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Utah Car Accidents Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents for Utah on
Q: I rear ended a car and the same car backed into me while pulling to the side. I had no insurance. Am I at fault?

I rear ended a car and my tags were expired for about a month and no auto insurance. We were going to pull to the side to exchange information and not cause traffic and he accidentally backs up into me probably harder than I hit his car. He is now trying to make me pay for his damages. Am I... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 24, 2024

A Utah attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. This is a difficult one - unless there is video available, it's going to be your word against his. For a low-speed impact like that, there is no economical means of distinguishing between impact 1 and impact 2 -... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents for Utah on
Q: I rear ended a car and the same car backed into me while pulling to the side. I had no insurance. Am I at fault?

I rear ended a car and my tags were expired for about a month and no auto insurance. We were going to pull to the side to exchange information and not cause traffic and he accidentally backs up into me probably harder than I hit his car. He is now trying to make me pay for his damages. Am I... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 24, 2024

Addendum - Don't knock yourself out over it. If the bumper is going to come off and be replaced, which is often the case these days with minor impacts, the distinction between the separate impacts might not be worth dwelling on. Good luck

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Utah on
Q: If insurance is not collected at the crash what happens then?

I am doing a school project and I need to know what would happen in a scenario where two people got into a crash. Person 1 does not collect persons 2 insurance-only their phone number. Legally speaking, does person 2 have an obligation to communicate with person 1 and provide their insurance?... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 1, 2024

A Utah attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. Until you're able to contact a local attorney on state-specific laws, in most places there is an obligation to exchange driver info and insurance info. That would probably extend to phone follow-ups in most... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Insurance Bad Faith for Utah on
Q: Car insurance won’t refer me to one of there recommended refer shops and won’t rent me a car.

My vehicle was in an accident, I was issued a rental vehicle while I looked for a repair shop and was dropped of at the shop before insurance adjuster told it need to be dropped off.

My car was in the shop but my rental time had reached the $1500 amount on my policy.

The repair... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 16, 2024

A Utah attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. Unless it's a very generous policy, rental rights tend to be limited in many auto policies. One option could be to review the policy and your rights with a local attorney. Keep in mind that if the claim does not... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Utah on
Q: I was recently in an car accident and would like a professional opinion on who may be liable for damages.

It was raining heavily and I was heading home for the day. I was about to turn right onto a road to leave my works parking lot. I looked both ways and saw no incoming cars. However due to the rain and tall plants blocking my view of the sidewalk and I didn't see a man on a bike coming towards... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 4, 2023

A Utah attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. Until you are able to consult with a local attorney on state-specific rules, there are elements on both sides that could be argued - bicycle on sidewalk, vehicle leaving parking lot duty to yield, and other possible... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and DUI / DWI for Utah on
Q: cited for DUI in Utah and was in a car accident. They claim personal injury months later. Will the charge be enhanced?

Is this separate from the criminal case and will my car insurance pay for it?

T. Augustus Claus
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T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 1, 2023

In Utah, a DUI charge and a car accident involving personal injury are typically treated as separate legal matters. The DUI charge primarily focuses on factors like blood alcohol content (BAC) and impairment, and the presence of an accident alone may not necessarily enhance the DUI charge itself.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents for Utah on
Q: I did a minor hit and run, I pulled over and the car I hit didn't. Could I be in trouble?

So I clipped a car with my mirror changing into the turning lane. I ended up in front of them in the turn lane. I assumed they would follow me into the less busy side road I was turning into instead of the busy road where it happened and we could get it resolved. But they did not follow they stayed... View More

James J. Lee
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James J. Lee
answered on Aug 29, 2024

You pulled over and reported it. Really, this should be seen as a hit and run.

If the police do call you later, you will probably feel tempted to explain the situation. It would be better to say that you would like to consult with an attorney first.

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Utah on
Q: Who is more at fault in a collision involving a car turning left vs. a car driving on a bike lane

Long story short, a family member is trying to turn left into an apartment complex on a 2 way street (and a shared divider). He waited in the divider to turn left as safely as possible and found that moment when the oncoming traffic had come to a complete stop and signaled him to go. He started... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 28, 2022

A Utah attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. Until you're able to arrange a consult with a local attorney to analyze the matter under state-specific vehicle and traffic law, this would be a difficult case in most jurisdictions across the nation. Liability... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Utah on
Q: Is it wise to allow an opposing ins. co. access to my prior medical files from date of a rear -end car accident?

I was rear-ended in Nov. '21. I had prior back issues, but have had increasing pain since the accident. The opposing ins. co. wants to access my medical files from 2018. Do I need to allow this in order to settle the claim?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 4, 2022

A Utah attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. As a general matter nationwide, insurance carriers typically do make requests for records of previous accidents. This is particularly true where injuries might be similar to those from earlier accidents, or where there... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Car Accidents for Utah on
Q: I believed my neighbors where telling the truth regarding me hitting a mail box but I’m realizing they lied?

