The Provo DUI accident lawyers at Parker & McConkie help people injured by drunk and impaired drivers pursue compensation after serious crashes throughout Utah County. If you were hit by a driver near University Parkway, Freedom Boulevard, the BYU campus area, or another busy Provo roadway, you are likely dealing with painful injuries, missed work, and growing concerns about your financial future.
We understand how drunk driving accidents are different from many other crashes. First, they are entirely preventable. When someone chooses to drive after drinking or using drugs, they recklessly put everyone around them at risk. These collisions often happen at high speeds, involve careless behavior, and leave victims facing long, expensive recoveries.
You should not be left paying the price for another person’s irresponsible decisions.
The Provo DUI accident attorneys at Parker & McConkie investigate impaired driving crashes, gather evidence showing intoxication or impairment, negotiate aggressively with insurance companies, and build strong cases that are ready for trial when necessary.
Call today for a free consultation to learn how we can help protect your rights.
We help everyday people stand up for What's Right.
Why You Should Choose Parker & McConkie for Your DUI Accident Case
After a drunk driving accident, you may assume the insurance company will automatically accept responsibility because the other driver was intoxicated. Unfortunately, these cases are often more complicated than people expect.
Insurance companies may still dispute injuries, minimize the long-term impact of the crash, or argue over the value of your claim. In some situations, there may also be questions involving additional liable parties, uninsured drivers, or criminal proceedings happening at the same time as the civil injury claim.
The Parker & McConkie team has decades of experience representing injured people throughout Utah, including victims of serious DUI crashes. Our legal team understands how devastating these collisions can be physically, emotionally, and financially.
When you hire our firm, you can count on us to:
- Conduct a detailed investigation into how the crash occurred
- Obtain police reports, toxicology records, and other critical evidence
- Work with accident reconstruction and medical professionals when appropriate
- Handle all communication with insurance companies and defense attorneys
- Evaluate the full impact of your injuries and future financial losses
- Prepare your case thoroughly for settlement negotiations or trial, and fight for your rights at every stage
Drunk driving crashes may involve catastrophic injuries and wrongful death claims. Our attorneys take a comprehensive approach, focusing not only on proving liability but also on fully documenting how the accident changed your life.
Most importantly, we take the legal pressure off you and your family so you can focus on medical treatment and recovery.
What Is a DUI Accident Claim in Provo?
A DUI accident claim is a civil personal injury case brought against a driver who caused a crash while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or another intoxicating substance. These cases are separate from any criminal DUI charges the driver may face.
What is the Difference Between Civil Claims vs. Criminal Charges
After a DUI crash, the impaired driver may be arrested and prosecuted by the state. Criminal charges are intended to punish the driver for violating Utah law.
A civil injury claim serves a different purpose. It allows injured victims to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from the accident.
Even if criminal charges are reduced, dismissed, or still pending, we can still bring a civil claim to recover the legal damages (money) you deserve.
Utah Has Some of the Strictest DUI Laws in the Country
Utah has a legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.05%, which is lower than most states. However, impairment is not limited to alcohol use alone. Drivers may also be impaired by:
- Prescription medications
- Illegal drugs
- Marijuana
- A combination of substances
Any form of impairment that affects safe driving can create civil liability if it causes an accident.
Common Types of DUI Crashes We Handle in Provo
Impaired drivers often make dangerous decisions that lead to severe collisions. Some of the most common DUI accident scenarios include:
- Wrong-way crashes
- Rear-end collisions
- High-speed impacts
- Intersection accidents
- Drivers running red lights or stop signs
- Vehicles drifting across lanes
Because intoxicated drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment, these crashes frequently result in severe injuries to other responsible drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and more.
Do I Have a Provo DUI Accident Case?
You may have a DUI accident case if an impaired driver caused a crash that led to your injuries.
In many situations, the evidence of intoxication is clear because law enforcement responds to the crash scene and conducts field sobriety testing or chemical testing. In other cases, proving impairment may require additional investigation.
You may have a viable civil personal injury claim if:
- A drunk or drug-impaired driver hit your vehicle
- An intoxicated driver struck you as a pedestrian or cyclist
- You were injured as a passenger in a DUI crash
- A family member died in a drunk driving collision
- An impaired driver caused a chain-reaction accident
Even if you are unsure whether alcohol or drug use was officially confirmed, it is still important to speak with a lawyer quickly. We may uncover evidence of impairment through witness statements, surveillance footage, bar receipts, toxicology reports, or police investigations.
Who May Be Held Liable in a Provo DUI Accident Claim?
The intoxicated driver is often the primary liable party in a DUI accident case, but other individuals or businesses may sometimes share responsibility.
The Impaired Driver
Drivers who choose to operate vehicles while intoxicated may be held financially responsible for injuries and losses resulting from the crash. Evidence commonly used in these cases includes:
- DUI arrest records
- Blood alcohol test results
- Police body camera footage
- Witness testimony
- Dashcam or surveillance video
Dram Shop Liability in Utah
Under Utah dram shop laws, in limited circumstances, bars, restaurants, or social hosts may also face liability for overserving alcohol to someone who was clearly intoxicated or serving someone who was underage.
These claims are highly fact-specific and often require a detailed investigation into events leading up to the crash. We work hard to hold all potentially responsible parties accountable for the harm you’ve suffered.
Employers and Commercial Entities
If the impaired driver was working at the time of the accident, an employer may also share liability. This sometimes arises in cases involving delivery drivers, company vehicles, or commercial transportation.
Identifying every potentially responsible party is important because serious DUI accidents often involve extensive legal damages and long-term medical needs.
