Understanding Insurance for Motorcycle Accidents in Utah

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Utah, you will not have the same insurance coverage as if you were in a car. You may want to speak to a personal injury attorney soon after any motorcycle accident. In Utah, all vehicles must have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. This covers medical expenses up to $3,000.00, lost wages and other benefits regardless of who is at fault. Motorcycles are treated differently. Very few insurance companies provide any coverage similar to PIP. This can have a big impact on what will be covered if you are in an accident.

If you are the one at fault for causing the accident, you are on your own when it comes to your injuries. You will need to send everything through you own health insurance to be paid or pay for your treatment directly to the doctors if you do not have health insurance [Note: some insurance companies offer No Fault Insurance but it is rare. Check with your carrier to see if it is available.]

If another person is at fault for causing the accident, you will eventually be able to collect from the other person’s insurance but you will have to wait until all of your injuries are resolved before the insurance company will offer you a settlement. This usually takes a minimum of 4 months because many injuries are still unresolved and it is difficult to determine the full extent of the damages.

The best thing to do is submit all bills to your health insurance first. For all non covered expenses, we recommend that you do your best to pay them or see if the doctor will wait for payment. Do what you can to avoid more damage to your credit than necessary. Unfortunately, there will not be any immediate coverage for lost wages you may suffer following the accident. You will be able to collect lost wages when you negotiate a final settlement.

Because of the lack of PIP insurance, motorcycle accident victims can suffer more than other accident victims. Contact a local personal injury lawyer who is experienced and can answer your questions. Call an Advocate who can help you weather the storm while you are waiting for a settlement.

Slip and Fall Injuries

It happens to the best of us:  Wham, bam, before you know what happened, you may be laying on the ground after slipping, tripping and/or falling.  Fortunately, most often the only thing injured is our ego. However, sometimes serious injuries can occur as a result of a slip, trip or fall.  In these cases, the question may arise as to who may be responsible and what may be done about it. You may ask yourself, “Do I need a personal injury attorney?”


Who’s responsible:

Owners of stores, office buildings, restaurants, landlords, and businesses are not expected to ensure or cover any accident or injury that occurs on their premises.  Rather, they may be liable only when they fail in their duty to use “reasonable care” in protecting their patrons or tenants from accident.  More particular, Utah courts have recognized two legal theories under which an injured person may recover against a business owner in a slip-and-fall accident.

The first theory applies in cases involving an unsafe condition of a temporary nature such as a slippery substance on a floor.  The Supreme Court of Utah explains in the case of Schnuphse v. Storehouse Markets, 918 P.2d 476 (1996) that in these situations, liability cannot be established unless two conditions are met.  First, the injured party must show that the business owner knew or should have known of the hazardous condition.  Second, the party must show that the business owner had enough time to remedy the unsafe condition had the owner exercised reasonable care, and the owner failed to do so.  In other words, liability in this type of case will only be imposed when the condition existed for a long enough time that the owner should have known about it and had time to correct it, but didn’t.

The second legal theory giving rise to liability for a slip, trip and/or fall accident involves unsafe conditions of a permanent nature.  For example, if the unsafe condition exists due to the structure of a building, stairway, machinery, manner of use etc, then it may not be necessary for the injured party to prove that the owner was on notice of the hazard.   Moreover, an owner of property may be liable for failing to warn patrons of dangers that are not apparent.  On the other hand, an owner may be partially or fully absolved of liability if fault can be apportioned to the person who fell.  For example, it may be difficult to prove liability if the injured party was impaired by drugs or alcohol or wasn’t paying attention and fell on something that was open or obvious.

