A car accident can happen anywhere, even in a small city like Riverdale. When an accident impacts your life, you could find yourself inundated with medical bills, out of work, and coping with significant pain. It could be challenging to get your life back on track, and you may want to turn to an insurance claim for assistance.
Unfortunately, many people discover that insurance claims can be complicated. Utah’s required Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is helpful for minor car accident injuries.
However, once you cross the threshold of $3,000 in medical bills, you become eligible for an at-fault claim. But when you make a fault claim, the other driver and/or their insurance company may believe you are to blame.
Preparing for an at-fault claim is essential, so we recommend that you secure a copy of your car accident report and speak with an experienced car accident lawyer. If you need help with your report, Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers is always available for a free consultation to answer questions and explain your options.
How Can You Get a Copy of Your Riverdale Police Car Accident Report?
You can download and complete the Riverdale City Records Request form online. Be sure to fill it out completely, as incomplete forms may be rejected.
You’ll need to state your name, address, phone number, and email address. Including the case number is also essential. Typically, the responding officer will give you a piece of paper with the case number, but if you can’t find it, you can call the Police Department to get the number.
Their phone number is (801) 394-6616.
In the next section, you’ll need to provide as many details as possible about the accident, including the date, location, and approximate time.
Because car accident reports are not public in Utah, you must explain your involvement in the collision. Records will be released to those who are directly involved, such as drivers, passengers, injured people, and owners of damaged property.
A representative of an involved party, such as a lawyer or insurance agent, can also request a report. Additionally, parents or legal guardians of minors involved in the collision can seek an accident report on their behalf.
You have the option to inspect the records or receive a paper or electronic copy. Costs vary depending on the length of the report and how long it takes to compile but are usually at least $10. In some cases, accident photos may be available for $25.
After finishing the form, email it to cbaur@riverdalecity.com or drop it off at the police station during normal business hours. The address is:
4580 South Weber River Dr.
Riverdale, UT 84405
You should receive a response to your request within ten business days.
Who Is at Fault in a Car Accident?
Disputes about fault often come up in car accident cases. Frequently, both drivers have different ideas about what happened and who caused the accident.
Their respective insurance companies may also disagree, as both insurance adjusters will want to avoid paying damages if possible.
Sometimes, people seek a police report to get a clearer picture of the fault, but this may also be confusing. A police report lists numerous potential “contributing factors” in an accident.
One collision could have multiple factors, and in some cases, both drivers contributed to the crash.
Utah law does allow for shared fault and uses a system of modified comparative negligence. As a result, an injured person who is partially responsible can still recover some damages if they are less than 50 percent at fault.
However, their settlement will be reduced by the percentage of responsibility they have.
Does Your Police Report Break Down the Percentage of Fault?
No, that is not the responding officer’s job. Their goal is to determine the contributing factors of an accident and who, if anyone, is responsible for these factors.
The breakdown of fault will ultimately be determined by one or more insurance adjusters.
However, this is a somewhat subjective process. When both parties file claims, the adjusters often negotiate until they arrive at a breakdown they both agree on.
Sometimes, an injured party’s share of fault is overestimated, causing them to lose thousands of dollars in damages they deserve.
The reality is that an insurance adjuster works for an insurance company, not any of the injured parties. They will do their best to pay as little as possible on a claim, or nothing at all.
Your lawyer, however, will work to ensure you get the settlement you deserve. We’ll thoroughly investigate, going beyond the police report to canvas the scene, interview witnesses, search for photo or video evidence, request electronic data recorder or EDR records, and more.
We want you to receive everything you need to recover and move on with your life.
How Can You Get Help With Your Car Accident Case?
The legal team at Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers is prepared to help you with your personal injury or car accident case. In your free consultation, we will go over your accident report, answer any questions you have, and give a detailed explanation of your legal options to pursue compensation.
There is no obligation, and if you decide to work with us, you won’t have to pay any fees unless we win your case or secure a settlement on your behalf.
Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers was founded by attorney Brigham Richards, who is committed to protecting the rights of injury victims and their families. With an emphasis on accountability and a personalized approach, Mr. Richards handles each case with the utmost care.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, he works tirelessly to secure the best results for his clients in personal injury cases. He is licensed to practice in Utah and Nevada.
At Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we’ve recovered over $100 million in damages for injured clients and their families. Please contact us today at (801) 810-9999 to find out how we can help you.
