Salt Lake City Personal Injury Lawyer
Committed to Helping You Recover
At Pearson Butler, we understand that personal injuries can be life-altering. When you are injured, you may be unable to work, pay your bills, or provide for your family. Medical bills can quickly pile up, and you may feel like you are drowning in debt. If you or someone you love has been injured due to the negligence or wrongful conduct of another, you may be entitled to compensation. Our personal injury lawyers in Salt Lake City are here to help you fight for the justice and fair recovery you deserve.
Contact us today at (800) 265-2314 to request a free consultation and discuss your case with one of our attorneys.
What is a Personal Injury Case?
Personal injury cases arise when one person is injured due to the negligence or wrongful conduct of another. These cases are civil matters, meaning the liable party is not typically charged with a crime, but can still be held accountable for the victim’s damages.
Here are some common types of personal injury cases:
- Car Accidents: These are among the most common types of personal injury cases. They occur when one or more drivers' negligence leads to an accident resulting in injuries to passengers, pedestrians, or other motorists.
- Truck Accidents: These cases involve collisions or accidents caused by commercial trucks, such as tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, or tanker trucks. Due to their size and weight, truck accidents often result in severe injuries or fatalities.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcycle accidents occur when motorcycles collide with other vehicles, pedestrians, or objects on the road. Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to serious injuries due to the lack of protective barriers.
- Premises Liability: Premises liability cases arise when injuries occur on someone else's property due to unsafe conditions. This can include slip and fall accidents, inadequate security leading to assaults, swimming pool accidents, or accidents in amusement parks.
- Product Liability: Product liability cases arise when a defective or dangerous product causes injury to a consumer. This can include defective toys, malfunctioning vehicles, contaminated food products, or unsafe medications.
- Medical Malpractice: Medical malpractice cases involve injuries caused by the negligence or incompetence of healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, surgeons, or pharmacists. Examples include surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication errors, or birth injuries.
- Workplace Accidents: These cases involve injuries sustained while on the job due to unsafe working conditions, inadequate training, or employer negligence. Examples include falls from heights, machinery accidents, or exposure to hazardous substances.
- Wrongful Death: Wrongful death cases occur when a person's death is caused by the negligence or misconduct of another party. Family members of the deceased may file a lawsuit seeking compensation for their loss.
Common Types of Injuries
A personal injury can range from minor bruises to life-altering conditions that affect your ability to work, live independently, or enjoy daily life. Our firm has helped clients who have suffered from:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Severe burns or lacerations
- Whiplash and soft tissue damage
- Internal organ injuries
- Amputations or loss of limb
- Emotional trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Whether you’re facing weeks of recovery or a permanent disability, Pearson Butler is committed to helping you pursue the maximum compensation available under Utah law.
Utah Personal Injury Laws
Understanding Utah’s personal injury laws is essential to building a strong case. Here are some key points that every injury victim should know:
Statute of Limitations
In Utah, you typically have four years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (Utah Code §78B-2-307). However, certain cases—such as medical malpractice or claims against a government entity—have shorter deadlines. Failing to file within the statute of limitations can result in losing your right to compensation.
Comparative Negligence Rule
Utah follows a modified comparative negligence system. This means that you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as you are less than 50% responsible for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Damage Caps
Utah does not cap most economic damages (like medical bills or lost wages), but there are limits on non-economic damages in certain types of cases, such as medical malpractice. Our attorneys can help you understand what compensation may be available in your specific situation.
Insurance Requirements
Utah is a no-fault insurance state for auto accidents. This means your own insurance (Personal Injury Protection, or PIP) covers initial medical expenses and lost income regardless of fault. However, you may step outside the no-fault system and file a personal injury claim if your injuries meet certain severity thresholds.
Serving Injury Victims Throughout Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City's mix of dense downtown traffic, major interstates, and a growing population creates real risks for residents and visitors alike. Our attorneys regularly handle cases arising from:
- I-15 and I-80 collisions, where high speeds and heavy commuter and freight traffic contribute to serious multi-vehicle crashes
- Downtown and Sugar House accidents, involving pedestrians, cyclists, and TRAX light rail interactions at busy intersections
- Winter weather-related crashes, common during Salt Lake City's snow and ice season, when road conditions increase the risk of collisions
- Premises liability incidents at local businesses, apartment complexes, and public venues throughout Salt Lake County
Because we're familiar with the roads, neighborhoods, and courts of Salt Lake City, we know how to investigate local accidents efficiently and anticipate the tactics insurance companies use in this area.