Steps should be taken in the event of an accident:

1. Report the accident to management as soon as possible and see that a report is made of the incident.  If a report has not been made, then write a letter outlining the details of the accident. 
2. Obtain photos of accident scene and injuries.  Ask the owner or management if security film exists of the accident and that it be preserved.
3. Get names of witnesses and contact information such as addresses, phone numbers and emails.
4. Seek medical help as soon as is reasonably possible.  Make sure that you let your medical provider know that your injuries resulted from the accident.
5. In most cases it is a mistake to try and settle the claim until the full extent of injuries is known and how much the costs are for current and future medical care lost wages, etc.
6. The property owner, manager or insurer may ask the injured party to sign a release, however, do not sign anything until having it reviewed by an personal injury lawyer.

What am I Entitled To?

What does my own insurance cover?

When you own a vehicle that is insured, regardless of who was of fault in the accident, at a minimum you are entitled to receive (PIP) Personal Injury Protection benefits, also known as no fault. There are 3 main benefits you are entitled to:

1. Medical Expenses up to $3000.00: Regardless of who is at fault, each person injured is entitled to a minimum of $3000.00 for and medical expenses. (Check your policy because some have higher amounts). Medical Expenses can be anything from doctor visits to acupuncture, massage therapy, or medications.
2. Lost Wages of $250.00 per week: Personal injury protection also provides lost wages or loss of earnings’ capacity coverage of $250 per week for a maximum of 52 consecutive weeks. The Utah Court of Appeals has concluded that the 52 weeks runs from the date of the first wage loss, not from the date of the accident. Thus, if the accident occurs on January 1, 1999, but the wage loss does not begin until March 1, 1999, the injured party is entitled to lost wage benefits for 52 consecutive weeks from March 1, 1999. PIP “wages” pay for “any loss of gross income” and “loss of earning capacity per person from inability to work.” In other words, if you are looking for work and you are injured in an accident and medically disabled from work, you have suffered “loss of earning capacity” and are entitled to the PIP lost income benefit.
3. Household Services: Following an accident many people are unable to do their own household chores such as cleaning and yard work. Your insurance will pay up to $20.00 per day for someone to help you keep up your home. This is available for up to one year after the accident. The $20.00 per day can sadly add up quickly. If you need someone’s help, even a spouse or child, you can get reimbursed for the time they spend helping. Even if someone regularly helped out for a few months you could be reimbursed over $1000.00.

The policy language for PIP dictates that insured are covered under the policy for damages incurred: “Arising from the use, maintenance, or ownership of a vehicle”. For example, an insured is ready to go on a trip and as they are putting their suitcase in the trunk, he/she bumps their head, knee, or slips on something, lands on the ground and ends up having knee surgery. He/she is able to claim no-fault benefits because he/she was engaged in the use of the vehicle when they injured their knee. These benefits are available to anyone in the vehicle and even extend to pedestrians.

In addition to No Fault benefits, your insurance may have other benefits to which you are entitled including uninsured motorist coverage, rental car coverage, towing, property damage, etc. So make sure you contact your insurance agent or personal injury attorney to know exactly what you are entitled to. If you feel the insurance company is not giving you everything you deserve contact a personal injury lawyer in Utah. 

How to be Sure You Have Chosen a Great Personal Injury Attorney

Personal injury lawyers receive calls almost daily where injured people just like you have been pushed around by the insurance company until they feel like giving up.

Bob, for example, a young man in college and a member of the armed forces, was on his way home from school when he was hit by a reckless driver who ran a red light and slammed into his vehicle. The airbags deployed and fortunately no bones were broken and no serious injury was reported at the scene of the accident.

Bob went home following the accident with a headache and a ringing in his ears he thought go would away after a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately the ringing in his ears never stopped. He went to a specialist who found permanent hearing loss. It was the doctors’ opinion the ringing in Bob’s ears would never go away.

Bob called the insurance company to see if he could get a settlement for the permanent damage done to him by the reckless driver. The insurance company first denied his claim altogether, claiming his injuries were not serious enough to warrant a recovery. It was only after the insurance company had continued to hassle him, Bob finally called a personal injury lawyer. After pushing the case forward the personal injury attorney was able to get Bob a fair settlement for his injuries.

