St. George Car Accident Lawyer
Every day, someone gets injured in an auto accident in Utah. Car accidents send victims to emergency rooms with serious injuries such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries and concussions.
If you were recently injured in a car accident in St. George, you may have expensive medical bills, property damage and lost wages. The St. George car accident attorneys at Harris & Harris Injury Lawyers can help you understand and protect your rights during the claims process.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help?
You do not have to deal with an insurance claim or lawsuit alone. A car accident attorney has the experience, knowledge of the law, resources and personnel to build a strong claim to damages on your behalf. While you focus on your physical and emotional recovery, your lawyer will work on your financial recovery after an auto accident.
A lawyer can handle many legal processes for you, such as:
- Responding to your legal questions and concerns
- Investigating your car accident
- Preserving and collecting evidence
- Determining fault for the collision
- Negotiating with an auto insurance claims adjuster
- Representing you at trial, if necessary
After you hire an auto accident attorney, he or she will prevent the tactics an insurance company might otherwise use to take advantage of you, such as devaluing your claim or wrongfully withholding benefits. A lawyer will fight for the best possible case results using aggressive negotiation strategies. Unlike an insurance company, your St. George injury lawyer will have your best interests in mind.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in St. George, Utah
Car accidents occur most often when one or more drivers are negligent behind the wheel. Negligence in a car accident case refers to a careless or reckless action or behavior that falls short of the accepted level of care. Driver error is the number one cause of Utah car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian accidents.
The most common driver errors behind car accidents in St. George are:
- Speeding and racing
- Alcohol and drug intoxication
- Drowsy driving
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Ignoring roadway signs
- Unsafe lane changes
- Running red lights
- Ignoring stop signs
- Other traffic law violations
Nondriver-related causes of car accidents include auto part defects, road hazards, bad weather and crossing animals. If one or more parties reasonably could have prevented your car accident but failed to do so, that party may be financially responsible for your injuries and losses. This includes a driver, auto manufacturer or the government. To recover financial compensation, you must navigate your state’s car accident laws.
Is Utah a No-Fault State?
Yes, Utah is a no-fault state. This insurance law states all drivers involved in a crash must seek benefits from their own auto insurance providers, regardless of fault. Each driver’s personal injury protection (PIP) insurance will cover his or her own medical bills. In a traditional fault-based state, on the other hand, drivers seek benefits from the insurance company of the driver at fault for the accident.
Utah’s no-fault law means that your only outlet for financial recovery may be your own auto insurance carrier. If your injuries meet Utah’s serious injury threshold, however, you will have grounds to file a lawsuit against a third party outside of the no-fault system. In this case, you or your St. George accident attorney would need to prove the other driver was at fault to recover benefits from his or her insurance provider.
The serious injury threshold in Utah is any injury that causes at least $3,000 in necessary medical expenses, permanent impairment or disability, disfigurement, or death. If you meet this threshold, you will have the right to bring a claim against another driver’s insurance provider and may be eligible for pain and suffering damages. An auto accident lawyer from Harris & Harris injury claims can help you prove fault during this type of claim.
Contact Our St. George Personal Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you were recently injured in a car accident in St. George, Utah, the law may entitle you to financial compensation. Our lawyers can help you fight for justice and move forward with the results you deserve.
Contact us today to request a free initial consultation with one of our experienced car accident attorneys. Call (702) 384-1414 now.