(435) 767-7777
(435) 767-7777Orem Car Accident Lawyer
At Swenson & Shelley, our Orem car accident lawyers work tirelessly to provide the legal experience, skills, and resources our Utah clients need to pursue the negligent driver who turned their lives upside down. Unfortunately, these crashes happen more than most think.
Utah had 61,406 motor vehicle accidents last year, equating to approximately 168 car accidents per day. Of these, around 30% resulted in injuries, and 320 people were killed, marking the second consecutive year that motor vehicle deaths topped 300, a figure that previously hadn’t been seen here in over two decades.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one because of a negligent driver’s actions or inaction, contact our Utah County auto accident and injury attorneys today to discuss your claim during a free consultation.
When car accidents happen, the consequences too often go beyond mere property damage. Severe injuries, expensive bills, and emotional trauma can all rob someone of their quality of life. These losses can seem even worse when the crash is someone else’s fault.
It’s difficult and stressful to handle the legal complexities of a car wreck on your own. With an Orem auto accident lawyer on your side, you’ll have an experienced and skilled partner to guide you through the legal process and tirelessly fight for the compensation you need.
Swenson & Shelley Law has represented countless clients throughout the Beehive State. We work entirely on your behalf, using our resources and expansive knowledge to investigate what happened, deal with insurers, and defend your rights at each step. Our initial case reviews are free, and you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case. Contact a car crash attorney in Orem at our office today.
What are the Most Common Causes of Auto Accidents in Utah?
Data from the Utah Department of Public Safety found that 26% of all fatal crashes in the state had a speed-related contributor. This includes going over the speed limit and, sometimes, going the speed limit but faster than road conditions permit.
Other common causes of motor vehicle collisions in Utah include:
- Aggressive Driving.
- Distracted Driving.
- Drowsy Driving.
- Failing to Follow Traffic Signs and Signals.
- Failing to Yield the Right of Way.
- Following Too Closely.
- Impaired Driving.
- Reckless Driving.
- Unsafe Lane Changes.
If you have been injured in a vehicle collision caused by a negligent driver in Utah, you do not have to face the liable driver’s insurance company alone. Allow our car accident attorneys in Orem to take the lead in your claim so you can focus on your financial and emotional recovery while we pursue the compensation you need to get your life back on track. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to get started.
What to Do After a Car Accident
You can strengthen your case and protect your legal interests by following these critical steps after a car accident:
- Get medical help as soon as possible – Even if your injuries seem minor on the outside, it’s still crucial to be examined by a healthcare professional as quickly as possible. This step is proactive for your long-term health. It will also begin building medical records that your lawyer can use later.
- Exchange information – If you’re physically able, Utah law requires you to obtain insurance and contact information for everyone involved in the accident. If you’re not physically able to do this, you can have someone do it on your behalf.
- Watch what you say – Insurers can use anything you say to harm your case. Don’t discuss the accident with anyone except your Orem car accident attorney and the local police. If the insurance company wants a recorded statement from you, talk to your lawyer first. If you agree to give the statement, have your lawyer present, and don’t admit fault.
- Watch what you post – Just as you should watch what you say in person, you should also watch what you post online. Don’t share information about the accident on social media while your case is pending.
- Keep careful records – Obtain physical copies of your medical bills, doctors’ notes, and repair receipts.
How Can I Prove the Other Driver Was Liable for My Utah Auto Accident & Injuries?
Proving liability in a Utah auto accident typically involves demonstrating that the other driver was negligent and that their negligence directly caused the accident and your injuries.
Unfortunately, even when the at-fault driver ran a red light or was detained at the crash scene for impaired driving, their insurance company will not assume liability for the accident without clear evidence that supports your claim. Simply put, the insurance representative will make you prove their driver was at fault. We can help.
There are several steps injury victims can take to help strengthen their claims if their injuries allow.
They include:
- Calling the Police.
Calling 911 immediately after the crash will ensure law enforcement responds to the crash scene and will complete and file a police report that contains important details about the crash, including the officer’s assessment of fault.
- Collecting Crucial Evidence.
Gather as much evidence as possible from the accident scene, including photographs of the vehicles involved, skid marks, traffic signs, and road conditions. If there were witnesses that stopped, record their contact information so they can be interviewed later. Eyewitness testimony can be valuable in corroborating your version of events.
- Seeking Medical Care Immediately After the Crash.
Your physical well-being is the priority. Seek medical care immediately to ensure all your injuries are diagnosed and documented, and a treatment plan is implemented. Keep detailed records of your injuries, including medical records and documentation that will help establish the extent of your injuries and their connection to the accident.
