Facing mounting medical bills and lost income after an accident? Call RP Legal Group today to connect with a local attorney.
No one wants to be involved in an accident, but when it happens to you, you’ll want an experienced Utah personal injury lawyer by your side. A skilled attorney can help you negotiate with insurance companies, collect evidence to support your claim, and seek fair compensation for your injuries.
With thousands of attorneys in the Utah State Bar, how do you know which one is right for you? Call RP Legal Group today! We work with a network of Utah personal injury lawyers dedicated to helping accident victims like you.
Our attorneys represent clients across the state, including the following locations:
- Salt Lake City-Murray
- Provo-Orem-Lehi
- Ogden
- St. George
- Logan
Want to know what clients have to say about us? Read our reviews to find out!
What Are Common Personal Injury Cases in Utah?
Not all accidents turn into personal injury lawsuits. However, you may have a personal injury claim when someone else’s careless or reckless actions caused your accident. Personal injury law covers a broad range of cases, from collisions involving drunk drivers to injuries from jumping off a diving board.
Common examples of personal injury accident cases include the following:
- Motor vehicle collisions — crashes involving cars, motorcycles, trucks, rideshares, buses, trains, and more
- Slips, trips, and falls — including slipping in icy parking lots, tripping on torn carpet, or falling from unstable decks
- Dog attacks — injuries involving aggressive dogs in public, dog bites as a guest in someone’s home, or even attacks by off-duty police dogs
- Construction accidents — such as falling in an open hole, being hit by heavy equipment, or being struck by falling objects
- Workplace injuries — including falls from elevation, exposure to toxic chemicals, and being hurt by defective machinery
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving Utah, call 888-340-7454
How Does Utah Law Differ From Other States?
Because US states set their own laws, you will notice differences among them. Utah personal injury law differs in the following important ways:
Statute of Limitations
Unlike many states that give victims only two or three years to file a personal injury lawsuit, the statute of limitations in Utah is four years (Title 78, Chapter 12, § 78-12-25). If you do not file before the deadline, you typically lose your right to bring a personal injury claim.
Comparative Fault Rules
In some cases, more than one party is to blame for an accident. What if you were texting when you fell into a hole on a construction site? Or what if you were driving a few miles an hour above the speed limit when a drunk driver hit you? Thankfully, for Utah personal injury victims, the state does not automatically bar you from seeking compensation in cases of shared fault.
Utah’s comparative fault system allows you to collect from another party — as long as you are less than 50% to blame. However, the courts will lower your compensation amount in proportion to your percentage of fault. For example, a jury may decide that your injuries merit a $20,000 award. However, if the court finds you 25% at fault, you only qualify for $15,000.
Strict Liability for Dog Bites
Some states protect dog owners the first time their dog bites someone, provided their dog has no history of aggression. Unlike this “one-bite” rule, Utah law makes dog owners strictly liable for their pets’ actions. That means even if an owner has no reason to believe their dog is dangerous, they are responsible for any injuries they cause.
No-Fault Auto Insurance
Most US states have at-fault insurance laws, which means the person who caused the accident is responsible for the cost of the resulting injuries. Utah, however, is among the minority of no-fault insurance states.
Also called personal injury protection (PIP), no-fault insurance requires you to first file a claim with your insurance company for medical expenses — no matter who caused the accident.
However, you can file an accident lawsuit against the other driver if you suffered “serious injuries.” Serious injuries include permanent impairment, disability, disfigurement, dismemberment, and specific injuries costing over $3,000.
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What Types of Compensation Can I Seek?
Most personal injury lawsuits seek financial compensation for losses sustained in an accident. The legal system refers to these as “damages,” which fall into three general categories:
- Economic: Economic damages are your direct financial losses. These include medical treatment, lost income, reduced earning capacity, and property damage.
- Non-economic: These are the more subjective consequences of an accident, such as pain and suffering, physical disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Punitive: Typically reserved for cases of extreme negligence or misconduct, punitive damages are designed to punish a defendant.
If you’d like to learn more about what to expect from a personal injury lawsuit, check out our blog!
Ready to talk to a Utah personal injury accident lawyer today? Call RP Legal Group at 888-340-7454!
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FAQs
1. How much is an average car accident settlement?
According to several studies, the average car accident settlement in the United States is between $20,000 and $25,000. However, most settlements are less than $10,000. The amount your case is worth depends on the severity of your injuries, the extent of property damage, and other factors.
2. What is the PIP limit for lost income in Utah?
The PIP limit for lost income in Utah is 85% of your lost wages or $250/week, whichever is lower. These insurance benefits last for a maximum of 52 weeks — even if your injuries last longer. To qualify, you must prove that your injuries prevent you from working.
3. How much does it cost to file a personal injury case in Utah?
The cost to file a personal injury case in Utah depends on the court you file in and the value of your claim. If you work with an attorney, you must also pay them for legal representation. However, many Utah personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means you owe no legal fees up front.
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving your area, call 888-340-7454