Initial Claims
The requirements of the no-fault insurance model is that injured drivers submit medical bills and property damage estimates initially to their own insurance provider. In Utah, the personal insurance policy for the driver pays the first $3000 in accumulated medical bills. There are specific limitations when an injured driver needs to pursue further damages beyond the first personal injury insurance maximum, as the plaintiff must prove the maximum has been surpassed and present medical evidence of a substantial long-term injury. This also gives the insurance company an opportunity to convince the claimant that legal counsel is not necessary, which should be an automatic red flag for any injured driver that the claim may be more valuable than they realize, especially if the opposing drivers were uninsured or even under-insured. Insurance companies are required to include UIM insurance riders on all policy offerings, and the policyholder must refuse the rider in writing. Enforcing this coverage can be difficult without legal counsel.
Pursuing Whole Damages
While submitting the first claims can be a seemingly simple process, the cases can get complicated quickly when other parties are pursued for compensation because fault becomes an important factor in subsequent legal action. An experienced Provo accident attorney understands how to craft a case that can influence the court in allowing additional litigation standing for possible maximum damages. Recovering whole damages can still prove problematic when insurance coverage is limited by the coverage amount of opposing drivers who only carry state minimums. Accidents involving commercial vehicles could also include the potential for the employer to be sued as well, which is common in a trucking accident injury case.
Contact Howard Lewis & Petersen Personal Injury Attorney Provo
Individuals who are involved in an auto accident in Utah should always call the legal professionals at Howard Lewis & Petersen to talk to the Provo personal injury attorneys for a comprehensive evaluation of the accident claim potential.