Since you may be uncertain about whether you have a valid personal injury claim or what to do about it, choose an accident attorney who can offer you a one free hour consultation to review your case and your accident lawyer should also be willing to front all of the costs.

Your personal injury lawyer should discuss how to protect your rights and maximize the value of your case. Make sure your accident lawyer answers all of your questions so you can go forward with confidence and peace of mind about your case.

The personal injury attorney will go over the facts of your case with you, ask you questions and review the police report and any photos, estimates or other papers you may have. Then, after a clear understanding of what happened, they should give you an opinion about your case, including your chances for recovery and any problems. Every case is different and the accident attorney should tell you what is best for you under your specific circumstances.

The attorney should be your Advocate and explain your legal rights and your obligations, what papers need to be filed and what reports need to be made. You should understand the entire claims process, so you’ll know exactly what happens from start to finish.

If the facts are in dispute, your advocate will tell you what can be done to prove your side, and how to protect yourself from insurance adjusters and investigators. Your personal injury attorney should also let you know what to expect in the coming weeks and months, so you can have the information you need to be able to make an informed choice about your case.

Here are 6 things you should expect from your injury attorney in Utah:

1. Available. You can speak with an attorney (not an answering service) right now, even after usual business hours.
2. Responsive. The injury lawyer should respond to your needs to provide the best service possible and keep you informed along the way.
3. Networked. Have a network of medical providers that will help you recover your injuries, even if you do not have insurance.
4. Resourceful. The attorney should have agreements with rental car companies and help you get a replacement car within 24 hours.
5. Industrious. Know the value of hard work and to assist you to make ends meet until you can get back to work.
6. Dedicated. The accident attorney should have the abilities and the experience to take your case as far as it needs to go, even to trial if needed to make the insurance company pay.

Way too many people have wished they had acted sooner before important witnesses’ moves and could no longer be found, before delays or gaps in their medical treatment proved fatal to their case.

Some of these people haven’t gone to an accident lawyer because they did not think they had a case, some were intimidated, and some had bad experiences in the past with other accident lawyers. Contact a personal injury lawyer in Utah who fits these criteria and you will do much better resolving the damages sustained in your accident.

Getting Help Negotiating Your way through the Insurance Claim

As you can imagine, insurance companies want to pay as little as possible and drag out the case as long as possible so they can hold onto their money longer. Almost daily injured people just like you have been pushed around until they feel like giving up, or decide not to do anything. Putting things off and waiting for the insurance company to do everything is one of the worst thinks you can do.

A young woman, named Ellen, was on her way home from work and was in stop and go traffic. The cars ahead of her came to a stop and she stopped at the appropriate time. The driver behind her, however, was not paying attention and bumped into the rear of Ellen’s car. Although she felt a jolt in her neck when the accident happened, she thought it was just whiplash and she would be okay. With virtually no damage done to either car, she thought everything would be ok.

On her way home she decided to go to an Instacare just to get checked out. They took X-Rays and told her everything would be okay. She went home that night and went to bed early because she was not feeling a 100%. The next morning, she received a call from the hospital from the radiologist/specialist who looked at her X-Rays, discovering Ellen had broken her neck. They told her she needed to go directly to the hospital for emergency neck surgery. The doctors fused her back with plates and screws the day after this minor accident. Did the insurance company pay up? No, they fought tooth and nail claiming the accident was too small to cause any real injury. It wasn’t until she went to a personal injury lawyer and they completely investigated her case and hired experts showing how the accident had caused her injuries,that the insurance company paid out well over $100,000 for her medical expenses.

The tragedy in all of this is that there are many people out there just like Ellen. Every year, hundreds, if not thousands of people are injured in automobile accidents, work accidents, slip and falls, or by defective products. In some ways, they’re injured all over again by uncaring insurance companies they’re up against.

