A drunk driver can change your life in seconds. If you or a family member was hit by a drunk driver in Orem, Provo, or anywhere in Utah County, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and lost wages through a civil claim, separate from any criminal case against the at fault driver.
Robert J. DeBry & Associates represents car accident victims throughout Utah County who are dealing with serious injuries caused by impaired drivers. Our legal team handles the investigation, insurance negotiations, and litigation so you can focus on recovery. We offer a free consultation with no upfront fees.
Drunk driving accidents are among the most devastating car accidents on Utah roads. According to the Utah Highway Safety Office, alcohol-related crashes are approximately 15 times more likely to be fatal than other crashes. In 2022, Utah reported 58,992 car accidents resulting in 25,325 injuries statewide, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety. Utah County reported over 4,500 car accidents in 2024, and 20 percent of fatal crashes in Utah involved impaired drivers.
Orem’s busy roads increase the risk of DUI accidents. High-traffic corridors like University Parkway, State Street, and Interstate 15 see significant volumes of commuter and commercial traffic, and these areas are common locations for impaired driving incidents, particularly on weekend nights and holidays. Drunk driving accidents often lead to severe injuries and trauma, making specialized legal representation essential for victims pursuing a fair settlement after a drunk driving crash.
Utah holds impaired drivers to strict standards. Under Utah Code section 41-6a-502, a driver commits DUI if they operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 grams per 100 milliliters or greater, or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs to a degree that renders safe vehicle operation unreliable. Utah lowered its BAC limit from 0.08 to 0.05 effective December 31, 2018, according to the Utah Highway Safety Office, making it the strictest standard in the country at the time.
These criminal standards directly support civil car accident claims. When a drunk driver violates Utah Code section 41-6a-502, that violation can serve as strong evidence of negligence in a personal injury lawsuit. DUI accident cases involve unique elements such as criminal charges and toxicology reports, which an experienced car accident lawyer can use to build a compelling civil case. An experienced attorney can access police reports and chemical test results to strengthen civil claims.
DUI crashes in the Orem and Provo area frequently occur along major arterial roads. University Parkway carries heavy traffic between Orem and Provo, while State Street runs through commercial and residential zones where pedestrians and other drivers are vulnerable. Interstate 15, the primary north-south highway through Utah County, sees high-speed impaired driving collisions that often result in life altering injuries. A t bone accident commonly happens at intersections when one vehicle strikes the side of another, often causing severe injury because side-impact protection is limited.
Data from the Utah Highway Safety Office indicates that Saturdays, Fridays, and Sundays account for the highest frequency of fatal alcohol-related crashes. Holiday weekends and late-night hours compound these risks. Understanding these patterns helps explain why so many car accidents in Utah County involve impairment.
Because drunk drivers often travel at high speeds and have delayed reaction times, collisions they cause tend to produce significant injuries. Common injuries from drunk driving crashes include:
The Utah Highway Safety Office reports that from 2024 to 2025, there were 10,923 DUI arrests statewide, averaging about 30 arrests per day, with the average BAC among those arrested at 0.14, nearly three times the legal limit. Alcohol-related fatalities accounted for 18 percent of all traffic fatalities in Utah during the same period.
Victims of these crashes frequently require treatment at facilities like Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, which operates as a Level II Trauma Center with emergency, rehabilitation, and behavioral health services. The most critical cases may require transfer to the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, the state’s only Level I Trauma Center. The severity of these injuries, and the long-term physical therapy, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical expenses they require, is precisely why victims need strong legal representation.
Understanding the distinction between criminal and civil proceedings is one of the most important things for car accident victims to know after a drunk driving collision.
When a drunk driver is arrested, the state prosecutes that driver through the criminal justice system. A criminal conviction can result in jail time, fines, and license suspension. However, a criminal case does not automatically provide compensation to victims for their injuries, medical bills, or lost income.
A civil personal injury claim is a separate legal action that the victim (or surviving family members in wrongful death cases) can file to hold negligent parties accountable for financial losses. Both proceedings can run simultaneously. Evidence from the criminal case, including police reports, witness statements, and chemical test results, can support your civil car accident case. DUI-specific damages may be pursued in Utah when accidents involve driving under the influence.
Utah injury law provides several categories of compensation for drunk driving accident victims:
Utah operates a no-fault insurance system that includes personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. Utah’s no-fault system covers medical expenses regardless of fault through PIP, which pays for initial medical bills and a portion of lost wages after an auto accident.
However, when injuries meet certain severity thresholds under Utah Code section 31A-22-309, victims can step outside the no-fault system and pursue a full personal injury claim against the at fault driver. Drunk driving crashes commonly produce injuries that exceed these thresholds, allowing victims to seek both economic and non-economic damages through a personal injury lawsuit.
