If you’re ever injured in a car accident in Utah or elsewhere in the country, you’ll find that dealing with the aftermath can be rather stressful. Feeling overwhelmed is normal given that crashes often cause both physical and emotional trauma, but managing the situation is crucial to the success of your personal injury claim.
Doing the wrong thing after a car accident could hinder your chances at obtaining compensation from the responsible party. To keep from making a bad situation worse, Utah car accident lawyers recommend that you don’t do any of the following.
Leaving the spot where the car accident occurred could mean facing criminal charges. The incident may be viewed as a hit-and-run, and failing to stop makes you look guilty. The police might issue a warrant for your arrest – but whether or not that happens, by leaving the scene you will have compromised your personal injury claim.
Some people in Utah mistakenly think that calling 911 after a car accident is unnecessary if no one is hurt. This isn’t the case – regardless of how serious, a crash must be reported to a local law enforcement agency. Besides, without a police report, you may have difficulty establishing fault for the incident in a personal injury claim.
Whether or not you have serious injuries, consider visiting an urgent care center. You may be tempted to skip this step if you feel fine, but not all car accident injuries are immediately apparent – and left untreated, some injuries can worsen. With your health on the line, it’s a good idea to get a medical assessment as soon as possible.
After a car accident, emotions tend to run high. You might be upset with the other parties involved, but refrain from expressing any anger toward anyone. Doing so could result in more trouble, as heated words often lead to physical altercations. And if you get into a fist fight, winning a personal injury case may prove to be more difficult.
For many people, apologizing after a car accident is instinctual. Saying you’re sorry may be a knee-jerk reaction to the situation, not an admission of fault, but that’s not how your words will be interpreted. Anything you say can be used against you, affecting your ability to obtain compensation for your losses through a Utah personal injury claim.
Failing to gather as much information as you can while you’re still at the accident scene could affect the outcome of your personal injury case. Evidence will be crucial to getting the financial compensation you deserve, so take photos, get contact information for any witnesses and document the weather and traffic conditions at the time of the crash.
Lawyers and investigators who work for insurance companies look for ways to make accident victims seem less credible, including searching for incriminating social media posts. Personal injury attorneys say to steer clear of social media until a case is resolved, as even posts that are unrelated to a car accident could be used against you.
You will need to call your insurance company to report the car accident, as failing to do so could give them grounds to deny your personal injury claim. But, don’t go into detail about the crash – just provide the necessary information. And to be on the safe side, don’t discuss the matter with anyone except your personal injury attorney.
An adjuster from the other party’s insurance company may ask you to record a statement describing how the car accident occurred, then use whatever you say as a basis for devaluing or denying your personal injury claim. There’s no federal or Utah state law requiring you to give a statement, so don’t feel compelled to provide one.
Insurance companies employ teams of lawyers, which gives them a definite edge. Going without a personal injury lawyer is arguably one of the biggest mistakes you could make after a car accident, as it puts you at the mercy of people who are paid to make sure you obtain the minimum – or nothing at all – in compensation.
The legal team at William R. Rawlings & Associates has specialized in protecting the rights of injured victims for more than 35 years. If a Utah car accident leaves you with serious injuries, we’ll be here to help you fight the insurance companies. You can count on our personal injury attorneys to make every effort to obtain every dollar you deserve.
William R. Rawlings & Associates offers full-service legal representation to those who have suffered harm as a result of someone else’s negligence or carelessness. Our attorneys have the skill, knowledge and expertise to maximize compensation -- and if we don’t win your personal injury claim, you won’t have to pay us a dime in legal fees.
For more advice, or to schedule a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney, contact a Utah auto accident injury lawyer William R. Rawlings & Associates today.
Car-on-bike collisions can be devastating for cyclists, as the injuries incurred can make returning to work impossible. If you’re facing that situation, a bicycle accident lawyer could have the remedy you need. By building and filing a strong personal injury case, an attorney can pursue compensation for all of your financial losses, including those related to income.
