Navigating the Personal Injury Claims Process After a Car Accident
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you’ve likely found yourself tangled in the complexities of the insurance industry. For many, this process is overwhelming and confusing. This article provides a step-by-step overview of what happens in a car wreck case from start to finish. The same general principles apply to motorcycle accidents, boating accidents, ATV crashes, passenger car accidents, and dog bite cases.

Before the Car Accident: Protect Yourself with Proper Insurance
Having the right insurance coverage protects both your personal assets and your financial future. If the at-fault driver in an accident has only a low-limit $25,000 liability policy, it won’t go far in covering serious injuries. Likewise, a $50,000 underinsured policy may not be enough if you’re seriously hurt. If you have the financial resources, it’s wise to carry higher insurance limits for both liability and underinsured coverage to safeguard yourself and your family.
I recommend working with a non-captive insurance agent—one who isn’t tied to a specific brand. These agents can tailor your insurance coverage by drawing from multiple carriers, unlike captive agents from companies like State Farm, Bear River, or AllState, who only sell their own products.
[Learn more about how much car insurance you should have in Utah here.]
The Car Accident: What to Do First
Accidents are unexpected, and often, they happen shortly after purchasing a new car. The first step is to seek medical care based on the severity of the accident. It’s always better to overreact than underreact—when in doubt, visit a doctor. You only have one body, and every Utah car insurance policy includes Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, so there’s no reason to delay care.
Medical Care After an Accident: Use Your PIP Benefits
After an accident, seeking medical care is crucial. Many people don’t have health insurance, but Utah requires all car insurance policies to include at least $3,000 in PIP coverage. This no-fault insurance means your PIP benefits will cover your medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident.
I also recommend increasing your PIP coverage to $10,000. It’s a low-cost way to protect your health, and the slight increase in premium is worth the added coverage.
Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)
Once you’ve completed your medical treatment, you’ll reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)—the point at which your doctors determine your injuries have stabilized. MMI is essential for your personal injury claim, as it provides clarity on the extent of your injuries and the necessary medical care moving forward.
In complex cases involving serious injuries—such as amputations or brain injuries—a life care planner may be involved to map out future medical needs, which can cost millions of dollars. Experienced personal injury attorneys will wait until MMI is reached before pursuing a claim to ensure all injuries are properly accounted for.
The Role of Experts in Personal Injury Cases
Hiring the right expert witnesses can make or break a personal injury case. Experts are particularly valuable when the case involves pre-existing conditions that overlap with accident-related injuries. For example:
- If you had a pre-existing back injury before the crash, a medical expert can distinguish between the old injury and new injuries caused by the accident.
- For severe, clear-cut cases (like amputation), expert testimony may not be required since the injury is obvious.
Types of experts in personal injury cases include:
- Medical professionals: ER doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists
- Accident reconstructionists: Experts who recreate the crash to determine fault
- Life care planners and economists: Professionals who project future medical expenses and financial losses
While experts are critical, they are also expensive. In smaller cases, expert fees may total $5,000. For larger cases, costs can exceed $100,000. Not every attorney has the financial resources to hire top experts—choosing a well-funded law firm is essential to ensuring your case is fully developed. My firm, Howard Lewis & Petersen, PC, has the resources to secure the best experts for your case.
[Read more about the importance of hiring expert witnesses here.]
The Claims Process: Negotiating with Insurance Companies
The claims process involves negotiating with insurance companies to reach a fair settlement. For example, if Pedestrian Pete is hit by a car, the dispute may not be over fault but rather the extent of Pete’s injuries. What seems like a significant injury to Pete may appear minor to the insurance adjuster, leading to disagreements over the value of the claim.
The Key Players in an Insurance Claim
- Personal Injury Attorney: Your lawyer ensures you receive fair compensation. Insurance companies handle claims differently when an experienced personal injury attorney is involved.
- Injured Party (Plaintiff): Accident victims often don’t understand the insurance process and need guidance to avoid mistakes.
- Bodily Injury Adjuster: Represents the at-fault party’s insurance company and negotiates the injury claim.
- Medical Pay (PIP) Adjuster: Handles your PIP claims for medical expenses.
- Property Damage Adjuster: Assesses damage to your vehicle or other property.
- Coverage Adjuster: Determines whether the insurance policy covers the claim.
- Insurance Defense Attorney: Represents the insurance company if the case proceeds to litigation.
What Happens If the Case Doesn’t Settle?
If the insurance company and the injured party cannot agree on a settlement, a lawsuit must be filed. In Utah, personal injury cases typically have a four-year statute of limitations, giving the injured party time to heal and negotiate before filing suit.
If a case settles before litigation, the injured party receives compensation, and the case is closed. However, if negotiations fail, the next step is filing a lawsuit and preparing for trial.
Conclusion: Why Having an Experienced Attorney Matters
The pre-litigation claims process takes time, but rushing can result in devalued claims. An experienced attorney knows how to properly develop your case, negotiate with insurance companies, and hire the right experts when needed. Having a skilled attorney is essential to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, call Attorney Jacob S. Gunter at (801) 373-6345 for a free case evaluation. I have the experience, resources, and dedication to help you navigate the claims process and secure fair compensation.
Visit: www.gunterinjurylaw.com or www.provolawyers.com to learn more.
Learn More About Utah Accident Lawyer Jake Gunter 
For additional insights on Utah personal injury law and to get to know Jake Gunter better, check out these helpful videos:
- Meet Jake Gunter – Learn more about Jake Gunter’s background, experience, and dedication to helping clients throughout Utah.
- How to Choose a Utah Personal Injury Attorney – This video offers guidance on selecting the right personal injury attorney to ensure you receive effective representation.
- What Jake Gunter Does and Who He Represents – Discover the types of cases Jake Gunter handles and how he advocates for the rights of injured individuals statewide.
These resources will provide you with valuable information as you consider your legal options. For any questions or to schedule a free consultation, feel free to reach out to us directly.