four-year period expires.
Be aware, though, that you have an even shorter amount of time to pursue compensation for property damage – in Utah, this type of claim has a three-year deadline. And in the event of wrongful death, a victim’s surviving heirs have just two years from the date of death to take legal action.
Depending upon the circumstances surrounding your trucking collision, you may need a semi-truck accident lawyer to help you figure out who can be held legally responsible for your injuries and losses.
That’s obviously the semi-truck driver, isn’t it? Perhaps – if the collision involved distracted driving, speeding or any other reckless actions. But if the driver wasn’t negligent and didn’t violate any Utah traffic laws or trucking regulations, you may need to make a claim against another party.
Who might be to blame for your trucking collision? A number of parties could be named in your accident claim. The trucking company, a parts manufacturer, a maintenance contractor, a cargo loader – those a just a few of the entities that can be held liable in Utah. A truck accident lawyer will have the expertise to work out how and why the collision occurred, identifying the at-fault party or parties and holding them accountable.
Aside from getting expert assistance determining liability, are there any other reasons to consider hiring a semi-truck accident lawyer? Sure – and the biggest reason is to level the playing field.
Insurance companies have catchy slogans designed to make you think they care about you, but their focus is on profit. Instead of protecting your rights, insurance adjusters aim to protect the bottom line of the insurance company. An experienced truck accident lawyer can advocate for your best interests, ensuring that you don’t settle for less money than you deserve.
In addition, to get fairly compensated, you’ll need to secure ample evidence. This includes proof of negligence on behalf of the at-fault party or parties, proof that the trucking collision caused your injuries and proof of the financial losses resulting from the accident. Getting all of the documentation you need can be a challenge on your own – and to obtain some forms of evidence, such as data from onboard electronic logs and in-cab cameras, you may need help from a semi-truck accident lawyer.
You have a narrow window of time to file a truck accident lawsuit, so it’s in your best interests to consult with an attorney as soon as possible. Investigating the cause of your trucking collision, getting the necessary evidence to prove your claim and securing the compensation you deserve could take quite some time – and for the best case outcome, your lawyer will need to get to work right away.
For expert legal representation in Utah, accident victims trust the professional team at William R. Rawlings & Associates. Our highly skilled lawyers have decades of experience taking on truck accident claims, and as former insurance adjusters and insurance company attorneys, we know what it takes to negotiate a fair settlement. And if that isn’t in the cards, we’re willing to battle it out in court.
After a serious trucking collision, your attention should be on recovering from your injuries – not on recovering financial compensation. Let the legal team at William R. Rawlings & Associates focus on the latter, and we’ll do whatever we can to get you the maximum possible payout. To learn why our Utah law firm is the right one to handle your accident claim, or to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a friendly and knowledgeable semi-truck accident lawyer, contact our Draper, Utah, office today.
If you’re involved in a Utah motorcycle accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. Immediately after the crash, your primary focus should be on recovering – but the reality is, you’ll need to gather evidence to support your claim in order to stand a chance of obtaining a fair amount of monetary damages.
What evidence do you need to collect? An experienced Utah personal injury attorney with expertise representing motorcycle accident victims can take the lead in gathering the necessary evidence, but if possible, you’ll want to provide the following.
After being involved in a Utah motorcycle accident, you should seek medical attention for any serious injuries. Then, if you’re physically able to do so, you can start the process of proving negligence, liability and damages by collecting evidence at the scene of the crash.
Photos of Every Vehicle Involved
Use your cell phone to take pictures of the other vehicles involved in the motorcycle accident. Be sure to capture their relative positions and any areas of damage – and snap photos from multiple angles, heights and distances to ensure you don’t miss anything important.
Photos of the Entire Accident Scene
Providing a complete view of the crash scene helps others understand what happened. To that end, take wide-angle photos of the entire area from a few different perspectives, then zoom in for close-up shots of traffic signs, skid marks, roadway hazards and vehicle parts on the road. And, don’t forget to document the weather conditions.
Photos of Any Visible Injuries
If you suffered any scratches, abrasions, road rash, puncture wounds, lacerations or other visible injuries as a result of the motorcycle crash, they’ll need to be documented. Take photos of each injured area, and make sure your pictures clearly show the size, severity and location of your accident-related injuries.
Witness & Motorist Contact Information
After a Utah motorcycle accident, talk to people at the scene. Get the names, phone numbers and vehicle information of the other drivers involved and any that of any passengers and witnesses to the crash – opinions as to what happened may vary, but a personal injury attorney may need that information to prepare your claim.
In Utah motorcycle accident claims, victims bear the burden of proving that another party was at fault for the incident. As such, providing your motorcycle accident attorney with the following evidence can be instrumental to protecting your right to compensation.
Your Motorcycle
Personal injury attorneys and accident experts can look to your damaged bike to demonstrate how the crash happened. Store your motorcycle in a safe place for potential later use as evidence – or, if you must get immediate repairs, take detailed photos of the damage to show the intensity of the collision.
Your Protective Gear
In Utah, motorcyclists who are at least 21 years of age aren’t required to wear a helmet, boots, gloves or other protective gear – and if you weren’t, that can’t be used as evidence against you in a Utah motorcycle accident claim. But if you did wear any such gear, keep it, as damage to the items could help prove that the accident was severe.
Your Recovery Journal
You should start a daily journal to document your recovery, noting the pain you’re feeling as well as the mental struggles you’re facing – a day-by-day chronical could help your personal injury attorney establish a strong motorcycle accident claim.
An experienced Utah personal injury attorney can help you recover the maximum in compensation for your losses, but the amount you’ll be able to obtain is largely dependent upon the particular damages that apply to your motorcycle accident claim.
You’ll need evidence of the actual, measurable monetary losses you’ve incurred as a result of the motorcycle crash. Referred to as economic damages, these losses can be proved with:
You may also be able to include non-economic damages, or intangible losses resulting from the crash, in your motorcycle accident claim. This includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment and loss of consortium – none of which are easy to prove. Doing so may require the use of expert witnesses, like medical specialists, mental health professionals and vocational rehabilitation experts. Rest assured, an experienced Utah personal injury attorney will know how to evidence to support a claim for compensation.
If you’re the victim of a motorcycle crash, you’ll need substantial evidence to secure monetary damages from the at-fault party’s insurance company or in a Utah court of law. Working with a seasoned personal injury attorney is in your best interests, as a lawyer who routinely handles motorcycle accident claims will have the resources to conduct a thorough investigation and to gather the proof you need to get every dollar you deserve.
For expert legal help with a Utah motorcycle accident claim, turn to William R. Rawlings & Associates. Our personal injury attorneys have decades of experience helping injured motorcyclists recover compensation – and when insurance adjusters fail to provide favorable settlement offers, we’re prepared to take the matter to court.
To discuss your Utah motorcycle accident claim with a highly skilled personal injury attorney, contact William R. Rawlings & Associates and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.
Were you involved in a Utah car accident? You may be wondering what you’re in for in terms of resolving the situation, and you probably have quite a few questions.
Meeting with an experienced personal injury lawyer – like the team at William R. Rawlings & Associates – is the easiest and best way to get the answers you need. However, the following article should provide you with some useful information on the Utah car accident claims process.
Utah law mandates the filing of a vehicle accident report in the event anyone was injured or the property damage sustained totals over $1,500. Most car collisions fit one or both of those descriptions – and if that’s the case for your accident, you must notify the nearest law enforcement agency and remain at the scene until an officer responds.
If you suffered injuries and took an ambulance to the hospital before the police arrived, file a report as soon as possible, while your memory of the car accident is still fresh. Failing to report the collision is a misdemeanor in Utah, and the consequences could be up to 90 days in jail as well as a fine of up to $750 or the equivalent in compensatory service.
In addition, your insurance company likely requires that you inform them when a car accident occurs. When you make the call to report the collision, be brief -- providing the date, time and location of the accident is fine, as is sharing the identities of any witnesses and the other motorists involved. You don’t have to tell the adjuster anything else, and you certainly don’t want to consent to give a recorded statement without first talking to a personal injury lawyer.
Utah is a no-fault insurance state, which means that your own insurance policy will cover the damages arising from a car accident – up to a limit – regardless of who is to blame for the collision.
To pursue a personal injury claim against the motorist responsible for your car accident, you must have incurred more than $3,000 in medical bills, lost income and other economic damages. Or, you must have suffered dismemberment, disfigurement, permanent disability or another qualifying serious injury.
If your case meets either or both criteria, you’re not limited to filing a car accident claim under your own insurance policy – you’ll be able to hold the at-fault party accountable. The door will be open to seek out compensation for all of your losses, including emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment and other non-economic damages.
Under Utah law, car accident victims are not required to have legal representation to pursue compensation. That said, many choose to hire a personal injury lawyer – and you may want to go that route, too, putting your focus on recovering and letting a legal expert handle your car accident claim.
Hiring an experienced Utah personal injury lawyer won’t guarantee a successful case outcome, but doing so greatly increases your chances of obtaining every dollar you deserve for your injuries and losses. An attorney can investigate the collision, collect evidence to prove the at-fault motorist’s negligence and handle negotiations with insurance adjusters on your behalf. All of this can go a long way toward ensuring the best possible result.
Consider, too, that comparative negligence laws apply -- and if you are partially to blame for the collision, you’ll see your compensation reduced by your degree of fault. Worse, if another motorist succeeds in proving that you were more than halfway responsible for the car accident, you’ll be barred from recovering damages. A personal injury lawyer can use proven strategies to keep that from happening, fighting for the maximum in compensation.
