Ogden Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one were recently involved in a car accident, you may be able to gain compensation for the full extent of your injuries, pain, and suffering. Utah law allows victims of negligence to obtain reimbursement from an at-fault driver’s insurance company, but fair compensation of these claims requires guidance from an experienced Ogden car accident lawyer. Schedule a free legal consultation via our contact form or call 801.499.5060 for a consultation with our legal team at Feller & Wendt.
Why Do I Need an Ogden Car Accident Attorney?
One of the most common questions we hear at our firm is, “why do I need an accident attorney? Even if another driver is at fault, shouldn’t my insurance company pay my claim?” In a perfect world, your or another driver’s insurance company would pay for the full extent of your injuries, but it rarely works out that way.
In reality, insurance companies are profit centers who focus on improving their bottom lines by paying out as little on your claim as possible. Following a car crash, you need an Ogden accident and injury attorney that will protect your best interests and ensure fair compensation for your injuries, pain, and suffering. This is a service that only a car accident injury lawyer can provide.
Have You Been Involved in a Car Accident in Utah?
Hiring an Ogden personal injury attorney at Feller & Wendt, LLC™ to represent you during your car accident claim has several advantages:
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- We gather evidence on your behalf. We not only look at forensic evidence like skid marks, property damage, and damage to other vehicles, we also talk to witnesses and conduct thorough interviews to determine what happened.
- We can help you understand what your claim is worth. Victims of serious car accidents can gain compensation for both their monetary and non-monetary losses. In addition to medical bills, you can gain recovery of your lost wages, emotional distress, and any persistent loss of life quality. An insurance company won’t outline your right to full compensation under the law – only a personal injury lawyer will do that.
- We protect your best interests. Proving liability in a car accident case can become complex, and we defend your right to full compensation through every step of the process. If the negotiation process does not lead to a full settlement, we’ll take the case to court and fight for your rights in front of a jury.
- We help you understand your options. Most car accident cases settle out of court, which means your insurance company will likely want to present you with an offer rather than spend the time in trial. We help you understand the implications of this offer and whether or not it’s a fair representation of your damages, so you can make an informed decision.
- We know the ins and outs of Utah car accident law. Defending your right to fair compensation depends on many factors – for example, you have a limited amount of time in which to file a claim, and you may have to adhere to certain rules and procedures. Trying to navigate the system without an Ogden car accident lawyer could lead to a dismissal of your case or settling for less than you deserve.
What Comes Next?
The Ogden car accident attorneys at Feller & Wendt, LLC™ are committed to protecting your best interests and defending your right to fair compensation under Utah law. For more information, reach out to us to schedule a free initial consultation with our firm.
Utah Car Accident Laws
The laws governing car accident liability and compensation in the state of Utah are complex. Understanding your rights under state law can help you make a more informed decision regarding your car accident claim.
Utah is one of only a handful of states that observes a “no-fault” system when it comes to car accidents. This means that you will initially look to your own insurance policy to cover for medical bills, regardless of who is at fault. Utah dictates the following minimums for insurance:
- Personal injury protection (PIP) of at least $3,000 per person
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $65,000 per accident
- $15,000 in property damage per accident, OR
- $80,000 for bodily injury and property damage
In addition, your insurance company may offer other types of coverage such as collision, comprehensive, underinsured or uninsured motorist, and roadside assistance.
When you sustain injuries in an accident, you’ll first file a claim with your own PIP policy. However, it’s likely that this coverage will not compensate for the full extent of your injuries. In this case, you can turn to another driver’s liability coverage to compensate for other damages. In the state of Utah, you can file a claim against an at-fault driver’s insurance policy if your medical bills exceed the statutory threshold of $3,000.
Filing a claim against an at-fault driver requires the following elements:
- Did the other driver owe you a duty of care? This answer is most likely “yes,” as all drivers owe a duty of care to other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists on the road.
- Did the other driver breach his or her duty of care? For example, did he or she break any traffic laws? Was he or she driving distracted or driving drunk?
- Did the driver’s negligence lead directly to your injuries?
- Did you suffer harm as a result? For example, did you incur at least $3,000 in damages?