Since you may be uncertain about whether you have a valid personal injury claim or what to do about it, choose an accident attorney in Utah who can offer you a one free hour consultation to review your case. Your accident lawyer should also be willing to front all of the costs.

Your personal injury lawyer should discuss how to protect your rights and maximize the value of your case. Make sure your accident lawyer answers all of your questions so you can go forward with confidence and peace of mind about your case.

Utah Personal Injury Attorneys Named Super Lawyer Rising Star

(Salt Lake City, UT) – Recently Utah personal injury attorney Dave Tullis of The Advocates was named a Rising Star in the legal industry by Super Lawyers Magazine as part of the 2010 Mountain States Super Lawyers & Rising Stars. Tullis is trial lawyer with the Advocates, specializing in personal injury, truck and motorcycle accidents. He received his J.D. from the California Western School of Law in 2005.

“I am excited about Dave’s recognition. It shows he and our firm are recognized as top lawyers in the personal injury field,” said Advocates founding partner Matt Driggs. “This honor highlights the remarkable work we do for our clients in the personal injury field and shows the legal community recognizes our ability and integrity.”

Super Lawyers identifies only the top 2.5 percent of attorneys in each state as Rising Stars, chosen by their peers and through the independent research of Law & Politics, focusing on attorney who are under 40 and have been practicing for less than ten years. The objective of the Super Lawyers selection process is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource to assist attorneys and sophisticated consumers in the search for legal counsel. The process is a comprehensive, good-faith and detailed attempt to produce a list of lawyers that have attained high peer recognition, meet ethical standards, and have demonstrated some degree of achievement in their field.

The Utah Advocates at Driggs, Bills and Day is a Utah personal injury law firm with offices in Salt Lake City, Ogden and Provo. The Advocates handle all types of accident case to get clients the results they deserve. The personal injury attorneys at Driggs, Bills and Day have recovered over $100 million dollars on behalf of their clients. The Advocates hold the highest distinction of AV from Martindale-Hubbell law rankings and were named as Legal Elite by Utah Business Magazine.

Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

Dog Bites and Animal Attacks in Utah

If you have been attacked by a dog in Utah or if the dog caused you an injury, (i.e. knocks you over) you have the right to pursue a claim against the dog owner for your injuries. If you have been injured by a dog, you need an Advocate who will help you understand your rights and will help you resolve your claim fairly.

Dog Bites and Other Injuries Caused by Dogs

In Utah the law protects people who have been injured by dogs. Utah code section 18-1-1 makes dog owners or dog keepers responsible for all injuries caused by their dog. You do not have to show that the dog owner was negligent or that the dog had bitten someone before. You merely have to show that the dog caused the injury. Even if it was an accident, the dog owner must pay for the injuries caused by their dog.

Animal Attacks in Utah

If you have been bitten or injured by a cat, bird, snake or any other domestic animal in Utah, you must show that the owner was negligent in order to recover for your injuries. Although more difficult to prove than dog bites, you can still recover if you show the owner was irresponsible or careless. Every situation will be different and it is important to contact a personal injury attorney in Utah to discuss the facts and your rights.

What to do After Being Injured by a Dog or Domestic Animal

1. Seek Medical Attention: Doctors can help minimize infections and can reduce future scaring.
2. Determine the owner of the dog or animal.
3. Contact the local animal control services or report the attack to the police department.
4. Take photos of the injuries and dog, if possible.
5. Determine if the animal is current on all vaccinations.
6. Keep copies of all medical records and bills.
7. Contact the home owner’s insurance company of the dog owner; report the claim.
8. Contact a personal injury lawyer in Utah who is experienced in dog bites or animal attacks. You deserve an Advocate who will help you with all aspects of your claim.

Preparing Your Case for Settlement

Your “Day in the life” letter: preparing your case for settlement. Below, you will find some steps to help you prepare your letter to the insurance company.

