A personal injury lawsuit is a civil action and while a defendant will typically provide evidence they hope will show they are not liable for the injuries, the threshold of guilt is different than it would be in a criminal defense of their actions.
DUI/DWI
Of the 918 alcohol-related accidents on Utah’s roads in 2021, 55 resulted in fatalities, and 313 led to injuries. The number of people who lost their lives was 61, while an estimated 485 sustained injuries. The average blood alcohol concentration for impaired drivers arrested for suspected DUI was 0.165, and 66% of those drivers also had other drugs in their systems.
Wrongful Death
Patients who have suffered from harmful side effects can sue the company and obtain compensation for their injuries as well as pain and suffering and emotional distress. If a dangerous prescription drug kills a family member, the company can be liable for wrongful death as well.
Traffic Violations
The fact that boating accidents tend to occur at the most unlikely times raises the alarm for governing bodies in Utah. Consequently, they studied the trends of boating accidents and deaths and determined that alcohol use and excessive speeding played significant roles. However, there were other factors at play.
Assault
Hit and Run
Unfortunately, hit-and-run drivers are all too common. In Utah, it is a felony to flee the scene of an accident that resulted in injury, death or property damage. Sadly, this does not always stop drivers from running. Fortunately, if you are a hit-and-run victim, you can do a few things.
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Premises liability is a concept holding home and business owners responsible for accidents occurring on their property due to their failure to keep the property safe for visitors. For example, suppose you enter a restaurant during operating hours on a rainy day and slip and fall on water tracked in at the entrance. In that case, you could potentially argue that the employees failed to keep the entryway safe or place signage warning guests that the floor was wet. Similarly, if you came to a neighbor’s house and slipped and fell on a broken stair in their home, you could argue that the homeowner had a responsibility to fix it before having over a guest. As the plaintiff, you must prove the property owner’s liability for your accident and subsequent injuries.
Property Damage
The results can be anything from minor embarrassment to severe trauma, such as head injuries, broken bones, or spinal cord injuries. Simply falling on someone else’s property is not enough to file a lawsuit seeking damages. Without injury or property damage, you have no losses to recover. Therefore, you cannot file a civil lawsuit.
In 2020, more than 4,000 people died in trucking accidents. People in passenger vehicles make up an overwhelming majority of these fatalities. When people survive trucking accidents in Utah, injuries tend to be severe. These statistics can paint a picture of easy open-and-shut cases that make it unnecessary to hire an attorney. However, few people have the resources to battle recovery and personal injury law simultaneously. Even when they do, one of these priorities will likely suffer.
Medical Malpractice
Sadly, despite otherwise healthy pregnancies, too many newborns suffer birth injuries that often result in lifelong complications and reduced quality of life. Many of these injuries are preventable and are the result of medical malpractice.
Auto Accidents
Dog Bites
According to one local news station, Utah ranks third in America for the most significant insurance claims related to dog bites. Despite the small population, Utahans have a strong love for animals. However, some pet owners engage in negligent behavior. When this causes injuries, the injured party may seek damages and receive compensation.
Slip and Fall Injury
Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere, and not all warrant a personal injury lawsuit. However, if you slip and fall, suffering an injury, on someone else’s property due to their negligence, you may have an opportunity to recover the losses incurred during treatment. Like all personal injury lawsuits in Utah, winning a slip and fall injury case relies on your ability to prove liability and damages. You may find it challenging without the help of a Utah slip and fall accident lawyer.