If you have been in a car accident in Utah, it’s vital to seek legal advice. A Utah car accident lawyer can help secure the compensation you deserve, protect you against spurious claims, and collect the required evidence to prove you were not at fault.
How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help Prove Fault After a Crash in West Jordan, UT?
Every driver in Utah must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which covers the cost of medical expenses and related costs in the event of a collision. Utah is a no-fault state, so drivers typically claim on their own insurance. There is no need to prove who was responsible for the accident to claim PIP.
However, PIP coverage has a maximum threshold, and if the value of the costs exceeds this, a claim for compensation should be made. You can also make a claim for compensation if the criteria for a serious injury have been met. To succeed with a compensation claim in Utah, you must be able to prove fault. A car accident attorney can help with this.
Why Is Proving Fault Important?
It’s vital to show who was at fault, even for small, low-value claims. This is because the legal minimum coverage for PIP is set relatively low at just $3,000 per person for medical expenses. Therefore, even small collisions can very quickly eclipse the maximum value. There is also the risk of the claim increasing if injuries worsen at a later date.
How Can Fault Be Determined?
A Utah car accident lawyer will seek to collect a variety of evidence to show who was responsible for the collision. This may vary slightly depending on the circumstances but would typically include:
Photos and Video Footage
Photographs and video footage from the time of the accident can be very revealing. If you are not seriously hurt, any photos or videos you can take will be helpful to your lawyer. They will also seek to use images from dash cameras, traffic cameras, and any other security cameras in the vicinity.
Witness Statements
Eyewitness accounts are strong evidence and can be very persuasive in court, should the case go to trial. Your lawyer will collect statements from any independent witnesses as soon as possible after the event. If you did not collect the contact details of any witnesses, your lawyer may be able to obtain them from the police report.
Medical Evidence
It is always advisable to see a medical professional after you have been in a collision. This can provide an objective account of the injuries you sustained. Your lawyer may also arrange for you to be examined by an independent doctor. This allows the examiner to document any further injuries and observe the full extent of your impairments and pain.
The earlier we get to work, the easier it is to collect concrete evidence that proves where the fault lies. If you have been in a collision, get in touch with us without any delay at Nelson Jones in West Jordan, UT.
