Car accidents happen daily in Utah, with over 60,000 occurring in 2023. These resulted in 26,638 injuries and 279 fatalities, with crashes most commonly being attributed to speeding.
If you’ve been injured in one of these Utah car accidents, you could face painful injuries, loss of time at work, and, in some cases, permanent disability. While you may expect the at-fault driver’s insurance company to help with these setbacks, the insurance adjuster will likely work to save the company as much money as possible.
As a result, they could try to blame you for the accident, undervalue your damages, or both.
Protecting your legal rights after an accident begins with obtaining a copy of your car accident report and seeking legal advice from an experienced car accident attorney. At Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we offer free consultations for anyone with questions or concerns about a car accident injury.
More information on Utah’s car accident statistics can be found here.
Where Can I Get My Utah Highway Patrol Car Accident Report?
The Utah Highway Patrol often responds to accidents that occur outside of a specific city police department’s jurisdiction. Please note that in some situations, a local Sheriff’s Office may respond instead of the Highway Patrol.
If you don’t know which agency responded, look at the paperwork provided by the responding officer, which should state the agency and case number.
Each Highway Patrol division covers specific counties or areas, and you can visit your local division’s physical location during business hours to request a report. They are typically open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Please come prepared with your state-issued ID and a case number for the accident. If you’ve misplaced the paperwork, you can provide the date, approximate time, and collision location.
You can also request the report online at the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Public Records Center. You’ll need the same information, and there is a $5 charge for reports of up to 10 pages, which can be paid online with a credit card.
Car accident reports are not usually longer than ten pages. Furthermore, if you want accident photos, there is an additional $25 charge.
Who Can Access a Utah Highway Patrol Car Accident Report?
Accident reports are considered protected records under Utah state law and are typically limited to those who were involved in the accident or have an interest in it. You should be able to acquire a report if you are one of the following:
A driver, passenger, or anyone else in the accident (including injured pedestrians or bikers).
Anyone who suffered damage or loss in the accident (such as the owner of an involved vehicle).
An agent, parent, or legal guardian of someone involved in the crash (including attorneys or insurance companies representing involved parties).
A licensed private investigator.
Members of law enforcement acting within the scope of their duties.
Local, state, or federal agencies that may utilize crash data in their work.
Members of the press.
If you have difficulty securing a copy of your report, your car accident lawyer can help you locate it.
When Are You Required to Report an Accident in Utah?
Under Utah law, motorists should report any accident that results in injury, death, or property damage of at least $2,500. However, sometimes accidents go unreported at first for various reasons.
The involved drivers may believe the collision only resulted in minor property damage—until they receive an estimate from the body shop.
Additionally, car accident injuries can be insidious. Often, car crashes cause a surge of adrenaline that may temporarily dampen pain and other symptoms.
At the same time, many injuries feel worse after a few hours or the next day once the affected area becomes swollen. As a result, some people don’t realize they’re injured right away.
Suppose you begin experiencing new pain or other symptoms within the days after your car collision. In that case, we recommend seeking medical care immediately and letting the healthcare provider know about your accident.
In some cases, delaying medical treatment can cause injuries to worsen or heal more slowly, and it’s essential that your healthcare provider screen you for any severe injuries.
You can file a police report within ten days of the accident at your local Utah Highway Patrol office. To save time, please bring your vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number, and insurance policy number for the report.
You should also have exchanged contact and insurance information with the other involved parties.
What if the Other Driver Claims You’re at Fault?
It’s very common for two drivers to disagree about the cause of a collision. Sometimes, witnesses also have different accounts, or there may be no witnesses.
In these situations, the responding officer will work to ascertain what happened by interviewing those at the scene and examining any physical evidence (like vehicle damage or tire marks on the road). They will note any contributing factors for the accident on the report, and insurance adjusters will carefully review this section to determine fault.
If there is a dispute between drivers and evidence is limited, sometimes the report may be inconclusive or even incorrect. Fortunately, your attorney can investigate the collision thoroughly and challenge the report if they find evidence of the other party’s responsibility.
If you disagree with the other driver’s version of events or something in the police report, please speak to a car accident lawyer immediately.
Where Can You Get Help With Your Car Accident Case?
The experienced legal team at Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers is here to help. Please contact us for a free consultation so we can review your accident report, answer your questions, and explain the options for recovering compensation.
There is no obligation, but if we take your case, we never charge fees until we win or settle it.
Attorney Brigham Richards founded Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers with the goal of helping injured people get the compensation they need to recover. With years of experience in insurance claims and personal injury litigation, Mr. Richards works to achieve the best possible settlement for each client.
He is fluent in English and Spanish and is licensed to practice in Utah and Nevada. To work with his team, call Valley Law 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.
If you don’t know which agency responded, look at the paperwork provided by the responding officer, which should state the agency and case number.
