If you have been injured in a car accident, you are likely suffering both physically and financially. Car accidents can result in substantial injuries, and the financial repercussions of these accidents can have a serious effect on victims. Most accident victims have medical bills piling up, and many are unable to work because of their injuries.
The good news is that you may be entitled to significant monetary compensation after your accident. However, the specific timeframe for getting compensation varies based on the facts of your case, but the general process is the same for most accident claims. Below, you can learn about the steps to getting a car accident settlement check and how long it may take.
Obtain Information Immediately After the Accident
The first step toward getting a settlement after a car accident is to gather as much information and evidence at the crash scene as possible. If another driver was responsible for your crash, you will need that information to file a claim against them. Additionally, photo evidence from the scene can help prove your case. Some evidence and information you should gather immediately after the crash include:
- Contact and insurance information for all other drivers who were involved
- Names and contact information of any witnesses who may have seen the accident
- Specific details about the crash, such as the exact location and time
- Make, model, and color of any other vehicles involved
- Photos of all the vehicles and the accident scene
You also want to go ahead and notify the police after your accident. Utah law requires you to file a police report after most accidents anyway, and the information contained in the report can be very valuable to your settlement negotiations.
Seek Medical Treatment
You should always seek immediate medical treatment for any injuries resulting from the accident. Keep in mind that you may not be aware of some injuries immediately after the accident. Once your adrenaline wears off, you can feel the aches and pains of hidden injuries.
If you fail to seek medical treatment, it is unlikely that you will be successful with a personal injury claim. Although you may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages after your accident, you must typically have proof of some physical injury to recover both damages.
Hire a Utah Car Accident Lawyer
Hiring a Utah car accident lawyer can help you get the most out of your personal injury claim. Accident victims who hire a lawyer typically receive 3 to 4 times more compensation than those who do not. Some ways a lawyer can help after your car accident include:
- Performing a thorough investigation of your accident to determine who was at fault
- Working with your doctors to fully understand your injuries and their effects
- Handling all discussions and negotiations with the insurance company
- Assessing all available insurance coverage and potential sources of compensation
- Aggressively negotiating a settlement that fully compensates you for all your damages
- Filing a lawsuit and fighting for you in court when negotiations stall
Although it is possible to handle a claim on your own, the insurance company will look for every opportunity to take advantage of you. They will attempt to downplay your injuries and may even blame you for the accident.
Having an experienced lawyer on your side can ensure you receive all the compensation you are entitled to. In most cases, you should ideally hire a lawyer within a month after your accident.
Gather Additional Evidence
Before the insurance company pays for your damages, you must present evidence proving your claim. Your lawyer can help you gather and present all the necessary evidence, such as:
- Medical records that prove your injuries
- Receipts, bills, or bank statements that show the value of your economic damages
- Witnesses who saw what caused the crash
- Experts, such as accident reconstructionists and doctors
Gathering the evidence needed to prove your claim can take anywhere from a few weeks to a year in some cases. More complex cases will require more evidence and take more time.
Negotiate a Settlement
In most cases, settlement negotiations can start once you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) and have gathered all your evidence. You may go back and forth multiple times with the insurance company before you receive their final offer. This process can sometimes be done in a few days, but it can also require months of negotiating in some cases.
File a Lawsuit
If you are unable to reach a settlement, you will need to file a lawsuit. Remember that the statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Utah is two years. Failure to file a lawsuit within two years after your accident can cause you to lose all your rights to recover compensation. An experienced attorney can help make sure your lawsuit is filed at the appropriate time.
Get Your Settlement Check
Once the case is resolved through a settlement or jury verdict, the responsible party’s insurance company (or the defendant, in case of a verdict) will typically process and issue your settlement check. However, this may take some time due to necessary paperwork and approval. Most of the time, this happens within 30 days of the case resolution. If you hire a lawyer, they will deduct their fee and any case expenses from the proceeds of the settlement check and give you the remainder.
If you need help settling a car accident claim in Utah, contact Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers today. Our experienced team has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for other accident victims, and we are ready to help you, too. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation, and let us walk you through the car accident settlement process.
Contact the Utah Personal Injury Lawyers at Parker & McConkie Today
For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have 5 convenient locations in Utah, including Midvale, Salt Lake City, Ogden & Provo, UT. Clients can also visit our offices in Idaho Falls, ID & Rock Springs, WY.
We proudly serve Weber County, Utah County, Salt Lake County in Utah, Bonneville County in Idaho, Sweetwater County in Wyoming, and its surrounding areas:
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Salt Lake City Office
466 S. 500 E., Suite 100,
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
(801) 851-1202
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Midvale Office
7090 Union Park Ave, #160,
Midvale, UT 84047
(801) 845-0440
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Ogden Office
2510 S Washington Blvd, Suite 160,
Ogden, UT 84401
(385) 402-8187
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Provo Office
37 E Center St, Suite 300,
Provo, UT 84606
(801) 876-4107
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Rock Springs Office
531 N Front St,
Rock Springs, WY 82901
(307) 205-7400
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Idaho Falls Office
2235 East 25th St. Suite #280,
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208) 418-0633
Hours: 24/7
