Salt Lake City Personal Injury Lawyer

An accident can be a life-changing event. One moment you feel healthy and in control, and the next moment you are lying in a hospital bed. Soon, you find yourself dealing with mounting medical bills, missed work, and you no longer have transportation.

If you believe someone should be held responsible for your suffering, you should contact an experienced Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer. At Handy & Handy, we take our cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you don’t need to pay anything until we have recovered fair compensation for you. So if we don’t win, you don’t pay.

Why Choose Handy & Handy After An Accident?

Our Salt Lake City personal injury attorneys at Handy and Handy have experience protecting the rights of individuals injured because of someone else’s negligence. As skilled litigation lawyers, we know what legal options are available to help you receive compensation to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

No one should go it alone against powerful insurance companies who don’t have your best interests at heart. Insurance companies are in business to make profits, and they prioritize this over paying out fairly on claims. By hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer from Handy & Handy, you can maximize your chances of gaining ample compensation. Your lawyer will do the following:

Investigate all aspects of your injury to identify the liable party and the right insurance policy for your claim
Carefully document the evidence of the at-fault party’s negligence to present to their insurance company
Calculate your damages to maximize the compensation amount
Draft a strongly worded demand letter to the insurance company to add to the demand package of evidence in the case
Represent your rights and best interests throughout negotiations to obtain the largest possible settlement
File a timely lawsuit if it’s required to secure your compensation if the insurance company fails to live up to the terms of their contract
Keep open lines of communication available throughout the entire process with regular updates on the progress of your case

A personal injury attorney is the best ally against powerful insurance companies and defendants in personal injury cases in Utah.

Handy & Handy Is On Your Side After A Serious Accident In Salt Lake City

Garrett and Preston Handy, the two lead attorneys at Handy & Handy are on your side after a life-changing accident in Salt Lake City.

Garrett Handy, lead attorney at Handy & Handy is passionate about helping his clients achieve superb results from their personal injury claims. He finds great satisfaction in his work as he is able to interact one-on-one with clients in a way that validates their injuries and fosters individual relationships.

Preston Handy has also been handling personal injury cases since 1994. He is an active member of the Utah Association for Justice. For nearly 19 years, Preston worked at one of Utah’s largest personal injury law firms. During his last 10 years at that firm, he was a partner and shareholder, growing to be one of the most trusted Salt Lake City Accident Lawyers in the state. Preston was voted by his peers in the legal community to be one of Utah’s “Legal Elite” in the area of personal injury law for the years 2013 -2021.

Testimonials

Handy & Handy is proud to represent those who have been injured due to negligence across the city of Salt Lake City and the state of Utah. We have successfully settled multiple cases involving wrongful death, car accidents, and truck accidents for over $500,000. To read our Google reviews, click here. Here’s what some of our clients have to say:

“Handy and handy have been amazing to work with. They always answered my calls as well as my questions. After my leg injury there was a lot of stuff I couldn’t do anymore but they made it so I was compensated fairly for my pain and suffering.” – Josh Munson

“Preston was great to work with! Very attentive and thorough. If you need an injury attorney he is the BEST!” – Jill Mug

“Preston Handy did an amazing job. I couldn’t be happier with him and his office’s performance. They communicated well and fought for the best settlement instead of taking a quick payout. I couldn’t be more impressed with their work. Highly recommend” – Brantley Miranda

We Are On Your Side After A Serious Injury

We are strong advocates who will work hard to find the best outcome for you and your family. Filing a personal injury claim after an injury is a complex process. We will guide you through the claims process, answer your questions, and make sure you are properly evaluated by medical professionals to help us understand the nature and extent of your injuries.

We have experience helping victims of a variety of accidents, including:

Slips-and-falls and trips-and-falls
Skiing accidents, including ski lift failures, collisions and machinery failure
Dog bites and animal attacks
Unsafe or dangerous premises in residential or commercial places
Defective products, including defective medical devices, toys, food or machinery

We believe in providing personal attention to your case. You will always know where your case is at and what action we are taking to protect your future.

We Evaluate Your Injuries

Your injuries may result in long-term issues that are costly and may impact your entire way of life. We have successfully represented individuals with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage and other catastrophic injuries who were victims of an accident or negligence.

We will make sure all physical, emotional and psychological factors are evaluated and considered when pursuing your claim for injury compensation.

Schedule A Free Consultation With Our Attorneys

Our law firm is in Salt Lake City, and our attorneys represent clients throughout Utah in personal injury cases. Let us guide you through the process, delivering the care and personal attention you deserve. Call (801) 264-6677, or contact our Salt Lake City personal injury attorney online to schedule a free consultation.