In order to prepare your claim for settlement to the insurance company, you need to write a letter detailing how this accident and your injuries have affected your life. Start with the accident itself and describe your feelings, how you were injured, and what you went through at that time.

Take a normal day, from the time you get up until the time you go to bed, explaining in detail how this accident has changed your life (e.g., the way you put on your clothes, the way you get in and out of bed, the way you take a shower or bath, etc.). If you were affected immediately after the accident from the way it is now, describe how it has affected you from the time of the accident up to the present time.

Write down how this has changed your life regarding work, playtime, hobbies, your life as a spouse (if applicable), etc.

Give a description of your pain, both at the scene of the occurrence and at all times thereafter. Describe the pain in detail, whether it is a shooting pain, throbbing pain, etc. Write down the pain during any hospital treatment, along with your pain and discomfort since the injury.

A good rule to follow in order to remember all of your problems is to start at your head, neck, and down through your toes describing, your injuries. Remember any medication you have had to take due to this accident and list any side effects you are experiencing from the medication. List specific activities you must now perform at home which take up your time, such as exercise, heat and/or ice treatments, etc.

List any activities you can no longer perform or perform with pain or difficulty, including household chores, or your job. Ask yourself, “Have my injuries caused me and my family members any economic hardships? What have I missed in life since my accident, such as hobbies, sports, vacations, recreations, etc?

Lastly, make your letter as personal as possible and make it a human interest story. Have you had any experiences where your injuries have caused you embarrassment? These are examples of an invasion of your dignity, and the law says that when someone has negligently inflicted an injury upon you, they have done more than invade your wallet. Remember, you know your own life better than anyone, so use your imagination and go into all the aspects of your life.

This letter can now be used by your personal injury lawyer to present your claim more effectively to the insurance company, which will ultimately result in a better recovery for you.

What Should I do after and Accident

Begin to resolve your problems resulting from an auto accident in Utah.

The first thing you should do after an auto accident in Utah is contact your insurance company and report the accident. Call your agent and tell them what happened. Your insurance company will then begin its investigation of the claim and assign a claim number to your case.

Next, contact the other parties’ insurance company and report the claim. Make sure you have your claim number and the name and phone number of the adjuster assigned to your case, you will need this information. CAUTION: If the other parties’ insurance wants to get a recorded statement, Do Not give it, the statement will be used against you. Only give a recorded statement after discussing the consequences with a personal injury lawyer in Utah.

Soon after your accident, go and see a doctor or chiropractor to get checked out. Your insurance company will pay the cost of the exam so don’t wait to set up your doctor’s appointment. All injuries should be discussed with your medical provider and documented in his/her records. Make sure to attend all of your appointments and follow all of the doctors’ recommendations. If you need help finding a local medical provider, you may ask your personal injury lawyer for a recommendation.

Remember there are rigid time deadlines that exist in which to sue or make claims for different types of accidents, and failure to act timely to protect yourself can become a complete barrier to your right to recover.

-Motor Vehicle Accident 4 Years

-Claims against your own insurance 3 years

-Slip and Fall 4 years

-Claims against government entities 1 year

(WARNING: THESE ARE GENERAL STATEMENTS OF LIMITATIONS. THERE ARE MANY EXCEPTIONS AND YOU SHOULD CONSULT A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY CONCERNING YOUR PARTICULAR CLAIM AND THE APPLICABLE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS AND ANY AVAILABLE EXCEPTIONS)

Remember, there are two different insurance companies. You may run into problems with one or both. In order to have a better chance with your claim consulting with an accident lawyer in Utah, who does free consultations, will help you get over some of the major pitfalls many run into on their own.

Don’t Hold Your Breath

You counting on the Insurance Company to make Things Right with You, Don’t hold your breath.

