Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Car Accident in Utah: 7 Things You MUST Do Before an Accident

Car accidents can wreak havoc on lives. Not only can car accidents cause serious bodily injury and sometimes permanent disability, they can also cause a lot of financial problems through property damage, lost wages, and other costs.  A car accident in Utah can also cause stress, anxiety, and duress.
My name is Matthew Kober, a personal injury lawyer in Utah.  Over the past ten years, I have helped numerous people who were victims in car accidents.  I’ve seen people who were once physically and financially independent who became victims in a car accident in Utah that resulted in life changing events.
Many people think that if someone else hits them, they’ll be fine–the other person’s insurance will take care of everything. This isn’t always true. About 10% of drivers don’t have insurance at all and a large percentage of drivers carry the state minimum. That means if you have any sort of moderate injury that will not be enough to compensate you. The bottom line is you need to plan on having enough insurance on your own to cover damages. Here is a list of what to do before an accident:

7 Things You MUST Do Before a Car Accident:

  1. Be Aware, Be Patient, and Drive Safely.  The best way to not deal with an accident is to not get in one. Many accidents can be avoided by being aware of your surroundings, watching for reckless or impatient drivers, and moving out of their way. Being a patient driver can avoid most accidents; don’t take risky turns, give plenty of space in between cars, etc. Just realize that driving fast or making risky maneuvers to save time rarely does. Make right turns whenever possible, if an accident happens while making a left turn its presumed to be your fault.
  2. Evaluate and Understand Your Own Insurance Policy.  Insurance is the most important aspect of an accident. The coverage that exists at the time of the accident is what is available to you and you can’t change it after the fact. Many people don’t understand the various components of insurance. An insurance policy is a bundle of little mini policies such as property damage, collision coverage, bodily injury liability, underinsured coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection, household services, funeral services, etc. Talk to an agent about what all of these mean.
  3. Increase all of your Limits, It Doesn’t Cost Much.  The most important coverages are PIP (the coverage that provides immediate medical care after an accident) and UIM/UM Coverage (the coverage that kicks in if the person who hits you doesn’t have enough insurance or doesn’t have any insurance.). I recommend at least $5,000 PIP (preferably $10k) and at least $100,000 UIM/UM (preferably $250k). It really doesn’t cost much to do this You must do this BEFORE an accident. I cannot emphasizes enough how important this is. If there isn’t enough coverage to pay for your damages, you might end up out of luck because its rare to find someone you can sue and actually collect from.
  4. Do NOT Waive Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist Coverage.  Many times people waive this coverage without knowing it, especially if you buy your insurance online. Once this is waived, you will not have these benefits and this can prove to be disastrous. Check your policy to make sure you have this coverage.
  5. Get Rental Car Coverage.  If you don’t have a car, you can’t go to work, pick up your kids, etc. If your car is totaled or in the shop you will need a rental car. Many people expect one will be available to them immediately. Utah does not require rental car coverage so many people don’t have it. The problem is the other person’s insurance won’t give you a rental car until AFTER a liability determination is made and that can take some time. Having your own rental car coverage will solve this problem.
  6. Be Prepared. Statistically, you’re likely to get in an accident at some point in your life. Be ready to deal with an accident and know what to do. Keep a copy of your insurance information in the car. Having items such as orange cones, emergency essentials, tool kit, first aid kit, blankets, etc. is also a good idea.
  7. Know What to Do After an Accident. The next article in this series will discuss what to do after an accident.
See also “Salt Lake City Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Kober Serves on Auto Accident Panel“.

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer

If you have any questions about this article, contact Utah personal injury lawyer Matthew Kober.   With over 10 years of experience, Mr. Kober has handled numerous personal injury cases in Utah. He is recognized as a Certified Motor Vehicle Occupant Injury Specialists by the Personal Injury Training Institute as well of one of the Top 40 Under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers Association. He can answer any questions you have an provide excellent legal representation.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Utah Probate Lawyer Russell Blood to Chair Estate Planning Department at PEARSON BUTLER Law


PEARSON BUTLER Law is pleased to announce that Utah Probate Lawyer Russell Blood has accepted the position to chair the estate planning department.  Russell brings significant experience in probate, trust administration, and estate planning services.

