An auto accident can affect you physically and emotionally, and the aftermath can have a huge impact on your financial future.
If you’ve been injured in a car crash caused by another driver’s negligence or wrongful action, you don’t have to accept the resulting financial harm. Instead, discuss your legal options with an experienced auto accident attorney. With a lawyer in your corner, you’ll have an easier time recovering every dollar you deserve – and if you work with the legal team at William R. Rawlings & Associates, your financial difficulties will soon be in the past.
An experienced auto accident attorney can help you seek the maximum financial compensation available to you through a claim against the driver responsible for your injuries.
As the injured victim in a car crash, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:
An experienced auto accident attorney will help you prepare a strong personal injury claim and guide you through the legal process. In the meantime, you can do your part to ensure a successful outcome. We suggest that you:
You accident attorney will likely provide more tips and targeted advice. Listen to their recommendations, and you’ll stand a stronger chance of obtaining the financial compensation you deserve.
Hiring a reputable auto accident attorney is one of the best ways to ensure you’re adequately compensated for your financial losses. And if you’re in Utah, Idaho or California, you’ll be in good hands with the legal team at William R. Rawlings & Associates.
We’ve been helping injured victims for more than 35 years, and we make every effort to maximize the amount of compensation our clients obtain. Choose our law firm, and you won’t have to pay us a dime if we don’t win or settle your claim.
For a free, no-obligation auto accident attorney consultation and expert help resolving your financial difficulties through a personal injury claim, contact William R. Rawlings & Associates today.
Millions of auto accidents occur every year, and many victims suffer debilitating injuries. Preventing these incidents starts with understanding why they take place, and we're sharing the most common causes of motor vehicle collisions below.
Knowledge is power, as they say, and by reading on you may be able to avoid becoming a statistic. However, if you're ever injured in an auto accident, hiring an experienced lawyer may be the best way to fight for your right to compensation.
Drivers often ignore the speed limit, and by doing so, greatly increase the chance of causing an auto accident. While speeding, motorists have less time to react to road hazards. And, vehicles that are moving too fast are more likely to spin out of control as a result of weather-related road conditions.
Many motorists believe that if they've only had a drink or two, they'll be fine behind the wheel. This isn't the case, as any amount of alcohol can affect a person's sight, judgment and coordination, leading to a serious auto accident. And, the same impairments can occur after taking prescription medication and after using illegal drugs.
Operating on a few hours of sleep can spell disaster out on the road. According to the CDC, driving while drowsy can be equated to driving drunk – it's that dangerous. Motorists who are fatigued frequently develop the same types of visual, cognitive and motor impairments as drivers who have alcohol in their system.
Everyone multitasks, but paying attention to anything but the road ahead increases the risk of being in motor vehicle collision. Driver distractions – such as using a smartphone, eating a snack, reaching for an item on the floor or turning to look at something outside the car – often cause car accidents.
Victims of motor vehicle collisions caused by speeding, impaired driving, fatigue or distracted driving – as well as those caused by other factors – have a legal right to compensation for their injuries and losses. However, obtaining every dollar deserved can be difficult without an experienced auto accident lawyer.
Attorneys perform a range of tasks to help car accident victims recover the amount of money to which they are legally entitled. Every case is unique, but a lawyer typically:
If you need an experienced auto accident lawyer in California, Idaho or Utah, call on the legal team at William R. Rawlings & Associates. We've been helping victims of motor vehicle collisions for over 35 years, and we're here to help you get the compensation you need and deserve.
For more information, or to schedule a free auto accident lawyer consultation, contact us online or give our office a call today.
Countless people rely on public transportation, and most passengers don’t think about the possibility of a bus accident when they take a seat. But traveling by bus isn’t guaranteed to be safe – roughly 63,000 collisions involving buses occur every year.
If you’re hurt in a bus accident, you have the right to file a lawsuit in pursuit of compensation for your injuries. However, due to the procedural challenges, hiring a personal injury attorney is in your best interest.
In most types of vehicular accidents, injured victims can file a lawsuit against the driver responsible for the incident. With a collision involving a bus, the situation is more complicated.
Even if the bus driver is at fault for the crash that caused your injuries, liability may not rest on their shoulders. Instead, their employer – which may be the school district, public transportation bureau or another government entity – could be financially responsible for the bus accident.
Figuring out exactly who to hold accountable for your injuries can be difficult. Hire an experienced personal injury attorney, and you’ll have help identifying the defendant to name in your bus accident lawsuit.
Any accident can result in seriously injured victims, but the chances are greater in bus crashes. Most buses don’t have seatbelts or airbags, and thanks to their higher center of gravity, buses are prone to rollover accidents. As a result, collisions can have devastating consequences.
