Cedar City Personal Injury FAQs

What should I look for in an attorney?

First, you need to look for experience. This doesn’t just mean how long has the person been an attorney, but how long have they been handling personal injury cases. You also want to choose an attorney who is focused on personal injury claims, rather than someone who takes any type of case.

Trial experience is also important. Insurance companies know if your attorney is willing to go to trial, and they take that into account in settlement negotiations.

 

What should I do after I’m hurt in an accident?

If you have been injured due to somebody else’s negligence in the state of Utah:

Seek medical care.
Follow any recommendations that your doctors give you.
Save any evidence, such as photos of your injuries and the accident scene.
Do not give a written or recorded statement to the insurance company.
Stay off social media.
Hire an attorney to help you with your case.

 

Should I take the first settlement offer from the insurance company?

We never recommend taking the first offer. Insurance companies will do everything possible to minimize personal injury settlement amounts. They may make a lowball offer early on, when you are stressed out but don’t understand the full extent of your losses, so you will take the money and sign away your rights.

At Swenson & Shelley, we are skilled negotiators and proven litigators. We will work to maximize your recovery from the insurance company.

 

How long will my case take?

This will primarily depend on how long it is going to take for you to recover from the injuries you suffered. We want you to get to a stable point where your medical providers have a good understanding of what your injuries are and what ongoing care you need. At that point, we’ll be able to gather up the bills and the records from your medical providers begin to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company.

Oftentimes, we’re able to resolve cases through settlements. However, if the insurance company is unwilling to come to the table with a fair offer, we would then file litigation.

 

Will my personal injury case go to trial?

Most personal injury cases do not end up going to trial. Many cases can be resolved with a fair settlement offer from the insurance company. Even when a case does go into litigation, our attorneys can often continue to negotiate and work toward a resolution.

However, if your case does go to trial, you can feel confident that our attorneys can take a case to a jury verdict. We will make sure that you’re comfortable with the process, understand what to expect, and are well-prepared for a trial.