What Damages Are Available in a Provo DUI Accident Lawsuit?
A DUI crash can affect every aspect of your life long after the collision itself is over. Compensation in a civil claim is intended to address both the financial and personal impact of the accident.
Medical expenses are often significant in impaired driving cases, especially when the collision involves high speeds or reckless behavior. Compensation may include emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and anticipated future care.
Lost income can also become a major concern. Some people are unable to return to work for weeks or months, while others experience permanent changes to their earning capacity due to their injuries.
Beyond the financial losses, many victims face ongoing issues such as physical pain, emotional distress, sleep problems, anxiety, or reduced independence after the crash. Serious injuries may interfere with family relationships, daily routines, and activities that once felt normal.
Depending on the facts of the case, compensation may include:
- Medical expenses
- Future treatment costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
Punitive Damages in DUI Accident Cases
Because drunk driving involves particularly reckless behavior, punitive damages may sometimes apply. Punitive damages are different from standard compensation. Instead of focusing only on the victim’s losses, they are intended to punish especially dangerous conduct and discourage similar behavior in the future.
While these damages are not common, we can review your case to determine if you may request punitive damages from those responsible for your injuries. Reach out for a free consultation to share your story and learn more about your rights.
When a reckless driver crosses the line, pull back the curtain on Utah's strict .05 BAC laws to read our comprehensive guide on how criminal DUI penalties translate into powerful leverage for your civil injury claim.
What If I’m Partly to Blame for My Accident Injuries?
In some cases, the injured person may also be partially responsible for the accident that harmed them. In these cases, Utah follows a modified comparative fault system. This means you may still recover compensation if you were less than 50% responsible for the accident.
Insurance companies sometimes try to shift blame even in DUI accident cases. For example, they may argue that:
- You were speeding
- You made an unsafe lane change
- You were distracted before the collision
- You could have avoided the crash
These arguments are often raised to reduce the amount the insurer must pay.
Even if you believe you may have contributed to the accident in some way, you should not assume you are barred from pursuing compensation. We can perform a detailed investigation to determine if the impaired driver’s conduct was the primary cause of the collision.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a DUI Accident Lawsuit in Utah?
Utah’s statute of limitations generally allows four years to file a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident. However, some situations may involve shorter deadlines, particularly when a government entity is involved or when the case involves additional legal complications.
Waiting too long to start the legal process can also make it harder to gather evidence. Surveillance footage may be erased, witness memories may fade, and physical evidence from the crash scene can disappear quickly.
Speaking with our lawyers quickly helps us preserve evidence and protect your ability to pursue compensation.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a DUI Accident Attorney in Provo?
At Parker & McConkie, we don’t want you to worry about paying legal fees while you face your future after being injured in a DUI accident. Our team handles DUI accident claims on a contingency fee basis. That means:
- No upfront legal fees
- No hourly billing
- Attorney fees are paid only if compensation is recovered
- Consultations are free
Our mission is to give injured people the ability to hire legal representation and protect their rights without adding additional financial strain during recovery.
How a Parker & McConkie Lawyer Can Help You
After a serious DUI accident, insurance companies often begin investigating immediately. Their goal is usually to limit the value of your claim as much as possible.
Our attorneys can also step in quickly to protect your rights and build a strong case on your behalf. Specifically, we can:
Investigate the Crash
Our legal team gathers and analyzes evidence that may include:
- Police reports
- Toxicology evidence
- Surveillance footage
- Witness statements
- Crash reconstruction analysis
- Medical documentation
This investigation helps establish both liability and the full impact of your injuries.
Negotiate With Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters may attempt to pressure you into accepting a quick, lowball settlement before the long-term effects of your injuries are fully understood. We handle these negotiations for you while presenting detailed evidence supporting the value of your claim.
Prepare Your Case for Trial
Some DUI accident claims settle through negotiation, while others require litigation. Our attorneys prepare each case thoroughly, and we are ready to advocate for you before a jury if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Provo DUI Accident Claims
Can I still file a civil claim if the drunk driver faces criminal charges?
Yes. A criminal DUI case and a civil injury claim are separate legal matters. Criminal charges focus on punishing the driver for violating the law, while your civil claim focuses on recovering compensation for your injuries and losses. If the driver is found guilty or pleads guilty, that outcome may support your civil claim as well.
What if the drunk driver was uninsured?
You may still have options for compensation through uninsured motorist coverage or other available insurance policies. These situations can become more complex, making early legal guidance especially important.
Can I recover compensation if I was a passenger in the drunk driver’s vehicle?
Possibly. Passengers injured in DUI accidents often have valid injury claims, even if they were riding with the intoxicated driver. The specific facts of the situation will affect how the claim is evaluated.
How long will my DUI accident case take?
Every case is different. Some claims resolve through settlement negotiations within several months, while more serious or disputed cases may take longer if litigation becomes necessary.
What evidence helps prove a DUI accident claim?
Important evidence may include police reports, toxicology results, witness statements, surveillance footage, accident reconstruction findings, and medical records documenting your injuries. We can help gather the evidence needed to build your case.
Contact the Trusted Provo DUI Accident Lawyers at Parker & McConkie Today
Being injured by a drunk driver can leave you dealing with physical pain, financial stress, and uncertainty about the future. You should not have to handle insurance companies or legal pressure on your own while trying to recover.
The Provo DUI accident lawyers at Parker & McConkie are prepared to investigate your case, hold negligent drivers accountable, and fight for compensation that reflects the full impact of your injuries.
Call us today at (801) 788-4017 for a free consultation and learn how our team can help protect your rights and support your future.