Distracted or negligent drivers don’t always realize the consequences of their actions until it’s too late. Sadly, careless driving can quickly result in car accidents, often causing severe injuries to those involved.
One person’s split-second error could leave you in pain and out of work for days, weeks, or even months.
In Utah, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is required and may help cover minor medical expenses. But if your medical costs exceed $3,000, you might need to seek additional compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance.
When this happens, insurance adjusters could try to minimize or deny your claim based on fault, leaving you to deal with mounting medical bills, physical pain, and lost income from missed work.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s crucial to prepare for the possibility of an at-fault claim by obtaining the accident report and consulting an experienced car accident attorney. The team at Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers offers a free consultation to address your questions and help you explore your legal options.
How Can You Get Your Taylorsville Police Department Car Accident Report?
The Taylorsville Police Department uses an online form for report requests.
Reports cost $10 and include accident scene photos (if available). Payment can be made online, with a $5 convenience fee for using the payment portal.
Be sure to complete your request before paying, as you will need the request number.
What Should You Include on the Request Form?
In the “Request Description” field, you’ll need to provide the case number, which you can find on the paperwork provided by the responding officer. If you are unable to locate the case number, you should provide other specifics, like the date, location, and approximate time of the accident, plus the names of the involved parties.
Due to Utah’s privacy laws, it’s a good idea to explain your involvement in the accident. Mention if you were a driver, passenger, injured person, owner of involved property, etc.
Under the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), traffic accident reports are usually only released to involved parties or their representatives (like lawyers or insurance agents).
If you are the parent or legal guardian of an involved minor, you can request the report for them. However, you will need to upload a copy of their birth certificate.
The rest of the form asks for standard contact information, including name, address, phone number, and email address. If your request is approved, you will receive your report via email, so you must include an email address.
When Can You Expect a Response to Your Report Request?
If you have not heard back within ten business days, you can sign in to the online portal and check the status of your request here.
Do You Need an Attorney to Help With Your Car Accident Claim?
You can file one or more insurance claims on your own, but an experienced car accident lawyer can help you avoid a number of pitfalls in securing the settlement you deserve. Here are some examples of how we can make the process easier for you:
- We can help you manage communications with the insurance company. Dealing with insurance adjusters can be more complicated than it seems, especially when addressing a claim where fault is involved. An innocent comment could be misinterpreted by an adjuster, making it appear as though you were responsible for the accident.
- We’ll assist you in determining fault. Frequently, people tell us they think they were at fault for an accident, but it turns out they’re incorrect. If you suspect you might be at fault, it’s important not to admit it at the scene or discuss it with anyone other than your lawyer. Fault can be complicated, and assumptions made at the time of the accident may not reflect the reality of the situation.
- When necessary, we’ll work to establish the percentage of fault for each driver. Many accidents involve some degree of shared responsibility, where both drivers made errors that contributed to the collision. In these cases, it’s essential to determine the proportion of fault. If you are less than 50% responsible, you can still recover damages from the other driver, although your settlement will be reduced by your percentage of culpability.
- We can fight for a fair estimation of your contributions. Insurance adjusters may sometimes exaggerate your share of the blame, costing you significant compensation. Your attorney will work to ensure a reasonable assessment of fault.
- Our investigative team can learn more about the accident. If you believe the other driver was at fault but they’re blaming you, please contact a lawyer immediately. The sooner we canvass the scene, the better our chances of finding additional evidence to prove your case, such as photos or videos, witnesses, electronic data from involved vehicles, and more.
- We’ll ensure that all your damages are properly evaluated. A common challenge is when an insurance adjuster either misses some damages or undervalues them. Many people aren’t aware of the true value of their claim and may accept an insufficient offer from the insurance company. To avoid settling for less than you deserve, we recommend discussing any settlement offer with a lawyer before accepting, even if you’ve filed the claim on your own.
Where Can You Get Legal Advice About Your Car Accident or Police Report?
Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers is ready to assist you with your personal injury or car accident claim. During your free consultation, we’ll thoroughly review your accident report, answer your questions, and clearly explain your legal options for pursuing compensation.
There’s no pressure to proceed, and if we take your case, you won’t pay any fees unless we win or secure a settlement on your behalf.
Attorney Brigham Richards, the founder of Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, is dedicated to protecting the rights of injury victims and their families. His practice is grounded in the principle of accountability, with a strong focus on prioritizing each client’s needs.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Mr. Richards works tirelessly to achieve the best possible results for his clients in personal injury cases.
With a track record of recovering over $100 million for clients, Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers is prepared to help you as well. Contact us today at (801) 810-9999 to find out how we can assist you in seeking the compensation you deserve.
