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What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Utah

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Utah

Being involved in a pedestrian accident can change your life in an instant. Serious injuries, heavy medical bills, and the stress of dealing with insurance companies can make the situation overwhelming. Many victims in Utah also face emotional distress and long recovery times, which can affect both their families and their financial stability.

ReshLaw assists you throughout this challenging process by providing clear legal guidance and support from start to finish. Our team of Utah pedestrian accident lawyers understands the challenges victims face, from filing an insurance claim to fighting for fair compensation in court if needed.

We work to protect your legal rights, help you with medical expenses, and pursue damages for lost wages and pain and suffering. With experienced personal injury lawyers by your side, you do not have to go through this alone.

Immediate Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident

The first few moments after a pedestrian accident are very important for your health and for your personal injury claim. Taking the right steps early can protect your safety and your legal rights.

Check for Injuries and Call 911

If you are hurt, call 911 immediately and ask for emergency services. Even if the injuries seem minor, a medical professional should still examine you, as some conditions, such as internal bleeding, may not be immediately visible. Getting medical attention quickly also creates medical records that will support your claim later.

Move to Safety if Possible

If possible, move to a safe location away from traffic and other hazards. Staying on the road can put you at risk of another motor vehicle striking you. Waiting in a safe area until law enforcement and emergency vehicles arrive protects both your health and your case.

Report the Accident to the Police

Always call the police after a pedestrian-vehicle accident so they can make a police report. This report becomes a key piece of evidence in your personal injury claim. The police can also collect details such as skid marks, traffic signals, and license plate numbers that help prove fault.

Collecting Evidence at the Scene

Collecting Evidence at the Scene

Strong evidence from the accident scene is important when proving your case later. Taking time to collect details can help your pedestrian accident attorneys build a solid claim.

Take Photos and Videos of the Accident Scene

Use your phone to take photos of the road, traffic lights, traffic control devices, and any visible injuries. Pictures of skid marks, broken signs, or property damage can also indicate how the crash occurred. These images give proof that can be used during settlement negotiations or a trial.

Gather Witness Contact Information

If anyone saw the crash, politely ask for their name and phone number. Witness statements often support what happened when the driver or insurance companies question the story. Having this witness contact info makes your accident investigation much stronger.

Exchange Information with the Driver

Ask the driver for their name, phone number, insurance information, and license plate number. This helps you file an insurance claim with their liability insurance later. Ensure the details are accurate to avoid any delays in your case.

Seeking Medical Care and Documentation

Seeking Medical Care and Documentation

Medical care is one of the most crucial steps after a pedestrian accident, as your injuries may be more severe than they initially appear. Getting treatment also ensures your medical expenses are documented.

Get a Full Medical Evaluation

Even if you feel fine, see a medical professional after the accident, because some injuries, like brain injuries or spinal cord injuries, may not show symptoms right away. A medical evaluation protects your health and your personal injury case.

Keep Records of Medical Bills and Treatments

Save all medical bills, hospital bills, and receipts for medical care. These documents show the full amount of your medical costs and help you claim economic damages later. Keeping records also supports your lawyer when building your case.

Watch for Delayed Injury Symptoms

Sometimes soft tissue injuries, head and facial injuries, or psychological trauma appear days later. If new symptoms appear, return to the emergency room or your doctor quickly. Continued medical treatment helps ensure your well-being and strengthens your personal injury claim.

Understanding Utah Pedestrian Accident Laws

Understanding Utah Pedestrian Accident Laws

Utah law provides pedestrians with important protections, but it also establishes rules that both drivers and pedestrians must follow. These laws determine who may be held responsible for a crash and the amount of compensation that may be recovered.

Understanding the rules regarding right-of-way, shared fault, and deadlines for filing a claim is crucial for protecting your legal rights.

Right-of-Way Laws for Pedestrians

Under Utah law, pedestrians generally have the right of wayright-of-way when crossing the street at marked crosswalks or intersections with traffic signals. Drivers must stop or yield when a pedestrian is lawfully in the crosswalk.

However, pedestrians must also obey traffic control devices and avoid suddenly stepping into traffic. Following these right-of-way laws helps determine fault in a pedestrian-vehicle accident.

Comparative Negligence in Utah

Utah employs a shared fault rule known as comparative negligence. This means that a pedestrian may still recover damages even if they are partly at fault for the accident. The pedestrian’s percentage of fault reduces the payment.

For example, if you are found 20% at fault, your compensation is reduced by that amount. This rule is key in many Utah pedestrian accident cases.

Statute of Limitations for Pedestrian Accident Claims

Utah law sets strict time limits, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a claim related to a pedestrian accident.

