When a negligent driver causes a crash, the effects can cause months of difficulties. You might find yourself dealing with pain, lost wages, mounting medical expenses, and car repairs.
How can you get your life back on track after this challenging situation?
Many motorists start by making a claim on their own insurance through Utah’s no-fault car accident rules. Still, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance only covers up to $3,000 in medical expenses.
A short trip to the emergency room can easily surpass this amount, depending on the required tests and treatments. Additional follow-up care can further add to the costs.
Because estimating your total medical expenses while still in treatment is challenging, it’s wise to get a copy of your accident report and consult with a personal injury attorney. Doing so can help protect your rights if your medical expenses exceed your PIP coverage limits, making an at-fault claim necessary.
How to Get Your Herriman Police Department Car Accident Report
The Herriman Police Department accepts records requests in person, by mail, or online. Accident reports are $10, with an additional $15 fee when you request photos (if available).
What Is Required on a Records Request?
The report request form is available online. You must provide your name, address, phone number, email address, and a description of the requested records.
Most of the time, the officer who responds to your collision will give you a case number, but if you can’t find it, list the date, time, and location of the accident.
You’ll be asked if you want to receive the report by email or pick it up in person. If you choose the email option, you’ll be given instructions on how to pay by phone once the request is approved and the records are located.
You can also choose to view the records in person at no charge, but you will not be provided copies.
Once you’ve completed the form, you have several options to turn it in:
- You may email the request form to records@herrimanpd.org.
- You can mail it or deliver it in person to the address listed below.
The Herriman PD is located at:
5355 West Main Street
Herriman, UT 84096
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to PM.
If you email or mail your request, be sure to include a copy of your state-issued ID. When picking up your report in person, bring the ID with you.
What Does the Police Report Say About Fault?
This is an important question when you meet the threshold for an at-fault claim, and the police report serves as a crucial piece of evidence in this situation. Insurance adjusters for both parties will carefully review the report to identify any signs of liability.
When a police officer arrives at the scene of an accident, they will speak with the drivers, passengers, and any witnesses. The officer will also note any physical evidence, like skid marks, vehicle damage, or debris on or around the road.
Additionally, they will document other relevant factors, such as weather or road conditions, that might have contributed to the accident—for instance, slippery roads, fog, or limited visibility.
On your accident report, you’ll find a list of contributing factors that may be assigned to each driver. These include a wide range of possibilities, from speeding to distracted driving to ignoring traffic lights and many other infractions.
Sometimes, both drivers will have contributing factors, while in other cases, these are only attributed to one driver.
Other contributing factors may deal with vehicle or road conditions.
If the Police Report Says I Did Something Wrong, Am I at Fault?
It depends on the circumstances. First, we recommend you discuss your report with an attorney to ensure you’ve interpreted it correctly—these forms are lengthy and challenging to read if you’re not familiar with them.
You may have simply misunderstood the meaning of something in the report.
It’s also beneficial to understand that not every accident is one driver’s fault. We see many cases where both motorists made split-second mistakes that contributed to the crash.
When this occurs, the involved insurance companies will work to determine what percentage of fault is assigned to each driver.
This part is crucial because your percentage of responsibility may determine whether or not you can recover damages. Utah law says that you can still collect damages for your injuries if you are less than 50 percent to blame.
However, your percentage of fault will be deducted from your final settlement. For instance, if you were 20 percent at fault, you could recover 80 percent of your damages.
Unfortunately, sometimes, an insurance adjuster may not calculate the percentage of fault accurately. When this happens, an injured person may receive less than they deserve for their losses.
The best way to protect your rights in this situation is to seek help from an experienced car accident attorney who can fight for a fair assessment of your contributions (if any).
Where Can I Get Help With My Car Accident Claim?
The skilled car accident attorneys at Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers are ready to assist you. We offer a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your accident, address any concerns, and explore your options for pursuing compensation.
There’s no obligation, and if we take on your case, you won’t pay any fees unless we secure a successful outcome or settlement on your behalf.
Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers was established by attorney Brigham Richards, who has extensive experience managing insurance claims and personal injury matters. Dedicated to securing the best possible outcomes for his clients, Mr. Richards emphasizes accountability as a core value of his practice.
Licensed in Utah and Nevada, he has advocated for personal injury clients since 2012. He treats every client with the utmost importance and is prepared to help you with your car accident injury claim.
To learn more about your options after a car accident or other personal injury, please contact Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free consultation today at (801) 810-9999.
