Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys in Salt Lake City, UT
Every time we get in a vehicle and get on the road, we run a considerable risk. Because driving is such a common activity, many of us forget how dangerous it can be, especially when drivers fail to keep their eyes and minds on the road. Distracted driving is a major contributing factor in car accidents every day. If you or a loved one has been injured in a distracted driving accident, you can pursue compensation with the help of a Salt Lake City distracted driving accident lawyer.
About Garner Law Firm – Your Personal Injury Attorneys
When you are injured because of someone else’s negligent actions, you deserve the compensation it takes to rebuild your life and put you back on solid ground. At The Garner Law Firm, we advocate tirelessly for the people we serve. We are fully prepared to take your case as far as it needs to go, even to a courtroom trial.
no risk to you,
no fee unless we win.
Insurance companies have lawyers you should have them too.
We understand the impact that a car accident injury can have on a person and their family, and we approach each case with the empathy and dedication it takes to represent our clients effectively. Our office is located at 406 S Jordan Parkway in South Jordan, making it very convenient for our Salt Lake City clients.
Distracted Driving: A Prevalent Modern Problem
Distracted driving has been a problem since cars became a mainstream mode of transportation, but its prevalence and the risks associated with it have increased substantially over the past few decades. The advent of smartphones added an entirely new layer of distraction, as drivers find it harder than ever today to put their devices down and watch the road.
Of course, devices are not the only sources of distraction for people behind the wheel. Other potential distractions include music, talking to a passenger, doing activities like putting on makeup or eating, and even simply daydreaming.
In the United States, 3,208 roadway deaths were attributed to distracted driving in 2024. In that same year, 315,167 individuals were injured by distracted drivers. In 2023, 13% of all car crashes that were reported by police in the United States involved distracted driving as a contributing factor.
What Compensation Can You Recover for a Distracted Driving Accident?
If you have been injured in a distracted driving car accident, you have the legal right to pursue a settlement that offsets your financial losses and helps you rebuild your life in the aftermath of your injury. Medical bills and lost wages can build up quickly, putting victims and their families under significant financial strain.
The first line of defense in these situations is insurance. In Utah, car insurance works on a no-fault system for accident compensation. Utah car insurance policies should include personal injury protection coverage, which kicks in to cover injuries and lost wages up to the coverage limits, no matter who is at fault for an accident.
Beyond the coverage provided by personal injury protection, car accident victims can seek compensation by filing a personal injury claim against the driver who is at fault. Categories of potential compensation include the following:
- Medical bills. In a fair personal injury settlement for a distracted driving car accident, you should recover all of the costs associated with your medical treatment. This should include every medical bill, from initial emergency treatment all the way through to the last physical therapy session, if applicable.
- Lost wages. Many people cannot afford to miss any amount of work, and being injured can cause a financial chain reaction that can be difficult to recover from. Your personal injury settlement should offset any wages you’ve lost because you have been unable to work.
- Pain and suffering. Although it may seem difficult to assign a monetary value to pain and suffering, it is a typical element of personal injury compensation.
Hire a Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, and you need to recover compensation, you should hire a distracted driving accident lawyer to help you. Your attorney can assist you from the very beginning of the compensation process, even communicating with insurance companies on your behalf. If you do need to file a personal injury claim, your lawyer can file the case for you, participate in relevant negotiations, and represent you in court, if need be.
FAQs
Do Most Distracted Driving Accident Claims Go to Court?
No. The vast majority of all personal injury claims, including those filed for injuries sustained in distracted driving accidents, settle long before reaching the trial phase. If a plaintiff has a legitimate case, everyone involved usually prefers to settle rather than go through the expensive and time-consuming process of litigation.
How Much Does a Distracted Driving Accident Attorney Cost in Salt Lake City?
The costs associated with attorneys can vary, as they set their own hourly rates and fee structures. The more complex your case is, the more time your attorney might need to spend working on it, which translates to higher costs. At Garner Law Firm, we accept personal injury cases on a contingency basis. This means that we do not require an up-front fee for our services. Instead, we are paid a percentage of whatever settlement we secure for you.
Can I Still Request Compensation if I Contributed to the Accident?
Yes, Utah has a comparative negligence law that allows an injured party to seek compensation even if they partially contributed to the accident, but the compensation may be adjusted according to your share of the fault. If you are more than 50% responsible for the accident, you may not be able to seek compensation at all.
Is There a Time Limit to File a Personal Injury Claim in Utah?
Yes. In Utah, you usually have four years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury claim in connection with it. This is called a statute of limitations. Beyond this four-year window, an injured person generally cannot pursue compensation through the legal system, so it is important to contact an attorney and take legal action in a timely manner.
Contact Garner Law Firm
When you are injured because of another person’s negligence, you need strong legal representation to help you seek justice. At Garner Law Firm, we have the knowledge and experience it takes to support you. Contact us today to discuss your case.
