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How To Report a Car Accident in Salt Lake City

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Car accidents are an unfortunate reality of life on the road. Whether you’re a seasoned driver or new to the streets of Salt Lake City, knowing how to report a car accident is an essential skill that can make the aftermath less stressful and protect your legal rights. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the steps to take immediately after a car accident, when and how to report an accident in Salt Lake City, and when it might be necessary to enlist the help of a car accident lawyer, like those at Craig Swapp & Associates.

What To Do Immediately After a Car Accident

Before reporting a car accident, it’s crucial that you take action immediately for everyone’s safety.

Ensure your safety: Turn off your vehicle, turn on your hazard lights, and move to a safe location if possible.
Assess injuries: Check yourself and any passengers for injuries, and call 911 if anyone is in need of immediate medical attention.
Call the police: Regardless of the severity of the accident, it’s essential to contact the police so they can document the incident and create an official report.
Exchange information: Collect the names, contact information, insurance details, and license plate numbers of all parties involved in the accident.
Document the scene: Take photos of the damage to all vehicles, the accident scene, and any relevant road or weather conditions.

Even if injuries appear minor, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal injuries, may not be immediately apparent. Prompt medical attention ensures proper documentation of any injuries sustained during the accident and helps protect your rights in case of a personal injury claim.

Reporting a Car Accident in Salt Lake City

In Salt Lake City, you are legally required to report any car accident that results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,500. Failure to report such accidents can lead to fines and penalties, including suspension of your driver’s license.

Accidents that must be reported include:

Collisions involving injuries or fatalities
Accidents with property damage exceeding $1,500
Hit-and-run incidents
Accidents involving uninsured or underinsured motorists

One common question is how long you have to report a car accident in Salt Lake City. You should report the accident as soon as possible, but no later than 10 days after the incident.

Ways To Report a Car Accident in SLC

There are several ways to report a car accident in Salt Lake City:

In-person: Visit your local police department or public safety office.
By phone: Call the non-emergency number for the Salt Lake City Police Department at (801) 799-3000.
Online: Complete an online accident report form on the Salt Lake City Police Department’s website.

Filing a Report With the Salt Lake City Police Department

When reporting an accident to the Salt Lake City Police Department, you’ll need to provide details about the accident, including the date, time, and location, as well as information about the vehicles and individuals involved. You may also be asked to provide a description of the accident, any contributing factors, and whether any injuries were sustained.

A frequent question is whether you need to report an accident if the police were already present at the scene. In most cases, if the police created an accident report, you do not need to file a separate report. However, it’s always a good idea to obtain a copy of the police report for your records.

Information Needed When Reporting a Car Accident

When reporting a car accident, be prepared to provide the following information:

Your name, contact information, and driver’s license number
The make, model, and license plate number of your vehicle
Insurance policy number and contact information for your insurance company
Names, contact information, and insurance details of other parties involved in the accident
Date, time, and location of the accident
A description of the accident and any contributing factors

When collecting information from other parties involved in the accident, it’s important to be courteous and cooperative. If a party refuses to provide the necessary information, note their license plate number and notify the police.

One of the concerns is whether or not to share personal information, like your home address, with other parties involved in the accident. While you should exchange basic contact information, it’s best to provide your insurance information and driver’s license number rather than your home address.

Seek a Car Accident Lawyer Salt Lake City: Better Call Swapp!

It may be necessary to seek legal representation after a car accident. Situations that may warrant the assistance of a car accident lawyer, like those at Craig Swapp & Associates, include severe injuries or fatalities, disputed liability or fault for the accident, complicated accident scenarios, or multiple parties involved, just to name some.

Knowing how to report a car accident in Salt Lake City is an essential skill for all drivers. By following the proper steps and reporting procedures, you can protect your legal rights and ensure the best possible outcome in the aftermath of an accident. Should you find yourself in need of legal assistance after a car accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to a knowledgeable car accident lawyer for guidance and support.

Written By: Ryan Swapp Legal Review By: Craig Swapp

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Before calling your firm I had 2 big worries. One was I didn’t want to do more paper work, and that fear was resolved when I had to do very little, but Craig Swapp and Assoc. did most of it, and when I did have to come in to sign papers they worked around the times I could do it. Worry 2 was I didn’t want people to think I was “sue happy” and that I was just out to get money. I just wanted my bills to be paid for that were from the accident, and that was resolved I think by Mr. Wes Mortenson and Theresa because they listened to what I had to say.

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Salt Lake City, UT

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Caldwell, ID

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West Jordan, UT

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