Lehi Utah Pedestrian Accident Lawyer: Your Rights After Being Hit by a Car

Being hit by a car as a pedestrian can change your life in an instant. You may face serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about your future. If a vehicle struck you in Lehi, you have legal rights and options for compensation.

Utah law protects pedestrians and holds drivers accountable when they fail to exercise proper care. Understanding your rights under Utah law and how fault is determined in pedestrian accidents helps you make informed decisions about your case.

Why You Need a Lehi Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian accidents often result in severe injuries because pedestrians have no protection against the force of a vehicle. Common injuries include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal organ injuries, and severe road rash.

Insurance companies know that pedestrian accident cases can involve significant compensation. They often use aggressive tactics to minimize what they pay or to shift blame onto the injured pedestrian. An attorney who understands Utah pedestrian laws and Lehi’s traffic patterns protects your rights and strengthens your claim.

A pedestrian accident lawyer handles the investigation, gathers evidence, deals with insurance adjusters, and fights for full compensation while you focus on recovery.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Lehi

Pedestrian accidents in Lehi happen for many reasons, but driver negligence is the most common factor. Typical causes include:

• Distracted driving, including texting, phone calls, or adjusting controls
• Failure to yield at crosswalks or intersections
• Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs
• Failing to check blind spots when turning
• Backing up without looking in parking lots
• Poor visibility due to weather, darkness, or obstructed views

Distracted driving remains a leading cause of pedestrian injuries throughout the state.

High-Risk Areas for Pedestrian Accidents in Lehi

Lehi’s rapid growth as a hub for tech companies and residential development has led to increased traffic and pedestrian activity. Certain areas see higher rates of pedestrian-vehicle conflicts:

• Timpanogos Highway (SR-92), especially near shopping centers and business districts
• Main Street through downtown Lehi, where pedestrian and vehicle traffic mix
• Areas surrounding Silicon Slopes tech campuses, where employees walk between buildings
• Intersections along Redwood Road with heavy commuter traffic
• Parking lots at Thanksgiving Point and other major retail locations
• Crosswalks near schools and residential neighborhoods

These high-traffic areas require extra vigilance from both drivers and pedestrians, but Utah law places the primary duty of care on motorists.

Your Legal Rights as a Pedestrian in Utah

Utah law gives pedestrians specific protections and rights when using roadways and crosswalks. Drivers must exercise reasonable care to avoid colliding with pedestrians, regardless of where the pedestrian is located.

Even if you were not in a marked crosswalk when you were hit, you may still have the right to compensation. Utah recognizes that pedestrians use roads in various ways, and drivers must watch for and avoid hitting people on foot.

Your rights include seeking compensation for all losses the accident caused, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and future care needs.

Utah Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws

Utah Code § 41-6a-1002 through 1007 establishes pedestrian right-of-way rules. These laws clarify when pedestrians have the right to cross and when drivers must yield.

Key provisions include:

• Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections
• Pedestrians must use crosswalks when available at controlled intersections
• Pedestrians crossing outside crosswalks must yield to vehicles, but drivers still must exercise care
• Drivers must stop for pedestrians already in a crosswalk, not just slow down
• Vehicles stopped at crosswalks create a duty for other drivers to stop as well

Even when a pedestrian crosses outside a crosswalk or against a signal, drivers still owe a duty of care to avoid hitting them if possible.

How Fault Is Determined in Utah Pedestrian Accidents

Determining fault in a pedestrian accident requires examining the actions of both the driver and the pedestrian. Evidence used to establish fault includes:

• Police accident reports filed with the Lehi City Police Department
• Witness statements from people who saw the collision
• Surveillance or traffic camera footage
• Photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and injuries
• Cell phone records showing driver distraction
• Vehicle damage patterns and pedestrian injuries
• Expert accident reconstruction analysis

Fault is not always clear-cut. Both parties may share some degree of responsibility, which is where Utah’s comparative negligence rule becomes important. If you’re deciding whether to hire a lawyer after a pedestrian accident, understanding how fault affects compensation is critical.

Utah’s Comparative Negligence Rule and Your Case

Utah follows a modified comparative negligence system under Utah Code § 78B-5-818. This rule affects how much compensation you can recover based on your percentage of fault.

Under this law:

• You can recover compensation as long as you are less than 50% at fault
• Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault
• If you are 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover any compensation

For example, if your total damages are $100,000 and you are found 20% at fault for the accident, you would receive $80,000. If you are found 50% or more at fault, you receive nothing.

Insurance companies often try to inflate your percentage of fault to reduce what they pay. An experienced attorney challenges unfair fault assessments and protects your right to full compensation.

How Jaywalking Affects Your Claim

Many injured pedestrians worry that crossing outside a crosswalk or jaywalking will prevent them from recovering compensation. While jaywalking can affect your case, it does not automatically bar you from recovery.