Broken bones, head and spinal cord injuries, disfiguring lacerations and internal injuries are common – and treatment can be very expensive. But physical injuries aren’t the only consideration. You might also suffer from mental and emotional issues after the accident, both of which can have a major impact on your qualify of life.
With an experienced personal injury attorney at your side, you’ll be able to accurately estimate all of your damages, including lost wages, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. And when you file a lawsuit, you’ll stand a better chance of obtaining compensation for all of your losses.
The process of filing a personal injury claim for damages sustained in a bus accident is complex. Strict deadlines may apply, and the required forms often ask for information that isn’t easy to procure. So while you can file a lawsuit to secure the compensation you deserve, working with an experienced personal injury attorney is the best way to protect your rights.
If you’ve been hurt in a bus crash in Utah, Idaho or California, turn to the professional team at William R. Rawlings & Associates. We’ve been helping people just like you for more than 35 years, and you can count on us to fight for fair compensation. Contact us online or call our office and schedule a free personal injury attorney consultation to discuss filing a bus accident lawsuit now.
Many accident victims refrain from contacting a personal injury lawyer because they don’t have money to pay for legal services. However, a lack of financial resources doesn’t have to stop you from getting the assistance you need.
Hire an attorney who works on a contingency fee basis – like the team at William R. Rawlings & Associates -- and you won’t need to worry about upfront fees. Below, we explain how this type of payment arrangement works.
When a personal injury lawyer takes on your case, you’ll be asked to sign a contingency fee agreement. Essentially, this document states that you’ll be provided with legal representation at no upfront cost. In the event your attorney wins your case, the arrangement establishes the amount they’ll receive – typically, this is a percentage of the damages awarded.
As a general rule, attorneys who offer contingency fee arrangements only accept cases in which they’re confident they can achieve a favorable outcome. And since they earn nothing unless they win, you can count on your lawyer making every effort to ensure that happens.
Personal injury attorneys who work on a contingency fee basis don’t require their clients to put down a deposit or retainer. Nor do they ask their clients for any money for costs incurred during the course of representation. Your lawyer will most likely cover any and all upfront expenses, including:
If your personal injury attorney wins your case, you won’t be hit with a hefty bill for the legal services rendered. Your lawyer’s fee, along with expenses and litigation costs, will be deducted from your settlement or, if your case goes to trial, the total jury award.
What happens if your case ends without a win? You get no financial compensation – but neither does your lawyer. You may still be responsible for court fees and certain expenses, which we’re sure is news you didn’t want to hear. However, your attorney won’t get paid at all if they lose your case, regardless of how long the legal process took. As such, they have a tremendous incentive to make sure you receive a fair settlement or favorable jury verdict.
The experienced professional team at William R. Rawlings & Associates is here to help you fight for the compensation you deserve – and we provide our services on a contingency fee basis to make quality legal representation easily accessible to residents of Utah, California and Idaho. For more information, or to schedule a free personal injury lawyer consultation, contact us today.
Any type of accident can lead you to file a personal injury claim. After all, even minor injuries may be serious enough to require medical treatment, hospitalization, time off from work, and other costly repercussions.
However, certain types of injuries – generally those that result in severe physical, emotional and financial consequences -- are categorized as catastrophic. Here’s what you need to know about catastrophic personal injury claims and how to fight for fair compensation.
Catastrophic injuries are those that cause functional disability, irreversible damage to the body or significant life-altering consequences. A personal injury may also be considered catastrophic if it permanently prevents the victim from returning to work or performing any other substantial gainful activity.
Examples of catastrophic injuries include:
A catastrophic injury can have an immense impact on quality of life, and many victims suffer from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental issues. In addition to all the pain and suffering, victims are often left with serious financial troubles.
Catastrophic injuries can occur as the result of an unusual event or “freak” accident. However, statistically speaking, some types of incidents are more likely to result in a catastrophic personal injury. These include:
Regardless of how a catastrophic injury is incurred, victims can file a lawsuit to pursue compensation for their losses.
The value of a catastrophic injury claim depends upon the nature and severity of the injuries sustained. That said, the losses can be tremendous – and victims often face many, if not all, of the following consequences:
By filing a lawsuit, victims can seek compensation for all of these. And because catastrophic injuries tend to have a devastating, life-long impact, the amount of damages awarded can be quite high.
Getting legal help isn’t required, but hiring an attorney is the best way for injured victims to obtain the financial compensation they need and deserve.