With over 31 years of legal experience in Utah and Wyoming, Russ has spent several of these busy years also serving in a variety of positions, including the Wyoming State Bar's Board of Professional Responsibility and Multi-Disciplinary Practice committee, the Utah State Bar's Executive Committee for the Estate Planning Section from 2008 to 2012 and as chair from 2011 to 2012.

Russ has also served on the Salt Lake Estate Planning Council, the Salt Lake Chapter of the Society of Financial Service, and various other committees and organizations.

Russ sees the importance of helping individuals an families get their estates in order.  He has seen the stress of individuals feeling unprepared and has watched as individuals feel calm once they know that their financial and legal affairs are in order.  See "When should a personal representative consult a Utah probate attorney?"

For more information on Russ, see "Utah probate attorney Russell Blood joins PEARSON BUTLER Law to Chair Estate Planning Department".  Feel free to call Utah probate lawyer Russell Blood at PEARSON BUTLER Law at (801) 495-4104.


Update on Utah Attorneys services provided by PEARSON BUTLER Law


It's amazing the growth we have had at PEARSON BUTLER Law.  Over the past 4 months, attorney Russell Evans took the role as chair of the bankruptcy department.  Last week, attorney Russell Blood joined our firm and is handling estate planning services.  In 3 weeks, a tax attorney will be joining us, as well.  Because of the growth, I thought it would be helpful to explain the practice areas of each of the different lawyers.

Why use one of the Utah attorneys PEARSON BUTLER Law?

The law firm of PEARSON BUTLER Law has several lawyers who practice in a variety of legal areas:
Jeff Butler, Russell Evans, Geoff Dietrich, Andrew Clawson, and Katherin Kang offer the following bankruptcy services: Bankruptcy LawyersChapter 7 BankruptcyChapter 11 Bankruptcy, and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.
Carson Pearson, Geoff Dietrich, and Russell Blood offer the following business services: Business LawyersBusiness Entity FormationFranchise LawTort DefenseWork Outs, and Wind Downs.
Ryan Holtan and Matthew Kober offer the following criminal defense legal services: Criminal Lawyers:  misdemeanor and felony criminal charges, assault, battery, drug chargesDUIDWIsex crimesjuvenile, and violent crimes.
Carson Pearson, Russell Blood, Geoff Dietrich offer the following estate planning legal services: Estate Planning LawyersWillsLiving TrustAdvance Care DirectiveLiving WillPower of AttorneySpecial Needs TrustEstate PlanningProbate, and other matters.
Ryan Gregerson offers the following family law legal services: Family Lawyers: Prenuptial Agreements, AdoptionSeparationDivorce Child CustodyChild SupportSpousal Support, and Divorce Mediation.
Matthew Kober offers the following personal injury services: Personal InjuryAccident InjuryCatastrophic Injury, Dog Bite InjuryPersonal InjurySlip and Fall InjuryNursing Home AbuseWrongful DeathAuto AccidentCar AccidentPedestrian Accident, and Truck Accident. 

Contact our Utah Attorneys

If you or a loved one is feeling stressed and are looking for legal options, call PEARSON BUTLER Law to speak with one of our Utah Attorney team members.  Call (801) 495-4104.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Utah criminal defense attorney Ryan Holtan continues string of jury trial victories



Utah Criminal Defense Attorney Ryan Holtan

Utah Criminal Defense Attorney

Utah attorney Ryan Holtan is feeling happy, following another jury trial victory with a win in a DUI case in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The defendant was charged with a DUI following a traffic accident.  The subsequent blood test showed a .23 blood alcohol level.  These facts would typically lead to an open and shut conviction; but Mr. Holtan proved successfully to the jury that the blood could not scientifically have belonged to his client and that accident was the result of tiredness, not intoxication.

