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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.

Car accident attorney Utah

What Specific Injuries Require Medical Treatment?

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.

How Exactly Did the Car Accident Cause these Injuries?

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.

What Will it Take to Recover from the Car Accident?

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.

Is Returning to Work and Performing the Same Job Possible?

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.

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.

personal injury attorney Utah

Personal Injury Attorneys Only Get Paid if They Win

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.

Attorney Fees Come Directly From the Winnings

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.

What About Court Costs and Other Expenses?

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.

Schedule a Free Consultation with William R. Rawlings & Associates

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.

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Your Insurance Should Cover the Damages for Permissive Drivers

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.

You Could Be Held Liable for Negligent Entrustment

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.

Talk to an Experienced Utah Car Accident Attorney Today

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.

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The Timeline for Semi-Truck Accident Settlements

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.

The Risk of Accepting a Settlement Offer

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.

Will You Need to File a Semi-Truck Accident Lawsuit?

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.

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Marital Property vs. Separate Property

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.

Dividing an Injury Settlement

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:

Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer

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.

truck injury lawyer Utah

Steps to Take After a Truck Accident

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.

Benefits of Hiring a Truck Accident Attorney

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:

Contact William R. Rawlings & Associates Today

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.

When dealing with a serious situation, you need advice from someone who knows how to help. In the event you’ve been injured in an accident, a personal injury lawyer is the professional to call.

Many people associate injury attorneys with car accidents, but lawyers who specialize in this area of the law also help victims of truck crashes, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle wrecks, bus collisions and other types of accidents. Wrongful death claims are also in their wheelhouse. If you’ve experienced harm as a result of another party’s negligence or wrongful actions, consulting with an attorney is a good idea. Here’s what an experienced personal injury lawyer can do for you.

personal injury attorney Utah

Evaluate Your Case

A personal injury attorney can determine if you have a valid claim for compensation. They’ll listen to your description of the accident and ask pointed questions, as your case needs certain elements to succeed. After talking with a lawyer, you’ll know if you can take legal action.

Explain Your Legal Rights

State laws vary, and an injury attorney can review the applicable statues and procedures with you, explaining everything you need to know about the legal process. One important note – if another party is to blame for your injuries, you have the right to seek compensation.

Investigate the Accident

Experienced personal injury attorneys understand how to build a successful case, and your lawyer can gather proof to support your claim. A skilled legal professional will be able to conduct an investigation and identify the party at fault for the accident, tasks which aren’t easy on your own.

Protect Your Interests

An injury attorney can act as your advocate in negotiating with the insurance company of the at-fault party, putting their legal expertise to work in securing you a favorable settlement. If the insurance adjuster refuses to make a fair offer, a lawyer can take your case to court.

Maximize Your Compensation

You want to get every dollar you deserve, and an injury attorney has the knowledge and resources to ensure that happens. After analyzing your injuries and the losses you’ve suffered as a result of the accident, a lawyer can pursue the maximum compensation allowable under the law.

Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you need assistance from an experienced injury attorney in Utah, Idaho or California, call on the legal team at William R. Rawlings & Associates.

A highly respected law firm located in northern Utah, William R. Rawlings & Associates has more than 35 years of experience helping accident victims and their families obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering and other losses. We’d love to do the same for you – and we’ll work hard to get top dollar for your case.

For a free, no-obligation consultation with a friendly and knowledgeable Utah personal injury lawyer, contact William R. Rawlings today.

If you were injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your financial, economic and emotional damages. But figuring out how to get every dollar you deserve may not be easy on your own, particularly if you haven’t dealt with this type of legal situation before.

The personal injury lawyers at William R. Rawlings & Associates can walk you through the entire process, taking the weight off of your shoulders and working hard to ensure that your car accident case has a favorable outcome. Here’s a look at how your personal injury claim will proceed.

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Investigation and Treatment

When an attorney agrees to take on your car accident case, they’ll begin an investigation to uncover evidence that supports your personal injury claim. Your lawyer will also put the insurance companies on notice, handling all communications on your behalf. At this stage, you may still be in treatment – and it’s crucial that you keep all appointments and follow all doctors’ orders.

Settlement Negotiations

Once you are no longer in treatment – or once the future impact of your injuries becomes clear – your lawyer will assist you in making a claim under your own insurance company through your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, if necessary. Then, your attorney will begin settlement negotiations with the insurance company of the driver at fault for the car accident.

Discovery and Litigation

At William R. Rawlings & Associates, our personal injury lawyers are able to negotiate favorable settlements in over 98 percent of our cases. If settling your car accident case isn’t possible, discovery will take place – meaning that both sides will exchange evidence. A trial follows, either in front of a judge or a jury, and your attorney will do whatever they can to support your claim in court.

Judgement and Post-Judgment Motions

After all of the evidence has been presented, the judge or jury will render its decision. At this point, lawyers from either side can opt to appeal a non-favorable judgment. Or, depending upon the circumstances, the losing party may file a motion for a new trial. If no appeal or post-judgment motions are filed, the final judgment is entered with the court and the case is complete

Let Us Fight for Your Right to Compensation

The team of personal injury lawyers at William R. Rawlings & Associates has one goal – to protect the rights of injured victims and help them pursue justice. Our law firm has more than 35 years of experience providing personalized legal representation to clients in Utah, California and Idaho – and we’re ready to assist with every aspect of your car accident claim.