Salt Lake City Personal Injury Resources

To access any point on the page below, click the following links below.

Why Choose Us?
Testimonials & Results
We Are On Your Side
We Evaluate Your Injuries
Schedule A Free Consultation
What Is A Personal Injury?
Common Types of Personal Injuries
Who Can Be Held Liable For A Personal Injury?
Elements To Prove Negligence
What To Do After An Injury
Compensation For Damages
Do I Have to go to Court?
Contact Us Today
Locations We Serve
Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Personal Injury?

A personal injury can be defined as a loss, not only as it relates to property, but as it relates to the body, mind, or emotions as well. Personal injury law allows an injured person to recover compensation for the harm that was caused to them. For example, if you were in an accident caused by someone else, and injured your back and damaged your sunglasses, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your broken sunglasses as well as losses stemming from your back injury.

Sometimes, an accident will cause only psychological or` post-traumatic stress disorder, which, even without the presence of a physical injury, may be enough for a personal injury claim. Personal injuries are most often the result of negligence or intentional acts of wrongdoing, and may include injury to the back, legs, or other areas of the body.

Common causes of personal injury claims in Salt Lake City include:

Motor vehicle accidents – including car, truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian accidents;
Medical malpractice;
Premises liability – including slip and fall accidents, animal bites, elevator injuries, food poisoning, and falling trees;
Product liability; and
Wrongful death
Intentional acts of wrongdoing

Personal injury claims are different from criminal charges that are aimed at punishing those who break the law and deterring others from the same behavior. While, actions that lead to personal injury cases may be intentional, such as with an assault or theft, the purpose is to allow injury victims to recover compensation for damages caused by the negligence, carelessness, or wrongdoing of others.

Common Types of Personal Injuries

Injuries happen in many ways, but when it’s a preventable injury and only occurs due to someone else’s actions, the party at fault is responsible for damages. A payout for damages typically comes through the appropriate insurance policy, whether it’s auto insurance for a car accident, malpractice insurance for a medical malpractice case, or commercial property liability insurance for a slip-and-fall accident. Common injuries in personal injury claims include:

Back and neck injuries
Traumatic head injuries
Broken bones
Spinal cord injuries
Soft tissue injuries such as sprains and torn ligaments
Disfigurement
Loss of limb
Burns
Dog bites

When an injury significantly impacts the victim’s life with economic damages and non-economic damages like pain and suffering, they deserve compensation and a sense of justice.

Who Can Be Held Liable For a Personal Injury in Utah?

As a society, we all have both a moral and legal duty to avoid injuring others or putting others at risk of injury. For example, when someone drives drunk, they are neglecting their duty to other citizens because they are putting other drivers and pedestrians at risk.

Likewise, when someone has a dog who tends to act aggressively towards other strangers, and they let their dog run around without a leash, they are being negligent. If the dog bites someone, the dog’s owner can be held liable to compensate the bite victim, because of that negligence.

Businesses can also be held liable for personal injuries. For example, if a product is hazardous and is not labeled correctly, the manufacturer may be held liable to compensate anyone harmed by the dangerous product.

However, for an injured person (the plaintiff) to recover compensation in a personal injury case, they need to provide enough evidence to prove that the accused (the defendant) acted negligently and caused them to be injured. If the plaintiff is successful, the defendant must compensate the plaintiff for their injuries and losses.

What Elements are Required to Prove Negligence in a Utah Personal Injury Case?

In general, four essential elements are required to prove negligence on the part of a defendant in a personal injury case in Utah. Those elements are:

Duty – the defendant owed you a duty of care;
Breach – the defendant breached the duty of care they owed to you by violating your rights or failing to do everything they could to avoid injuring you;
Causation – the defendant’s breach caused you to suffer injuries and was the proximate (most immediate) cause of those injuries; and
Damages – evidence to prove actual physical, emotional, or financial injury as a result of the defendant’s breach

Sometimes, a personal injury case will lead to a lawsuit, while other times it may be settled by negotiation and without the time and expense associated with pursuing a lawsuit. Often, this will depend on how well negligence (and therefore liability) can be established.

What To Do After Suffering a Personal Injury

After sustaining an injury, it is important to take action right away to avoid the risk of violating the statute of limitations for bringing a personal injury claim against the liable defendant. The law allows an injury victim a limited amount of time to seek compensation for their injuries. Once this statute of limitations has passed, a personal injury claim can be denied.

