If you’ve been seriously injured, you need a Salt Lake City car accident lawyer in your corner. One moment you’re driving to work or heading home from dinner with friends — the next you’re in the hospital, confused and in pain. You’re worried about medical bills, especially if your injuries are serious enough to keep you out of work. You may even be wondering how you’ll provide for yourself and your family.

If the car accident was somebody else’s fault, you may be entitled to compensation. But you can’t expect the responsible driver’s insurance company to play fair. They may try to blame you for the accident, or question the severity of your injuries. They may even offer you a quick, lowball settlement to get you to sign away your rights before you know the full extent of your damages. 

The best way to avoid those pitfalls is to talk to a car accident lawyer in Salt Lake City as soon as possible after your collision. 

Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer at Allred Vogt & Stuart (AVS)

When you’ve been injured in a car accident, you need an attorney who is prepared to fight for you. Unfortunately, some law firms line up a large number of car accident cases and aim for quick settlements, collecting their fees and moving on.

At AVS, our attorneys are dedicated to achieving the best possible result for each and every car crash victim we serve. We’ll never recommend a settlement unless we truly believe it’s in your best interest. If the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement, we’ll put our deep knowledge and extensive experience to work preparing your case for trial. 

We also know what’s at stake after an accident, and how important it is for you to talk to a Salt Lake City lawyer as soon as possible. That’s why we offer free, no-obligation consultations. You can schedule yours right now by calling 801-876-7771 or filling out our contact form. 

Who is Responsible for a Salt Lake City Car Accident?

Liability in a Utah car accident case typically depends on negligence. To prove a negligence claim, the injured person and their attorney must show that: 

• The defendant had a responsibility to them (duty of care)
• The defendant did not live up to that responsibility (breach of duty)
• The failure to live up to the responsibility caused the accident (causation)
• The accident caused the injured parties’ injuries (damages)

That analysis isn’t as technical as it sounds. All drivers have a responsibility to operate in a manner that is reasonably safe for those around them, including other drivers, passengers in other cars, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and even their own passengers. 

Some of the most common ways drivers breach that duty and cause motor vehicle accidents include: 

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Distracted driving, such as texting on the road
• Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
• Tailgating 
• Driving while too tired to operate safely
• Running stoplights or stop signs
• Turning or changing lanes without signaling

There are also some types of driver negligence that may not immediately come to mind, such as: 

• Loose items falling or flying off a truck due to poor loading procedures
• Negligent vehicle maintenance resulting in a blown tire, slow braking or otherwise contributing to a crash

Third-Party Liability in Salt Lake City Car Accident Cases

Sometimes, a party that wasn’t involved in the crash may be at least partly responsible. Some examples include: 

• Another driver on the road whose negligence caused one of the drivers involved to swerve, brake suddenly or take other evasive action
• An auto manufacturer or part manufacturer, if a defective vehicle component caused or contributed to the accident
• The entity responsible for maintaining the road where the accident took place, if debris, potholes or other unaddressed hazards contributed to the crash

Of course, this isn’t a comprehensive list of possible responsible parties or possible types of negligence. The best way to learn more about who may be liable for your injuries and other losses is to talk to an experienced car accident lawyer in Salt Lake City right away.

What Damages Can You Collect after a Salt Lake City Car Accident? 

If you were injured in an accident because someone else was negligent, you are likely entitled to compensation. But every car accident case is different. A Salt Lake City lawyer with extensive car accident claim experience can tell you what types of damages you may be entitled to, and even tell you how similar cases have been resolved in the past. But no lawyer can guarantee you a certain amount of money, and you should be very wary of anyone who makes that type of promise.

Some of the most common types of damages awarded after a car accident case include: 

• Payment of or reimbursement for medical bills associated with the crash, including mental health services
• Anticipated future medical bills for crash-related injuries
• Compensation for lost income due to the crash
• Anticipated future lost earnings, if your injuries are long-term or permanent
• The cost of services needed as a result of the crash, such as household assistance, transportation and occupational therapy
• The cost of equipment and/or adaptations to your home or vehicle necessitated by the crash
• Non-economic damages like compensation for pain and suffering and loss of quality of life

In some cases, particularly if your injuries are permanent, we will work with expert witnesses to establish certain types of damages, such as projected loss of future earnings. 

Protecting Yourself after a Salt Lake City Car Crash

Immediately after the accident, you may be unable to take any action. Your health comes first, and you should not attempt to do anything unless you are certain you can do so safely. That means considering both your injuries and the environment. If you are able, you should:

1. Call 911 – in most cases, you are legally required to report an accident, and placing an emergency call will allow you to access both police and emergency medical services at once
2. Exchange insurance information with the other driver – Utah law requires that you provide information about yourself, your vehicle, and your insurance coverage
3. Take pictures or video of the scene before anything is moved – but only if you are well enough and the location is safe to move about
4. Get contact information from any witnesses – if your attorney needs to speak with witnesses later, it may be difficult or impossible to locate them without this information
5. Seek medical attention as needed – if you’re not sure, let the EMTs check you out and/or go to an urgent care or emergency room 
6. Write down your recollections of the crash – you may think you’ll never forget, but details blur over time, and if your case goes to trial it could be a year or two down the road
7. Speak to a Salt Lake City lawyer right away – ideally, consult a lawyer before you talk to the insurance company

Our Seasoned Car Accident Lawyers are Here for You

When you retain an AVS car accident lawyer, you can count on knowledge, experience, and total commitment to getting the best possible outcome for you. To learn more, call us today at 801-876-7771 or fill out our contact form.