Your Case in the Utah Court System
If your personal injury claim can't be resolved through negotiation, it may need to proceed through Utah's Third District Court, which handles civil cases arising in Salt Lake County, including those filed at the Matheson Courthouse (450 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84114). Our attorneys are experienced litigators who are prepared to file suit and represent you through every stage of trial, should the at-fault party's insurer refuse to negotiate in good faith. Having local counsel who regularly appears before Salt Lake County's courts can make a meaningful difference in how efficiently your case moves forward.
What Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
One of the most common questions our Salt Lake City personal injury attorneys receive is, “What is my case worth?” Unfortunately, there is no “one-size-fits-all” answer.
The value of your personal injury case will depend on a variety of factors, including the specific facts and circumstances involved, the extent of your injuries, your total damages, the at-fault party’s insurance policy, and more. In general, however, you may be entitled to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages/income
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost earning capacity
Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
The more severe your injuries and damages, the higher your settlement may be. Additionally, if you were partially at fault for the accident, your settlement may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
How Insurance Companies Try to Minimize Your Claim
Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company's bottom line, not your best interests. After an accident, you may encounter tactics such as:
- Fast settlement offers before the full extent of your injuries is known
- Requests for recorded statements that can later be used against you
- Disputes over fault, even when evidence supports your claim
- Delayed responses intended to pressure you into accepting less
Our Salt Lake City personal injury attorneys handle all communication with insurance companies on your behalf, so you're not pressured into a settlement that doesn't reflect the true value of your damages.
What to Expect When You Work With Pearson Butler
We believe injury victims deserve clarity, not confusion, during an already difficult time. Here's what our process typically looks like:
- Free Consultation – We review the facts of your case, answer your questions, and explain your legal options at no cost or obligation.
- Investigation – Our team gathers police reports, medical records, witness statements, and any available surveillance or photo evidence.
- Demand & Negotiation – We prepare a demand package and negotiate directly with the insurance company to pursue a fair settlement.
- Litigation, If Necessary – If a fair resolution can't be reached, we're prepared to file suit and take your case to trial.
- Resolution – Whether through settlement or verdict, we keep you informed throughout and work to secure the compensation you deserve.
Because we work on contingency, you pay nothing out of pocket, and you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Personal Injury FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?
At Pearson Butler, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. Our fee comes as a percentage of the compensation we recover for you. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
What should I do after an accident?
Your health and safety come first. Seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Then, document the scene, gather witness information, and contact a Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Do I have to go to court?
Not necessarily. Many personal injury claims are resolved through negotiations or mediation. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, our trial attorneys are prepared to take your case to court.
How long will my case take?
Every case is different. Simple claims may resolve in a few months, while complex or severe injury cases can take longer. Our team will keep you informed every step of the way and work to resolve your case as efficiently as possible.
Can I still recover damages if I was partly at fault?
Yes. Under Utah’s comparative negligence law, you can still recover damages if you were less than 50% responsible for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your share of fault.
How Can a Salt Lake City Personal Injury Attorney Help Me?
By working with a skilled personal injury lawyer in Salt Lake City, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal details. We will thoroughly investigate the accident, gather evidence to support your claim, and handle the necessary paperwork. Our attorneys at Pearson Butler can also help you understand your legal rights and options, as well as what to expect as your case progresses.
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, our attorneys are not afraid to take your case to court. We are skilled litigators who are prepared to fight for you in the courtroom. Our goal is to help you achieve a favorable outcome, and we are prepared to do whatever it takes to make that happen.
Why Choose Pearson Butler
With more than 30 attorneys and over 300 years of combined legal experience, Pearson Butler is one of the few full-service, multi-practice firms in Utah. That matters for personal injury clients because cases often overlap with other legal issues, like disputes over medical liens, workers' compensation, or estate matters following a wrongful death. Rather than referring you elsewhere, our in-house attorneys across a dozen practice areas can coordinate to protect your interests from every angle. Our attorneys have also been recognized by Super Lawyers, Utah Legal Elite, and AV Preeminent, among other honors, reflecting a consistent standard of skill and professionalism.
Reach out to our Salt Lake City personal injury lawyers today at (800) 265-2314. We offer free initial consultations and contingency fees, so you don’t pay unless/until we win your case.