Furthermore, in order to recover all the compensation you deserve, it is vital that you collect evidence immediately after the accident to help your case. If you are not physically well enough to do so yourself, you should hire someone else to collect the necessary evidence for you.

Take the following steps after sustaining a personal injury in Utah:

Seek medical help immediately – get checked out even if you feel fine;
Collect evidence and pictures – collect as much evidence as possible, and take pictures of the scene of the accident and other items that can help strengthen your case against the other driver;
Identify all the other parties involved – collect their names, driver’s licenses, and insurance information;
Identify any witnesses – collect their contact information as soon as possible; and
Contact an experienced Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer

The next step is for you and your personal injury lawyer to determine whether you will accept a settlement, or proceed to file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable defendant. An experienced Salt Lake City personal injury attorney will ensure your lawsuit is filed correctly and will assist you with pursuing the case until you reach a settlement or verdict at trial.

Compensation for Damages in Utah Personal Injury Claims

Accidents quickly become expensive. You may find your household bills piling up, medical bills adding to the pile, and at the same time, you aren’t able to return to work in your previous capacity or at all. A successful personal injury claim can bring compensation for the following damages:

Medical bills
Future medical bills if your injuries need ongoing care
Lost income
Future lost wages
Lowered earning capacity if you’ve become partially or totally disabled
Pain and suffering
Other non-economic damages that might apply, including disfigurement, limb loss, trauma, PTSD, or loss of pleasure in life

Injury victims deserve compensation for both economic damages which are tangible and easy to calculate, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. While it’s more difficult to assign a monetary amount to intangible damages like pain, suffering, and disfigurement, those damages are often the worst aspects of an injury. Financial compensation is the only form of redress available for non-economic damages.

Do I Have to Go to Court for a Personal Injury Case in Salt Lake City?

Around 90% of personal injury claims settle out of court through your attorney’s evidence-backed negotiations with the insurance company of the party at fault. Only in cases of insurance company denial of a valid claim or bad faith insurance practices, does the case proceed to a lawsuit as long as it’s filed within Utah’s 4-year statute of limitations. Utah’s time limit for personal injury claims is generous compared to the two years allowed in most states.

Though court cases take longer to resolve than a settlement, jury awards are almost always higher than a settlement. Additionally, if the insurance company used bad-faith practices to deny a reasonable claim, the jury could award you extra compensation and order the insurance company to pay your court costs.

Contact Our Salt Lake City Personal Injury Attorney Today

If you or someone you care about has suffered a personal injury in Utah, you may be entitled to recover substantial compensation. When working through the complicated subject of personal injury law, a qualified Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer can assist you with understanding your rights as a victim, the insurance claims settlement process, and the various laws applicable to your individual situation.

For guidance and to protect your right to compensation, call Handy & Handy at (801) 264-6677, or contact us to schedule a meeting with an experienced Salt Lake City personal injury attorney.

Locations We Serve

We serve all of Salt Lake City, including:

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Personal Injury Attorney?

Hiring a personal injury attorney from Handy & Handy comes with no upfront costs. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we win your case. Our fees are a percentage of the compensation we secure for you, so you can focus on your recovery without worrying about legal expenses.

How Long Does It Typically Take To Resolve A Personal Injury Case?

The duration of a personal injury case can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of your case and the willingness of the opposing party to settle. At Handy & Handy, we strive to resolve cases as efficiently as possible while ensuring you receive fair compensation. We will provide you with a timeline specific to your case during our initial consultation.

How Much Compensation Can I Expect To Receive?

The amount of compensation you may receive in a personal injury case depends on various factors, including the extent of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and the negligence of the other party. At Handy & Handy, our experienced attorneys will work tirelessly to maximize your compensation. We’ll evaluate your case and provide a realistic estimate of potential damages during your consultation.

Can I Still Pursue A Personal Injury Claim If I Was Partially At Fault For The Accident?

Yes, you can still pursue a personal injury claim even if you were partially at fault for the accident. In many cases, Utah follows a comparative negligence system, which means your compensation may be reduced based on your level of fault. Handy & Handy can help assess the impact of your partial fault on your claim and guide you through the legal process to seek fair compensation.

What Evidence Should I Gather After An Accident to Strengthen My Personal Injury Claim?

After an accident, it’s essential to gather and document as much evidence as possible to strengthen your personal injury claim. This may include taking photographs of the accident scene, obtaining witness statements, preserving any physical evidence, and seeking immediate medical attention. Handy & Handy’s skilled personal injury attorneys will provide you with specific guidance on collecting and preserving evidence relevant to your case to ensure the best possible outcome.

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