Lehi Car Accident Lawyer: What to Do After a Crash in Utah County

A car accident can happen in seconds and change your life. Whether it’s a collision on I-15, an intersection crash on State Street, or a fender-bender near Thanksgiving Point, the moments after an accident are critical. What you do right away affects your safety, your insurance claim, and your legal rights.

Lehi has grown quickly, and traffic has grown with it. Utah also has insurance laws that work differently than many other states. If you’ve been hurt in a crash, understanding your options and knowing when to get legal help can make a real difference.

Immediate Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Lehi

The first minutes after a crash are often confusing and stressful. Stay as calm as you can and follow these steps to protect yourself and your claim.

Check for Injuries and Call 911

Your safety comes first. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Even if you feel fine, some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or if the accident caused significant damage. Emergency responders will provide medical care and create an official record of the crash.

Move to Safety and Secure the Scene

If your vehicle is drivable and it’s safe to do so, move it out of traffic. Turn on your hazard lights. If you can’t move your car, stay inside with your seatbelt on until help arrives, especially if you’re on a busy road like I-15.

Exchange Information with Other Drivers

Get the other driver’s name, phone number, address, insurance company, policy number, and license plate number. Also write down the make, model, and color of their vehicle. Don’t discuss who was at fault or apologize. Stick to exchanging facts.

Document the Accident Scene

Use your phone to take photos of vehicle damage, the accident scene, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Get photos from multiple angles. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and contact information. This evidence can be crucial later.

Report the Accident to Police

Utah law requires you to report certain accidents. If the crash caused injury, death, or property damage of $2,500 or more, it must be reported. Even if the damage seems minor, it’s smart to call police and get an official report. This creates a record and can help your claim.

Understanding Utah’s No-Fault Insurance System

Utah is a no-fault state. This means your own insurance pays for certain medical bills and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who caused the crash. This system affects how you file claims and when you can pursue the other driver.

What Is Personal Injury Protection (PIP)?

Utah auto policies must include Personal Injury Protection coverage. PIP pays for medical expenses, a portion of lost wages, and certain other costs up to your policy limits. The minimum required PIP medical coverage is $3,000 per person, but many policies offer higher limits.

You file a PIP claim with your own insurance company, not the at-fault driver’s insurer. PIP typically pays expenses without having to prove fault. It generally covers you, your passengers, and household family members, depending on your policy.

When Can You Step Outside No-Fault in Utah?

Utah’s no-fault system limits when you can pursue the at-fault driver for injury damages like pain and suffering. Under Utah Code § 31A-22-309, you can step outside the no-fault system if your injuries involve at least one of the following:

• Death
• Dismemberment
• Permanent disability or permanent impairment based on objective findings
• Permanent disfigurement
• A bone fracture
• Medical expenses of more than $3,000

Once you cross this threshold, you can seek compensation for pain and suffering, additional medical costs, and other damages from the at-fault driver’s insurance. Vehicle damage is handled separately and is not subject to this threshold.

Determining whether your case meets the threshold can take careful analysis of your medical records. This is one reason many accident victims consult an attorney early in the process.

Reporting Requirements for Lehi Car Accidents

Utah has specific laws about reporting accidents. Following these requirements protects your legal rights.

Utah’s Accident Reporting Laws

You must report an accident to law enforcement if it caused injury, death, or property damage of $2,500 or more. Report it as soon as possible, ideally from the scene.

If police don’t come to the scene, you may still have a reporting obligation. The Utah Department of Public Safety can tell you how to file a crash report when no officer investigated.

Getting a Copy of the Police Report

Getting a copy of the police report is important for your claim. You can request it from the Lehi Police Department or the Utah Highway Patrol, depending on who responded. The report contains the officer’s observations, diagrams, and sometimes an assessment of fault.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Lehi

Lehi’s growth has brought traffic challenges. Understanding where and why accidents happen can help, but even careful drivers get hit.

I-15 Corridor Accidents

Interstate 15 runs through Lehi and carries heavy commuter traffic. High speeds, lane changes, and distracted driving can lead to serious crashes. Rear-end collisions and multi-vehicle crashes are a particular risk during rush hour and bad weather.

State Street and Main Street Intersections

Lehi’s main roads have busy intersections. Red light runners, drivers making unsafe left turns, and those who fail to yield cause many crashes. Intersection accidents often result in T-bone collisions that cause serious injuries.

