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.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
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.
“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.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
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.
“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.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
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.
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.
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