Murray Car Accident Lawyer

The city of Murray, Utah is an ideal place to live. With the large Murray Park and Murray Recreation Center, close proximity to highways that lead to downtown and the mountains in a matter of minutes, and a large high school, it is no wonder why many families choose Murray as the place to live.

Murray also boasts one of the largest intersections in the state, with the large Intermountain Medical Center, Murray High School, Costco, Hillcrest Jr. High, and shopping complex all nestled around the intersection. While there is no doubt that this boosts the city’s economic well being, intersections, particularly large intersections, are also dangerous, and increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents.

Every year, Murray sees numerous car accidents, some of which are extremely serious or even fatal. If you are involved in a crash, our Utah car accident attorneys want to speak with you. We can help you to recover the compensation that you deserve.

Filing a Claim After a Murray Car Accident

When you are involved in a car accident in Murray, recovering compensation for the losses that you have suffered is surely at the top of your priority list. Our experienced Murray car accident lawyers encourage you to initiate the claims process as soon as possible in order to preserve your right to a settlement; if you do not initiate the claims process within the required amount of time, you may forfeit your right to damages.

After filing a police report and seeking medical care, you should let your own car insurance company know about the accident as soon as possible. In Utah, regardless of fault in an accident, you must file a claim with your own insurance company first. Your medical expenses will be paid under your policy’s personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which is mandatory in an amount of at least $3,000 in the state.

Filing a Claim Against the At-fault Driver

In addition to PIP coverage, drivers in Utah are also required to carry at least $25,000 per person for bodily injury liability, and $65,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, as well as $15,000 for property damage liability. These insurance types are used in the event that a driver’s/passenger’s injuries total more than $3,000 or are serious, allowing them to step outside of the no-fault system and file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company (or directly against the at fault driver) for damages. If a party pursues a fault-based claim, they must prove that the other driver’s actions were the cause of the accident and injuries. If the damages-seeking party (claimant) contributed to the accident, they may still seek compensation from the party who was mostly at fault for the accident, but their damages will be reduced in proportion to their degree of fault. This is known as the rule of modified comparative negligence.

When a party seeks damages from another following a Murray car wreck, they have the right to seek compensation for the full extent of losses suffered, not solely medical expenses. This includes compensation for:

• Pain;
• Suffering;
• Disability;
• Emotional anguish;
• Lost wages and lost earning capacity;
• Current and future medical expenses; and
• Property damage.

Negotiating With an Insurance Adjuster

One of the hardest parts of the claims process is not proving fault or filing the claim itself, but negotiating with the insurance company to recover the settlement that you deserve. In fact, car insurance adjusters may initially offer you a settlement that is less than what you need to fully compensate you after a crash, which is why you should never accept a first settlement offer. Settlement offers are often low in order to save the car insurance company money, with the insurance company even going so far as to dispute the extent or cause of your injuries.

When you work with the law offices of Christensen & Hymas, you are equipping yourself with an experienced legal team that knows how to effectively negotiate. We have been working with insurance adjusters for years, and know how to prove fault, work with experts to substantiate damages, and understand when to reject a settlement offer and demand a higher amount. While we always try to settle our clients’ claims out of court, we are prepared to litigate on your behalf if that’s what it takes to get you the settlement that you deserve.

Contact Us Today

If you are involved in a crash, contact our aggressive Salt Lake personal injury lawyers today. We care about you and the outcome of your case, and will work hard to get you the settlement you are entitled to. Reach us online or by phone to schedule your free consultation.