Utah law requires pedestrians to yield to vehicles when crossing outside a crosswalk, but drivers still must exercise reasonable care. If a driver was speeding, distracted, or failed to brake when they could have avoided hitting you, they may still bear primary responsibility.

The key question is whether your percentage of fault is less than 50%. Even if you share some blame, you can still recover compensation for your injuries.

Steps to Take Immediately After Being Hit by a Car

The actions you take immediately after a pedestrian accident can significantly affect your health and your legal claim. Follow these steps:

• Call 911 to report the accident and request medical help
• Stay at the scene if you are physically able
• Get medical attention even if you feel your injuries are minor
• Collect the driver’s name, contact information, and insurance details
• Get contact information from any witnesses
• Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and vehicle damage
• Do not apologize or admit fault to anyone at the scene
• Follow all medical treatment recommendations
• Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer before speaking to insurance companies

Utah law requires drivers involved in accidents causing injury to stop and report the accident. If the driver fled the scene, this becomes a hit-and-run case, which requires additional legal steps. Understanding your options when dealing with a hit-and-run car accident can help protect your rights.

You must also know how quickly to report a car accident in Utah to comply with legal requirements and preserve your claim.

Types of Compensation Available to Injured Pedestrians

Utah law allows injured pedestrians to seek compensation for all losses the accident caused. This includes both economic damages (financial losses) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering).

Available compensation includes:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Hospital bills, surgery, and rehabilitation
• Lost wages and income
• Reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous work
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

In cases where a pedestrian dies from accident injuries, family members may file a wrongful death claim under Utah Code § 78B-3-106 to recover compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.

Medical Expenses and Future Care Costs

Pedestrian accidents often cause severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment. Your compensation should cover all medical care related to the accident, including:

• Emergency room treatment and ambulance transport
• Hospital stays and surgical procedures
• Diagnostic tests like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Prescription medications and medical equipment
• Home health care or nursing assistance
• Future medical treatment for ongoing conditions

Calculating future medical costs requires working with medical experts who can project your long-term care needs. Insurance companies often try to minimize future care costs, but your attorney ensures these expenses are fully accounted for.

Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Capacity

Serious injuries can prevent you from working during recovery or permanently affect your ability to earn income. You can seek compensation for:

• Wages lost during medical treatment and recovery
• Reduced income if you must work reduced hours or take a lower-paying position
• Lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your career
• Loss of benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, and bonuses

Proving lost earning capacity often requires vocational experts who analyze how your injuries affect your ability to work and earn income over your lifetime.

Pain and Suffering Damages

Physical pain, emotional trauma, and reduced quality of life are real losses that deserve compensation. Pain and suffering damages account for:

• Physical pain and discomfort from your injuries
• Emotional distress, anxiety, and depression
• Loss of enjoyment of activities you previously loved
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Impact on personal relationships and family life

These damages are more subjective than medical bills or lost wages, but they represent a significant part of your claim’s value. Your attorney presents evidence of how the accident has affected your daily life and overall well-being.

How Insurance Works in Pedestrian Accident Claims

Utah requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $65,000 per accident for multiple injuries, and $15,000 for property damage. These minimums often prove inadequate for serious pedestrian accident injuries.

Utah also operates under a no-fault insurance system for vehicle accidents, but pedestrian accidents are treated differently. As a pedestrian, you are not required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, and you can file a claim directly against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.

If the driver’s insurance is insufficient to cover your damages, you may also pursue compensation through:

• Your own underinsured motorist coverage if you have auto insurance
• Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance medical payments coverage
• The driver’s personal assets in cases of severe injuries

Working with an attorney who understands insurance coverage issues ensures you pursue all available sources of compensation. Learning about the role of a lawyer for car accident insurance claims can help you understand how legal representation strengthens your position with insurers.

Dealing with Insurance Adjusters After Your Accident

Insurance adjusters may contact you soon after your accident asking for a recorded statement or offering a quick settlement. Be cautious in these interactions.

Insurance companies are businesses focused on minimizing payouts. Adjusters may:

• Ask leading questions designed to get you to admit fault
• Downplay the severity of your injuries
• Pressure you to accept a low settlement before you know the full extent of your damages
• Use your own words against you to reduce their liability

You are not required to give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. It is best to have an attorney handle all communications with insurance adjusters to protect your rights and prevent costly mistakes.

Common Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Claim

Injured pedestrians sometimes unknowingly damage their own claims by:

• Accepting the first settlement offer without understanding the full value of their claim
• Posting about the accident or their activities on social media, which insurers use as evidence
• Failing to follow medical treatment recommendations, allowing insurers to argue injuries are not serious
• Waiting too long to seek legal help, giving the insurance company time to build a case against them
• Signing medical releases that give insurers access to unrelated medical records

Avoiding these mistakes protects your claim and maximizes your compensation.

Time Limits: Utah’s Statute of Limitations

Utah law gives you a limited time to file a lawsuit after a pedestrian accident. Under Utah Code § 78B-2-307, you have four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.