As we mentioned, claims for catastrophic injuries can result in significant losses – and insurance companies do everything they can to minimize the amount of money they have to pay out. If you’re severely injured, an attorney can help ensure your case is defined as catastrophic, negotiate a fair settlement and, if necessary, serve as your legal representative in court.
The highly skilled attorneys at William R. Rawlings & Associates have been fighting on the behalf of injured victims in Utah, California and Idaho for more than 35 years. To discuss your catastrophic injury case with a personal injury lawyer in Utah, contact our office and schedule a free consultation today.
If you were in a collision and suffered serious injuries that affect your ability to work, filing a car accident claim can enable you to get compensation for your financial losses. And, lost income due to needing time off work for treatment and recovery isn’t the only type of damages you can pursue – you may also be entitled to compensation for lost earning capacity. For an explanation of what that means for you and your case, read on.
Loss of earning capacity is a reduction in the ability to earn an income. So, if your car accident injuries make returning to your current job position impossible – and if you’re unable to switch to a different line of work that pays just as well – you can seek compensation for the impairment of earning power and loss of future income.
While the amount of lost income awarded in a car accident claim is based upon the specific wages you weren’t able to earn as a result of the collision, loss of earning capacity is based on a projection. The damages haven’t yet been suffered, and calculating the overall impact of your injuries on your financial future isn’t an exact science.
We can tell you, though, that car accident lawyers consider several factors in determining appropriate compensation. Your past work history, skills and expected years of employment may be instrumental, and your lawyer may also investigate possible promotions and future raises you might have enjoyed if you hadn’t been seriously injured.
Compared to lost income, loss of earning capacity is much more difficult to prove. Working with an experienced car accident lawyer is to your benefit, as proving your claim may require all of the following:
William R. Rawlings & Associates, a long-standing and top-ranked law firm based in northern Utah, can help you fight for the maximum compensation in your car accident claim. We’ve collected millions of dollars in damages for clients in Utah, Idaho and California, and our highly experienced lawyers are successful in obtaining compensation in 98 percent of the cases we handle.
Work with us, and we’ll fight to get you every dollar you deserve for lost income, lost earning capacity and all of your other losses. Contact our office and schedule a free consultation or to discuss your case with a Utah car accident lawyer today.
After a car crash, you might think you don’t need help from an auto accident attorney. And if the collision wasn’t all that serious, that could be true – the insurance company of the other driver may offer a fair settlement.
With a major accident involving severe injuries and vehicular damage, this isn’t the norm. In these cases, insurance companies often fight tooth and nail to provide as little compensation as possible. For that reason, if you’re a victim, you may be better off working with an auto accident lawyer. Here’s why.
If you’ve been seriously injured, you may not be able to take pictures at the accident scene or interview witnesses after the collision – and trying to collect proof to support your claim later on isn’t going to be easy on your own.
Experienced auto accident attorneys understand how to build a successful case. Hire a lawyer, and you’ll have an expert gathering evidence on your behalf. You can focus on your recovery, with the peace of mind in knowing that no stone will be left unturned.
Many car accident victims don’t fully understand their legal rights. Insurance companies tend to take advantage of this, making lowball settlement offers on legitimate claims.
By hiring an attorney who specializes in accident claims, you’ll be protecting your rights and interests. You won’t have to worry about meeting the deadline for filing a lawsuit in Utah. Plus, your lawyer will act as your advocate in dealing with the insurance company, handling the negotiations and, if necessary, taking your case to court.
It’s easy to underestimate the effect an auto accident can have on your life. You might see the medical bills piling up and know that your vehicle needs to be repaired or replaced, but those aren’t the only concerns. Your injuries might cause you to lose the ability to earn an income, perhaps, or you may end up needing ongoing medical attention. And, the collision could have resulted in psychological damages.
All of these situations may or may not apply in your situation, but an experienced auto accident attorney will ask the right questions and be realistic in estimating your losses. As a result, a lawyer can develop a strategy to get you every dollar you deserve.
At William R. Rawlings & Associates, our legal team understands how traumatic it is to be injured in a car crash – and we’re here to provide the help you need to get back on your feet. For a free case evaluation, contact our Draper or West Valley City office today to schedule a free case evaluation or to speak to an experienced Utah auto accident attorney now.
If someone you love was killed due to the misconduct, negligence or carelessness of another party, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Bringing a lawsuit can provide you with the compensation you deserve for the loss you have suffered, while also holding the responsible person or entity accountable for their actions.
Here, the experienced legal team at William R. Rawlings & Associates share answers to some of the most common questions we receive about Utah wrongful death cases.
