Ogden Car Accident Attorneys

Holding Responsible Parties Accountable – (801) 900-4681

Even the best drivers in the world can be blindsided by the worst motorists on the road, or even unpredictable roadway hazards. If you ever find yourself in a car accident, then the first thing you need to do is seek legal counsel to help you through this difficult time. Without proper guidance or knowledge of liability laws, you could end up paying for a traffic collision that was not your fault.

Many people ask, "Why do I need an attorney for my car accident case?" The truth is that insurance companies are looking to profit off of your situation and want to pay you as little as possible for your injuries, which may not even be enough to cover the damages. If you enlist the legal help of a skilled attorney, you can rest assured that an experienced legal advocate will be fighting on your behalf for your best interest.

Our Ogden car accident lawyers from Lowe Law Group help people keep liability off their shoulders for car accidents they did not cause. We want our clients to rest comfortably and receive a maximized compensation amount that pays for medical bills, repair costs, missing wages, pain and suffering, and much more. Throughout our years of practice, we have been able to recover millions of dollars for our personal injury clients.

Contact our firm for legal representation from a team that will stand for your future wellbeing.

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How to React After Being in an Accident

Since a car accident can happen at practically any time to any driver, it is important to know what to do right after being caught in one. Even though the car crash was not your fault, you will still want to take appropriate steps to ensure that your liability stays minimized.

Here is a quick list of what to do after being in a serious car accident:

• Pull as far over to the side of the road as possible.
• Make certain everyone is safe and sound.
• Call the authorities, who can help direct traffic away from the crash.
• Take photographs of the crash from multiple angles – be thorough.
• Talk to eyewitnesses.
• Seek medical attention, even if you feel fine.
• Get copies of all available reports, records, and so forth.
• Do not apologize to anyone or say you are to blame.
• Beware talking to insurance companies without first talking to a lawyer.

Starting with the assistance of an Ogden auto accident attorney from our law firm might be the right choice for your case.

The sooner you retain our legal services, the sooner you can feel confident that you are making the right steps towards a fair recovery amount. If you want, call (801) 900-4681 while still at the accident site and we can help you decide what to do next.

Common Types of Car Accidents

A car accident, also known as a traffic collision or crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or any other obstacle. These incidents can range from minor fender benders to severe collisions causing injuries or fatalities.

Common types of car accidents include:

• Rear-end collisions: These happen when a vehicle crashes into the vehicle in front of it. They often occur due to tailgating, distracted driving, or sudden stops.
• Head-on collisions: This occurs when the front ends of two vehicles collide. They are often severe and can result in serious injuries or fatalities, especially at high speeds.
• Side-impact collisions (T-bone): These occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle. Intersections are common locations for these accidents.
• Single-vehicle accidents: These involve only one vehicle and can include collisions with fixed objects such as trees, utility poles, or guardrails. They may result from factors like speeding, loss of control, or adverse weather conditions.
• Multi-vehicle pile-ups: These accidents involve three or more vehicles and often occur on highways or freeways. They can result from chain reactions due to one initial collision.
• Sideswipe accidents: These occur when the sides of two parallel vehicles make contact. They can happen during lane changes or when vehicles are traveling too closely to one another.
• Rollover accidents: These occur when a vehicle tips over onto its side or roof. They are more common in SUVs, trucks, and vehicles with a high center of gravity, and can result from factors like sharp turns or collisions with obstacles.
• Hit-and-run accidents: In these incidents, a driver involved in a collision flees the scene without providing their contact information or rendering assistance to those affected. Hit-and-run accidents can occur in various scenarios, ranging from minor fender benders to more serious collisions.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Utah

The cause of your car accident is arguably just as important as its consequences. We need to figure out what the other driver did wrong that ultimately caused the crash. Investigating and pinpointing the cause will help us paint a picture of the accident and place liability fully on them.

Common causes of car accidents in Utah include:

• Drunk driving
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Failing to check blind spots
• Uber and Lyft drivers in a hurry
• Running red lights

Poor weather conditions also commonly contribute to car accidents in Utah, especially during the winter when the roads are more likely to be slick with ice and snow. Importantly, though, a driver’s mistakes are not excused just because the weather has made the road unsafe. If a driver loses control on black ice, for example, and crashes into someone, then they can still be 100% liable for the accident and the damages.

Utah Car Accident Laws

Utah follows a fault-based system for car accidents, meaning the at-fault driver is responsible for covering the damages resulting from the accident. The at-fault driver's insurance typically pays for the damages, including medical expenses, property damage, and other losses incurred by the other party/parties.

