Deciding Whether to Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident

Were you injured in a traffic accident in Utah caused by another driver? The question in your mind is most likely, “Should I get a lawyer for a car accident?” The law doesn’t say you have to, but getting legal representation right away can help you get the compensation you need to care for your accident-related injuries and other losses.

You may not need a lawyer if the accident was a minor fender-bender and no one in your vehicle was hurt. However, a Utah personal injury lawyer who starts work on your case immediately can improve your chances of securing maximum compensation.

Utah’s No-Fault Insurance

Utah is a no-fault state for the purposes of auto insurance claims. That means that, in addition to purchasing insurance for bodily injury and property damage liability, people who register their motor vehicles in Utah must also buy personal injury protection (PIP) coverage or no-fault insurance. The minimum policy limit for this coverage is $3,000.

The policy limit is important because, under a no-fault insurance plan, if you’re injured in an accident, you turn to your own insurance policy first, regardless of who caused the accident. Your PIP insurance will cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and some household services up to the policy limit. If you exceed your PIP coverage limits or your injury qualifies as serious, you can file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company.

Should I Hire a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?

Even minor car accidents can result in injuries such as whiplash, tissue damage, cuts, and bruises. While this may sound like minor trauma, injuries like whiplash can become chronic and cause severe pain for a long time. Delayed symptoms may appear days or weeks later as well, indicating severe trauma. If that occurs and your medical expenses exceed the limits of your PIP coverage, you’ll need to engage with the at-fault party and their insurer. You should have a lawyer for that.

When to Get a Lawyer After a Car Accident

The real answer to this question is “right away.” As soon after an accident as possible, contact a car accident lawyer. They can handle your PIP claim for you and take over your case when your expenses exceed your PIP limits. Your lawyer will file your claim with the at-fault party’s insurer and pursue the necessary money. They’ll protect your rights from the moment you hire them, so there’s no time to lose.

What a Lawyer Can Do for You

Aside from handling your PIP claim, once your lawyer determines which party was at fault, they’ll gather evidence supporting your claim, like:

• On-scene evidence: The investigators could visit the accident site to take photographs, gather evidence, and look for skid marks or other obvious signs of the crash. Additional evidence may include pictures of defective traffic lights, signage, and overgrown shrubbery.
• Surveillance cameras provide excellent evidence to support an injury claim if they catch the accident on film or digital recording. Investigators check traffic surveillance, businesses, and nearby homes to see if the collision was recorded.
• Accident reconstruction: When multiple vehicles collide, accident reconstruction specialists can recreate the collision, indicating the cars’ positions before the crash. Forensic reconstruction provides good evidence of who was at fault and how the crash happened.
• Police report: A review of the police report may indicate fault or provide the attending officer’s opinion about who caused the crash. Even though police reports are not admissible in court, they are persuasive evidence for insurance companies.
• Witness interviews: Accident witnesses can provide compelling evidence to support an injury claim. Getting corroborating statements from unbiased outsiders can provide strong support for a claim.
• Medical records: The medical records that document your injuries and treatment are strong evidence of the value of your claim. Copies of all medical bills will record the cost of your medical care.

Your attorney can also handle all case-related deadlines and all communication with the insurance company or the at-fault party. Once you’ve hired a lawyer, your only responsibility should be to focus on healing from your injuries.

What Compensation Can I Get?

Your PIP coverage will only cover medical expenses and lost wages up to your policy limits. However, if you’re eligible to file a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party, you’ll be entitled to pursue additional types of compensation. That includes:

• Medical expenses: You can claim reimbursement for all your medical expenses due to your injury. Medical expenses include ambulance fees, hospitalization, doctors’ bills, medications, tests, and surgeries. You also have the right to recover the cost of your rehabilitation and assistive devices, such as a walker or wheelchair. Your future medical costs should also be considered when calculating the value of your claim.
• Lost wages: If you can’t work because of your injury, you can recover compensation for your lost wages. That includes tips and bonuses. If you must take a job that pays less due to the injury, you can recover the difference in salary. If you become permanently disabled and cannot work, your settlement should include money to cover your lost wages in the future.
• Property damage: Property damage compensation includes the cost of repairs or replacement of your car and any personal property damaged in the accident, such as cell phones or laptop computers.
• Pain and suffering: Although this kind of loss has no standard price tag, pain and suffering is a compensable loss. In addition, money for emotional trauma caused by the accident should be included in your compensation. The American Psychological Association reported that post-traumatic stress disorder following a car accident occurs often. If the injured person develops PTSD and requires professional treatment, the cost of reimbursement is possible.

London Harker Injury Law Can Help. Call Today

When you’re injured in an accident, contact London Harker Injury Law for a free evaluation of your case. You can reach us at 77CARCRASH or by contacting us online. We handle all types of personal injury cases and can explain your rights and legal options.

When you face mounting medical costs and lost wages due to another party’s negligence or wrongdoing, you have the right to recover compensation. Our seasoned injury lawyers know how to pursue the compensation you deserve. Call London Harker Injury Law now.

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