While four years may seem like plenty of time, waiting too long can hurt your case. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and insurance companies become less willing to negotiate.

If you wait until the statute of limitations expires, you lose your right to sue and recover compensation, no matter how strong your case is.

Wrongful death claims have different time limits. If a pedestrian dies from accident injuries, family members generally have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Consulting with an attorney soon after your accident ensures you meet all deadlines and preserve your legal rights.

What to Expect When Working with Our Lehi Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

When you work with London Harker Injury Law, we handle every aspect of your pedestrian accident claim so you can focus on recovery. Our process includes:

• Free initial consultation to review your case and explain your rights
• Thorough investigation of the accident, including collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses
• Working with medical experts to document your injuries and future care needs
• Handling all communications with insurance companies
• Negotiating aggressively for a full and fair settlement
• Filing a lawsuit and representing you in court if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. This allows you to pursue your claim without upfront costs or financial risk.

Our knowledge of Lehi’s roadways, Utah pedestrian laws, and local court procedures gives your case a strong foundation for success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after being hit by a car as a pedestrian in Lehi?

Call 911 to report the accident and get medical help. Stay at the scene if you can, collect the driver’s insurance information, take photos, and get witness contact information. Seek medical attention even if your injuries seem minor, and contact a pedestrian accident lawyer before speaking to insurance companies.

Who is at fault if I was jaywalking when I got hit?

Jaywalking does not automatically make you at fault. Utah’s comparative negligence rule allows you to recover compensation as long as you are less than 50% at fault. Even if you crossed outside a crosswalk, the driver may still bear primary responsibility if they were speeding, distracted, or failed to exercise reasonable care.

How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit in Utah?

You have four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Utah Code § 78B-2-307. Wrongful death claims must generally be filed within two years of the date of death. Waiting too long can hurt your case, so consult an attorney soon after your accident.

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

Yes, as long as you are less than 50% at fault. Utah’s modified comparative negligence rule reduces your compensation by your percentage of fault. If you are 20% at fault, you receive 80% of your total damages. If you are 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover compensation.

What if the driver who hit me doesn’t have insurance?

You may be able to recover compensation through your own underinsured motorist coverage if you have auto insurance. You can also pursue the driver’s personal assets, though this can be more difficult. An attorney can help you identify all available sources of compensation.

How much is my pedestrian accident case worth?

Case value depends on the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, future care needs, and pain and suffering. Serious injuries resulting in permanent disability or long-term care needs typically result in higher compensation. An attorney can evaluate your case and estimate its value based on similar cases.

Do I need to call the police after a pedestrian accident?

Yes. Calling the police creates an official accident report, which serves as important evidence for your claim. The police report documents the scene, identifies the parties involved, and may include the officer’s assessment of fault. Utah law requires reporting accidents that cause injury.

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

No. Initial settlement offers are often far below the true value of your claim. Insurance companies hope you will accept quickly before you understand the full extent of your injuries and damages. Consult an attorney before accepting any settlement to ensure you receive fair compensation.

What medical bills will be covered after a pedestrian accident?

All medical expenses reasonably related to your accident injuries should be covered, including emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, medical equipment, and future care needs. Your attorney ensures all past and future medical costs are included in your claim.

How long does a pedestrian accident case take to resolve?

Case timelines vary based on injury severity, treatment duration, and whether the insurance company negotiates fairly. Some cases settle in a few months, while complex cases involving severe injuries may take a year or more. Your attorney works to resolve your case as quickly as possible while maximizing compensation.

Can I sue if I was hit in a parking lot?

Yes. Drivers owe a duty of care to pedestrians in parking lots just as they do on public roads. Parking lot accidents may also involve premises liability claims against the property owner if poor lighting, obstructed views, or inadequate pedestrian walkways contributed to the accident.

What if I was hit by a car while crossing at a crosswalk?

You likely have a strong case. Utah law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. If you were in a crosswalk when you were hit, the driver likely violated your right of way, making them primarily at fault for the accident.

Do I need a lawyer for a pedestrian accident claim?

While not legally required, having a lawyer significantly improves your chances of receiving fair compensation. Pedestrian accident cases involve complex liability issues, medical evidence, and aggressive insurance company tactics. An attorney protects your rights and handles the legal process while you recover.

What evidence do I need to prove my pedestrian accident case?

Important evidence includes police reports, witness statements, photos of the scene and injuries, medical records, surveillance footage, cell phone records showing driver distraction, and expert testimony. Your attorney gathers and organizes this evidence to build a strong case.

Can my family sue if a loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident?

Yes. Utah Code § 78B-3-106 allows certain family members to file a wrongful death claim if a pedestrian dies from accident injuries. Eligible family members can seek compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, loss of companionship, and other damages. Wrongful death claims must generally be filed within two years of the date of death.