You need a skilled, compassionate and capable personal injury lawyer, one who has what it takes to help you obtain the maximum in compensation. That’s what you’ll find with William R. Rawlings & Associates – contact us and schedule a free consultation to discuss your Utah car accident case today.

Whether you walk to work or like strolling through town for exercise or pleasure, you need to know what to if you’re hit by a car.

Walking may be statistically safer than driving, but vehicle-pedestrian accidents happen quite frequently. In Utah alone, there were 774 car crashes involving pedestrians in 2020 – and in roughly 95 percent of these collisions, the people on foot suffered injuries.

Clearly, being a pedestrian isn’t without danger. If you happen to get hit by a car when you’re out walking in Draper or anywhere in northern Utah, here’s how to handle the situation.

Personal injury attorney Draper UT

Report the Accident

Slowly and carefully move to a safe area -- if you’re physically able to do so -- then call 911 to ensure that the police and an ambulance are on the way. You’ll need the responding officer to file an official report, and you may need to take a trip to the emergency room.

Seek Medical Attention

Whether or not you’re experiencing any pain from getting hit by a car, you should get an immediate medical assessment. Adrenaline can mask pain, and you might not even realize you’re injured. If you don’t need an ambulance ride, be sure to see your doctor as soon as possible.

Collect Evidence

While you’re at the accident scene, gather information. Use your phone to take photos of the vehicle that hit you and the surrounding area – including any intersections, crosswalks, skid marks and nearby visual distractions. If you can, photograph your injuries, too.

Liability in Utah Pedestrian Accidents

In many vehicle-pedestrian accidents, the car drivers are liable. All motorists in Utah have a duty to act in a safe manner -- and anyone behind the wheel must remain alert to their surroundings. If driver negligence played a role in your accident, you may be entitled to compensation.

That said, pedestrians in Utah also have the responsibility to follow local traffic laws and exercise caution when out walking. If you were behaving carelessly when you were hit by a car, you may be held liable for the accident and any resulting damages.

For some Utah pedestrian accidents, liability doesn’t lie with the motorist or the person on foot – it lies with the municipality. In cases of faulty traffic lights, poorly placed crosswalks and roadway safety hazards, both drivers and pedestrians may have claims for negligence against the municipality.

Consult with a Utah Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

At William R. Rawlings & Associates, we frequently provide legal assistance to victims in Utah vehicle-pedestrian accidents. If you were hit by a car, you’ll need to make sure that your losses are covered – and with decades of experience, our Utah pedestrian accident attorneys know how to fight for the maximum in compensation.

Put your case in our hands, and we won’t charge you a fee unless we’re able to negotiate a settlement or win an award in court. For more information on the legal services we provide at William R. Rawlings & Associates, or to consult with a highly skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer in Draper, Utah, contact us today.

If you were involved in a crash while riding a bike, you may need to seek out help from an experienced Utah personal injury attorney.

As the victim of a cycling accident, you have the right to pursue financial compensation for the costs you’ve incurred as a result of the collision. Recovery should be your primary concern, and while hiring a bicycle accident attorney isn’t required, representing yourself may not be in your best interests. Below, we share a few reasons to consider leaving your case in the hands of a lawyer.

Utah personal injury attorney

Serious Injuries

Because bicycles offer little protection, many cyclists who are involved in accidents sustain major injuries. Crashes can result in spinal cord injuries, concussions, bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries and other serious impairments – and in any case, the pile of medical bills can become quite high.

With a good bicycle accident attorney on your side, you won’t have to worry about the expense. You can focus on healing, knowing that your lawyer will work to make sure that you aren’t the one who has to pay for your medical treatment.

Liability Concerns

The success of your bicycle accident claim will hinge upon proof that another party was responsible for the incident. And while the way the event unfolded may seem completely obvious to you, you’ll need evidence – and getting it may not be that easy on your own.

Hire an experienced bicycle accident attorney, and they’ll thoroughly investigate the accident, ascertaining what the traffic and the weather was like at the time, details about the vehicle and driver involved and any other pertinent information. With that in hand, a lawyer can build a strong case for full compensation.

Unfair Tactics

Insurance adjusters may act friendly and sympathetic to your needs, but don’t expect that to translate into a fair settlement offer. Insurance companies are out to make a profit, and they’ll be looking for grounds to devalue your or deny your bicycle accident claim.

Fighting the strong-arm tactics insurance companies use and coming out on top is a challenge without expert legal help. A skilled accident attorney can provide that, keeping the insurance company from taking advantage of you or convincing you to accept less money than you deserve.

Get the Legal Help You Need After a Bicycle Accident

At William R. Rawlings & Associates, our legal team has been advocating for the rights of injured cyclists in Utah, California and Idaho for more than 35 years. We not only understand the laws that protect bike riders, but many of our attorneys also enjoy the sport of cycling themselves – and that, along with our history as former insurance adjusters and lawyers for insurance companies, gives us a unique and valuable perspective.

You can count on William R. Rawlings & Associates to see your case through, making every effort to recover the maximum in monetary compensation. For a free, no-obligation consultation with a highly skilled bicycle accident personal injury attorney in Utah, contact us today.

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