Generally speaking, a lawsuit is appropriate in situations where the victim would have had a valid Utah personal injury case if they survived. Examples of circumstances that can give rise to a legal claim for compensation include:
Under Utah law, this type of claim can be filed by the surviving heirs of the deceased victim or a representative of the estate. People who have the legal right to seek compensation for the loss of a loved one include:
Proving that someone is legally liable for a death requires a preponderance of evidence – or, in other words, most of the evidence provided must indicate that the defendant is responsible. In Utah, legal claims need to prove the following in order to be successful:
Depending upon the specific circumstances of a claim, the plaintiff may be entitled to financial compensation. The damages that may be awarded in a Utah lawsuit include:
The statute of limitations for a wrongful death case in Utah is typically two years, but special rules and exceptions may apply – which could mean you have less time to file a claim than you think. As such, if you’re thinking that you may have grounds to take legal action, consulting with an experienced attorney as soon as possible is in your best interests.
At William R. Rawlings & Associates, our legal team has more than 35 years of experience fighting for the rights of surviving victims – and we’re successful in obtaining compensation in 98 percent of the cases we take on. Contact our Draper or West Valley City office today to schedule a free consultation or to discuss your case with a Utah wrongful death lawyer.
Have you been injured in a collision involving a semi-truck, tractor-trailer or other big rig? Filing a truck accident lawsuit can be the means to obtaining compensation – but to achieve that goal, you’ll need to meet the deadline. Here’s a look at how much time you have to take legal action.
The Utah legal code states that injured accident victims have four years to file a claim with the court – and the date of the collision is when the clock starts running. However, depending upon the circumstances, two other filing deadlines could come into play.
First of all, if the accident caused a fatality, the victim’s surviving heirs or their representative have only two years to file a wrongful death claim. In this case, the clock starts on the date of death – which may or may not be the date of the accident.
Secondly, if a collision results in vehicle or property damage, there’s a deadline to file a legal claim for financial compensation. In Utah, a case of this type must be filed within three years of the accident date.
While you technically have up to four years to file an accident lawsuit in Utah, building a solid case takes time – and preparation is crucial to winning a case. You should contact an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible so that they can:
In an ideal world, truck accident attorneys would always be able to obtain fair financial compensation for their injured clients by simply asking the appropriate insurance company for a settlement. But as you might have guessed, that doesn’t happen in every case.
Your attorney may need to file a lawsuit to fight for a judgment in your favor. In that event, the case will proceed through these stages:
At William R. Rawlings & Associates, we routinely handle accident claims – and as former defense lawyers and insurance adjusters, our legal team knows how to sidestep the shady tactics and get injured victims every dollar they deserve. For a free case evaluation, contact us online or give our office a call today to speak with a Utah truck accident attorney now.
Finding the right personal injury attorney to take your case can be a challenge, as a vast number of law firms serve clients in Utah, California and Idaho. Fortunately, most – including William Rawlings & Associates – offer free consultations.
The primary purpose of a lawyer consultation is to get an expert evaluation of your case and whether it’s worth pursuing. However, you can and should ask questions of your own to help you determine if the attorney is a good fit. Here are a few important questions to include on your list.
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning that they don’t collect a fee unless they’re successful in recovering damages. Confirm this arrangement during the lawyer consultation, and ask about the percentage the firm charges. Find out, too, if you will have any out-of-pocket case costs.
Ask the attorney about their level of expertise in personal injury law, keeping in mind that you’ll likely benefit most by working with a well-established law firm. Check to see how long they’ve been in business and ask about the significant accomplishments of the legal team.
No lawyer will guarantee a successful case outcome, but attorneys in the practice of personal injury law typically only take cases they believe they can win. As for the worth of your claim, an experienced lawyer should be able to give you an idea of the amount of financial compensation you can expect.
Some attorneys in this field of law spend the bulk of their time on vehicular accident cases, while others have expertise in dog bite injuries, wrongful death claims or other specialized areas. The lawyer you choose should have experience handling injury claims similar to yours, as they’ll be more familiar with the legal issues you may face.
Lawyers frequently work on several cases simultaneously. Good personal injury attorneys know their limits and only take on new clients when the schedule allows. During the consultation, ask about the lawyer’s workload to ensure they have the time to give your claim the dedicated attention it needs.
Before you hire a personal injury attorney, make sure you feel confident in their ability to protect your rights and interests. With William Rawlings & Associates, you’ll have a highly committed advocate fighting on your behalf – and we’ll do whatever we can to help you obtain the financial compensation you deserve.
The lawyers at William Rawlings & Associates are licensed in Utah, California and Idaho. We offer free consultations, and we work with a limited number of clients to allow our legal team to give each one ample time and attention. For more information on our qualifications, or to meet with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys, contact our Draper or West Valley City, Utah, office today.