The state also follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means that if you are partially at fault for the accident, your compensation may be reduced proportionally to your degree of fault. However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering any damages.

Typically, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is four years from the date of the accident, while the statute of limitations for property damage claims is three years.

Utah law requires drivers to report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,500 to the Driver License Division within 10 days of the incident. Failure to report accidents can result in penalties, including fines and potential license suspension.

Utah Car Accident Statistics

According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, 2020 car accident statistics include:

• 52,805 total crashes
• 36,438 crashes that only caused vehicle or property damage
• 11,110 crashes that caused injuries
• 23,113 reported injuries
• 257 crashes that caused fatal injuries
• 277 traffic fatalities
• 14% of crashes caused a serious injury or death
• 17% of crashes caused a minor injury
• 13,480 crashes were caused by drivers under the age of 20
• Crashes were much more likely to happen between noon and 6 PM

Injured in a Lyft or Uber?

With the popularity and usage of ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft at an all-time high, it begs the question: what happens if you’re injured in an auto accident that involves an Uber or Lyft? Drivers who work for rideshare companies, such as Lyft, are technically viewed as independent contractors, not employees, which means the company can deny liability for accidents and collisions that involve their drivers.

However, that’s not to say that you wouldn’t be able to pursue legal action – but the driver, not the company, would likely be held liable for your injuries. Because of the inherent complexities of car accident cases involving ridesharing companies, it’s imperative that you contact a trusted attorney from our firm today. We have the skill set and are well equipped to handle even the toughest car accident injury cases.

Damages in an Ogden Car Accident Case

Car accidents often occur because of the negligence of other drivers. In many instances, injuries and vehicle damage is suffered to some, many, or all parties involved. The liable party or parties will be held responsible for the damages of those who are less liable.

If you file a lawsuit in Ogden, you should be aware of the damages you may be able to collect. In most cases, you as the victim will be entitled to what is called compensatory damages for the losses you have suffered. The two types of compensatory damages include:

• Economic damages - Compensation for financial losses, such as lost wages or the cost of medical bills
• Non-economic damages - Compensation as an act of contrition for subjective losses that don’t necessarily carry a dollar amount, such as the pain and suffering endured

What is a Good Settlement Offer?

Many car accident cases will settle out of court prior to trial, but that does not mean that it settled for what the victim actually deserved. Unfortunately, the plaintiff often settles for much less than their case is actually worth. But how do you know what is a “fair” settlement anyways?

There isn’t a set numerical amount that can be considered fair for all cases across the board. A good settlement will be one that adequately covers the damages that the victim has suffered. Since Utah is a modified comparative negligence state, the victim can still recover compensation if they hold some liability. That individual can only file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, however, if injuries sustained from the accident meet the statutory threshold.

With the nuances involved in a Utah car accident case, speaking with a professional car accident attorney is your best bet for knowing what to expect out of your case.

What to Expect As You File Your Car Accident Claim

Here are some key pieces of information that you should know if you have been injured in a car accident and need help filing a claim. Our attorneys can help you with each step as you process the case and pursue just compensation.

• Disputed Liability - Your insurer will likely try to refuse coverage for your claim. It is not uncommon that they will argue that the accident was your own fault, rather than that of the person they are insuring.
• Medical Expenses - Our legal team can help guide you through each step of the personal injury case, including helping to translate insurance information regarding payment of your medical bills.
• Damage of Your Vehicle - One of the biggest expenses of a car accident is vehicle repairs. You will need to file a property damage claim. This will be a separate matter from your personal injury claim.

Your Trusted Ally After a Car Accident

After being in a car accident, many people make the mistake of thinking that their insurance company will be on their side. This is not necessarily true. Insurance companies, especially those working with the other driver, want to make as small of payouts as possible for car accident claims. If you say the wrong thing to your insurer, you might put big costs directly on your own shoulders and pay them out of your own finances.

Although most accident cases will require the assistance of a dedicated attorney, some circumstances make it crucial to work with a lawyer to ensure that your rights are fully protected. This would include accidents involving a drunk driver or one who is acting recklessly, such as texting while driving or speeding.

Client Testimonial

"Lowe Law got me an incredible result because they wouldn’t accept anything less than the policy limits. I felt like they really fought for me and truly came through."
- Austin Scott, 5 / 5 stars

Let our car accident lawyers in Ogden, UT work on your case so you do not need to worry about insurance company tricks, such as offering a lowball settlement.

Schedule a free, initial consultation with our law firm today by calling (801) 797-3444 or contacting us online.