The harsh reality is that the big and powerful insurance companies often try to force the injured party into accepting a lower settlement for their injuries than they truly deserve. Insurance companies are in business to make money and the less they pay you, the more profit they can put into their own deep pockets. They will try to get you to accept a lesser amount than you deserve. Hundreds of people each year recover far less compensation than they’re entitled to receive. Often times the insurance company will try to wear you out.

Gathering information about the accident and your injuries is critical to obtaining a fair recovery. In some ways your life after an accident is a puzzle that has been shaken and scattered all over a table. The accident attorney’s job, with your help, is to not only to put all of the pieces of your life back together, but explain all of your injuries to the insurance company. Accidents affect many parts of your life including losing your vehicle and the hassles of getting a rental car or replacement. Your health may be affected by pain and disfigurement. The list could go on and on about how your life can be changed from the accident.

Obtaining information regarding your injuries is vital because the information you give to the insurance company will be used to determine the amount it will offer. If there is more information, the insurance company will likely give more. It is unlikely that the insurance company will pay for something it does not know about. So gather information including medical records, medical bills, wage loss information from your employer, photos, etc.

Remember, insurance companies are in business to make money and will try to wear you out. The more informed and prepared you are when you talk with your insurance company, the better you will do.

What do I do?!

List of important “To-do’s” after you have been in a motor vehicle accident in Utah


TALK TO NO ONE: Do not talk to anyone about your accident except your personal injury attorney in Utah or investigators from the law firm. If someone calls requesting information, refer them to your accident lawyer. If you do not have a personal injury attorney, be careful about the information you give out. Cooperate with your insurance company but be cautious about talking to the other person’s insurance company.

YOUR DOCTOR: Please keep all appointments with your doctor(s) and see them as necessary for treatment of your injuries. Cases are sometimes lost because a client delays seeking treatment for injuries or does not complete treatment. Always tell the doctors about all of your complaints. Please advise your accident attorney of the names and addresses of any additional doctors you may see.

RECORDS OF COMPLAINTS: Keep a daily or weekly record of your complaints and progress. A diary is helpful when you are later called upon to recall and relate your pain and suffering.

LOST WAGES: Please keep a daily or weekly record of all the days or hours lost from work because of your injuries. Obtain letters from your doctors and your employer to document your lost wages.

MEDICAL BILLINGS: Obtain and keep duplicate copies of all medical, hospital and prescription bills. Also keep records of any other expenses you may have in connection with your accident, such as the hiring of extra help. All of your bills should be paid by a check and you should obtain and keep receipts. Also, remember to keep a list of all your medical bills and mileage costs incurred in going to your doctor.

CAR REPAIR: Do not have your automobile repaired until you are sure that you and your accident lawyer have pictures of it.

WITNESSES: Immediately write down the name, address and telephone number of any and all witnesses you may learn of. Write down names of family members, friends, or coworkers who would be able to testify about how this accident has affected your life. They need to be able to explain differences before, between, and after the accident.

SAVE YOUR CAST: If your injury requires a cast, brace, traction, or other appliance, save it. When the case is set for hearing you may bring these items with you as evidence of your injury.

PHOTOGRAPHS: Obtain photographs pertaining to your case which you or any of your friends/family has taken. These photos may be of your injuries, damages to your car, or even photos of the accident scene. Take plenty of pictures.

HOSPITAL AND DOCTORS BILLS: Have your own auto insurance carrier pay as many hospital and doctors bills as possible under the medical payment provisions of your policy. When you have met the limits of your auto insurance you should then have your health insurance pay your hospital and doctor bills. Do not expect doctors and hospitals to wait until your case is settled to receive payment.

TALK TO A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER: Calling a personal injury lawyer in Utah is a smart way to find out if you have a case and when you call the right personal injury attorney it is always free.

Utah Personal Injury Attorneys Win Big for Hurt Client

(Salt Lake City, UT) – Utah personal injury attorneys, The Advocates at Driggs, Bills and Day, recently won a case for an injured client who was hurt in automobile accident over three years ago. In November of 2006, the man was rear ended while stopped at a red light. The other car slammed into his car, leaving him with spinal medical issues. After years of pain and suffering, he went to The Advocates.

