Salt Lake City Car Accident Lawyer – Utah is a beautiful state for driving in many ways. States generally rank in the bottom 20 percent of states nationwide in fatal car accidents per capita. However, when it comes to the number of drivers involved in hit-and-runs, Utah ranks seventh. With the number of drivers involved in accidents 10 percent higher than the national average, it’s clear that Utah has room for improvement.
While higher population density generally means more frequent accidents, the opposite is often true in hit-and-run situations. Wyoming is the least populous state but leads the nation in the number of hit-and-run drivers. Don’t be embarrassed just because you’re exploring Uinta County and not downtown Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City Car Accident Lawyer
Being the victim of a hit-and-run driver can be scary and frustrating. Even worse, if the at-fault driver cannot be identified, you may be forced to make expensive repairs, even if it was not your fault.
Utah Car Accident & Auto Accident Attorney
There are serious penalties for leaving the scene of an accident early in Utah. Whenever you know that an accident has occurred or should know that an accident may occur, Utah law requires that you take certain steps before you are allowed to leave the scene.
Your first priority is to park in the nearest safe place that does not block traffic. This can be a block, off-line or line if desired. Although it is not always easy, depending on the location, they hope that you will try to “comply to the best of your ability” with these requirements. If you can safely help, you must do so. Be careful when moving injured people and let them go to emergency services if possible.
The information must state your name, address, vehicle registration number, insurance company contact information and, if required, you must provide your driver’s license. If the total damage is $1, $500 or more, then you must contact local law enforcement and inform them of the danger. If you fail to meet all of these requirements before leaving the scene of an accident, you may be charged with hit and run.
If you are charged with a Class C misdemeanor with only damage to property without injury, you could face up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine. This penalty generally applies if the vehicle is left unattended or if property unrelated to the vehicle is damaged, such as a fence or mailbox. Fleeing an accident with any type of bodily injury is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $2,500 fine. If serious bodily injury occurs in the accident, fleeing is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Tips If You’re Injured In A Car Accident
If you are driving a vehicle and you are involved in an accident and the other driver flees the scene, your first concern is your own safety. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries and call 911 immediately. Check to see if anyone is hurt. Please proceed with caution because the last thing you want is to be involved in a car accident that may not be aware of your situation.
Assuming you can safely move your car, try pulling the car out of traffic or pulling over to the side of the road while you wait for the police to show up. Take a moment to write down any information you can remember about the driver and the vehicle that fled the scene. If there are witnesses, please include a brief description and contact information. Even part of the license plate number can be very helpful in the search. However, any small piece of information or interesting feature can help the police identify and arrest the suspect. More than two-thirds of runaway cases are ultimately unsolved. The information you can give to the police can be very effective in solving crimes.
Photographs taken at the scene help to preserve the evidence of what actually happened. In addition to any damage to your vehicle, be sure to provide photos of the road conditions and any nearby signs. Signs of trespassing, damaged fences or other signs of accidents should be photographed wherever possible. Request a copy of the police report for your records.
Any attempt to pursue the driver who fled the scene is futile. In the case of a minor accident, the driver may have made an honest mistake and was not fully aware that an accident had occurred. However, the reason why the driver ran away from the scene is more serious.
Salt Lake City Car Accident Lawyer
They may be operating a vehicle illegally due to a suspended license, lack of insurance or expired tags. Maybe they have unpaid traffic tickets and are worried about getting caught if they sit down with the police. The speeding driver may be trying to hide a bigger crime. Maybe they got drunk and ran hoping it would prevent them from being charged with DUI. A driver or passenger may be wanted for a previous crime, or for having drugs or contraband in the vehicle. The car may have been reported stolen. If they roll over in a hot car, don’t expect them to stop and crash. Wait for the police to get there and let them drive you away.
Unfortunately, accidents involving unattended vehicles or other property occur from time to time. In this case, the driver is responsible for stopping the vehicle and trying to locate the owner of the vehicle or property. If the person is not found, the driver must leave a note with contact information and a brief description of the incident. If the damage is $1, $500, or more, the requirement to notify the police still applies. If you are in this situation as a driver, it is better to inform the police to avoid any problems on the road. It is possible that the information is broken, or the damage ends up being worse than expected.
It can be very frustrating to come back to find that your car has broken down and the driver didn’t think enough about his legal obligations. Call the police immediately and report the crime. It is still important to get some pictures of the damage. Search the area and consider who may have seen something or, if you’re lucky, a security camera may have caught what happened.
Handling such a claim is usually the same as handling a collision with an uninsured driver. If you choose uninsured driver coverage, accident coverage or no-fault coverage, your policy may cover the loss. Of course, the exact level of coverage will depend on the details of your policy, including deductibles and coverage limits. If your plan doesn’t work and the other driver can’t be found, you can post the list yourself.
How A Car Accident Attorney Can Help With Your Claim
Sometimes, even if your cover applies, you may need to negotiate the details of your claim with the insurance company. It is not uncommon for parties to be forced to take legal action against their insurance company to get the full compensation they deserve. If you feel you have been let down by your insurance company, consider talking to an attorney who specializes in car accidents. Having professional representation can make a big difference in your final settlement amount. Insurance claims adjusters are sometimes quick to overlook things like repairs, depreciation of the car itself or other important information that you may have access to for compensation.
The issues with car insurance can be complicated. Protect yourself and your investment with a free consultation to evaluate your case.
Advocate has dedicated attorneys who will focus on your entire recovery. Having an experienced attorney who specializes in car accidents can take the guesswork out of getting fair compensation. Our experienced staff and experienced attorneys are ready to discuss your case during a free consultation. Call us today at (801) 326-0809, fill out the form below, or speak directly with an attorney here today. You are eligible to become a consultant! Although you can handle a car accident claim yourself, it is not recommended. Car accident claims can be complicated, and you need someone with knowledge and experience on your side. Our experienced car accident attorneys in Salt Lake City, Utah will let you know what to expect and protect your legal rights. We can help you gather evidence, find key witnesses and negotiate with insurance companies. we will not do it
Immigration lawyer salt lake city, salt lake city accident lawyer, salt lake city criminal lawyer, dui lawyer salt lake city, defense lawyer salt lake city, car accident salt lake city, divorce lawyer salt lake city, salt lake city truck accident lawyer, salt lake city motorcycle accident lawyer, car accident lawyer kansas city, car accident lawyer salt lake city, family lawyer salt lake city