Time for a Utah Drunk Driver Accident Attorney

Reviewed by Kara H. North, Managing Attorney at Moxie Law Group. Reviewed December 19, 2023.

What’s the point of meeting with a drunk driving accident attorney if you can’t afford to hire one in the first place? Well, since most injury attorneys work on contingency, victims don’t have to worry about how they’ll pay for a drunk driving accident attorney. When you hire a DUI accident attorney at Moxie Law Group, we don’t get paid until you get paid. Here’s how it works: once we agree to work together, Moxie Law Group will start working on your case without asking for anything upfront. Once we’ve gotten you the settlement you deserve, a pre-negotiated portion of settlements will cover all of your legal fees. The settlement is intended to provide you with monetary compensation for your losses, including both economic and non-economic damages. If you go all the way to court, but you lose your drunk driving accident case, you don’t owe anything. That’s what working on contingency means. So, don’t let the thought of legal fees keep you from attending a free consultation to discuss your legal needs.

To be perfectly honest, working with an attorney after a drunk driving accident isn’t necessarily “free.” But instead of paying the attorney out of pocket, a pre-negotiated portion of the settlement covers all the legal fees. At this point, you may be wondering if it’s even worth it to hire an attorney, especially if you’re just going to break even after the legal fees come out of the settlement. The answer is almost always, a resounding yes! To begin with, an attorney will almost always be able to get injured clients more than the insurance company is offering, even after all the legal fees are subtracted from the settlement. If you’ve been injured in a DUI accident, you should always attend the free case review before deciding whether or not to handle the case yourself. When it comes to personal injury cases, an attorney almost always makes a positive impact on the bottom line by helping with recovering compensation for damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma.

Most of the time, victims of drunk driving crashes aren’t offered the settlement they deserve. Instead, attorneys generally have to advocate for their client’s rights before the insurance company will offer fair compensation. If you’ve gotten an offer from the insurance company that miraculously pays all your medical bills, you may be thinking you’ve hit the jackpot–and in some ways you’d be correct: insurance companies almost never offer enough to cover all of a client’s injury related medical expenses. However, just because the insurance provider has offered you enough to cover the cost of your medical bills doesn’t mean they’ve offered you enough to cover the cost of all your damages that you accrued due to the impaired driver. A personal injury attorney can tell you whether or not all your damages will be covered by the settlement or not. The settlement should address not only your medical expenses but also any property damage caused by the intoxicated driver, as well as other losses resulting from the accident. Unfortunately, there’s a good chance that the settlement doesn’t cover everything. Insurance companies don’t want you to know about all the damages you’re entitled to recover because they’re hoping you’ll accept the lower settlement. Attending the free case review can help you understand what damages you may be entitled to recover and how a personal injury attorney can help you seek compensation for your losses.

Of course there will be some cases where the initial settlement offer is the best offer you’ll get. However, this is very rarely the case. As we’ve previously mentioned, in most drunk driving accidents the attorney will be able to get you more. Attorneys are skilled at gathering evidence and documentation to build a strong case, which can significantly increase the compensation you receive. Also, once you accept a settlement offer from the insurance provider, there’s not generally a way you can go back and get more compensation, even if you need it. The bottom line is that you don’t want to be wondering whether or not an attorney could have gotten you more after you’ve accepted a settlement and there’s no going back. What if you realize you have additional damages after you’ve accepted the settlement offer? Depending on the terms of your settlement agreement, you may no longer have the option to go back and get more compensation. Once you’ve signed the Hold Harmless Agreement, and most insurance companies do have you sign this, you’ll very likely lose the ability to get more compensation. If you meet with an attorney before you accept the settlement offer, you’ll know for sure whether or not the attorney can get you more and, generally speaking, experienced attorneys will be able to get you more every time by properly handling your personal injury claim.

You aren’t obligated to work with the attorney that you had your initial consultation with. Drunk driving accident cases can be extremely personal and victims have often sustained serious injuries. When choosing an attorney to represent you in your personal injury case, you’ll want to go with an attorney that you can trust to provide quality legal representation and advocate for your best interests. While you are not required to have a legal representative to file a claim, having an experienced legal representative can greatly assist with negotiations, evidence gathering, and case representation, increasing your chances of a successful outcome. After you begin working with an attorney, it may be difficult for you to change attorneys if you end up not liking your attorney. Many attorneys don’t want to take cases that another attorney has worked on for too long. Therefore, it’s important to find an attorney you like before you begin your DUI accident claim. We suggest that injured victims meet with attorneys until they find one they like.

The best thing you can do is work on preventing drunk driving accidents in the first place. A drunk driving accident can have a devastating impact on a victim’s life, affecting their physical health, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. The reality is that no amount of money is enough to compensate the injured party for what they’ve been through; generally speaking, higher settlements mean more severe injuries. Sometimes, the injuries are so severe, that the policy limits don’t even begin to cover the damages, especially in the case of a serious accident. Preventing drunk driving accidents should be a priority for everyone. Follow these five safety tips, and don’t be the reason someone is injured in a drunk driving accident.