Thanksgiving Point Area Traffic

The Thanksgiving Point area draws many visitors. Increased traffic, unfamiliar drivers, and busy parking lots add risk here. While parking lot crashes often involve lower speeds, they still cause injuries and property damage.

Utah’s Comparative Fault Rule: How It Affects Your Claim

Utah follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Utah Code § 78B-5-818. This law affects how much compensation you can recover if you were partially at fault.

Under this rule, you can still recover damages even if you were partly responsible for the accident. However, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you can recover $80,000.

There’s an important limit: if you were 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages. This makes fault determination critical. Insurance companies often try to shift more blame onto you to reduce what they pay.

Understanding how comparative fault works is essential. The insurance company may argue you were speeding, distracted, or violated a traffic law. Having evidence and legal representation helps protect you from unfair blame.

Dealing with Insurance Companies After a Lehi Crash

Insurance companies are businesses. Their goal is to pay as little as possible. Knowing how to handle them protects your interests.

Filing a PIP Claim

Report your accident to your insurance company promptly. Most policies require quick notification. Provide basic facts but avoid detailed recorded statements without legal advice. Your insurer should start processing your PIP claim right away.

Keep records of all medical treatment, bills, and expenses. Submit these to your PIP carrier as required. If your insurer denies coverage or delays payment, you may need legal help to enforce your rights. The Utah Insurance Department can also provide guidance on your rights.

Third-Party Liability Claims

If your case meets the no-fault threshold, you can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance. This process is more adversarial. The other insurance company will investigate, question your injuries, and often make a low initial offer.

Don’t rush to settle. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you generally cannot reopen your claim. Make sure you understand the full extent of your injuries and losses before agreeing to anything.

Common Insurance Company Tactics

Adjusters may seem friendly and helpful, but they work for the insurance company. Common tactics include offering quick lowball settlements, downplaying your injuries, disputing medical treatment, and shifting fault onto you.

They may also delay your claim, hoping you’ll give up or accept less. Recorded statements can also be used against you. Be cautious in all communications with the other driver’s insurance.

Common Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Claim

Even well-meaning accident victims make mistakes that reduce their compensation. Avoid these common errors:

• Not seeking prompt medical care: Waiting days or weeks to see a doctor gives insurance companies reason to question your injuries. Internal injuries and soft tissue damage may not hurt right away but can be serious.
• Giving recorded statements without legal advice: Insurance adjusters may ask leading questions designed to minimize your claim. What you say can be used against you.
• Posting on social media: Insurance companies check social media. Photos of you being active or comments about the accident can be twisted to dispute your injuries.
• Accepting the first settlement offer: Initial offers are often too low. They come before you know the full cost of your injuries.
• Not documenting everything: Keep records of medical treatment, expenses, missed work, and how injuries affect your daily life. Documentation strengthens your claim.

When to Hire a Lehi Car Accident Lawyer

Not every accident requires an attorney, but many situations benefit from legal representation. Consider hiring a car accident lawyer in Lehi if:

• You suffered serious or permanent injuries, including a broken bone
• Your medical bills exceed $3,000
• The insurance company denies your claim or offers an unfairly low settlement
• Fault is disputed
• Multiple parties were involved
• The other driver was uninsured or underinsured
• Your injuries prevent you from working
• The accident involved a commercial vehicle

An experienced car accident lawyer understands Utah’s no-fault system, knows how to deal with insurance companies, and can accurately value your claim. Learn more about our Lehi car accident lawyers.

Types of Compensation Available in Utah Car Accident Cases

If your case meets the no-fault threshold, you may recover several types of damages from the at-fault driver.

Medical Expenses and Future Care

You can claim past and future medical costs including emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, doctor visits, physical therapy, prescription medications, and medical equipment. Keep detailed records and get documentation from your doctors about future treatment needs.

Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity

If your injuries caused you to miss work, you can recover lost income. This includes salary, hourly wages, self-employment income, and lost benefits. If your injuries permanently affect your ability to work or earn the same income, you can also claim loss of earning capacity.

Pain and Suffering

Physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life are real damages. Utah allows compensation for these non-economic losses once your case meets the no-fault threshold. These damages often make up a significant portion of a recovery.