If you lost your job because a cycling accident has left you unable to perform the required duties – or if you’ve been forced to change career paths as a result of the collision – turn to the legal team at William R. Rawlings & Associates. Here’s a look at what our experienced Draper personal injury attorneys can do to help.
A key factor in any Utah personal injury case is the calculation of any lost income that may be recoverable. As an injured cyclist, you have the right to pursue compensation for the following from the party at fault for the collision:
To be compensated for lost income, you’ll need to have documentation that shows the time you missed from work and the amount you would have earned during that time. Your bicycle accident lawyer can explain what types of documents can be used as evidence in a personal injury case.
What if you took sick leave or used paid vacation days to cover the time you missed at work? You’re entitled to compensation for that, too – you earned those benefits, and an experienced bicycle accident attorney can help you recover their full value.
The severity of the injuries you sustained may have impaired your ability to earn the same income as you did prior to your bicycle accident. If you lost your job and can’t switch to a line of work that pays as well, you may have a claim for loss of earning capacity.
But while you have the right to pursue compensation for your diminished earning power, proving lost earning capacity can be a challenge. Establishing how your injuries have compromised your ability to earn an income in the future may require all of the following:
In a personal injury case, calculating loss of earning capacity – and determining an appropriate amount of compensation – isn’t an exact science. Having an experienced bicycle accident lawyer on your side is to your benefit, as an attorney will investigate every possible avenue, including possible promotions and raises you may have earned, to bolster your claim.
In addition to lost income and loss of earning capacity, you can pursue compensation for lost work opportunities resulting from your Utah cycling accident. Essentially, this refers to commissions and bonuses earned on a regular basis – and if you missed out on any such prospects to make money because of your bicycle accident, a lawyer can help you prove lost work opportunities.
Several other types of compensation may also be awarded in Utah personal injury cases. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer can work to get you compensated for all of your losses. Depending upon your specific circumstances, your attorney may pursue compensation for:
Punitive damages are available in the state of Utah, but they are rarely awarded and generally only apply to cases involving gross negligence. Your bicycle accident lawyer will let you know if you can make a claim for punitive damages.
Whatever specific damages apply to your case, you can count on your lawyer to fight for every dollar you deserve. After all, most attorneys who handle personal injury cases do so on a contingency fee basis – meaning that they only get paid if they recover compensation. And, their payment is typically a percentage of the amount awarded. As such, your bicycle accident lawyer will have a tremendous incentive to maximize your claim.
You need an attorney who will stand up for your rights and fight to get the money you deserve – and William R. Rawlings & Associates has what it takes to make that happen.
We’ve been representing injured cyclists in Utah, Idaho and California for more than 35 years, and we understand how to maximize compensation in personal injury cases. Our legal team includes former insurance adjusters, former insurance company attorneys and lawyers who enjoy the sport of cycling, giving us a unique perspective that works to our clients’ advantage.
William R. Rawlings & Associates is the law firm you want in your corner if you lost your job because of a Utah car-on-bike collision. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Draper, contact our office today.
Were you seriously injured in a car crash, dog attack or some other type of accident? Utah personal injury cases hinge on the concept of negligence – so if the incident wasn’t your fault, you have the legal right to pursue compensation for your losses.
An experienced Utah personal injury lawyer can help you fight for every dollar you deserve, but the amount you’ll be able to recover depends largely upon the specific damages that apply to your case. Here, we take a close look at the types of compensation available in Utah personal injury cases.
Also referred to as special damages, economic damages are intended to compensate accident victims for actual, measurable monetary losses related to their injuries. Some of the most common types of economic damages are:
Medical Expenses
Personal injury cases almost always address the cost of medical treatment related to the accident. In Utah, injured victims can seek out reimbursement for past expenses as well as compensation for future medical care.
Lost Income
Injuries resulting from an accident often force people to take time off from work. When filing a personal injury claim, accident victims in Utah can ask to be compensate for any and all missed wages.
Lost Earning Capacity
Serious injuries can compel accident victims to take a different job – and sometimes, seeking any type of employment simply isn’t possible. In either case, a personal injury award can include the loss of future income.
Property Loss
Accidents that cause severe injuries often result in property damage as well. Under Utah law, victims have the right to pursue compensation for repair costs or the fair market value of any damaged item.
Household Services
While recuperating from their injuries, accident victims may be unable to take care of their regular duties. For those who need to hire someone to help with cooking, cleaning, child care or other tasks, compensation may be awarded.
In personal injury claims, non-economic damages compensate victims for the intangible losses they have incurred as a result of an accident. Also known as general damages, non-economic damages are not easy to quantify. Examples include:
Pain and Suffering
Severe injuries often involve a great deal of physical pain. Accident victims in Utah may be entitled to compensation for their discomfort and any ongoing pain and suffering attributable to the incident.
Emotional Distress
Involvement in a serious accident can have a major psychological impact. Damages may be awarded to Utah victims who are in mental anguish, suffering from anxiety, depression, guilt or another form of emotional distress.
Loss of Enjoyment
Many Utah accident victims are unable to take part in the hobbies and recreational activities they formerly enjoyed. When engaging in regular day-to-day pursuits is no longer possible, a personal injury award may offer compensation.
Loss of Consortium
Being seriously injured can have a definite impact on the relationship a person has with their spouse. For a loss of companionship, love or affection or difficulty with sexual relations, victims can bring a claim for damages.
Disfigurement
Considerable scarring, permanent injuries and mobility impairments can harm self-esteem and cause a loss in quality of life. Disfigurement can have a lasting effect, and for injured victims in Utah, compensation is available.
Punitive damages, or exemplary damages, are awarded infrequently in the state of Utah. This type of compensation isn’t intended to compensate victims for losses – it’s meant to punish the at-fault party for their actions and deter others from acting in a similar manner.
In Utah personal injury cases, punitive damages are only applicable when the party responsible for an accident is guilty of gross negligence. In other words, their conduct must be extreme, egregious or intended to cause harm – engaging in careless or reckless behavior isn’t typically enough to meet the standard for punitive damages.
When punitive damages are included in a personal injury award, the amount is based on several objective and subjective factors. The wealth of the at-fault party, the reprehensibility of their misconduct and the nature of the victim’s injuries are a few of the considerations. In Utah, the courts may order that the first $50,000 in punitive damages goes to the victim, but any in excess of that amount is divided equally between the victim and the state.
If you’re thinking about bringing a personal injury case, there are numerous advantages to having legal representation. Hiring an experienced lawyer is worth your while because:
Personal injury lawyers charge fees for their services, of course, but many – including the team at William R. Rawlings & Associates, work on a contingency fee basis. Legal representation costs you nothing upfront, so you can get the help you need without worrying about the expense.
William R. Rawlings & Associates, a highly respected Utah law firm, has decades of experience helping accident victims obtain the financial compensation they deserve. For a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your personal injury case, use our online contact form or call our office in Draper, Utah, today.
After a car crash in Utah, you may be left with serious injuries. An experienced car accident attorney can help you file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party – but in order to get the compensation you deserve, you need to have medical proof from a health care provider.
Therefore, if you’ve been injured in a collision, visiting a doctor should be a priority. The sooner you get medical attention, the better, and getting answers to certain questions can make all the difference in the outcome of your personal injury claim. For the medical proof your car accident attorney needs to support your case, ask your doctor the following.
A list that describes the injuries directly resulting from the collision can be quite useful for your car accident attorney. Personal injury claims often involve mountains of medical paperwork detailing treatment from multiple health care providers, and with a simple outline of your injuries, your lawyer will have the key information in one convenient document.
Insurance adjusters frequently attempt to devalue personal injury claims. One tactic they may use is to argue that the car crash wasn’t the cause of your injuries – and as such, they don’t need to be factored into your claim.
To refute that argument, ask your doctor how each of your injuries likely occurred. An expert opinion that your leg shattered upon impact with the center console, for example, or that your wrist injury resulted from the pressure of the airbag, can be of great value for your case.
Many types of injuries that are common in car crashes – including brain trauma and neck, back and spinal cord injuries – can have long-term effects. The road to your recovery may involve additional medical treatments, therapies or surgeries, the costs of which should be included in your settlement.
To pursue compensation for any past, ongoing and future medical bills related to your car accident, your lawyer will need to know what your recovery looks like. Ask your doctor for a document outlining your treatment needs, as that can be used as medical proof in your personal injury claim.
After a car crash, you may need to take time off from work. You might not be able to handle the same types of work duties as you did before the accident – and depending upon the nature of your injuries, returning to your job may be impossible.
Compensation for loss of wages and loss of future earning capacity should be included in your injury claim. Knowing your doctor’s recommendations regarding work, your car accident attorney can fight to get you compensated for all of the income lost as a result of your collision.
If you’ve been hurt in a car crash in the state of Utah and are in need of expert legal representation, William R. Rawlings & Associates is the law firm to call. Contact our office and schedule a free Utah car accident attorney consultation today.
Are you looking for a bus accident lawyer? Experts recommend talking to several attorneys before selecting one to take your case, and since most offer free consultations, you have nothing to lose – and, potentially, much to gain – by following that advice.
Bus accident cases tend to be rather complex, and you need a lawyer who has what it takes to advocate on your behalf and pursue the compensation you deserve. For the best case outcome, consult with top local law firms and ask each attorney these questions.
Working with well-established law firm that has a solid history of success with personal injury claims is to your benefit, as determining liability and securing compensation for bus accident injuries can be challenging. During your consultations, ask each lawyer about their level of experience and track record of successful settlements and jury verdicts.
Some lawyers who specialize in personal injury claims focus their efforts on helping victims of car accidents or those injured in semi-truck collisions. Others have expertise in different areas – and the attorney you hire should have extensive experience resolving accident cases that are similar to yours. So, be sure to ask each legal professional how they spend the bulk of their time.
Attorneys with expertise in personal injury law don’t make guarantees about case outcomes, but as a general rule, they only provide legal representation when the odds of winning are high. So if a bus accident lawyer agrees to take your case, you likely have a strong claim for compensation. As for the amount you can expect to receive, an experienced attorney should be able to tell you what to expect.
You shouldn’t have to worry about upfront costs when you hire a bus accident lawyer, as most only collect a fee if they’re successful in securing compensation. You’ll want to confirm this, however, and find out what percentage the law firm charges. Ask how court costs and case expenses are handled, too, as you may be responsible for certain expenditures regardless of your case outcome.
If you were injured in a bus crash in Utah, Idaho or California, the legal professionals at William R. Rawlings & Associates would be happy to review your case and explain your options moving forward. We’ve been protecting the rights of injured victims for more than 35 years, and our team knows the ins and outs of filing a personal injury claim against a bus driver, public transportation company, third-party contractor or any other responsible party.
For a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced bus accident lawyer, contact William R. Rawlings & Associates today.
You’ve been seriously injured in an accident, and while you weren’t at fault, you’re paying the price. A personal injury attorney can help you pursue compensation, and you know that hiring a lawyer is in your best interests.
But how can you afford legal representation when the bills are piling up and you don’t know when or if you’ll be able to return to work?
The answer is simple – hiring a personal injury lawyer costs you nothing. There’s no need to worry about the expense, as your attorney will essentially work for free until your case ends.
While many legal professionals charge hourly fees, personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Payment is contingent upon the outcome of your case, and if no compensation is recovered, you won’t have to pay any attorney fees.
In other words, if you don’t get paid, neither will your lawyer. As such, if an attorney agrees to take your case, they must feel confident they can win it.
If your lawyer is successful in securing compensation in your accident case, they’ll take a percentage of the winnings. That’s how you’ll pay their fee for providing you with legal representation – there’s no need for you to come up with any cash.
With this type of arrangement, the amount your attorney receives is directly related to the amount of your settlement or jury award. Therefore, you can count on your lawyer to make every effort to recover the maximum in monetary compensation.