I was unloading a uhaul, I didn’t consider my blood sugar. I went to move the Uhaul in front off townhomes and out of the alley, my neighbors chased me, I freaked out, I saw one of them wave me down. Came to my senses and stoped to talk to him. They told me, didn’t I notice I hit a mail box, I... View More

Mike Branum
Mike Branum
answered on Jun 20, 2022

You have described an incident but you have not asked a question. It appears you have three paths moving forward: 1) pay the fine and take the conviction as is - simplest and quickest resolution which likely has the most significant impact on your insurance (you may want to contact your insurance... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Car Accidents for Utah on
Q: I was turning and was hit. Think the lady was speeding through light is it possible to get traffic cam footage

I then found out that my I insurance had lapsed. I had no clue my husband first all that. I had insurance the next day. I believe that both parties involved are at fault . I shouldn’t have assumed she was going to be going as fast as she was. It’s kinda a blur but I remember the light was... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 26, 2021

A Utah attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. I'm sorry about your accident. I hope everyone is okay here. You put a number of issues on the table. In terms of fault, a Utah attorney familiar with the state's vehicle and traffic law AND the signage/traffic... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Contracts and Libel & Slander for Utah on
Q: Can a lawyer accept a personal injury settlement w/o their clients approval? If they do is that a breach of contract?

obtained a. Personal injury lawyer after a car crash. After almost a year and a half I directed the lawyer to start working towards a settlement. On 1/28 the Lawyer called and said they had negotiated an offer. I said I wanted to talk to my wife before accepting the offer. The next day( 1/29 )the... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Feb 24, 2021

No, you can tell the attorney that he should tell the company it was a mistake on his part, you never agreed to anytihing. You may want to consult other attorneys, see what they say. Look for attorneys who handle car wrecks and who are memers of the Utah trial lawyers association /Utah... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Divorce for Utah on
Q: I was in a car accident Saturday but I need some answers for questions regarding the car which was in my divorce
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Mar 30, 2020

you didn't state your question. If you caused the wreck and the car is going to your wife, you need to speak with your lawyer if you do not have comprehensive coverage that will pay for the damage to the vehicle.Talk to your divorce lawyer about that end of it.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Traffic Tickets for Utah on
Q: citation after an accident the day before i moved to Canada. I found out that I need to appear in court. options?

the day before I moved to canada I got in a car accident in which resulted in a citation. this week I found out that my appearance was requested in court. currently I am not able to leave Canada until the end of the year. what options do I have to get this matter resolved via long distance? and how... View More

Taylor C. Hartley
Taylor C. Hartley
answered on Sep 3, 2019

You can quickly resolve it by paying the fine (which may include restitution). However, if you would rather contest it, an attorney can go to court for you and resolve it without you having to come back. An attorney would be able to get the police report and figure out different options of how to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Utah on
Q: Is a driver liable for causing an motorcycle accident if they initiate a turn in front of the bike and it goes down?

The driver of the car initiated a left turn into a school and stopped a foot in the lane of traffic of the motorcycle who was traveling in the opposite direction. The car didn’t hit the motorcyclist. The driver of the motorcycle assuming they would be hit braked hard locking the front wheel while... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 29, 2019

I do not practice in Utah, but your question remains open for four weeks. A local attorney could best advise on the operation of Utah's vehicle and traffic laws. However, as general legal doctrine, one can be liable for an accident even if they do not actually physically impact the other... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Traffic Tickets for Utah on
Q: What is the utah traffic code for parking lot accidents?
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Apr 19, 2019

No but it is used as a guide in most states. Consult a Utah attorney on this is it's a big deal.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Utah on
Q: How do I find out if I was fired for the wrong reason

My boss told me he likes Brown nosers asked me what I thought of it I told him I don't do that kind of stuff I don't believe in it I'm very strong and independent next day I was fired

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Sep 12, 2018

Generally, you are an at will employee which means barring a union or an employment contract you can be let go for no reason at all--reasons just go to whether there is an EEO complaint, whether you can collect unemployment insurance.

Suggest you contact a member of the Utah Assn for...
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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Utah on
Q: am i in the wrong?

3 weeks ago, i was in a car accident. i was heading north (straight) through an intersection in which i had no stop signs. as i was going through, someone turned left and i hit them. would i be in the wrong? also is there anyway their insurance would have to cover a rental for me? i dont have the... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Sep 11, 2018

The person turning left has to yield to you. Sounds like they didn't (I'm assuming no green turn arrow).If you were hurt contact a member of the Utah Assn for Justice--they give free consults.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Utah on
Q: I dinged another car with my door in a parking lot. I left a note with my contact, insurance and vehicle info. What now

At work l opened my door too fast without looking and bumped the car next to me, leaving a dime sized dent on their door. I don’t know who owns the car and no one was around, so I left a note with my contact info, my car info and my insurance info. Do I contact the police or my insurance now?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Aug 21, 2018

Bless you for being honest. At this point I would wait and see. You can pay it off or run it through your insurance.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Contracts, DUI / DWI and Employment Law for Utah on
Q: I crashed a company vehicle (into dirt) and ended up getting a dui. My employer took damage costs out of my last check?

Is that legal? I never signed a contractual agreement to pay for any damage to company property.

Michael S. Edwards
Michael S. Edwards
answered on Jul 10, 2018

Well, if you owe them the money for the damage you caused, it seems that they simply applied "self-help," and got the money back from you quickly through your check. I don't know that there is any legal action you can bring to recover the money, unless you truly don't owe the... View More

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