Property Damage

You can recover the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any personal property damaged in the crash. This is separate from your injury claim, is not subject to the no-fault threshold, and is typically handled through property damage coverage.

Statute of Limitations for Lehi Car Accident Claims

Utah law generally gives you four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This might seem like a long time, but waiting too long creates problems.

Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and insurance companies become less willing to negotiate. Starting your claim early gives your attorney time to investigate, gather evidence, and build a strong case.

If you’re filing a claim against a government entity, the deadline is much shorter. You generally have one year to file a notice of claim. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim.

How a Utah County Car Accident Case Typically Unfolds

Understanding the claim process helps you know what to expect. Here’s how a typical car accident case progresses in Utah County:

After the accident, you seek medical treatment and report the crash to your insurance. You file a PIP claim that covers immediate expenses. If your injuries meet the no-fault threshold, you notify the at-fault driver’s insurance of your claim.

The insurance company investigates. They request medical records, review the police report, and may take statements. Your attorney gathers evidence including accident reports, medical documentation, witness statements, and expert opinions if needed.

Your attorney sends a demand letter to the insurance company outlining your injuries, treatment, and damages. Negotiations begin, and many cases settle during this phase. If the insurance company won’t offer fair compensation, your attorney can file a lawsuit, often in Utah’s Fourth Judicial District Court, which serves Utah County.

Even after filing, many cases still settle before trial. If your case goes to trial, a judge or jury decides fault and damages.

How Our Lehi Car Accident Lawyers Can Help

London Harker Injury Law serves clients throughout Utah County, including Lehi. We understand local roads, courts, and how Utah’s insurance laws affect your case.

We handle communication with insurance companies, investigate your accident, gather evidence to prove negligence, negotiate for fair compensation, and take your case to court if needed. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

We know how overwhelming it is to deal with injuries, medical bills, and insurance companies while trying to recover. Our job is to handle the legal process so you can focus on healing.

Contact Our Lehi Car Accident Attorneys Today

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Lehi or anywhere in Utah County, don’t face the insurance companies alone. The steps you take now affect your recovery and your future.

Contact London Harker Injury Law for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and help you understand your options. There’s no obligation and no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer for a car accident in Lehi?

You may not need a lawyer for minor accidents with no injuries. However, if you suffered serious injuries, your medical bills exceed $3,000, fault is disputed, or the insurance company denies your claim or offers too little, an attorney can help protect your rights.

How does Utah’s no-fault insurance work?

Utah’s no-fault system requires your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage to pay certain medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. You can pursue the at-fault driver for injury damages such as pain and suffering only once your injuries meet the threshold in Utah Code § 31A-22-309.

When can I sue the at-fault driver in Utah?

You can pursue injury damages such as pain and suffering if your injuries involve death, dismemberment, permanent disability or impairment, permanent disfigurement, a bone fracture, or more than $3,000 in medical expenses. Until you meet this threshold, your own PIP insurance covers your injury costs. Vehicle damage claims are not subject to the threshold.

What is the statute of limitations for car accident claims in Utah?

Utah generally gives you four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your claim involves a government entity, you generally have one year to file a notice of claim. Don’t wait too long, because evidence fades and cases become harder to prove.

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you can file a claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage if you have it. Utah law requires insurance companies to offer this coverage. It pays for your damages when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage.

Do I have to report my car accident to police in Utah?

Yes, if the accident caused injury, death, or property damage of $2,500 or more. Report it as soon as possible. If police don’t respond, check with the Utah Department of Public Safety about filing a crash report yourself.

Should I accept the insurance company’s first settlement offer?

Usually not. First offers are often too low and come before you know the full extent of your injuries and future medical needs. Once you accept a settlement, you generally cannot reopen your claim. Consult with an attorney before accepting any offer.

What if my injuries don’t show up until days after the accident?

This is common with internal injuries, whiplash, and traumatic brain injuries. See a doctor as soon as symptoms appear and explain that they started after your accident. Delayed symptoms are medically recognized and you can still pursue compensation.

How much does a car accident lawyer cost in Utah?

Many car accident lawyers, including our firm, work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs or hourly fees. The attorney receives a percentage of your settlement or verdict only if you recover compensation.

Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault?

Yes, as long as you were less than 50% at fault. Utah uses a modified comparative negligence rule that reduces your compensation by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 30% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you can recover $70,000. If you were 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything.