A car accident can turn your life upside down, leaving you to deal with a host of difficulties. Painful injuries often bring expensive medical bills, and recovery may force you to take time off from work.
So how can you get the support you need to manage both your injuries and the financial impact?
Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may need to file a no-fault claim with your own insurance, pursue an at-fault claim against the other driver’s insurance, or both. However, with an at-fault claim, the insurance adjuster might attempt to place blame on you.
Sometimes, the injured person also assumes they are at fault when they may not be.
It’s also important to note that some accidents involve shared fault, which might reduce your settlement but doesn’t always prevent you from seeking compensation.
Navigating these complexities can be overwhelming, but consulting an experienced car accident attorney will clarify your options. At Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we offer free consultations to help address your pressing concerns about a car accident.
There’s no obligation, and you won’t pay any fees unless we win or settle your case, so please contact us today to learn more.
Where Can You Get a Utah County Sheriff’s Office Car Accident Report?
Accident report requests must be made in writing. The Utah County Sheriff’s Office notes that you can submit your request in letter form or use the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) form.
However, using the form will likely make it easier to organize all the needed information.
In the form’s “Request Description” box, you should include as much information as possible about the accident. State that you need an accident report or DI-9, and provide the case number if possible (This number is generally provided by the responding officer).
Additionally, give the date, time, and location of the collision, and mention the responding agency (in this case, Utah County Sheriff’s Office). If you know the officer’s name, include that as well.
Also, note if you seek to inspect the record or receive a copy and how much you are willing to pay in fees. Most reports cost $5, and you can request photos from the accident scene on a CD for an additional $5 fee.
Finally, explain your involvement in the accident—driver, passenger, injured party, owner of involved vehicles or damaged property, parent of an involved minor, etc. Utah privacy laws limit the release of accident records to the public, but involved parties and their representatives can access them.
You will also be asked for contact information so they can let you know when the record is available. Records will not be released without photo ID, and you can attach a copy of your ID before submitting the form.
After you make your request, allow ten business days to receive a response.
Other Steps to Take After a Car Accident
Get Medical Care for Injuries
Sometimes, injured people delay seeking medical treatment after a car accident for various reasons. In many cases, they don’t immediately notice pain or symptoms, as the adrenaline from the crash can mask injuries.
As time passes, however, injuries can become more painful when inflammation and swelling set in.
In other instances, people assume their injuries are minor and will heal independently without medical intervention.
What typically happens is that the person eventually consults a healthcare provider when their pain persists for several days. By this point, they may face difficulty getting their medical bills covered by insurance, as the adjuster could argue the injuries aren’t connected to the accident.
For this reason, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as you experience any pain or symptoms following a car accident.
Gather Bills and Expenses
Before settling your claim, the insurance company may ask for your medical bills and other related receipts. Be sure to keep all documentation, including hospital and doctor bills, as well as receipts for out-of-pocket expenses like pharmacy costs, copays, mobility aids, and physical therapy supplies.
You may also be eligible for reimbursement for travel costs if you need to visit a specialist outside your area, so retain any receipts for gas or mileage records.
Take Photos of Damage and Injuries
Insurance adjusters will want to evaluate the damage to both vehicles. This helps show the extent of the damage and can offer important details about how the accident took place.
If possible, take photos of the vehicles from different angles at the accident scene. Be sure to include the surrounding area, like the road conditions, and focus on tire marks, which can provide valuable information about how the crash occurred.
If other structures—like a fence or road sign—suffered damage, capture images of these as well.
Additionally, photograph any visible injuries, such as contusions, cuts, stitches, or casts.
Get Legal Advice
As soon as possible, discuss your police report with a car accident attorney. We can advise you on potential next steps, assist you in searching for more evidence, and work to build a strong case showing fault, if necessary.
Additionally, you should always review any offer from the insurance company with a lawyer before making a final decision. In many cases, the first offer is for far less than your claim is worth.
If you receive a lowball offer, we can negotiate with the insurer for a more reasonable deal.
How Can You Get Assistance With Your Car Accident Claim?
The team at Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers is here to assist you with car accident and personal injury cases in Utah County, Salt Lake City, and throughout Utah. We’ll carefully review your accident details, address any concerns you have, and provide a clear overview of your legal options for seeking compensation.
Founded by attorney Brigham Richards, Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers is dedicated to representing injury victims and their families. With a strong focus on client care, Mr. Richards ensures that each case gets his full attention.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, he is committed to achieving the best possible results for every personal injury claim. Licensed in both Utah and Nevada, Mr. Richards has been advocating for injured clients and their families since 2012.
Contact Valley Law today at (801) 810-9999.
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.
However, using the form will likely make it easier to organize all the needed information.