Attorney Ryan Holtan forced the arresting officer to demonstrate the field sobriety tests in open court in front of the jury and proved that his client had actually shown NO signs of intoxication. The jury deliberated for less than hour before they found the defendant no guilty.

For more news on Mr. Holtan, see "Salt Lake City Utah Criminal Defense Attorney Ryan Holtan Wins Dismissal of Class A Misdemeanor Assault Charges".  Also see "Salt Lake City Criminal Attorney Ryan Holtan Continues String of Jury Trial Success".

"Never rule out trial as an option, sometimes it’s the only way to win," explains Criminal Attorney Ryan Holtan who enjoys being in trial.

Ryan N. Holtan practices criminal defense and trial law at PEARSON BUTLER Law.  He was raised in Alaska and attended college in Montana and raced for Montana State University’s NCAA ski team.  Mr. Holtan attended the University of Utah law school.  As a third year law student, he participated in a year-long criminal clinic as a prosecutor with the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.

Contact a Utah Criminal Defense Attorney

If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, contact an experienced criminal defense to find out your legal rights. If you would like to have your case reviewed by an attorney comfortable going to trial, contact the Utah criminal defense attorney Ryan Holtan at (801) 996-3849.

Disclaimer: Case results depend upon a variety of factors unique to each case. Indications of past case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in future cases.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

What are the IRS Time Limits for Tax Audits, Tax Collections, and Tax Refunds?

The IRS only has a specific time limit to assess, credit, refund, and collect taxes. This time limit, a "Statute of Limitation" is required by the Internal Revenue Code. How Long Can the IRS Assess Taxes? The IRS only has 3 years after the tax return is filed to assess taxes. However, there are some important exceptions: fraudulent returns, substantial omission of income, and NOL carryback years. For more information, see "Tax Audits, Tax Refunds, and Tax Collections: Are There Any Time Limits?"

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Tax Court Litigation Services at PEARSON BUTLER Law

Let's hope that this blog does not apply to you!! How Cam I Resolve an IRS Tax Dispute? A taxpayer has three judicial forums to litigate a tax controversy with the IRS. They are the United States Tax Court, the United States District Court, or the United States Court of Federal Claims. The taxpayer may file a petition with the Tax Court to challenge a proposed deficiency without firs
t paying the tax. Another option, the taxpayer may pay the full amount of the assessed tax deficiency, file a claim for refund, and then file suit in the United States District Court or the United States Court of Federal Claims. See "Tax Court Litigation". How Do I Know In Which Court I Should Litigate My Case? To decide which court is the best option for you, the taxpayer must consider the controlling legal precedents in each of the forums as well as the procedural differences that exist. One of the most important factors is the ability of the taxpayer to pay the assessed deficiency before filing suit. Some other factors to consider are that a Tax Court case will not be decided by a jury but will be decided by a judge. In addition, the IRS could assert additional deficiencies after a Tax Court petition is filed in the Tax Court, even if the statute of limitations on assessment has expired. The tax attorneys at PEARSON BUTLER Law can guide you through the maze of how and where to best resolve your tax dispute. When Is It a Good Idea to Go to U.S. Tax Court and What Is the Process? Have you received a Notice of Deficiency from the IRS? If so, you may need representation in the United States Tax Court. The United States Tax Court is the court that deals with nearly all federal tax cases. The Tax Court hears cases in Salt Lake City only two to three times each year. If you are considering Tax Court as an option, you should be represented by someone admitted to practice before the Tax Court. Contact a Tax Court Litigation Attorney Call PEARSON BUTLER Law for more information about tax court litigation and other related tax controversy questions at (801) 495-4104.

Friday, March 7, 2014

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