I Was Hit by an Uninsured Driver in Utah: Now What?

There’s never a good time to find yourself in a car accident, but it becomes even more stressful when you discover you’ve been hit by an uninsured driver. Now what? 

Ipson Law is here to help you understand what your legal options are to ensure you can cover all the medical bills, car repairs, lost wages, and pain and trauma you are now facing.

Contact us today to discuss your options.

Understanding Utah’s Insurance and Fault Laws

Utah is a no-fault insurance state, but it may be hard to understand exactly how that insurance law affects you when you’ve been in an accident.

No-fault insurance is designed to cover your immediate medical expenses in the event of an accident, no matter who actually caused the crash. Your insurance company assumes responsibility for your medical expenses, car repairs, and lost income so you can recover without the additional stress of finger-pointing and intensive investigations. This is a very beneficial system when it comes to small accidents and fender benders, but it can leave you unprepared and under-covered when things are a little more complicated.

What Should You Do Right After Being Hit by an Uninsured Driver?

The first thing you should do after any accident is seek proper medical care and alert law enforcement.

• Call 911 to report the accident and request assistance.
• Get medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor.
• Talk honestly with law enforcement, but don’t speculate.
• Gather as much information as you can.
• Take pictures of the scene.
• Get a copy of the accident report and record your own memories about the incident as soon after the accident as you can.
• Contact your insurance company and talk to them about the accident.
• Contact a Utah car accident attorney for a free consultation.

What Is Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

All Utah drivers are required by law to carry minimum insurance coverage. This includes:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury liability (pays for another person’s injuries if you cause an accident)
• $65,000 per accident for bodily injury to multiple people
• $15,000 for property damage liability (pays for damages you cause to another person’s property in an accident)
• $3,000 in personal injury protection (pays for your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault)

As you can see, even though Utah is a no-fault insurance state, most of the insurance you are required to carry is there to help pay for any personal or property damage you may cause to someone else during a wreck. You are almost entirely at the mercy of the other person’s insurance to cover your own bills. 

Unfortunately, there are still plenty of drivers on the road today who aren’t properly insured, and the minimum personal injury protection (PIP) often isn’t enough to cover all your expenses. That’s why we highly recommend selecting uninsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) in addition to your standard insurance coverage.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage provides additional financial coverage for your bills if you’re hit by an uninsured driver. This can help cover additional:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Funeral expenses

If this additional insurance is in place at the time of your accident, you can work with your insurance company to try to negotiate a better final settlement. Even though this may seem like a straightforward process, it can become very complicated. It may be in your best interest to hire an experienced attorney to relieve this stress and ensure you are adequately represented.

What Is the Difference between PIP and UM Insurance?

Both types of insurance are extremely valuable assets when you have been in a car accident. They may seem similar, but they offer different types of coverage that don’t always overlap.

PIP

• No-fault insurance required in the state of Utah to cover your injuries in an automobile accident, no matter who caused the crash.
• Can be used immediately after an accident to handle personal medical costs.

UM/UIM

• Pays for your medical costs when hit by an uninsured driver.
• You must prove that the other driver is at fault in the accident.
• Requires further documentation for additional medical expense reimbursement above and beyond your PIP limit.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident?

In the state of Utah, your insurance can help pay for your medical bills, no matter who is at fault, but only to a small degree. The other person’s car insurance is also supposed to help. But what happens if you are hit by an uninsured driver?

If you are faced with a more complicated situation and extensive bills, the required minimum personal injury coverage may not be enough. If you were hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may be able to recover additional compensation by speaking to a lawyer about the finer details of your personal injury protection, the presence of uninsured motorist coverage, and the potential for pursuing a lawsuit.

How a Utah Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Any accident is an added stress most of us don’t need. When you are faced with the many different challenges involved with recovering from a car accident, you need all the help you can get right from the start. Fighting insurance and legal battles while you are recovering and trying to put the pieces of your daily life back together is just too much for one person to handle. 

A qualified and experienced car accident lawyer can help. Get representation that focuses on YOUR best interests and will stand up for your needs while you focus on more important things.

Get help:

• Understanding your insurance policy
• Setting up an uninsured motorist claim
• Corresponding and negotiating with insurance companies
• Considering your legal options
• Looking for missed compensation
• Keeping independent records and investigating the accident

Get Help After an Uninsured Driver Accident in Utah

If you’ve been involved in an uninsured driver accident in Utah, call the experts from Ipson Law. We’re on your side and ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact Ipson Law Today

Frequently Asked Questions

Does My Own Insurance Cover Me If I’m Hit by an Uninsured Driver in Utah?

Yes, to some extent. Utah drivers are required to carry a small amount of personal injury coverage to help pay their bills if they are hit by an uninsured driver, but it may not be enough to cover extensive injuries and complicated situations.

Can I Sue an Uninsured Driver Directly in Utah?

Yes. If you can prove fault and are facing medical and property bills above and beyond what your own insurance can cover, it is wise to discuss your case with a Utah accident lawyer as soon as possible.

How is Fault Determined in a Car Accident in Utah?

The primary factors that determine who is at fault for an accident have to do with negligence. Evidence from the scene, bystanders, witness and driver statements, and more can help determine how much of an accident may have been caused by one party over the other.

In very minor car accidents, Utah’s no-fault insurance laws can help avoid these investigations if they aren’t needed.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me Recover Compensation?

Your lawyer is there to help you recover and keep important records, investigate the accident and surrounding factors, identify hidden benefits, calculate realistic costs, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for your interests at every level to ensure you get the full compensation you deserve.