At Lance Bingham Utah Personal Injury Lawyers, our Sandy drunk driving accident attorney helps victims fight back after an impaired driver causes a car accident. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to someone else's negligence, you may seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and punitive damages. We also handle wrongful death claims after fatal drunk driving crashes. Call us today at (801) 477-8219 for a free consultation and free case evaluation. We will protect your legal rights and guide you through the legal process.
You should call an accident lawyer in Sandy immediately after a drunk-driving car crash. Call right away if you suffered serious injuries, need hospitalization, or face disputed insurance coverage. You also need legal help after a wrongful death, hit-and-run crash, or when insurance companies pressure you to accept a quick settlement.
Early legal help can preserve critical crash evidence. We secure the police report, BAC results, witness statements, crash photos, and video footage. Do not wait to call an accident attorney.
Our personal injury lawyers have decades of combined legal experience helping victims recover compensation in Sandy. We also help people injured in car accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, workplace injuries, and pedestrian accidents. Our law firm has recovered millions for injured clients in personal injury cases. We are experienced personal injury lawyers who handle every case personally.
We launch a thorough investigation the moment you call. We communicate with insurance companies, gather medical records, and document your lost wages and property damage. We coordinate with evidence from the criminal DUI case to strengthen your injury claim. Then we fight for maximum compensation through settlement or legal action.
Our legal team provides:
Drunk driving wrecks happen far too often in Utah. The Utah Highway Safety Office reports 4,408 alcohol-related crashes from 2020 to 2024. Alcohol-related crashes are 15.1 times more likely to result in death than all other crash types. Nationwide, the NHTSA reports 11,904 people died in drunk-driving crashes in 2024, with one person killed every 44 minutes.
Sandy has specific risk areas for drunk-driving crashes. I-15, State Street, 9000 South, nightlife routes, restaurants, bars, and event traffic all see higher rates of impaired driving. These preventable accidents cause catastrophic injuries and wrongful death every year.
The value of your injury claim depends on several key factors. These include your medical expenses, lost wages, ongoing treatment needs, and pain and suffering. The strength of the fault evidence and the availability of liability insurance also matter a lot.
Serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, or catastrophic injuries may increase case value. Punitive damages may also apply in drunk driving cases, which can add to your financial compensation. No personal injury attorney can promise a number without reviewing your medical records and crash facts.
Injured victims can seek many types of financial compensation after a drunk-driving crash. These include emergency care, hospital bills, surgery, rehabilitation, and physical therapy. You can also recover lost wages, reduced earning capacity, property damage, and out-of-pocket costs.
Non-economic damages include emotional distress, chronic pain, and loss of enjoyment of life. Punitive damages may be available to punish the negligent party for extreme misconduct. In a wrongful death case, families can recover funeral costs and loss of companionship.
You may recover damages for:
Yes, you may still recover compensation under Utah's comparative negligence law. Utah Code § 78B-5-818 says your award gets reduced by your share of fault. However, you cannot recover if you are 50 percent or more responsible.
Insurance companies often try to shift blame to the injured victim. They may allege speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, distracted driving, sudden lane changes, or delayed medical care. The strong evidence of drunk driving helps your case, but you still need proof of damages. Our car accident lawyers fight back against unfair blame.
Drunk driving crashes cause some of the most serious injuries possible. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal injuries, burns, and cuts. Riders also face neck injuries, back injuries, knee injuries, shoulder injuries, soft tissue damage, and psychological trauma.
Medical records, specialist reports, and treatment plans help prove the full extent of your injuries. Medical professionals can document every surgery, therapy session, and need for ongoing treatment. We will fight to help you recover compensation for every harm you have suffered.
Drunk driving causes crashes through several dangerous effects. Alcohol impairs judgment, delays reaction time, reduces coordination, and leads to speeding and reckless decisions. Common crash types include wrong-way driving, running traffic signals, drifting between lanes, and tailgating.
Sandy has specific risks along I-15, 9000 South, State Street, and late-night travel corridors. Restaurants, bars, entertainment areas, and event traffic all see higher rates of impaired driving. Establishing the cause of your car crash helps identify the negligent party and prove your personal injury claim.
Common causes of drunk driving accidents:
Punitive damages are meant to punish, especially wrongful conduct, and deter similar behavior. Drunk driving may support a punitive damages claim depending on Utah law and the facts of your case. No accident attorney can guarantee punitive damages, but a DUI crash is strong evidence of extreme recklessness.
Evidence such as BAC results, prior DUI history, criminal charges, or other reckless conduct can help prove your case. Under Utah Code § 78B-8-201, punitive damages may be awarded if you establish by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant's actions were willful and malicious. We will evaluate whether punitive damages apply in your motor vehicle collision.