The second you have a sip of alcohol, you should swear off driving altogether. Each year, many fatal car accidents happen because the at-fault driver simply didn’t realize how drunk they were until police officers were conducting roadside sobriety tests with them. When the driver’s BAC is discovered, the driver is usually pretty surprised. Intoxicated drivers are notoriously unaware of just how drunk they are. A lot of drunk drivers don’t intend to drive drunk. In fact, you’ll likely hear many drunk drivers say, “I had no idea I was that drunk!” Drunk drivers will swear up and down that they didn’t feel that drunk. It can be difficult to judge how impaired you are when your judgment is impaired. You may feel as though you’re not drunk even though your blood alcohol concentration is well above the legal limit. Don’t be the reason there’s a DUI accident. If you’ve had anything at all, do not drive.

A lot of drunk drivers don’t adequately plan for a ride home. By the time the drunk driver is ready to go home, it’s late in the evening and they don’t always want to put the effort into finding a rideshare service, getting a taxi, or phoning a friend who isn’t likely to be awake anyway. So You can be avoid being the drunk driver in the headlines by arranging for a ride home before you even start drinking. Whether that’s a rideshare app, designated driver, or taxi. You can avoid causing a nasty car accident by refusing to be the next drunk driver in the news.

You can prevent drunk driving even if you don’t drink. If you’re going out with friends who are going to have a few beers, it’s never a bad idea to offer to drive everyone home safely. Intoxicated driving claims so many lives. You can help save lives by offering to be the designated driver. If you’re not the designated driver, and you intend on drinking, you can prevent drunk driving by handing the keys to ensure that you don’t make a bad judgment call while under the influence. If you’re using a designated driver, you can prevent DUI accidents by agreeing to follow the original plan, no matter how much you’ve eaten after drinking, or how sober you feel. Remember, eating does not magically make you sober, and even though time helps you sober up, it usually takes most people more than eight hours to be completely sober.

If you spot a suspected drunk driver on the road you can help prevent a serious car accident by responding the right way. Intoxicated driving can’t always be spotted, but if you notice a potential drunk driver on the road, it’s imperative that you do not ignore the signs and proceed as usual. Instead, it’s important to take reasonable precautions to keep yourself, and any other driver on the road safe. Drunk drivers tend to be overly confident and impulsive. An irresponsible driver under the influence often displays reckless and dangerous behavior that puts everyone at risk. They often weave between lanes, or have trouble staying in one lane. They may drive at erratic and varying speed. Furthermore, since alcohol tends to impair a person’s ability to focus, a drunk driver may be unaware of their surroundings. This lack of awareness may cause them to slam on their breaks or ignore traffic signs. If you suspect someone is driving under the influence, it is crucial to contact a police officer immediately, as law enforcement intervention is necessary to ensure safety and address DUI offenses.

If you spot a potential drunk driver, it’s important to respond the right way in order to avoid a car accident. Because drunk drivers can be erratic and unpredictable, you never want to get too close to these guys. Furthermore, it’s not unheard of for a drunk driver to fall asleep at the wheel. This may mean that they suddenly lose control of their motor vehicle. If the person really is a drunk driver, it’s important that they get off the road immediately. Reporting that driver could prevent a serious car crash. However, text while driving is generally not advisable. When it comes to reporting impaired drivers, it’s best to get to a safe place before you get your phone out. You do not want to risk getting distracted or taking your eyes off the road for a second. When filing the report, you may need to call the emergency in order to ensure the safety of yourself and other parties on the road. When you call, whether you’re calling the non-emergency line or not, you’ll need to mention your location and the direction the driver is headed. The make, model, and license plate number are nice to have. However, do not get too close to the suspected drunk driver in an attempt to collect such information. If they lose control of the wheel, and a car wreck occurs, you are likely to be involved if you’re too close.

Drunk driving statistics reveal that many people lose their lives due to drunk driving every year. Drunk driving is a leading cause of auto accidents, resulting in significant injuries and fatalities on the road. In fact, it’s estimated that an average of 32 people every day will lose their lives due to a drunk driving auto accident. Though it’s possible for families to file wrongful death claims, no amount of money will bring back a loved one or replace the loss of a family member, which can cause lasting emotional trauma. When you choose to drive under the influence of substances, you’re not only risking criminal charges, you’re also risking the lives of others.

What should I do after a drunk driving accident in Utah?

After a drunk driving accident in Utah, make sure everyone is safe and call 911 right away. Get medical care even if injuries seem minor, because some injuries can show up later. Take photos of the crash scene if possible, collect contact information from other drivers and witnesses, and consult a drunk driving accident lawyer before speaking with insurance companies.

Can I seek compensation if the other driver was drunk?

Yes. If another driver’s impairment caused your accident, you may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other losses related to the crash. A lawyer can review your case and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Why is it important to have a lawyer for a drunk driving accident claim?

A lawyer can investigate the accident, gather evidence like police reports and witness statements, communicate with insurance companies on your behalf, and protect your rights throughout the legal process. Having legal support can improve your chances of securing fair compensation while you focus on recovery.

Drunk Driving Accident FAQs

Can I sue a drunk driver who hit me in Salt Lake City?

Yes. A drunk driver who injures you is responsible for your losses, and their criminal case is separate from your civil claim. A Salt Lake City drunk driving accident lawyer can pursue full compensation for you.

Can anyone besides the driver be responsible?

Sometimes. Under Utah’s dram shop rules, a bar or host that overserved an obviously intoxicated person may share responsibility for the harm that follows.