If you’ve been injured in Salt Lake City, you need a personal injury lawyer who will fight to ensure you don’t pay the price for someone else’s negligence. Securing fair compensation can be complicated, but you don’t have to navigate insurance company pitfalls and the Utah legal system alone.
At Allred, Vogt & Stuart, our practice is dedicated to helping people who have been injured through someone else’s fault get the compensation they deserve. Some of the most common types of injury cases we handle include:
- Car accident cases, including drunk driving accidents, distracted driving collisions and other types of negligence-related wrecks.
- Truck accident cases, including large commercial vehicle cases involving interstate process and both state and federal laws and regulations.
- Other motorized vehicle accidents, such as ATVs and motorcycles.
- Premises liability cases, most commonly slip and fall accidents on someone else’s property.
We also represent victims of dog bites, bicycle accidents, construction accidents and other negligence-related injuries. To learn more about how we can help you or your loved one after an injury, schedule a free consultation with a Salt Lake City injury lawyer today. Just call 801-876-7771 right now or fill out our contact form.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer in Salt Lake City Help?
The first step your Salt Lake City injury lawyer will take is to listen to your story, gather any necessary information, and identify possible responsible parties. In most cases, that means one of the drivers involved in the crash. But there may be other people or entities who are at least partly responsible. For example:
- A driver who wasn’t involved in the crash may be partly responsible if their negligence contributed to the accident, such as forcing one driver into the other’s lane
- A vehicle manufacturer or manufacturer of a part may be wholly or partly responsible if a defect in the vehicle or a part caused or contributed to the crash
- The entity responsible for road design, signage or maintenance may be liable if their negligence created a dangerous condition that contributed to the collision
These are just a few examples of parties that may share responsibility for a motor vehicle accident. An experienced car accident lawyer in Salt Lake City can help ensure that you identify all possible responsible parties and don’t lose out on compensation you’re owed.
Your Salt Lake City injury lawyer can also:
- Gather evidence and interview witnesses
- Prepare a demand for damages on your behalf
- Take over all interactions with the insurance company and opposing counsel, including settlement negotiations
- Prepare your case for trial
- Represent you before a Salt Lake City jury, if that is the best approach for your case
When you meet with one of our experienced injury lawyers for your free consultation, the attorney can explain in greater detail how a case like yours typically moves forward and what you can expect from the firm.
What Types of Damages are Available in a Personal Injury Case?
The damages you can collect in an injury case will depend on your actual losses. That means every case is different. The best way to get more information about the compensation that may be available in your specific case is to talk to an experienced Salt Lake City injury lawyer.
Some of the most common types of damages that are awarded in Utah car accident cases and other personal injury cases include:
- Compensation for your medical expenses, both those already incurred and anticipated ongoing medical costs
- Compensation for other expenses caused by the accident, such as the need for household help, specialized equipment, home remodeling for accessibility, and counseling
- Compensation for lost income, both wages lost during your initial recovery period and any decrease in future earning capacity
- Compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and loss of quality of life
In some cases, punitive damages may also be available. However, the standard for collecting punitive damages is higher, requiring that the responsible party have acted maliciously or with knowing and reckless indifference to the safety of others.
Hire the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Salt Lake City
The best personal injury lawyer in Salt Lake City for your case is a lawyer who:
- Has extensive experience with personal injury cases
- Has specific experience with cases similar to yours, particularly for high-damage cases or more complex matters like truck accident cases
- Has deep knowledge of the local court systems and the insurance carriers involved in your case
- Will listen to you, answer your questions, and work toward the resolution that is most beneficial for you
- Is willing and able to take your case to trial if that turns out to be the best option
A good starting point is to look at an injury law firm’s reviews from past clients and past case results. From there, you can use your free consultation to learn more about the personal injury attorney’s experience and what you can expect when you work with the firm.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Salt Lake City Personal Injury Cases
How long do I have to file a personal injury case in Salt Lake City?
The statute of limitations for most personal injury cases in Utah is unusually long–four years from the date of the injury. However, there are some exceptions, outlined by the Utah State Bar, so it is important to talk to a personal injury attorney in Salt Lake City right away. For example, claims against governmental entities may have a much shorter statute of limitations, and the time to file a wrongful death claim is just two years.
Should I talk to the insurance company after a car accident?
It is usually best to reach out to a local personal injury lawyer right away and let them handle all interactions with the responsible party’s insurance company. It’s important to keep in mind that an insurance company’s goal is to increase profits and one way to do that is avoid paying you fair compensation. In other words, what’s best for you is not best for them. They may try to trip you up or rush you into an inadequate settlement.
When should I contact a personal injury lawyer?
A personal injury attorney can help you pursue fair compensation after any injury that was someone else’s fault. It is especially important to hire a lawyer if you have serious or ongoing injuries. But you should also consider scheduling a free consultation any time you are in doubt about fault, the amount of compensation being offered, or any other aspect of your claim–you have nothing to lose by seeking knowledgeable guidance.
What if I was partly responsible for the accident?
In Utah, a person who was partially responsible for the accident that caused their injuries may still be entitled to some compensation. But there are limitations. First, a party who was partly responsible can only recover damages if they were less than half to blame. If they are found to be 50% at fault or more, they can’t recover any damages.
If the injured person is 49% responsible or less, they can get some compensation. However, it will be reduced by their share of blame. For instance, if you are 25% responsible for the accident, you are limited to recovering 75% of your damages. You will be responsible for the rest.
