Robert J. DeBry and Associates has fought for injured Utahns for over four decades. Our experience, results, and reputation make us Utah's trusted personal injury firm.
If you were struck by a motor vehicle while walking in Utah, an experienced Utah pedestrian accident lawyer can protect your claim, deal with the insurance companies, and pursue the compensation you deserve. Not every accident requires a lawyer, but serious pedestrian injuries often do, especially when fault is disputed or the insurance claim becomes complicated. Robert J. DeBry & Associates has represented injured pedestrians statewide since 1981.
Within days of a pedestrian crash, the at-fault driver’s insurer will often argue that you caused it, because even a partial fault finding reduces what they pay. Utah’s comparative fault rules, crosswalk laws, and PIP routing make these claims more complex than most victims realize. This page explains how our firm investigates your crash, collects evidence, negotiates with insurers, and litigates when needed, along with the Utah pedestrian laws and post-crash steps that can affect your case. Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine, because serious injuries often show no symptoms for hours.
Call 801-888-8888 for a free consultation, available 24/7. No fee unless we win.
When you are dealing with serious injuries, the firm you choose can directly affect the outcome of your case. The driver’s insurer will almost always argue that the pedestrian was at fault. Here is what sets Robert J. DeBry & Associates apart in Utah pedestrian accident cases:
From the moment you contact our firm for a free consultation, our attorneys handle every aspect of the legal process so you can focus on medical care and recovery.
We collect police reports, camera footage, and witness statements, and examine the crash location, crosswalk markings, traffic signs, and signal timing records. In serious cases we coordinate with medical experts and accident reconstruction specialists to establish what happened and why.
We obtain the driver’s vehicle and phone records, and complete medical records documenting your injuries. Medical treatment records, imaging, surgical notes, and rehabilitation plans form the foundation of your economic and non-economic damages.
Adjusters push low offers early. Our attorneys handle all communication with the insurer, counter their fault arguments with evidence, and file suit when the offer does not reflect the full scope of harm, keeping you informed at every stage.
The compensation available in a Utah pedestrian accident case depends on the severity of your injuries, the circumstances of the crash, and the insurance coverage that applies. It may include:
Pedestrian accidents can cause severe spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other catastrophic outcomes that require lifelong care. Each case is different, and outcomes are never guaranteed. This is general information, not legal advice.
If you have been injured as a pedestrian in Utah, you have the right to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Being told you share some blame does not end your claim. Acting quickly to preserve evidence and consult an experienced attorney protects that right.
Understanding Utah’s pedestrian laws is critical for any injury claim. Here are the key rules that affect your case. Statute references below should be verified against the current Utah Code before you rely on them.
Under Utah Code 41-6a-1002, drivers must yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks, and unmarked crosswalks exist at intersections as extensions of the sidewalk across the roadway. A driver may not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk to let a pedestrian cross.
The insurance routing for a pedestrian differs from someone inside a vehicle. Under Utah Code 31A-22-308, PIP from the vehicle that struck you pays initial medical expenses regardless of fault. If the driver was uninsured or fled, your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply under Utah Code 31A-22-305. For a more detailed breakdown of how medical bills and insurance claims work after a Utah accident, our attorneys can review the policies that apply to your situation during a free consultation.
Utah follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Utah Code 78B-5-818. You can still recover as long as your share of fault stays below 50 percent, though your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. At 50 percent or more, recovery is barred.
In Utah, you generally have four years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit under Utah Code 78B-2-307, and two years for wrongful death. Claims against a government entity carry a much shorter notice-of-claim deadline. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim. Consult a personal injury attorney to discuss exceptions to deadlines. For more detail on how filing deadlines work in Utah injury cases, contact our firm directly.
The steps you take after being hit can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation.
Robert J. DeBry & Associates serves injured pedestrians from offices in Salt Lake City and Sandy, with statewide representation across Utah, including:
If you cannot travel because of your injuries, our attorneys come to you, whether that is your home, a hospital room, or a rehabilitation facility.
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Pedestrian claims involve complex liability questions and often catastrophic injuries, so a lawyer is especially useful when fault is contested or the injuries are serious. An attorney can evaluate what insurance applies, identify every responsible party, counter the insurer’s fault arguments, and handle the process while you recover. If the driver’s insurer is already blaming you, legal counsel protects your ability to seek compensation.
Yes. Utah follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Utah Code 78B-5-818, so you can recover as long as your share of fault is below 50 percent. Being outside a crosswalk may mean some fault is allocated to you, but it does not automatically bar your claim, and the driver’s duty of due care applies everywhere on the roadway. Pedestrians have the right-of-way at marked crosswalks in Utah, and drivers must yield at unmarked crosswalks at intersections as well.
PIP coverage from the vehicle’s insurer pays initial medical expenses regardless of fault. If the driver was uninsured or unidentified, your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply. Beyond PIP, the at-fault party’s liability insurance can cover additional medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
The statute of limitations is generally four years from the date of injury under Utah Code 78B-2-307, and two years for wrongful death. Claims against government entities carry a much shorter notice deadline, so contact a lawyer promptly to preserve your rights. Learn more about Utah filing deadlines here.
A hit and run creates both a criminal matter and an insurance issue. For the pedestrian, an unidentified driver is generally treated as uninsured, which means your own uninsured motorist coverage may pay your claim. Contact an attorney immediately so evidence can be preserved.
A police report is one piece of evidence, not a final determination of fault. Fault is decided on the full body of evidence, including signal timing, video, vehicle speed, and witness testimony, which often tells a different story than the initial report.
Every day you wait gives the insurance company more time to build its case against yours. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Utah pedestrian accident, Robert J. DeBry & Associates is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call 801-888-8888 or complete our free consultation form to speak with a Utah pedestrian accident lawyer today. Available 24/7. No fee unless we win.
Robert J. DeBry & Associates | 801-888-8888 | Salt Lake City | Sandy
This is general information, not legal advice. Contacting Robert J. DeBry & Associates or submitting a form does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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