- Contacting Our Skilled Auto Accident Attorneys in Orem, Utah
Our Orem car accident attorneys are down-to-earth, easy to talk to, and available 24/7 to answer any questions you might have about your claim. Our personal injury law firm has the resources to jump into action, investigate the accident, preserve evidence, solicit help from expert witnesses, and craft a comprehensive case for maximum compensation. Contact us today to learn more.
What Type of Compensation Can I Pursue After Being Injured by a Negligent Driver in Utah?
If you’ have been injured by a negligent driver in Utah, you may be entitled to pursue various types of compensation called damages. These damages are meant to compensate you for the losses and expenses you have incurred because of the accident.
Depending on the unique circumstances of your claim, they may include:
- Medical Expenses
Compensation for all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to treating your injuries. This may include emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgery, doctor’s appointments, medication, rehabilitation, and therapy.
- Lost Wages
Compensation for any income you have lost due to being unable to work as a result of your injuries. This includes wages, salaries, bonuses, and other forms of employment-related income.
- Loss of Earning Capacity
If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or earning the same income you did before the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the loss of future earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering
Compensation for the physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress you’ve experienced as a result of the accident and your injuries. This can include both physical pain and emotional suffering, including anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
- Disfigurement and Disability
Compensation for any permanent disfigurement, scarring, or disability resulting from the accident. This may include compensation for the impact these injuries have on your quality of life and ability to engage in daily activities.
Types of Damages Available in Car Accident Claims
In a car accident lawsuit, you’re pursuing two types of damages or compensation. The first type, “economic damages,” encompasses financial costs like:
- Medical expenses – Economic damages can include the cost of outpatient care, hospital stays, home care, surgeries, drugs, and medical devices.
- Lost wages – Your Orem car accident lawyer can use copies of your paystubs to determine how much compensation you are entitled to for your lost wages.
- Property repair and modifications – Your attorney can consider the costs of car repairs and accessibility modifications on your home if they’re required.
The second type, “non-economic damages,” covers intangible losses that don’t have a fixed monetary value. These include:
- Pain and suffering – This is money for your physical pain, emotional stress, and mental anguish after the accident.
- Loss of consortium – If your physical injuries hinder your ability to enjoy your spouse’s companionship, your lawyer can include this loss when calculating your potential compensation.
- Lost enjoyment of life – Your lawyer will consider how your injuries affect your enjoyment of your hobbies, pastimes, and routines. Your lawyer can assess the value of these losses and include them in your settlement demand.
The Importance of an Initial Consultation with an Orem Car Accident Attorney
Getting an initial consultation is the first step to building your case. During this session, a lawyer will:
- Introduce themselves and their firm
- Hear from you about the crash and your injuries
- Examine documents and evidence you’ve already collected
- Determine the likelihood that your claim will succeed and calculate how much it might be worth
- Discuss your legal rights and options
We recommend that the consultation happen as soon as possible. This is primarily because of Utah’s statute of limitations, which sets a four-year deadline from the accident date for you to file a lawsuit. Solid cases take time to prepare. Filing your lawsuit after the deadline expires means you’ll likely lose the right to seek compensation at trial.
An early consultation with a lawyer about your case is essential so that your lawyer can file insurance claims on your behalf, communicate with adjusters, write demand letters, and try to negotiate a settlement for you. An early start gives your lawyer more time to prepare a convincing case and increases the chances an insurer will offer you a fair settlement.
Starting early also means your lawyer will have more time to gather and preserve crucial evidence, including witness statements, photos, or video footage. While your lawyer builds your case, you can focus on your health and well-being.
Proactive Measures to Prevent Car Accidents and Injuries
While not every car accident is preventable, there are ways that drivers can protect others on the road and reduce the chance of an accident happening. They include:
- Staying within speed limits, obeying stoplights and stop signs, and paying attention to advisory signs
- Parking in a safe, legal place before you use your cell phone or eat in the car
- Keeping your vehicle well-maintained
- Adjusting your speed during snowy weather and using tire chains or studded tires in the wintertime
- Not using alcohol or drugs before you drive
Our Attorneys Also Focus on the Following Areas:
Contact Our Skilled Car Accident Attorneys in Orem, Utah for Help
To receive a real-time assessment of your personal injury claim, call our dedicated auto accident lawyers in Orem at Swenson & Shelley today at (385)-626-7197 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation where you can learn immediately whether your claim is eligible to move forward with legal action.
We do not charge any fees upfront for our services. Instead, you pay us only if we secure payment for you. That makes getting legal help accessible and allows you to focus on your recovery. Contact us now to learn more.
