If you have been involved in an auto accident in the Salt Lake City area, it’s a good idea to reach out to a Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer for help in building a strong case.
How Can You Help Your Lawyer Prepare a Strong Case for Your Auto Accident?
At the Scene of the Accident
State law requires that you stay at the scene of the accident to render assistance as needed and to exchange information with the other driver involved in the accident. If you leave, you may be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the severity of the accident and injuries.
If there are any serious injuries, you should call 911 right away. Make sure that if anyone has a serious injury, they get immediate medical attention and the injuries and care are documented thoroughly. If it is possible to do so and remain safe, state law requires that you move your vehicle to a safe location. The purpose is to avoid any further accidents and also to make it easier to document the scene. If there are no serious injuries, you won’t need to call 911, but you should still call the police. A police report serves as an official record of the incident and will have verified details of what happened. Request to have your own copy of the police report as soon as possible.
As you speak to the other driver or to any other people at the scene, avoid admitting fault for the accident. Utah follows a comparative fault rule, which allows compensation for damages as long as you are less than 51% at fault. Admitting fault may jeopardize any claims for compensation that you may make later. Be sure to get the full name of the other driver, as well as their contact information: phone number, address, email address, etc. Also, ask for their insurance information, and jot down their license plate number. Your lawyer will need this information when they work to establish liability.
Document the Scene
As soon as you can, take photos and/or videos of the accident scene from multiple angles, including pavement marks, debris, and any other relevant details at the scene. Be sure to document any injuries that you or others have sustained, as well as damage to the vehicles, both close-up shots and wide shots. Take pictures or record videos that show the traffic conditions and also the weather conditions at the time of the accident. The goal is to have a detailed record for your lawyer to use in building a strong case.
Talk to Witnesses
If there were any witnesses to the accident, talk to them if you feel safe, and they are willing to talk. Ask them for a description of what they saw and their contact information. Be sure to write it all down! It may be very helpful down the road to have independent corroboration of what happened.
After Leaving the Accident Scene
Get Medical Attention Right Away
As soon as you leave the scene of the accident, go and get checked out by a medical professional. Even if you think you are fine, or it seems that your injuries are minor, it is wise to get checked for any hidden injuries, such as small fractures or internal damage. Injuries from an accident may not be immediately apparent but can present themselves later and can be quite serious. You need a doctor to document your physical condition.
If the doctor suggests a plan of treatment, follow it carefully, both for your well-being and for any future claims you might make for compensation. Failing to follow a doctor’s advice may make it appear that your injuries were not all that serious and that you are not in need of compensation for medical expenses.
File an Insurance Claim
Get in touch with your insurance provider to inform them of the accident and to file an insurance claim. When you speak to any insurance company representative, stick to the basic facts of the accident: the date, time, and location; the other driver’s name, contact info, vehicle information, and insurance details; and the number of the police report. Do not make any statements beyond the bare facts of what happened, since additional commentary can be misconstrued as an admission of fault.
Under Utah law, there is a minimum requirement of $3000 in PIP coverage for medical expenses, funeral expenses, and lost income. If your expenses are greater than $3,000, you can file a claim against the other driver. You can also file a claim against the other driver if the accident results in permanent disability, disfigurement, or wrongful death.
Keep Detailed Records
Be sure to document all the expenses you have related to the accident. This includes all medical bills, such as hospital visits, rehabilitation costs, prescriptions, or medical equipment, as well as the cost of repair repairing or replacing your vehicle, if it was rendered undrivable by the accident. Keep records of income lost from being out of work due to the accident.
Note down any other out-of-pocket expenses: think transportation costs for medical appointments or other random expenses you would not have had if the accident had not occurred. Keep all receipts and organize them so your lawyer has clear evidence of your economic damages.
Gather Relevant Evidence
Collect all documents that are related to the accident and organize them so they can be easily accessed. Get a copy of the police report. Make sure you have all medical records related to the accident: not only medical bills and receipts, but also diagnoses and treatment plans. Collect and sort photos and videos from the scene of the accident. Find all witness statements and contact information collected at the scene of the accident. Save all insurance correspondence and details related to your claim.
Handle Insurance Communication with Caution
It is possible that your insurance company or the insurance company of the other driver may contact you for a recorded statement. Be cautious with this. Avoid giving any statements without consulting your lawyer. Statements can be used to minimize your claim for damages.
Also, be wary of accepting any settlement offers by an insurance company. Accepting an offer will mean that you most likely will not be able to seek any further compensation from insurance, even if your expenses end up being greater than you had realized. It’s a good idea to check with your lawyer before you accept any settlement offers.
Engage a Salt Lake City Lawyer
After an auto accident, it’s a wise idea to reach out to a lawyer for support and advice. They are familiar with the details of the law about vehicle accidents, and have experience in what evidence is needed to support a claim for compensation.
Contact Our Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers Today
Whatever your situation, reach out to the experienced attorneys at RamRock Injury Law today for a free case evaluation. We proudly serve clients across Utah. Visit us at our Salt Lake City office:
RamRock Injury Law – Salt Lake City Office
5353 South 960 East Suite 200
Salt Lake City, Utah 84117
Phone: (866) 427-5167