If you think all of these apply to your car accident, you might have grounds for a car accident claim. Contact the Ogden accident attorneys at Feller & Wendt, LLC™ to learn more.
Utah Car Accident Statistics
Utah is home to harsh winters, which can lead to hazardous driving conditions. While the state does not rank highest in fatalities – that honor belongs to Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania – winter driving conditions claim Utah lives each year. This comes as no surprise, as it’s one of the snowiest states in the nation.
While Utah is one of the safest states in terms of drunk driving – it has the 4th least number of deaths per capita – it’s one of the worst for distracted driving. Utah drivers posted almost 39 driving hashtags per 100,000 people in 2016.
Ogden is home to several state, local, and city-owned highways. State highways 158 and 39 bring faster traffic from densely populated urban areas like Salt Lake City. Since it’s the gateway to Snowbasin and other local ski resorts, Ogden also brings many tourists to the area each year, many of whom are unfamiliar with area roadways and safe driving conditions.
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Common Causes of Car Accidents in Utah
Car accidents can occur in virtually limitless scenarios, but some are more likely than others. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the following were the most common causes of fatal Utah car accidents from 2012 to 2016:
- Speed (40%). Nearly 500 Utah residents lost their lives in car accidents in which speeding played a primary role.
- Unrestrained drivers (30%). Despite knowing the risks of riding without a seatbelt, 377 Utahans lost their lives this way.
- Drunk driving (13%). Though we may have fewer drunk drivers than the national average, 158 residents lost their lives in drunk driving accidents in this time period.
- Failure to yield (12%). Failing to yield the right of way, whether it’s through a traffic light, stop sign, or even to a pedestrian, was responsible for 154 Utah deaths.
- Distracted driving (9%). Activities like texting, talking on the phone, and eating and drinking behind the wheel led to 108 fatalities in Utah in this time period.
Common Car Crash Injuries
Car crashes can lead to serious, disabling, and even catastrophic injuries. Some of the most common types of car accident injuries include:
Injuries to the Head and Back
Head injuries are among the most serious injuries. Seated drivers, when properly restrained, can strike their heads against steering columns, dashboards, and even the airbag. The impacts of these blows can lead to concussion and other, more severe forms of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Victims may experience mental confusion, changes in cognition, hearing loss, or even permanent changes in vision.
Back injuries are also common and can lead to nerve damage, paralysis, and herniated discs. Victims may experience tingling, numbness, and pain in the arms or legs.
Neck and Chest Injuries
Whiplash is one of the most common and well-known types of car accident injuries and results from sudden head movement causing neck muscle and ligament damage. Whiplash injuries range from minor to severe. Some car accident victims may even experience vocal cord paralysis following a crash.
Blunt force trauma can also affect the chest, and people with pre-existing cardiac problems may experience traumatic cardiac arrest. Broken ribs, collapsed lungs, and internal bleeding are also possible scenarios following a serious car accident.
Other Types of Injuries
Victims of car accidents may also experience injuries to their arms, legs, hands, or feet. Pedestrian accidents, in particular, often lead to serious trauma of the extremities. Motorcyclists are also more likely to experience these types of injuries. Examples of extremity injuries include broken bones, torn ligaments such as the ACL, and even traumatic amputation. These injuries can do more than lead to permanent disability; they can also be fatal.
Finally, car accident victims may experience mental injuries like emotional distress or post-traumatic stress disorder. Fatal crashes resulting in the death of a loved one or family member can result in severe emotional damage that requires counseling and treatment.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Ogden, UT Today
If you or a loved one recently suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Utah, you need help from an experienced car accident attorney. Utah law allows victims of negligence to collect compensation for their injuries, pain, and suffering. The first step is to contact the Ogden accident lawyers at Feller & Wendt, LLC™ by calling 801.499.5060 to schedule a free initial consultation with our firm today. Let us protect your right to fair recovery under Utah law. We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, which means you’ll only owe attorney’s fees if we win a settlement or court judgment on your behalf.
“When my daughter-in-law was in a serious accident, the first person we spoke to was Brian, he took care of everything on the legal side and made sure she was taken care of on the medical side. I would highly recommend Feller and Wendt. If the situation ever happens again, I know I could trust them to take care of my family.”
– Andrew
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