Skip to main content

Salt Lake City DUI Accident Lawyers

Have you or a family member been injured in a DUI accident? If so, call The Advocates for the best legal team in Utah.

Attorneys hold meeting in law firm lobby

A DUI Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case 

The fallout from drunk driving cases can be quite tragic. If you do survive, you will have to deal with insurance companies, property damage, and a potentially lengthy legal process. Worst of all is how unfair it is. You did not ask for this.  
Our drunk driving accident lawyers cannot undo the accident, but we can provide you with legal representation. At The Advocates, we use our years of experience to fight for a just outcome that repays the damages inflicted on you.  
The influence of alcohol is pervasive in Salt Lake City. Driving under the influence continues to be a problem. Many people have come to us with personal injury claims stemming from drunk driving. With one of our personal injury attorneys, you will receive sound legal advice and a compassionate professional who wants the best possible outcome for you.  
Call us today for a free consultation.   

The Next Steps in Your Utah DUI Accident Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Property Damage

Get the damage on your vehicle assessed and fixed

Treatment

Seek medical treatment as soon as you can

Finish Treatment

Once you’ve completed treatment, your attorney will compile your medical records

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate. 
Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees. 
Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We don’t get paid unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement. 
For more information on how settlements and payment work, please see our contingency fee information page. 

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex. 
Your attorney will gather evidence, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own. 

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability. 

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more. 
In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action. 

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin. 
In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator. 

A Team of DUI Accident Professionals Assigned to Your Case  

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive fair compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you.  
We can help you: 

  • Understand the claims process 
  • Investigate your accident 
  • Work together with you towards a full resolution of your injuries 
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters 
  • Obtain a settlement or judgment against the at fault party 

Hable con un profesional

When Should I Hire a Salt Lake City DUI Accident Attorney? 

As professional DUI lawyers, we recommend hiring a Salt Lake City DUI accident lawyer as soon as you physically can. The point of your case is not to inflict punitive damages on the driver but to ensure all of your medical expenses from the auto accident are paid for. That is just the start. We promise to provide you expert legal services every step of the way. Our law firm takes great pride in protecting the legal rights of our fellow community members, helping them access medical care, and ensuring they get a just outcome from the unjust pain and suffering they have endured. It is what we do best. You deserve it. You deserve an Advocate. 

DUIs in Salt Lake City: What Does the Data Show? 

The profile of a typical DUI offender 

Utah’s 2023 DUI Annual Report has data on the characteristics of a Salt Lake City DUI arrest. The influence of alcohol cannot be overstated, especially in certain aspects of society, as seen in the following statistics:  

  • 82% of drivers had a blood alcohol content (BAC) above .05, which is considered unsafe for operating a motor vehicle.   
  • 68% of arrests occurred on the Wasatch Front in Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, or Utah County.  
  • 73% of drunk drivers were male.  
  • 36% were between 25 and 36 years old.  
  • 73% were first-time arrestees. 

Signs of an impaired driver 

You cannot stop other people from drunk driving. All of us must choose not to partake in this dangerous activity. What you can do is stop the signs of an impaired driver when you are on the road: 

  • Drifting during a turn or curve 
  • Inattentiveness to surroundings 
  • Swerving or weaving across lanes  
  • Stopping too far, too short, too jerky, and having a slow response at traffic signals 
  • Driving without headlights on at night 
  • Varying speed or driving too slowly (approximately 10+ mph under the speed limit 

Common DUI accident injuries    

Personal injury law primarily exists to help victims of a DUI case or other accident receive fair compensation for their injuries. 
Here are the most common DUI crash injuries inflicted on accident victims:  

  • Bruising and lacerations   
  • Muscle strains   
  • Whiplash   
  • Broken teeth   
  • Dislocated joints   
  • Disfigurement  
  • Broken bones   
  • Internal damage   
  • Spinal cord injuries   
  • Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries   
  • Emotional distress 
  • Wrongful death of a family member 

Suing a drunk driver 

Criminal charges are for punishing a drunk driver with DUI charges. In this type of case, they will get their driver’s license revoked or serve jail time.  
Suppose you are a victim of a car accident involving drunk driving. In that case, you will probably need compensation for the damages inflicted on you. You can pursue civil charges with a personal injury defense attorney.  
The following are commonly sought damages in a personal injury case:     

  • Medical bills  
  • Pain and suffering   
  • Lost income and loss of future earnings    
  • Non-economic damages such as emotional trauma    
  • Funeral expenses for a loved one 

Understanding Personal Injury Laws in Utah 

How fault is determined  

Utah uses a comparative negligence system. Multiple parties are assigned a percentage of responsibility for the accident.  
You cannot recover damages if you are 50% or more at fault for the accident.  
If your fault is below 50%, you can file a personal injury case, but your percentage of fault will reduce your final settlement. For example, if you are 25% at fault for the accident, then your compensation will be 75% of the total amount.   

Statute of limitations for DUI accidents   

If you are injured in a DUI accident, you generally have four years from the accident date to file a claim. That is a long time, but it is recommended that you move quickly with your claim.   
For property damage, you have three years to file a claim.   
If someone dies in a DUI accident, you have two years to file a wrongful death claim.   

The steps to take after a DUI accident in Utah   

The first few hours and days after an accident are critical for your recovery and your insurance claim’s success.     
Follow these steps to ensure you do what is necessary after an accident:   

  • Ensure immediate safety   
  • Call the police and get a police report  
  • Seek medical care 
  • Do not engage with the drunk driver; they are not in a state of mind to properly engage in an exchange of information 
  • Gather evidence at the accident scene  
  • Notify your insurance company   
  • Consult an experienced Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer   
  • Document everything, such as your medical records