If a drunk driver hurts you or someone you love in the West Valley, you have the right to hold that driver accountable and pursue full compensation for what happened to you. A West Valley drunk driving accident lawyer at Lance Bingham can investigate the crash, identify every party that shares fault, and deal with the insurance companies while you focus on healing.
We represent people who were injured by impaired drivers across West Valley City and all of Utah, and we do not get paid unless we recover money for you. Call Lance Bingham today at 801-477-8219 for a free case evaluation and let us start protecting your rights.
Being hit by a drunk driver is not an ordinary accident. Someone made a choice to get behind the wheel while impaired, and you are the one left with the injuries, the medical bills, and the disruption to your life.
Our drunk driving accident lawyers represent the people who were hurt, never the driver who caused the harm. We help you recover money for your injuries while the criminal courts handle the driver's DUI charges separately.
Lance Bingham serves clients throughout West Valley City and the rest of Utah. Because we know an injury can keep you from coming to us, our attorneys travel to you and make home and hospital visits so we can take action quickly.
Impaired driving remains a serious danger on Utah roads, and the numbers show why holding drunk drivers accountable matters. Recent state data paints a clear picture:
One of the first things we do is figure out everyone who may be legally responsible. Drunk driving crashes often involve more than one at-fault party, and each additional source of liability can mean additional compensation for you.
The driver who chose to drive while impaired is almost always the primary responsible party. When a chemical test shows the driver was over the legal limit, that evidence can strongly support your civil claim for damages, whether or not the driver is convicted in criminal court.
Utah law lets an injured person pursue the business that provided the alcohol, not only the driver. Under Utah's Alcoholic Product Liability Act, Utah Code § 32B-15-201, a bar, restaurant, or other seller can be liable when it serves someone who is underage or already apparently under the influence, and that person then injures someone else.
The same law also reaches social hosts who provide alcohol to a person under 21. Pursuing a dram shop claim takes fast investigation, because receipts, surveillance video, and server records can disappear.
Depending on the facts, other parties may share fault, including:
Several Utah laws shape how much you can recover and how long you have to act. Understanding them early helps you avoid mistakes that could reduce or bar your claim.
Utah has the strictest legal limit in the country. Under Utah Code § 41-6a-502, a driver is over the legal limit at a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .05 grams or greater, a threshold that took effect at the end of 2018. A driver can also be charged for impairment from drugs or a combination of alcohol and drugs. Proof that a driver crossed this line supports the argument that the driver was negligent.
You do not have unlimited time to file. Under Utah Code § 78B-2-307, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within four years of the crash.
If a loved one was killed, a wrongful death claim generally must be filed within two years of the death. Claims against a government entity require written notice within one year, so the sooner you speak with a lawyer, the better.
Utah follows a modified comparative fault rule under Utah Code Section 78B-5-818. You can still recover money as long as you are less than 50% at fault, though your share of the blame reduces your award.
If you are found 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto you to trigger this rule, which is one reason having a lawyer matters.
The money you can pursue depends on the seriousness of your injuries and how the crash affected your life. In a drunk driving case, several categories of compensation may apply.
These cover your measurable financial losses, including:
These cover losses that do not come with a receipt, including:
If a drunk driver caused the death of a family member, surviving relatives may pursue a wrongful death claim for losses such as funeral costs, lost financial support, and the loss of companionship. Our team handles these cases with the care they demand.
The steps you take after the crash can protect both your health and your claim. If you are able, keep the following in mind:
Taking these steps helps preserve the evidence we need to build a strong case on your behalf.
From the first call, we gather the evidence your case depends on: the police report, chemical test results, witness statements, and any available video. When a bar or restaurant may share responsibility, we move fast to secure server records and surveillance footage before they disappear.
Insurance companies make low offers early, hoping you accept before you know what your claim is worth. We handle every conversation with the insurer and push for a settlement that reflects your full losses, including future medical needs and lost earning ability. Once you settle, you cannot go back for more, so we make sure the number is right. If the insurer will not offer a fair amount, we are prepared to take your case to court.
With several years of combined experience, we work on contingency, so there is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Yes. Your civil claim is separate from the criminal case and uses a lower standard of proof, so you can pursue compensation even without a conviction.
Most injury claims must be filed within four years of the crash. Wrongful death claims generally have two years. Speak with a lawyer promptly to protect your rights.
You may still recover through your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, or through a dram shop claim against the business that served the driver.
Possibly. Utah's dram shop law allows claims against a business that served someone underage or already apparently intoxicated who then caused your injuries.
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, so we only get paid if we recover money for you, and your first case evaluation is free.
If a drunk driver injured you or your family in West Valley, the team at Lance Bingham is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Call our West Valley drunk driving accident lawyer today at 801-477-8219 for a free case evaluation, and let us handle the insurance companies while you focus on recovery.
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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