“When insurance companies won’t work with you, getting what you need can be a long process,” said founding partner and personal injury attorney Matthew Driggs. “But we don’t give up. Because of that, our client was able to get money to pay for his past and future medical bills and make up for the lost work time.”
Prior to trial, the highest offer from the insurance company was $9,650, which would do little to help pay for personal injury and lost work time. The client had over $15,000 in past medical bills and another $35,000 to pay, plus had not been able to work full time in over three years. With the help of The Advocates, the jury awarded the man $120,000 to pay for his past medical bills and lost work compensation, and to pay for a future spinal fusion surgery, which should greatly alleviate his pain.

“Our client was a flooring subcontractor, which means he spends all day on his knees installing flooring. With the injuries to his back and neck, he has been at half capacity, losing money and piling up medical bills. With this settlement, he will be able to get the surgery he needs to put him back at 100%. This is how every case should go; the compensation was fair and reasonable and will really help our client get back to work and provide for his family.”

The Utah Advocates at Driggs, Bills and Day is a Utah personal injury law firm with offices in Salt Lake City, Ogden and Provo. The Advocates handle all types of accident case to get clients the results they deserve. The personal injury attorneys at Driggs, Bills and Day have recovered over $100 million dollars on behalf of their clients. The Advocates hold the highest distinction of AV from Martindale-Hubbell law rankings and were named as SuperLawyers by Mountain States Lawyers Magazine and as Legal Elite by Utah Business Magazine.

Utah Personal Injury Attorneys Named Legal Elite

(Salt Lake City, UT) – Recently Utah personal injury attorneys Dave Tullis, Steven Linton and Damian Kidd of The Advocates were named as the best of the best in Utah law with a ranking in Utah's Legal Elite 2010 by Utah Business Magazine.

“I am proud that so many members of our law firm were named members of Utah’s Legal Elite, especially since this award is determined by the best legal minds in Utah stating who they would recommend to others,” said founding partner Driggs. “This recognition underscores the remarkable work we do for our clients in the personal injury field and shows that others in the legal community recognize our ability and integrity.”

Utah’s Legal Elite is a statewide listing of top Utah lawyers decided by peer ballot within the legal profession. Honorees are selected by members of the Utah State Bar, which were then voted on and the list pared down by a blue ribbon panel of prominent attorneys.

More than 5,000 ballots were sent to State Bar members, asking them to vote for peers whom they deem to be Utah's best lawyers in several areas, including personal injury. Bar members were encouraged to vote for lawyers whose work they have observed firsthand to be above and beyond, and whose services they would recommend to others. The judging panel included a collection of senior attorneys covering practice areas and bringing a wealth of knowledge regarding Utah's legal community to the table.

The Utah Advocates at Driggs, Bills and Day is a Utah personal injury law firm with offices in Salt Lake City, Ogden and Provo. The Advocates handle all types of accident case to get clients the results they deserve. The personal injury attorneys at Driggs, Bills and Day have recovered over $100 million dollars on behalf of their clients. The Advocates hold the highest distinction of AV from Martindale-Hubbell law rankings and were named as SuperLawyers by Mountain States Lawyers Magazine.

Utah Personal Injury Lawyers Awarded Prestigious Ranking

(Salt Lake City, UT) – Martindale-Hubbell, the premiere lawyer rating organization in the United States has awarded Utah personal injury law firm, The Advocates of Driggs, Bills and Day, its highest distinction for practicing lawyers, the AV rating, indicating the highest level of legal ability and ethics.

The AV rating identifies lawyers with the best legal ability and is the highest reflection of expertise, skill, experience, integrity and overall professional excellence. AV denotes strict adherence to professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability and diligence.