As a general rule, personal injury lawyers don’t require their clients to cover any of the costs incurred while settling or litigating an accident claim. Your attorney will likely take care of the court filing fees, document fees, traveling costs and other upfront expenses.
If your case reaches a favorable outcome, the costs associated with pursuing your case will be deducted from your accident settlement or award. If not, you may be responsible for certain fees and court costs.
Know you know that yes, you can afford to hire a personal injury attorney – now it’s time to schedule a free case evaluation. For expert legal advice in Utah, Idaho or California, turn to the professional team at William R. Rawlings & Associates.
Our law firm handles many types of accident cases, including car crashes, motorcycle collisions and semi-truck accidents, and we have a history of winning compensation for our clients. For more information on our legal team, or to schedule a free, no-obligation Utah personal injury attorney consultation, contact our office today.
Determining fault after any Utah car accident can be difficult, and if someone else was driving your vehicle and got into a crash, you’re going to want to know who is liable. Are they responsible? Can a car owner be sued for another driver’s accident? What, if anything, will insurance cover?
As a general rule, insurance follows the vehicle – not the driver – so your insurance policy should kick in. But like every rule, there are exceptions. Below, we take a look at the various scenarios.
If you let a friend or neighbor drive your car and they caused an accident, you shouldn’t have to worry about being sued -- most insurance policies cover permissive drivers, or people who have your permission to get behind the wheel.
Your liability insurance should cover the losses incurred by the other motorist involved in the car accident, including property damage and injury damage. However, if your policy limit is exhausted, coverage for any remaining losses will need to come from the insurance of the person who drove your vehicle.
As for the damage to your car, that depends upon whether or not you have collision coverage. And, your insurance company may require a deductible payment.
In certain circumstances, you could be sued for damages resulting from a car accident caused by a permissive driver.
As a car owner, you have the duty to take reasonable precautions when lending out your vehicle – and if the person you allowed to drive your car fits one or more of the following criteria – a case could be made against you for negligent entrustment:
Car owners also have the duty to maintain their vehicles to proper safety standards. If you haven’t – and if you’re aware of a potential safety issue, such as a malfunctioning turn signal or brakes that occasionally fail – you might be found negligent and, therefore, may be financially responsible for damages incurred in an accident.
Negligence of any sort must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. But the fact is, if you knew the person who wanted to borrow your car was unfit to get behind the wheel – or that your car was unfit for the road -- you could be held liable. For that reason, you may want to seek the advice of an experienced Utah car accident attorney.
Are you concerned about getting sued for another driver’s accident? The legal team at William R. Rawlings & Associates has decades of experience helping people navigate the aftermath of a Utah car accident, and our attorneys can protect your rights and interests.
If someone else crashed your vehicle, contact our office for a free, no-obligation consultation and case review with a Utah car accident attorney today.
As personal injury lawyers, we should be able to tell you how long it typically takes to settle a semi-truck accident claim – but the truth is, every case is different.
Sometimes, the injured victim and the at-fault party or parties quickly come to an agreement. Much of the time, however, people with serious injuries have to fight for far too long to get the monetary compensation they deserve. And in some cases, filing a semi-truck accident lawsuit is the only option, which further delays the process.
If you were injured in a collision with a semi or heavy-duty truck, consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer is in your best interests. The decision on whether or not to accept a settlement offer is yours, of course, but you don’t want to settle a semi-truck accident claim for a sum that doesn’t meet your needs.
Several factors can prolong the process of reaching a settlement after a truck accident. A skilled personal injury lawyer will know how to get a payout as quickly as possible, but all of the following are required to pursue damages from the at-fault party or parties:
Obtaining all of the necessary evidence can take time. Your personal injury lawyer may need to seek out estimates from medical, occupational and economic experts as to the value of your losses – which can extend the timeline for your settlement.
Chances are, you’ll start hearing from insurance adjusters during the recovery process – and you may even get a settlement offer just a few days or weeks after your truck accident. You might be tempted to accept the offer, particularly if you’re in need of financial relief, but doing so is risky.