If the drunk driver carries insufficient car insurance or no insurance at all, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy becomes critical. Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts even in clear-cut drunk driving cases, making it important to have experienced car accident lawyers review all available coverage before a victim accepts a settlement that may fall short of maximum compensation.
Robert J. DeBry & Associates handles drunk driving car accident claims throughout Utah County. Finding a qualified DUI accident attorney involves specialized legal representation, and our firm has handled auto accident cases involving impaired drivers across the region. We approach each case with a thorough investigation, coordinate with local medical providers, and build claims designed to reflect the full scope of our clients’ losses.
Evidence preservation is important after a DUI accident to strengthen claims. Data such as surveillance footage and witness statements can become harder to obtain over time after an accident. When we take on a drunk driving car accident case, our legal team follows a structured process for gathering evidence:
This thorough investigation builds the foundation for strong car accident claims. Car accident lawyers negotiate with insurance companies for fair settlements, but when settlement negotiations fail, choosing a lawyer with trial experience is crucial.
We represent drunk driving accident victims across Utah County, including:
An Orem car accident lawyer familiar with local Utah County roads, courts, and procedures can provide significant advantages. Our familiarity with the Fourth District Court, local judges, and court procedures in Utah County helps us navigate cases efficiently. Serving Orem and surrounding communities means we are accessible for in-person meetings, accident scene visits, and prompt communication throughout the legal process.
We also serve clients in other parts of Utah. If you were injured in a drunk driving crash in the Salt Lake City area, we can help there as well.
Effective legal representation in a drunk driving case requires close coordination with medical providers. Our firm works with hospitals and specialists throughout Utah County, including Utah Valley Hospital and area orthopedic, neurological, and rehabilitation providers.
This coordination serves two purposes: it helps ensure that victims receive appropriate medical attention for their injuries, and it creates the detailed medical documentation necessary to support a personal injury claim. Lawyers can help recover compensation for medical expenses and lost wages, but only when the medical records thoroughly document the connection between the accident and the injuries sustained.
Even though liability may seem straightforward when a drunk driver causes a collision, these cases present real legal challenges that can significantly impact the outcome.
Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. In drunk driving cases, they may argue that injuries were pre-existing, that medical treatment was excessive, or that the victim shares some fault for the accident. They may pressure victims to accept a quick, low settlement before the full extent of injuries is known. Having the right legal team levels the playing field. An Orem car accident attorney who understands these tactics can counter them with evidence and hold negligent parties accountable through negotiation or litigation.
Many drunk driving injuries, particularly traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, have long-term consequences that are not immediately apparent. Physical therapy costs, future surgeries, mental health treatment, and reduced earning capacity can add up over years or decades. Documenting these future costs requires input from medical specialists, vocational experts, and life-care planners. Without comprehensive documentation, insurance companies will undervalue a claim.
Utah has a four-year statute of limitations for car accident claims under Utah Code section 78B-2-307. While four years may sound like plenty of time, delay creates real problems. Witnesses move or forget details. Physical evidence at the accident scene deteriorates. Medical records become harder to connect to the accident. Earlier action is beneficial for evidence preservation and for building the strongest possible case.
If you have been injured by a drunk driver in Orem, Provo, or anywhere in Utah County, taking prompt action protects both your health and your legal rights:
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they get paid only if they recover compensation. There are no upfront fees to begin your case. Many attorneys offer free initial consultations to discuss potential cases, and Robert J. DeBry & Associates follows this model for every drunk driving accident case we handle.
To discuss your case and learn how we can help you pursue compensation, contact our legal team for a free consultation. To learn more about what to do after a car accident, visit our step-by-step guide.
Utah’s statute of limitations for car accident claims is four years from the date of injury, as provided under Utah Code section 78B-2-307. However, waiting reduces the strength of your case. Physical evidence, surveillance footage, and witness memories degrade over time. Contacting an accident lawyer in Orem or your local area soon after the crash gives your legal team the best opportunity to preserve evidence and build a strong personal injury claim.
When the at fault party carries insufficient liability coverage, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may provide additional compensation. Your car insurance policy may also include other applicable coverages. An experienced car accident lawyer can review all policies that may apply to your situation and identify every potential source of recovery for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Under Utah’s comparative negligence law, as set forth in Utah Code section 78B-5-818, a victim’s own fault does not entirely bar recovery. You may still pursue compensation as long as the defendant’s fault meets or exceeds your own. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 10 percent at fault, your recovery is reduced by 10 percent. Many factors can affect fault determination, and insurance companies sometimes exaggerate a victim’s share of responsibility to minimize payouts.
Most personal injury lawyers handle cases on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront fees, and the attorney’s fee is a percentage of any recovery obtained, while early guidance from counsel can help an injured person determine the best course after a drunk driving crash. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee. Robert J. DeBry & Associates offers a free consultation to evaluate your case and explain your legal options with no obligation.
Esta es información general, no constituye asesoramiento jurídico.