For those injured in a truck accident, the medical bills can be very high and leave them struggling financially, so an expert Utah truck accident attorney is a must. The physical and emotional pain and suffering incurred can seriously affect their quality of life.
If you’re traveling on I-15 through the Wasatch Front anywhere from Provo to Salt Lake to Ogden or Logan, you can see many commercial trucks every single day. Although trucks are important to our supply chain and our economy, truck accidents in Utah can result in severe injuries and fatalities, and the victims are usually the drivers and passengers of the other vehicles or pedestrians. An accident involving a truck can be much more dangerous and devastating due to the sheer size and weight of a large truck compared to other vehicles.
Unfortunately, trucking companies and their insurance companies will fight to minimize or even deny payment for injuries sustained in the accident. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you should contact a Utah truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to make sure you have someone in your corner fighting for your rights. You need someone to ensure that you receive the full and fair compensation for your injuries and financial losses due to the accident. You don’t need any more stress and aggravation during this difficult time.
Hiring A Truck Accident Attorney in Utah
Hiring a truck accident attorney in Utah can be intimidating, but having a lawyer you can trust can make all the difference when it comes to your truck accident case. The Utah attorneys of Harris, Preston & Chambers, LLP care about your recovery and will use our experience and expertise to help you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
You can rest assured that you’ll never be tricked or misled into paying hidden fees or upfront consultation costs. We always put the needs of our clients and their families first, offering completely free consultations and open communication with our clients 24 hours a day. We are here to fight for you and get you the best settlement possible. If you’ve got a personal injury problem from an accident, we can help!
What To Do After A Truck Accident In Utah
Being a truck accident victim in Utah can be devastating and the injuries can be severe. If you have been injured in a Utah truck accident, you may be entitled to seek financial compensation for your losses. It’s important to understand what steps you need to take to file a lawsuit.
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Call 911
A police report documenting the accident can help with your claim.
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Exchange contact information
Get the name, license plate number, phone number, vehicle make and model, and insurance information from the other driver.
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Never Accept Blame or Liability
Even if you think you may be at fault, do not speak to the trucking company or their insurance company. You might think you were liable only to find out when it’s too late that you weren’t.
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Take photos
Take pictures of the accident scene, all vehicles involved, and all the damage sustained. This can be used to determine who was responsible.
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Get statements from witnesses
Then write down or record on your phone statements from all witnesses. This can be crucial in proving the responsibility and/or negligence of the truck driver.
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Contact a truck accident lawyer in Utah
Filing a truck accident claim in Utah can be intimidating, especially if you aren’t familiar with all the rules and regulations involved in filing a Utah injury claim. You should always contact a Utah truck accident lawyer if you’ve been a victim of a truck accident.
How To File A Truck Accident Claim In Utah
When you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Utah, you will need to show you have sustained financial losses, including medical expenses and lost wages. A Utah attorney can help you do that by thoroughly reviewing all the evidence and guiding you through the legal process to file a claim and help you prove that the other party acted negligently and that their negligence was the direct cause of your injuries. This is how fault is determined.
It is important to know that there is a statute of limitations. You only have four years to file a personal injury claim in Utah. That might sound like a lot of time, but gathering evidence, researching, and interviewing witnesses can take a lot of time. You should be focused on recovering from your injuries and not your claim. How a truck accident lawyer can help is that they can give you the peace of mind that they are working on your case, so you can spend your time recovering.
Your lawyer can negotiate a settlement with the insurance companies. Insurance companies are not interested in how you’re going to pay for your medical bills and property damage costs. They will try to settle by offering a low amount that might only cover a few weeks’ worth of your bills. Having a Utah truck accident lawyer by your side to negotiate with the insurance company can make all the difference in whether or not you recover the full amount of damages you deserve.
If the insurance company refuses to pay the amount you deserve, we are fully prepared to take your case to court. You can be assured that the Utah truck accident attorneys of Harris, Preston & Chambers, LLP will defend your rights in court and aggressively fight for your full compensation.