“It is an honor to receive this rating from such a respected entity. At The Advocates, we share an unyielding commitment and dedication to our clients and their cases. We understand that personal injury is a difficult area of law and that our clients have real needs. We are excited to see our efforts and talents recognized by a national group,” said Matthew Driggs, founder of The Advocates.

Martindale-Hubbell ratings are considered invaluable when evaluating an attorney. When looking for a lawyer, consumers need to have confidence in the individual under consideration. By reviewing the ratings, they can select counsel with superior ethics, as well as the desired level of professional experience.

Martindale-Hubbell ratings are established by lawyers for lawyers, in several areas including personal injury. Ratings are based on the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary, including both those who are rated and those who are not. Martindale-Hubbell representatives conduct personal interviews to discuss lawyers under review with other members of the Bar. In addition, confidential questionnaires are sent to lawyers and judges in the same geographic location and/or area of practice as the lawyer being rated.
For over 130 years, Martindale-Hubbell has been the most respected source of authoritative and dependable information about members of the legal community in the Unites States, Canada and throughout the world.

The Utah Advocates at Driggs, Bills and Day is a Utah personal injury law firm with offices in Salt Lake City, Ogden and Provo. The Advocates handle all types of accident case to get clients the results they deserve. The personal injury attorneys at Driggs, Bills and Day have recovered over $100 million dollars on behalf of their clients. The Advocates were named as Utah's Legal Elite by Utah Business Magazine and included in SuperLawyers by Mountain States Lawyers Magazine.

Insurance Tricks of the Trade

The link below is a publication describing some ways the insurance companies attempt to make money at the expense of the consumers.  It will cover the following tactics:

• Denying Claims
• Delaying Until Death
• Confusing Consumers
• Discriminating by Credit Score
• Abandon the Sick
• Canceling for a Call

We are here to help you beat their ways!  Don't give up!  They want you to give in.  Learn their ways and fight for what you deserve!  Call an Advocate today!

Insurance Tactics Brochure

Dog Bite 101

Here are ways to prevent a dog bite:

Do not leave young children around the animal alone.

• Do not go near a dog that is chained up.
• Try to put an item in front of you and the animal, so that the animal bites that first.
• Do not try to seperate two fighting animals.
• Do not try to pet an animal in an empty vehicle.
• Do no walk clos to the animals yare without a fence.
• Do no go near animals you do not know.
• Do notbother tha nimals while they are eating.
• Check with the owner of the animal on the leash before touching the animal.
• Becareful around animals that are newly purchased. Sometimes the owner does not know the history of the animal.

Here are a list of dog breed that have a higher attack rate:

• Pit Bull
• Rottweiler
• Bull Terrier
• Akita
• Chow
• Doberman Pincher
• German Shepherd
• Great Dane
• Siberian Husky

If you have been bitten by a dog or any other animal, we can help. Our attorneys represent many dog bite victims every year and know what it takes to make sure you get fair compensation from insurance companies. be sure to take photos of the bite before contacting any attorney. Photos of the animal that bit you would help your case as well. Learn more about Dog bite preventions from the Humane Society of the United States.

Do you have a case against Yaz or Yasmine?

Have you or a loved one taken Yaz or Yasmin birth control pills and has suffered one of the following?

• Stroke
• Blood Clots
• Heart Attack
• Gall Bladder Disease
• Pulmonary Embolism
• Deep Vein Thrombosis

Studies have shown Yaz and Yasmin to cause an increased risk for blood clots. These blood clots can lead to the problems listed above and even death. In addition, blood clots can lead to major complications during pregnancy.

If you have suffered one of the above injuries or conditions, you may have a claim against Bayer, the maker of Yaz and Yasmin, but your window of opportunity is closing.

You must act immediately or your claim may expire. Contact us now and we'll answer any questions you have for free. We have recovered over $100,000.00 for thousands of clients injured by Fen-phen and Vioxx. Let us put our experience to work for you!