Utah Motorcycle Accident Lawyers’ Practical Guide
Motorcycles are popular in South Jordan and throughout the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, but it’s crucial for all riders to acknowledge the inherent safety risks of these vehicles. From highway accidents on I-15 to collisions on smaller roads downtown, any motorcycle accident has the potential to result in life-changing injuries. If you have been hurt in such a crash, you need to consult a South Jordan motorcycle accident lawyer right away.
Aside from injuries and damages, a rider involved in a Utah motorcycle accident also faces legal issues. Typically, the rider will be moved immediately from the accident scene to a medical facility, leaving the evidence-gathering process in the hands of people who may not be as diligent as his attorney. After receiving medical attention, he will be required to complete insurance formalities and perhaps file a lawsuit claiming damages.
The evidence can get diluted while the rider is receiving medical attention, and his insurance company would rather pay him a small amount to keep the case from going to court. Plus, any rider involved in such an accident would be so overwhelmed by information and procedures that he is likely to sign on whatever dotted lines that are thrown at him.
Among the first things to do if you are ever involved in a motorcycle accident is to report the accident to the law enforcement agency and call your Utah lawyer to oversee the evidence-gathering process and handle the legal processes, including insurance formalities.
The Utah motorcycle accident lawyers at the Garner Law Firm have put together this guidebook to make you a more informed consumer. Note that this guide assumes that your motorcycle license fulfills the Utah state government’s criteria.
Here is a list of important things to do, or know:
- A. Things To Do In The Immediate Aftermath Of A Motorcycle Accident
Call the law enforcement agency and the lawyers at the Garner Law Firm even if the accident is minor. The police will write out an accident report that contains details of place, date, time, damages, injuries, statements of witnesses and riders/drivers, citations, etc. The accident report helps us establish the case.
If your Utah lawyer cannot make it to the accident site in time, he will rely on the accident report. In such a case, if possible, use your cell phone to take photographs of your injuries, the vehicles involved in the accident, including your motorcycle, the condition of the road, and the area that surrounds the accident site.
Talk to witnesses and get their names and phone number so that your lawyer can gather more information from them.
- B. Helmet Laws
Utah’s bike laws require riders under the age of 21 to wear a helmet that is manufactured as per federal standards. However, the insurance company cannot deny your claim even if you were not wearing one.
- C. Dealing With Social Media
Do not post accident-related pictures or information on social media. It can work against you in the courts. Know that every insurance company hires social media-savvy folks to keep tabs on what accident victims are talking about, and even innocent language can get twisted and used against you.
- D. Maintain Records
Ensure that you keep records that can help you prove damage or injuries, or guard against false claims. Apart from the photographs related to the accident, keep your medical records and bills, correspondence with your insurance company, accident-related mails from your employer, and perhaps even witness audio/video files you may have recorded, safe. Just about anything that helps your case should be stored safely.
- E. Utah’s Statute Of Limitations
Utah’s laws allow you to file a claim within 4 years from the date of the accident. No extensions are granted.
- F. Is It Mandatory To Buy A Personal Injury Protection (PIP)?
Though liability insurance is compulsory for motorcycles, buying a PIP is not. Many riders choose to buy one anyway.
- G. How Utah Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Approach The Case
The first thing your attorney will do is determine whether you have an injury case by checking the role of the other driver or drivers involved in the accident. Was the other driver obligated by Utah’s motorcycle laws to give you the right of way, but didn’t? Did he breach any other law? Do you have a valid case for claiming medical expenses and other damages? Your lawyer at the Garner Law Firm can flesh out the details and determine the medical bills and damages that you are entitled to.
To claim medical expenses and damages to your motorcycle, we will either file a claim with your insurance company (first-party) or with the other rider’s/driver’s insurance company (third-party). Because your insurance company has a contract with you, it is bound to honor your claim as per the contract. However, your claim may be denied by the third-party because you don’t have a contract with it, which is why hiring an experienced lawyer makes sense.
Your lawyer can help determine economic and non-economic damages depending on the extent and seriousness of injuries, physical and mental suffering, impact on normal life, and any disability or disfigurement suffered.
