{"id":55301,"date":"2019-11-06T16:53:31","date_gmt":"2019-11-06T16:53:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/injurysmartlaw.com\/?post_type=service&p=55301"},"modified":"2023-06-21T15:59:20","modified_gmt":"2023-06-21T15:59:20","slug":"utah-car-accident","status":"publish","type":"service","link":"https:\/\/injurysmartlaw.com\/service\/utah-car-accident\/","title":{"rendered":"Utah Car Accident"},"content":{"rendered":"

Utah Car Accident<\/h2>\n
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You were just in a car crash. Something that you never planned on happening to you happened. Now what? This page is designed to help you understand the process to recovery after a car accident and what Lawyers can do to help – specifically in Utah. Even though you may not need a lawyer for everything, it helps to understand the process and some of the terms involved. Here we help you understand that process, as well as what you need to know about PIP and the Utah No-Fault law. We hope that you find this information beneficial.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

After a being in a car accident, there are three sections to your insurance claim. All three are related, and are explained below. These three sections are Property Damage, PIP or No-Fault Law, and Liability. Typically most of the communications with the insurance company regarding property damage and some No-Fault benefits will be handled immediately following the accident, and may not require legal intervention from our office to resolve. You are hiring us to help you primarily with the last claim, or liability coverage outside your own policy(ies).<\/p>\n

Property Damage<\/h2>\n

Generally speaking, after a car crash you are entitled to have your car repaired at the shop of your choice, and you are entitled to have a rental while your car\/truck is being repaired.<\/p>\n

If your car is not repairable, or if the repair bill exceeds the value of your car, then the insurance company will \u201ctotal\u201d your car. You are entitled to be compensated for the \u201cFair Market Value\u201d of your car\/truck. We encourage your to do a little homework yourself by visiting www.nada.com<\/a>, check the local newspaper, and determine for yourself what you thing the \u201cFair Market Value\u201d of your car\/truck is before you talk to the insurance agent about this claim. Any recent maintenance\/upgrades may increase what the insurance company is willing to offer. However, in order for any recent work to be considered, you will need to provide receipts to the insurance company. Ultimately, the insurance company will pay you the \u201cbook\u201d value.<\/p>\n

We will assist you with this property damage claim if you reach a snag. Typically we do not help with property damage because if you pay an attorney to help you with this claim, this is less money available for you to repair\/replace your car\/truck. However if you have questions or need to be pointed in the right direction, we are happy to help.<\/p>\n

PIP \/ No Fault \/ \u201cBand-Aid Benefits\u201d:<\/h2>\n

For more information about the PIP and No-Fault benefits in Utah, you might want to visit this page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

After being in a car accident, there are three basic benefits that are covered by law in Utah. These \u201cBand-Aid\u201d benefits include:<\/p>\n

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  1. $3000 of Medical Expenses<\/li>\n
  2. $ 250.00 per week or 85% of your gross weekly wage, whichever is least<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. $20.00 per day for household services<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Let\u2019s take a minute and discuss the requirements of collect each of these benefits. The first step to obtain any of these benefits is to fill out a PIP application<\/a>, which will be provided by your insurance company.<\/p>\n

    1. $3,000 of Medical Expenses.<\/h3>\n

    Your own insurance company is required by state law to cover the first $3000 of medical bills. After treatment, your healthcare provider will bill them directly if they are provided with the company name and claim number. In addition, your doctor will need to fill out a \u201cPhysician\u2019s Initial Report\u201d. You have three (3)years from the date of the accident to use this benefit.<\/p>\n

    2. $250 per week or 85% of your gross weekly wage, whichever is least.<\/h3>\n

    A form will be provided by your insurance company to claim these benefits. Generally this form will ask for your wage-earning history, your current hourly\/salary rate, when you started work, and whether you regularly work overtime. The No-Fault carrier will typically look backwards from 10-20 pay periods to determine your average weekly wage. This benefit is available for 52 weeks from the time it is first claimed.<\/p>\n

    Please understand that the insurance company puts the burden on you to provide work release notes saying how long you will be off work. Generally this note needs to be filled out every 30 days by your doctor.<\/p>\n

    3. $20.00 per day for Household Services.<\/h3>\n

    You may qualify for this benefit if you have a note from the doctor outlining which household chores you are unable to perform. The note should include the period of time you are unable to perform those duties. This note also need to be updated every 30 days. You must keep track of who actually helps your around the house in order for you to qualify for Household Service benefits. Often your insurance company will provide a calendar for this purpose. The benefit is available for 52 weeks from the time it is first claimed.<\/p>\n

    To summarize, in order for your insurance company to efficiently process your claim, and provide the \u201cBand-Aid benefits\u201d for which you paid, your insurance company and our office need copies of the following documents:<\/p>\n

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    1. Pip or No-Fault Application<\/li>\n
    2. Physician\u2019s Initial Report<\/li>\n
    3. Employer\u2019s Wage Verification<\/li>\n
    4. A doctor\u2019s note release you from work\n