No one is ever expecting to have a car accident, so when a collision does occur, you may be unsure of how to cover medical bills and other expenses. For most minor collisions where medical costs are under $3,000, you can typically file a no-fault claim through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance.
However, if the accident is more serious, resulting in significant medical bills beyond $3,000 or permanent injuries, you may be eligible to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance. These claims can be more difficult to pursue because of several factors:
Your claim may be denied or your settlement reduced based on the insurance company’s determination of fault. This determination is somewhat subjective, and the insurance adjuster will be most concerned with lowering their costs.
If you are partially at fault (less than 50 percent responsible), you may still receive compensation, but it will be docked based on your percentage of fault. This percentage is also determined by the insurance adjuster.
Insurance companies may overestimate your responsibility, potentially costing you thousands in deserved damages.
The adjuster could also undervalue your damages, leading to a lower settlement.
Given how crucial establishing fault is in these cases, it’s important to obtain a copy of your police report quickly and review it with an experienced car accident attorney. The team at Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers offers free consultations to help you learn more about your options after a car accident.
How Can You Get a Springville Police Department Car Accident Report Today?
In January 2020, the Springville Police Department stopped maintaining and distributing car accident reports. Instead, they advise that you obtain one from CrashDocs.org.
You will need to enter the case number provided by the responding officer at the scene. Then, you’ll enter the accident date and the driver’s last name.
When the record is located, you will be charged a fee (usually around $15), which can be paid online with a credit or debit card.
When Will Your Report Become Available Online?
In most cases, reports are ready within 5 to 7 business days of the accident. Occasionally, it may take ten days or more, especially if the police are still investigating the collision.
What Does PIP Insurance Cover?
Utah requires PIP insurance so that less severe accidents can be addressed without a lawsuit or a complicated at-fault claim. PIP’s coverage is limited to the following:
Medical expenses. As long as your injuries happened in an incident involving a vehicle, you should be covered for up to $3,000 in medical bills.
Lost wages due to injuries. It’s important to understand that PIP won’t cover all your lost wages but may cover some. It will pay $250 a week, or 85 percent of gross income lost, whichever amount is lower. Technically, these benefits can last up to 52 weeks, but most people will hit their policy limit long before then. Additionally, if your injuries are serious enough to leave you out of work for weeks at a time, it’s more likely your medical bills will be higher than $3,000, and you may qualify for an at-fault claim.
Special allowances. In some cases, you may receive an allowance of up to $20 a day for non-medical services. This applies only if you cannot do the tasks you normally would at home and have to hire someone.
To claim lost wages or special allowances, you will usually need a note from your doctor explaining that you can’t work or perform specific tasks.
How Can a PIP Claim Be Denied if PIP Is No-Fault Insurance?
Your PIP claim can’t be denied because you’re at fault, but there are other reasons it could be rejected.
One frequent scenario occurs when the insurance adjuster believes your injuries were not caused by the car accident. In most cases, this is caused by a delay in seeking care after the collision.
Frequently, people believe their injuries are too minor to warrant a trip to the emergency room, or they may not immediately experience significant pain or symptoms. However, they might experience more intense pain later or within a few days.
By the time they see a doctor, several days may have elapsed since the accident.
The best way to avoid this situation is to see a healthcare provider as soon as you have any pain or symptoms following an accident—even if you think your injuries are mild. This establishes that you were injured while allowing the healthcare provider to screen you for potentially serious injuries.
If you need follow-up care, it will be easier for another provider to understand the possible effects of your accident on your current condition.
If you did wait to pursue treatment and your claim has been denied, speak with an attorney immediately. In some cases, we may be able to help you gather evidence to show your injuries were caused by the crash.
What About Other Car Accident Damages?
PIP covers only medical bills and the related expenses listed above. It does not cover vehicle repairs or other property damage—you will need to file an at-fault claim for those.
PIP doesn’t cover noneconomic damages like pain and suffering, either. However, if you qualify for an at-fault claim, you can pursue pain and suffering, as well as more robust compensation for lost wages and medical bills.
If your medical bills exceed $3,000 or you suffered a permanent disability, disfigurement, or impairment from the accident, please consult an attorney right away to determine if you’re eligible for an at-fault claim.
How Can You Get More Help With Your Car Accident Case?
The team at Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers is dedicated to assisting with car accident and personal injury cases throughout Utah. Contact us today at (801) 810-9999 for a complimentary consultation, where we’ll review your accident report and answer any questions you may have.
If we take your case, you won’t pay any fees unless we successfully win or settle it.
Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers was established by attorney Brigham Richards, who has passionately represented injury victims and their families since 2012. With a deep sense of responsibility, Mr. Richards prioritizes every client.
Fluent in English and Spanish, he is committed to obtaining the best possible settlements for his clients and is licensed to practice law in Utah and Nevada.
Additional Questions?
We have helped many clients recover from injuries resulting from car accidents in West Valley, Salt Lake City, and the greater Utah area. We are here to help you recover after an accident. If you've been injured, don't hesitate to call Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. We have recovered millions for our clients and we are ready to fight for you.
You will need to enter the case number provided by the responding officer at the scene. Then, you’ll enter the accident date and the driver’s last name.