In most cases, you have four years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to compensation. It is always better to act early to protect your claim.

Protecting Your Legal Rights

Protecting Your Legal Rights

After a pedestrian accident, protecting your legal rights is very important. The steps you take early can make a big difference in your personal injury claim.

From speaking with your insurance company to knowing when to contact a lawyer, each step helps strengthen your case. Careful action can protect you from insurance companies that may try to pay less.

Notify Your Insurance Company

You should notify your insurance company about the pedestrian accident as soon as possible. Even if you were on foot, your auto insurance or health insurance may provide coverage.

When reporting, provide only the facts, such as the date, time, and location of the accident. Avoid admitting fault or guessing about details, because these could harm your claim later.

Avoid Giving Recorded Statements Too Soon

Insurance companies often request recorded statements quickly after an accident. It is best to avoid giving one before speaking with a personal injury lawyer. Recorded statements can be used against you if you make mistakes or say something unclear.

Waiting to give details until after legal counsel helps protect your insurance rights and ensures your words cannot be twisted.

When to Contact a Utah Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

It is wise to contact a Utah pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible after the crash. A lawyer understands Utah law, knows how insurance companies work, and can handle communication for you.

An experienced lawyer can also help with accident investigation, gathering witness contact info, and building your claim. Early legal help gives you the best chance for fair compensation.

Compensation Available for Pedestrian Accident Victims

Compensation Available for Pedestrian Accident Victims

When a pedestrian accident happens, the injuries can bring large costs and heavy stress for victims and their families. Utah law allows victims to pursue compensation for various losses resulting from the crash.

These damages cover not just medical expenses but also lost income, emotional distress, and the impact the accident may have on future quality of life.

Medical Expenses and Future Treatment Costs

Pedestrian accident victims can recover compensation for medical expenses such as emergency room visits, hospital bills, surgeries, and physical therapy, because these costs can quickly become overwhelming.

Future treatment costs may also be included, particularly if the injured person requires rehabilitation, ongoing medical care, or assistance in managing a permanent disability. By keeping careful medical records, victims can demonstrate the full extent of treatment required both now and in the years to come.

Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity

If an accident leaves a victim unable to work, they may claim lost wages for the time they missed. In more serious cases, when injuries reduce long-term earning capacity, the law allows recovery for this as well.

For example, a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury may prevent someone from returning to their old job, which can harm their financial future. Compensation helps replace income and protect the victim’s family from lasting hardship.

Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Distress

Beyond financial costs, victims of pedestrian accidents can also recover damages for pain and suffering. This includes both the physical pain from broken bones, soft tissue injuries, or other trauma, as well as emotional distress like fear, anxiety, or depression.

These non-economic damages recognize that serious injuries affect more than the body; they also impact the victim’s mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Utah?

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Utah_

In Utah, pedestrian accident victims usually have four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim under Utah law. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations, and it is crucial because missing it can mean forfeiting the opportunity to recover damages.

For wrongful death claims after a pedestrian accident, families generally have only two years to take legal action. Acting quickly allows your lawyer to gather evidence while it is fresh, build a strong case, and protect your legal rights before deadlines pass.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accidents in Utah

Do I need to call the police after a pedestrian accident?

Yes, a police report provides an official record of the pedestrian accident and can be important evidence when dealing with insurance companies or filing a claim.

What if the driver who hit me does not have insurance?

You may still recover compensation through uninsured motorist coverage, your own insurance policy, or by filing a personal injury claim with the help of pedestrian accident attorneys.

Can I still recover damages if I was partly at fault?

Utah uses comparative negligence, which means you can recover compensation if you are less than 50% at fault, but your percentage of fault will reduce your recovery.

What types of damages are available for pedestrian accident victims?

Victims may recover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. In very serious cases, punitive damages may also apply if there was reckless behavior.

How much does it cost to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer?

Most Utah pedestrian accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing up front and only pay if they secure compensation for your personal injury claim.

Contact Our Ogden Pedestrian Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Contact Our Ogden Pedestrian Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one were injured in a pedestrian accident, acting quickly can make a major difference in your case. ReshLaw knows how difficult life feels when medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress start to pile up after a crash.

Our legal team is ready to step in, protect your legal rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve under Utah law. ReshLaw helps you deal with insurance companies, gather strong evidence, and build a case that aims for the best possible outcome.

We offer every client a free consultation with no obligation, so you can understand your options before making any decisions. Do not wait until it is too late to get help. Contact our office today and let our Ogden pedestrian accident lawyer stand by your side from start to finish.

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