Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Between the mountains of Utah and the speed races at the Bonneville Salt Flats, Salt Lake City is a haven for motorcycle enthusiasts. Yet even the most responsible rider is always at risk for serious injury, especially when someone else’s negligence puts them in danger.

If you get into a motorcycle accident as a rider, you’re probably facing expensive injuries. You may be able to get compensation. Find out if you have a case by speaking with a Salt Lake City motorcycle accident lawyer in a free consultation through 1Law.

Utah’s Negligence Laws

Any motorcyclist who has ridden for a while knows that there is a prejudice against motorcycle riders. An insurance company will try to show that you were a negligent motorcycle rider. But a motorcycle accident lawyer is a good defense against this.

In Utah, as long as you are less than 50% responsible for your accident, you can recover damages. If you are at 50% or over, you cannot get compensation. Any percentage of fault you have will reduce your final compensation by that much.

If you ride without a helmet and protective gear or fail to use your signals properly, you’re putting yourself and your compensation at risk. Your first and best defense as a rider is to always ride in a safe and defensive manner. You don’t want to be the at-fault rider.

Utah’s PIP Laws

Utah is one of the few states that uses a no-fault system of insurance. This means that you need to go through your own insurance first and exhaust your PIP coverage before you can sue the other driver.

An exception is if you suffered a permanent injury. This is quite possible in a motorcycle accident. Disfigurement and dismemberment can happen. If your case meets the “serious injury” standard, you can immediately make a claim against the other insurer.

It’s likely that if your injuries are that bad, you’re in no position to play games with the insurers. By hiring a motorcycle accident attorney in Salt Lake City, you can turn your attention toward recovery while they handle all the complexities of Utah’s insurance laws.

Protecting Your Claim to Compensation

Besides wearing your safety gear and following all road laws, there are some additional steps you can take after an accident to protect your claim to compensation. The first is to contact the police to give a statement, and take photos of the scene and your injuries if you can. Trade contact information with the other driver, if possible.

After you’ve fulfilled your legal duties, see a doctor as soon as possible. Early detection of injuries is critical for your case and for your wellbeing. By going to a doctor early it gives insurers one less excuse to say you’re not as hurt as you say.

Follow all your doctor’s orders and do not talk about the accident on social media. Once you’ve seen a doctor, that’s the time to contact a motorcycle accident attorney for further advice. You’ll learn if you have a case or not, and how to proceed.

How Are Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Paid?

Everyone should have equal access to personal injury representation, no matter what their income is. Salt Lake City motorcycle accident lawyers get paid by winning cases for their clients under a contingency fee system.

In this system, you pay your lawyer only if they win your case. The amount you pay is a percentage of whatever winnings or settlement you get. If you lose your case and get nothing, your lawyer also gets nothing.

You should not have to pay anything upfront for hiring a lawyer, not even for consultations. The exact percentage is something you and your lawyer will discuss after they extend an offer of representation to you.

How Long do I Have to File My Motorcycle Accident Claim?

Utah gives a lot of time for filing motorcycle accident lawsuits—up to four years—before you reach the statute of limitations. Yet this is one deadline you do not want to cross, or even get close to, before reaching out to a lawyer.

If a case hasn’t started by the time the deadline is up, the courts will throw out the case easily under the statute of limitations. These laws protect everyone’s right to a speedy trial and due process. It forces cases to move along before evidence and memory are gone.

Don’t wait until the last minute to file your motorcycle accident claim. Avoid all worries about the statute of limitations by contacting one of our motorcycle accident attorneys as soon as a doctor has diagnosed your injuries. This is the best time to get your case started.

Reach Out to Our Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident Team

1Law can be reached by phone or through our free online chat to schedule a consultation with a Salt Lake City motorcycle accident attorney. All our consultations are free. Let us connect you with a lawyer in your area who can help you with your motorcycle accident case.