Why Truck Accidents Are Complicated
There are several reasons why truck accidents are more complex than car or motorcycle accidents. Below are a few of the aspects that make a truck accident less straightforward than a regular car accident.
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More insurance
Commercial truck insurance policies are often layered, meaning a new layer kicks in after the previous one is exhausted, and can add up to be as much as 40 times higher than passenger vehicle policies.
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Experienced truck accident lawyers
The lawyer for the truck driver specializes in truck accidents. They know the ins and outs of dealing with insurance adjusters at your expense. They are well-versed in coercing you to admit at least partial blame. A lawyer who is not familiar with truck accidents can be at a big disadvantage.
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More regulations
Interstate trucking companies have to register with the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. They typically must adhere to annual inspections, special driver qualifications, and truck maintenance rules. These rules and regulations add layers of complexity to the claim-filing process.
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More liable parties
When a truck is involved in an accident, more parties than just the driver may be at fault. These include the trucking company, the cargo or freight company, and the truck’s manufacturer.
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More chance of death
It’s no secret that truck accidents cause more deaths per accident than cars. When a victim loses their life in an accident, determining fault can become much more difficult, adding yet more complexity to the legal process.
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More vehicles involved
Because commercial trucks are so large and heavy, it is harder for them to slow down or stop in case of an emergency. This increases the chances that the truck will hit multiple vehicles on the road. When multiple vehicles are involved in an accident, it becomes more challenging to determine fault and expedite the victim compensation process.
Claims for truck accident victims in Utah can be very complicated. You need an experienced Utah truck accident lawyer on your side to navigate through all the complexities to help you recover a fair and just amount for your injuries.
Who Can Be Held Liable In A Truck Accident Claim In Utah?
How is fault determined in a semi-truck accident in Utah? Under Utah state law, each party involved in a truck accident will be held responsible for their share of the blame. Fault for a crash is based on negligence. Below is a list of parties that may be at fault in a truck accident claim:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company or the truck’s owner
- The shipping company or cargo loader
- The truck maintenance company
- The truck parts manufacturer (if defective parts are to blame)
- Other drivers
- Government or local entities responsible for roadway maintenance
Common Causes Of Truck Accidents In Utah
- Large blind spots
- Too wide of turns
- Poor weather
- Loss of control (including Jackknifes)
- Tailgating
- Unsecured or improperly secured loads
- Not going the speed limit
- Going too fast for the conditions
- Drowsy drivers
- Aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Unfamiliarity with local roads
- Texting and driving
- Distracted driving
- Inexperienced commercial truck drivers
- Defective truck parts
- Lack of truck maintenance
- Poorly designed or maintained roadways
Why Hire The Utah Attorneys Of Harris, Preston & Chambers, LLP For Your Truck Accident Claim?
Our experienced attorneys are committed to giving every case our personal attention. Our Utah truck accident attorneys will listen to your concerns and address all your questions. You can be assured that you have the best representation by your side. We will take every step possible to settle your truck accident claim as quickly as possible for full compensation. However, if the liable party and their insurance carrier do not offer the full compensation you deserve, we are fully equipped and ready to take your case to trial.
Contact An Experienced Utah Truck Accident Attorney
If you have suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one to wrongful death due to negligence in a truck accident, contact the Utah attorneys of Harris, Preston & Chambers, LLP. Our experienced attorneys have the expertise and knowledge to guide you through the complex legal process, protect your rights, and ensure you get the maximum compensation. We specialize in handling truck accident injury cases. Let our experience help you recover your lost earnings, medical expenses, and other costs related to your truck accident injury.
If you would like more information or would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our Utah truck accident attorneys, call us today at 435-752-3551. The Utah attorneys of Harris, Preston & Chambers, LLP are dedicated to helping truck accident victims recover the full and just compensation for their injuries.
*Nothing herein constitutes legal advice. You should obtain independent legal counsel regarding your specific factual situation.