In Utah, most car accident claims are settled out of court. Getting to that point can be a challenge, however, as the settlement process involves quite a bit of work – and you can expect the insurance adjusters involved to make every effort to devalue your claim or even find a basis for a denial.
As for how your claim will proceed, investigation is the first step. Both sides gather evidence to demonstrate what happened, and since the insurance company will have a team of experts in their corner, you may need the expertise of a personal injury lawyer to level the playing field.
Once you or your personal injury lawyer completes the investigation and the scope of treatment your injuries requires becomes known, it’s time to craft a demand letter to the insurance company. This letter is intended to share the facts and circumstances surrounding your car accident claim, including the costs you have incurred as a result of the collision.
Sending the demand letter is like sending a signal for negotiations to begin. You don’t want to settle for less than what you deserve, but the insurance company may put on the pressure. If they know you’re willing to take the matter to court, they’ll be more likely to offer a fair settlement – and if you have a personal injury lawyer, they’ll know you aren’t going to fold.
Moving through the Utah car accident claims process and securing the maximum in compensation is no easy task, particularly when you’re seriously injured. The legal team at William R. Rawlings & Associates can protect your rights, negotiating a favorable settlement or, if necessary, fighting it out in court.
For expert legal assistance with your Utah car accident claim, contact our office and schedule a personal injury lawyer consultation today.
How do you know if someone is legally responsible for the losses you sustained in a car accident? A lawyer can assess your claim to determine if you can pursue compensation – or, in other words, if negligence can be proven.
Negligence is the number one component in any personal injury claim. To recover damages after a car crash, you must be able to prove that another party’s actions are to blame for your injuries. If you fail to prove that negligence exists, your claim for compensation will be denied. Here, the experienced Salt Lake City car accident injury lawyers at William R. Rawlings & Associates explain what you need to know about legal liability.
If you bring a claim for compensation, you’re the plaintiff – and that means you have the burden of proof. It’s up to you (and your car accident lawyer, if you hire one) to prove that your version of events is accurate, demonstrating the elements of your case by a preponderance of the evidence. Or, to put it another way, you must show that it’s more likely than not that the other party’s actions are directly responsible for your injuries.
To meet the burden of proof in a personal injury claim, you must show evidence that establishes the legal concept of negligence. That means proving your case involves each of the following elements:
Duty of Care
A person can be held accountable for their actions if they had an obligation to exercise reasonable care in regards to safety. When someone gets behind the wheel of a car, they have a duty to be careful. Proving this duty in a car accident case comes down to demonstrating that a reasonable person would have foreseen a risk of injury to others, given the turn of events.
Breach of Duty
Once you have established that the other party had a duty to act with reasonable care, you need to prove that they failed to do so. To prove a breach of duty involves showing that their conduct falls short of what a reasonable person would have done in the same situation. According to car accident lawyers, the standard can vary depending upon the circumstances of a personal injury case.
Causation
Breaching the duty of care isn’t sufficient to establish negligence in a car accident case. You must also link the breach to your injuries, proving that the other party caused both the car crash and your resulting injuries. In some cases, there is clear causation – but car accident lawyers caution that establishing causation can be difficult if you had any preexisting conditions.
Damages
Finally, the law of negligence requires that you have actual losses, or monetary expenses, to pursue compensation. The notion that someone could have been injured doesn’t create legal liability. So, if you were rear-ended, but your car wasn’t damaged and you weren’t harmed, you aren’t entitled to damages.
In order to prove that another party was negligent, you need to provide clear evidence that shows how and why the crash occurred. The forms of proof you can use to demonstrate negligence include:
These are just some of the many types of evidence that an experienced car accident lawyer can use in building your case. And since some evidence can be difficult to obtain, you’d be wise to have a legal professional on your side.
When it comes to compensation in most personal injury claims, the primary considerations are medical expenses, missed income and the pain and suffering the victim experiences. To prove damages, you can use the following evidence:
Depending upon the circumstances surrounding your car crash, you may be entitled to other forms of compensation. But while you may be able to bring a claim for loss of enjoyment, loss of consortium or emotional distress, doing so without the help of a car accident lawyer won’t be easy.
Proving the merits of your personal injury claim to the at-fault party’s insurance company or in a court of law requires substantial evidence – and having an experienced car accident lawyer in your corner can have a major impact on the outcome of your case. Before you enter into negotiations with an insurance adjuster, contact William R. Rawlings & Associates.
Our car accident attorneys have decades of experience negotiating favorable settlements for injured victims, and we’re always prepared to take a case to court if the insurance company refuses to provide a fair amount of compensation. If you were hurt in a car crash in Utah, California or Idaho and want help from a highly skilled and experienced car accident lawyer, contact William R. Rawlings & Associates today.