Driving under the influence (DUI) is a leading cause of traffic-related injuries and fatalities in Salt Lake City, Utah. If you or a loved one were injured in a DUI accident in Salt Lake City, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. This can compensate you for the severe injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardship a DUI accident may bring you and your family.
Contact McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers today at (385) 462-7630 for a free consultation with a Salt Lake City DUI accident lawyer.
For over two decades, McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers has helped victims of DUI accidents in Salt Lake City, UT, recover compensation for their injuries. We have used over 40 years of combined experience to recover hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Our car accident lawyers can handle all aspects of your case, from investigating how drunk or impaired driving contributed to your accident to negotiating insurance settlements for maximum compensation. We will gather evidence, interview eyewitnesses, evaluate your medical records, file insurance claims, and litigate DUI accident cases in Utah’s state courts.
DUI accidents remain a serious concern throughout Utah.
According to the Utah Department of Public Safety:
Utah continues to experience DUI-related tragedies despite increased awareness and strict enforcement. In Salt Lake City, the risk of encountering an impaired driver is especially high during weekends, holidays, and late-night hours.
If you are out drinking, choose a safe way to get home rather than getting behind the wheel.
Drunk or impaired driving in Utah is legally defined under Utah Code § 41-6a-502, which prohibits operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05 percent or higher.
Utah has the strictest BAC limit in the nation, reflecting the state’s strong stance against impaired driving.
A driver may also be charged with DUI if they are under the influence of:
Even if the driver is not convicted of a DUI in criminal court, they can still be held civilly liable for the harm they caused in an accident. Civil cases have a lower burden of proof than criminal ones, meaning you may still recover damages even if a criminal case is pending or results in a plea deal.
If you are involved in a crash and the other driver is charged with DUI, it may significantly strengthen your potential personal injury claim. This is because a DUI arrest creates a strong presumption of negligence.
You can often file a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim based on DUI evidence, such as breathalyzer results, body cam footage, and witness statements. However, even if the DUI driver has been charged or convicted, you will still need to prove the full extent of your injuries and damages. This is where an experienced Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer can become invaluable.
Victims of DUI accidents may be eligible for a wide range of compensatory damages.
These include:
In cases involving egregious behavior, such as drunk driving, courts may also award punitive damages. These are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from similar conduct. Utah law allows punitive damages in personal injury cases where one’s behavior shows reckless disregard for others’ safety.
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Utah is four years from the date of the accident. This includes injuries sustained in DUI-related accidents. However, you should not wait to take legal action. Delays can make it harder to collect evidence, locate witnesses, and prove your claim.
If you or someone you love was injured in a DUI accident in Salt Lake City, you deserve justice. Our personal injury team has been standing up for injury victims for decades. From investigating your case to negotiating with insurance companies or taking your case to trial, we will be with you every step of the way. Call McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Salt Lake City DUI accident attorney.
