Motor Vehicle Accidents

Every 30 minutes, someone in this country dies in an alcohol-related automobile crash. If you have been affected by an alcohol-related accident, click here for an evaluation of your case.

Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents are a harsh reality in today's world. Generally, people who operate automobiles must exercise reasonable care, and failure to use reasonable care is considered negligence. A person who negligently operates a vehicle may be required to pay for any damages, either to a person or property, caused by his or her negligence. The Law Offices of William R. Rawlings represent individuals and their families who have been seriously injured or killed as a result of the negligence, carelessness, or recklessness of others. Motor vehicle accident cases can be difficult because the insurance company of the at-fault party fights to limit their exposure or liability. Attorney Bill Rawlings will ensure that you receive fair compensation from the insurance company or at-fault party by aggressively pursuing your interests. Attorney Rawlings assists victims of personal injury throughout Utah and the Wasatch Front, including Utah County, Salt Lake County, Davis County and Weaver County and the communities of Provo, Ogden, Draper and Lehi.

If you have been injured due to someone else's negligence in an auto accident or some other personal injury matter, you need to protect yourself by getting a highly qualified lawyer. Attorney Rawlings and his staff have the experience and knowledge to settle your claim with the best possible result. Contact the Law Offices of William R. Rawlings for a free initial consultation.

Law Offices of William R. Rawlings
Attorney at Law
11576 South State Street, Suite 401
Draper, Utah 84020

Phone: 801-553-0505
Fax: 801-495-2122

Motor Vehicle Accidents - An Overview

Cases arising out of automobile accidents are by far the most common type of personal injury case pending in our court system today. This is not surprising, given that every 10 seconds, someone in the United States is involved in a car accident, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Except in those states where legislation eliminating fault as an issue has been passed (no-fault laws), these cases are typically governed by the law of negligence. Generally, people who operate automobiles must exercise "reasonable care under the circumstances." A failure to use reasonable care is considered negligence. A person who negligently operates a vehicle may be required to pay for any damages, either to a person or property, caused by his or her negligence. The injured party, known as the plaintiff, is required to prove that the defendant was negligent, that the negligence was a proximate cause of the accident, and that the accident caused the plaintiff's injuries. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, you must not hesitate to seek legal counsel from a personal injury attorney experienced in automobile accident cases in order to best protect your interests.

Injuries and Compensation

Generally, an individual injured in an automobile accident may bring a claim or lawsuit to recover the actual expenses associated with property damage and medical costs, economic damages, and emotional and physical pain and suffering. Litigation involving motor vehicle accidents can be extremely complicated. Retaining an experienced lawyer familiar with motor vehicle accident damages will place you in the best position to receive the recovery that you deserve.

Insurance Claims Dos & Don'ts

Do call your agent as soon as a covered event takes place. As soon as you get home from the car accident, or even before you go to the doctor, call your agent.

Do review and understand your coverage before talking to your insurer or your agent. Read the "Coverage" and "Exclusion" sections of you policy in particular.

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorists

Many drivers ignore motor vehicle insurance requirements, cannot afford to purchase insurance, or carry insufficient insurance. Uninsured motorist coverage is a form of insurance that pays for bodily injury that results from an accident with a driver who is legally responsible for the injuries, but has no liability coverage. Underinsured motorist coverage pays for bodily injury that results from an accident with a driver who has liability insurance with limits that are lower than the injured party's underinsured motorist coverage limits. If you have been involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, it is important that you contact an attorney at an experienced personal injury law firm immediately so you do not waive valuable legal rights.

No-Fault Insurance

The laws of the state in which the accident occurs determine who pays for the damages from an automobile accident. Basically, in a no-fault insurance state, fault is not placed on either party, and each driver generally submits a claim to his or her own insurance company instead of establishing blame. Many states, including Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and others, have some form of no-fault insurance laws. No-fault auto insurance is widely misunderstood, and is applied differently in every state that offers it. If you are in an automobile accident, you should contact an experienced personal injury firm to discuss how the relevant state law views fault and to determine how fault or no-fault laws may affect your right to recover damages for injuries.

What to do if you are in an accident

If you are involved in an automobile collision, stop. Most states require an individual not to leave the scene of an accident, even a minor one, without first stopping to see whether there are damages or injuries. A person may be criminally prosecuted for leaving the scene of an automobile accident.

Motor Vehicle Accidents Resource Links

Federal Trade Commission
Provides consumer education materials on automobiles.

Federal Citizen Information Center
Features consumer information on cars.

Insurance Information Institute
Includes information on auto safety, auto insurance, teen drivers and more.

or use the form below.

Frequently Asked Questions about Motor Vehicle Accidents

Q: Can I recover even if the accident was my fault?

A: Whether you can recover if the accident was your fault depends on the laws of your state. Some states do not consider fault with regards to some damages, and in those states some of your economic losses may be paid by your own no-fault policy. Other states consider fault, but you may still be able to recover for your injuries, even if the accident was partially your fault. However, in that case, you may be required to prove that the other party's fault was greater than yours or to reduce the amount of your compensation by your percentage of fault.

Q: Who can I sue to recover my damages?

A: In some cases, an accident victim may be able to sue parties other than the at-fault driver. For example, if the at-fault driver did not own the car, the car's owner may also be liable for your damages. If the at-fault driver was impaired from consuming too much alcohol, you may be able to bring a "dram shop" complaint against a business that served alcohol to the driver even though he was visibly impaired. In some cases, you may be able to bring an action against another party, such as an automobile manufacturer or construction company, if a defect in the vehicle or the roadway caused the accident. If the accident involved a tractor-trailer, the driver's violation of rules and regulations may be the basis for a lawsuit against the driver or his or her employer.

I know the methods, techniques and the strategies used by insurance companies to reduce or deny amounts of money victims are entitled to. Insurance companies are in business to make a profit. I am in business to protect your rights and obtain the largest settlement possible.