Losing a loved one in a drunk-driving crash is devastating. Surviving family members may have legal options after a fatal crash. A wrongful death claim can help families recover funeral expenses, burial costs, and medical bills incurred before death.
Families may also recover lost financial support, loss of companionship, and other available damages. These cases demand prompt investigation, family documentation, and coordination with any criminal DUI proceedings. Our personal injury attorneys handle wrongful death claims with compassion while fighting for financial compensation.
Wrongful death damages may include:
Preserving evidence quickly is critical in any drunk-driving case. Key evidence includes police reports, DUI citations, BAC results, field sobriety test details, bodycam footage, and dashcam video. Witness statements, crash photos, medical records, repair estimates, and insurance company letters also help prove your case.
Criminal case evidence may support your civil claim, but the civil case still requires proof of damages. Early investigation helps prevent evidence from disappearing. We work with accident reconstruction experts to analyze the accident scene and build a strong injury claim.
We gather evidence such as:
You must show four legal elements to prove negligence. These are duty, breach, causation, and damages. The defendant owed you a duty of care to drive safely.
Evidence from the accident scene, DUI investigation, and medical records all help prove your case. Expert testimony also strengthens your claim. A skilled attorney can handle these complex legal elements while you focus on healing.
Insurance companies may still dispute your claim even when drunk driving is clear. They often challenge the severity of your injuries, causation, treatment needs, future damages, and policy limits. Common tactics include low offers, recorded statement requests, delay tactics, and attempts to minimize non-economic damages.
Never accept an offer or sign a release before talking to a personal injury lawyer. The insurer's job is to protect its own profits, not to help you. We handle all communication with insurance companies so you do not get cheated out of the fair compensation you deserve.
Take these steps right away to protect your health and your legal rights. Call 911, get medical care, and cooperate fully with police. Photograph the accident scene, all vehicles, road conditions, and your injuries.
Get witness names and contact information. Save all medical bills and wage records. Do not admit fault at the accident scene or speak with any insurance adjuster unprepared. Keep copies of police reports, insurance letters, and all medical documents.
Your checklist after a drunk driving crash:
Utah law sets strict deadlines for car accident lawsuits. According to Utah Code § 78B-2-307, you generally have four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wrongful death claims have shorter deadlines, typically two years from the date of death.
Claims against government entities or for defective roadways may have even shorter time limits. Missing any deadline can permanently bar you from recovering compensation. Contact an accident lawyer right away to protect your rights.
As your Sandy personal injury lawyer, we investigate your crash, gather DUI evidence, deal with insurance companies, and fight for monetary compensation through a settlement or a court award.
Yes, injured victims can recover compensation for lost work time, plus reduced future earning capacity. An experienced lawyer maximizes your financial recovery.
Yes, punitive damages may apply under Utah law if the driver acted with extreme recklessness. This additional award punishes the party's negligence and deters future drunk driving.
A criminal DUI case can help your personal injury lawsuit, but you still need to prove your damages separately. We handle both tracks to secure full financial recovery.
Yes, families can file a wrongful death claim after a fatal drunk-driving crash to recover funeral costs, lost support, and other owed compensation resulting from the party's negligence.
Bring police reports, medical records, insurance letters, crash photos, witness information, and any other evidence. Our experienced car accident attorney will review all relevant information to estimate your monetary compensation.
If a drunk driving crash has injured you or killed someone you love, contact Lance Bingham Utah Personal Injury Lawyers today. Our Sandy drunk driving accident attorney team serves all of Sandy and areas near I-15, 9000 South, and State Street. We handle car accident cases involving distracted driving, impaired driving, pedestrian accidents, and all types of vehicle accidents. Our Sandy personal injury practice also covers medical malpractice and other personal injury law matters.
We will investigate the crash, gather DUI evidence, work with your insurance company, document all your damages, and help you understand your legal options. Call us now at (801) 477-8219 for a free case evaluation and free consultation. Do not accept any insurance settlement before speaking with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you recover compensation. We are ready to fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
Dustin specializes in serious accident and injury cases in Utah and Idaho, practicing in State and Federal Courts. He's recognized as "Utah's Legal Elite," a "Mountain States Rising Star," and a member of The National Trial Lawyers Top 100. He holds an Avvo Superb Rating and is actively involved in legal associations, serving as a judge pro tempore for the Utah Supreme Court. A Utah native, Dustin earned his degrees from the University of Utah. He lives in Farmington with his wife and three children, enjoying family time, flying, and various outdoor activities.
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