How so? When you sign a settlement check, you basically agree not to pursue any additional compensation for losses resulting from the accident. Courts are strict about enforcing these agreements, so you should hold off on accepting an offer until you’ve been cleared by a medical professional or your personal injury attorney advises you to take the settlement.
In most cases, personal injury lawyers can negotiate with the insurance adjusters involved and settle truck accident claims without heading to court. However, in certain circumstances, attorneys recommend suing the at-fault party or parties. This may occur if any of the following are true for your accident claim:
Other situations -- such as a case involving fraudulent actions by an insurer or the need to pursue compensation above the limit of the insurance policy of the liable party or parties – can also lead to a truck accident lawsuit. That said, most accident claims settle out of court.
With an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side, you can receive the maximum in compensation for your losses. And at William R. Rawlings & Associates, you can count on us to do whatever we can to settle your semi-truck accident claim as quickly as possible. For a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced truck accident attorney, contact our law office today.
If your marriage is ending and you stand to receive a personal injury award before the divorce is final, you no doubt want to know what will happen to the funds. Will the money be considered to be separate from the marriage – meaning that it will all go to you? Or is a personal injury settlement marital property and, therefore, subject to division?
The answer you’re hoping to see is that the entire award will remain outside of the divorce settlement – and that may be what happens. However, depending upon the specifics of your case, your soon-to-be ex-spouse may be entitled to a portion of the proceeds.
To protect your legal rights and interests, you’d be wise to consult with a personal injury lawyer. But in the meantime, you may find the following information helpful.
As a general rule, property that is acquired by either spouse during a marriage is marital property. The family home, vehicles, investments, stocks, high-value collectibles – all of these and anything else the couple amassed while married falls under this category.
Separate property, on the other hand, refers to any property that belongs to only one individual. This may include an inheritance, for example, or property owned prior to the marriage.
Injury awards are typically not considered to be marital property, so the settlement money may all go to you. However, some portions may be subject to division in a divorce.
Injury awards are intended to cover a wide range of losses, some which may have affected both you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse. The portions of your settlement which may be divided in your divorce include:
Much of your settlement is intended to compensate you, the injured party, for losses you bore alone. The following damages should be yours to keep:
When it comes to the division of an injury award in a divorce, the law isn’t all that clearly defined. An experienced injury lawyer – like the team at William R. Rawlings & Associates – can work with your divorce attorney and fight to protect what is rightfully yours.
Personal injury awards can involve a great deal of money, and you need a skilled advocate to ensure that your soon-to-be ex-spouse doesn’t get more of your settlement than they deserve. You’ll find that advocate at William R. Rawlings & Associates. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation with a personal injury lawyer today.
Being injured in a truck accident is a traumatic experience, and you may not know how to react or what to do – but the fact is, your actions can have a significant impact on your physical and financial recovery.
At William R. Rawlings & Associates, we want to help injured victims. To that end, our experienced Utah truck injury lawyers have prepared a list of important steps to take to protect your legal rights.
If you’ve been hurt in a collision with an 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer, semi-truck or big rig, we recommend that you:
While you’re still at the scene, try to get contact information for any witnesses to the truck collision. And, take photos of the accident scene, your vehicle and all other vehicles involved. If you’re not able, don’t worry – a truck accident attorney can get all of the necessary evidence.
Legal representation isn’t required for an accident claim, but hiring a lawyer is a good idea for several reasons. One major advantage is that an attorney can determine who is liable for your losses – and that may be the at-fault driver, the company they work for, a parts manufacturer or more than one party.
When you work with the dedicated team at William R. Rawlings & Associates, our truck accident attorneys will:
William R. Rawlings & Associates offers personalized legal representation to individuals who have been injured due to the negligence or careless actions of another party. Our law firm takes on many types of accident claims, including truck collisions – and we’re proud to have both decades of experience and a long history of successful case results.
You can expect our accident attorneys to do everything in their power to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve for your expenses and losses. Let us fight on your behalf while you focus on healing and recovering from your injuries. Contact us online or give our office a call and schedule a truck accident attorney consultation today.