First 72 Hours After an Accident: Utah Checklist

Nuttall Brown & Coutts · Utah personal injury attorneys · (801) 255-2102

Use this as an organizing aid in the first few days after an accident. “72 hours” is not a legal filing deadline, a medical treatment schedule or a reason to wait before asking for help. Adapt the list to your situation and your provider’s instructions.

Put immediate needs first

• Seek appropriate medical care for injuries. Call 911 if emergency help is needed.
• Follow responders’ instructions and move to safety when possible.
• Do not enter traffic or return to an unsafe location to finish this checklist.

Save what you already have

• Record the incident date, approximate time and location.
• Keep the responding agency’s name and report or incident number.
• Save photographs, video and witness contact information.
• Preserve original messages, trip receipts and other records that may change or disappear.
• Keep damaged belongings where practical. Ask before repairing or discarding items that may need inspection.

Start a simple record folder

• Put medical visit information and discharge instructions together.
• Save bills, receipts, towing or rental charges and insurance letters.
• Note missed work and the dates you notified your employer.
• Write a factual account while details are fresh. Mark what you do not know rather than filling in gaps.

Identify the insurance questions

• Notify your own insurer promptly and ask what your policy requires.
• Record each caller’s name, company, contact details and claim number.
• Ask which coverage is being discussed and which documents are requested.
• Before signing a release or accepting a settlement, understand what it resolves.

Ask about Utah-specific issues early

• Ask whether PIP or other medical coverage may apply to the particular accident.
• Tell an attorney if a public road condition, government vehicle or government entity may be involved; separate notice requirements may matter.
• Do not wait for a police report or for treatment to end before asking about deadlines.

Your notes

If the next steps feel complicated, call (801) 255-2102 for a free case review. You do not need to complete every item before calling. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover for you.

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General information, not legal or medical advice for your situation. Using a tool or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.