How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After an Accident in Utah?
In Utah, the statute of limitations for most personal injury lawsuits is four years from the date of the accident. However, some types of claims, such as matters involving wrongful death, have shorter deadlines (two years). You may have even less time if a government entity is involved.
If you fail to initiate your case within the appropriate time frame, you may lose your right to compensation altogether. To avoid making this mistake, consult a Utah personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
What Damages Are Available To Salt Lake City Accident Victims?
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Salt Lake City, you may be eligible to receive compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are your monetary losses and expenses, which could include:
– Medical bills
– Future medical treatment costs
– Lost wages
– Reduced earning capacity
– Physical therapy
– Out-of-pocket expenses
– Property damage
Non-economic damages cover the intangible consequences of your injuries, such as:
– Emotional distress
– Pain and suffering
– Permanent disability
– Scarring or disfigurement
– Anxiety
– Loss of enjoyment of life
In rare cases, a Utah court may award punitive damages. These are reserved to punish a defendant for certain types of conduct, such as a reckless disregard for your safety.
What Is the Value of My Personal Injury Claim?
Every Salt Lake City personal injury case is unique. Accordingly, there is no “set” value that you can expect to receive.
Instead, we will need to assess numerous factors, including:
The severity of your injuries
The liable party’s identity and the available insurance coverage
How your quality of life has been affected now and in the future
The financial impact of your medical care
Your lost income and other job-related losses
The extent of your psychological and mental trauma
It’s essential to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Salt Lake City to correctly evaluate what your claim is worth. If you leave anything out and sign a settlement agreement, you cannot ask for more money later. That’s why it is so important to get it right and ensure that you’re settling for what you truly need and deserve.
What Is Negligence, and How Do I Prove It?
A party is negligent when they fail to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances, resulting in harm to another person. This is the legal basis behind most personal injury cases.
To prove a negligence claim, you will generally need to demonstrate the following:
– The defendant owed you a duty of care, such as the requirement to follow Utah traffic laws.
– They breached that duty by acting unreasonably.
– The defendant’s conduct was the direct cause of your injuries.
– You sustained identifiable damages.
To prove these elements, you will need different types of evidence, such as:
– Witness statements
– Surveillance footage of the incident in question
– Photos and videos of the accident scene
– Accident report
– Medical records
– Expert witness testimony
It can be challenging to collect the necessary proof, especially if you’re dealing with painful injuries. Our team can handle the investigation and gather the evidence needed to build a strong claim for compensation.
Will My Personal Injury Case Go To Trial?
It’s highly unlikely. Most personal injury claims in Utah are settled out of court. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, your case may proceed to trial.
Here are some reasons why you may need to take your case to the courtroom:
The parties disagree on the extent of liability
There are contested facts
The opposing side refuses to offer what you think your damages are worth
There are complex or technical issues involved
There are pros and cons to going to court. The upside is that you could receive more money through a jury verdict than if you accept a settlement agreement. The downside is that the trial process can be risky, time-intensive, and expensive.
Ultimately, it’s your choice which route you take. Our Utah trial attorneys will fully explain the potential advantages and disadvantages of both options to help you make the best decision for you.
How Long Will My Injury Case Take?
There is no definitive timeline for a personal injury case. Your unique situation and the facts involved will determine how long it takes for the matter to conclude. You may receive compensation within a few weeks/months, or you could be waiting for over a year.
It will depend on various factors, such as the time it takes you to reach maximum medical improvement, the complexity of your case, and whether the parties can negotiate a favorable agreement.
Our Salt Lake City injury lawyers will keep you informed throughout the process and work diligently to resolve your case as efficiently as possible.