No-Cost, No-Obligation Consultation Offer
If after being involved in a motorcycle accident you don’t take legal help from a professional to present your case, you might end up receiving a much smaller compensation than what is rightfully due to you.
You need an experienced and skilled Utah motorcycle accident lawyer to help you gather evidence as well as to evaluate your case, tackle the legal processes, negotiate with third parties, and help max out the compensation you deserve for your pain, property damage, and suffering.
Don’t think too much about it. Just call us for a no-cost consultation, and then let’s take things from there.
After the Accident
Immediately after an accident, victims are particularly vulnerable.
Unfortunately, it is often in these moments that the insurance company sends in its representatives. They do this to take advantage of the injured person’s vulnerable state.
They will push injured people to immediately provide recorded statements and may suggest a quick, low-ball settlement offer. Insurance companies do this because they know they can save millions of dollars if they can get an accident victim to sign away their rights before they understand the consequences.
Here at the Garner Law Firm, we will evaluate your case and give you an honest assessment of your situation right from the beginning, and we only take cases that we believe have serious merit.
When we represent you, we will be responsive to your questions and your needs. Everyone of our clients is given their attorney’s personal cell phone number, so we can answer your questions on your schedule, day or night. If we do miss your call, we promise we will get back to you within 24 hours.
So many clients apologized to us for calling and asking questions because they think we are too busy. With us you’ll never need to apologize for asking questions. We want you to ask questions and we are never going to be too busy to answer our client’s questions.
When you hire us to represent you after an accident, we will be there for you every step of the way, to counsel and advise you through this new and difficult situation. All consultations are free, and our representation costs you nothing unless we recover money for you.
no risk to you,
no fee unless we win.
Insurance companies have lawyers you should have them too.
FAQs
Q: Is Utah a No-Fault State for Motorcycle Accidents?
A: Yes, Utah is a no-fault state for motorcycle accidents and all other vehicle accidents. This means that an injured driver must file a claim with their own auto insurance carrier after an accident, regardless of fault. However, under certain conditions, an injured accident victim may have grounds to pursue compensation from the party responsible for causing their accident. Hire a motorcycle accident lawyer who can help you understand all of your legal options.
Q: How Dangerous Are Motorcycle Accidents?
A: Motorcycle accidents are some of the most dangerous accidents because riders have very little physical protection from a crash. The risk of severe or fatal injury is much greater in a motorcycle crash than in a passenger vehicle accident. The National Safety Council reported that in 2023, motorcycles only accounted for about 3% of all registered vehicles in the United States, but motorcyclists accounted for more than 15% of all vehicle accident fatalities that year.
Q: How Do You Prove Fault for a Motorcycle Accident in South Jordan?
A: Proving fault for a motorcycle accident in South Jordan typically requires several forms of evidence along with testimony from any eyewitnesses who saw the accident happen. If you have grounds for legal recourse against the at-fault driver, your South Jordan motorcycle accident lawyer at the Garner Law Firm can gather the evidence needed to prove liability and help you hold them accountable for damages your insurance can’t cover.
Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Motorcycle Accident?
A: Several factors will determine how much compensation you can claim for a motorcycle accident. The severity of your injuries, the extent of your no-fault insurance coverage, whether you have grounds for legal recourse against another party, and whether you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to represent you are just a few variables you must consider. It’s possible to recover compensation for the economic and non-economic damages you suffered.
Q: Why Should I Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
A: You should hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to have the greatest possible chance of success with your case. Even if fault for the accident appears obvious to you and you have good insurance, you may still encounter various challenges during your recovery efforts. Working with an experienced South Jordan motorcycle accident lawyer significantly improves your chances of success with your case, and you’re more likely to maximize your compensation with their help.
The attorneys at the Garner Law Firm have years of experience helping injured clients recover from all types of accidents in South Jordan, including motorcycle crashes. We are confident we can help you reach a positive outcome to your case, so contact us today and schedule a free consultation with a South Jordan motorcycle accident lawyer you trust.
