Cedar City Truck Accident
At Swenson & Shelley, our Cedar City truck accident lawyers know that when a commercial vehicle occurs in Utah, the injured parties are almost always the occupants in the much smaller passenger vehicles.
While it makes sense that a car, truck, or SUV is no match for a potentially 80,000-pound vehicle stretching 53 feet long, the cause of the crash and who can be held liable for our client’s injuries is almost always disputed. This is why we are here.
At Swenson & Shelley, our Iron County personal injury attorneys are knowledgeable, compassionate, and adept at helping truck accident victims throughout Utah. Every accident is unique and requires customized legal solutions to pursue actual results. No matter how it occurred, you do not have to fight your personal injury battle alone. We can help. Learn how by contacting us today to schedule a free consultation.
Truck accidents can leave victims with devastating injuries. If you have been hurt in a truck wreck that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. At Swenson & Shelley, our Cedar City truck accident lawyers will fight for the maximum payment you need to move forward after a life-altering crash.
Our nationally recognized personal injury lawyers are committed to bringing truck accident victims the relentless pursuit of justice they deserve. We have a proven track record of taking on large trucking companies and their insurers. When you turn to us for help after an accident with a big rig, you can trust that we will put our full force and resources behind you.
Contact Swenson & Shelley today for a free case review with a Cedar City truck accident attorney. We do not charge any fees upfront to start work on your case. You don’t pay us unless we secure payment for you. Our Cedar City law firm is committed to relentlessly pursuing justice for truck accident victims.
How Cedar City, Utah’s Interstate Access Contributes to Truck Accidents in the Area
While Cedar City is home to just 39,000 residents, the expansive nearby interstate system brings significant large truck and other commercial vehicle traffic to its just under 36 square miles.
Interstate 15 connects the city with St. George (50 miles) and Las Vegas (170 miles) to the southwest, and Interstate 70 (75 miles) and Salt Lake City (250 miles) to the north. State roads connect Cedar City with Panaca, Nevada, near US 93 (80 miles), and to Kanab via US-89 (80 miles).
Like St. George, Cedar City enjoys an excellent location on the West’s regional transportation network. Los Angeles is 439 miles (707 km) southwest, and San Diego is 500 miles (800 km) southwest on Interstate 15, Phoenix is 465 miles (748 km) south via Interstate 15 and US-93, and Denver is 580 miles (930 km) northeast via Interstates 15 and 70.
The number of truck drivers that travel through Cedar City to deliver goods or as a stopping point on their way to another destination is leading to more and more crashes in the area. If you or someone you love has been injured in a commercial vehicle accident caused by negligence in Utah, contact our skilled Cedar City truck accident lawyers today to discuss your case during a free consultation.
Our dedicated team of personal injury attorneys in Cedar City takes the pressure off our clients from their first call to our office. Our compassionate lawyers and support staff do more than hear the details of your case during our free consultations. We listen to how your personal injury incident has impacted your daily activities and overall quality of life.
Do You Need an Attorney After a Truck Accident?
If you suffered injuries in a truck crash, and someone else was at fault, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible. You may be eligible for compensation for the financial and personal losses you sustain due to your injuries. An attorney can investigate your crash, identify all possible sources of compensation, and fight for the full payment you deserve.
Contact Swenson & Shelley today to discuss the specifics of your case. Our attorneys are always available to answer your questions and help you understand the best path forward.
Why Are Truck Accidents More Complicated Than Car Crashes?
Truck accident claims can be more complicated than those involving passenger vehicles. Some of the most essential distinctions include:
- Truck accidents tend to cause more severe injuries due to the size and weight of 18-wheelers, which usually means more significant compensation.
- Truck accident cases typically involve more pieces of evidence because of the highly regulated nature of the trucking industry. More documentation and paperwork must be gathered and reviewed to build a strong case showing who was at fault.
- Multiple parties may share in the liability for a truck accident, such as the driver, the trucking company, and other businesses involved in the truck’s operation.
- Trucking companies may have complex insurance coverages and corporate structures that make it difficult to determine the amount of money available to compensate the victims of a commercial truck crash.
At Swenson & Shelley, we have extensive experience investigating these complex cases and recovering maximum payments for our deserving clients.
How Our Cedar City Truck Accident Lawyers Can Make a Difference in Your Case
You should not have the stress of a legal claim hanging over your head while trying to focus on your physical and emotional recovery. A Cedar City truck accident lawyer from Swenson & Shelley can take the pressure off you by:
- Conducting a full investigation of the crash to recover all available evidence before it is lost or destroyed
- Working with accident reconstruction, engineering, and trucking industry experts to review the evidence and determine who and what caused the crash and your injuries
- Identifying every possible source of compensation in your crash
- Documenting your injuries and losses to ensure we pursue full recovery for you.
- Filing insurance claims or demands for compensation with the liable parties in your case and negotiating aggressively for a settlement that pays you an appropriate amount for your injuries and losses
- Filing a truck accident lawsuit and going to trial when needed to fight for the justice you deserve
Demanding Full Compensation in a Truck Accident Claim
You deserve full compensation for your expenses and losses when you have suffered catastrophic truck accident injuries. At Swenson & Shelley, we can demand compensation for:
- Expenses for medical treatment and rehabilitation of your injuries, including ER or hospital care, physical therapy, pain medication, and purchases of medical/mobility devices
- Costs of long-term care for permanent disabilities that result from the injuries you suffered in the truck accident
- Past, ongoing, and future loss of income and employment benefits if you cannot work due to your injuries or resulting disabilities
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life caused by disabilities or visible scarring/disfigurement
Our trusted team also works with families who have lost loved ones in tragic truck crashes. Although no amount of financial compensation can compensate for such a loss, a wrongful death claim can bring families comfort knowing their financial needs are taken care of.
We Have Extensive Experience Proving Fault in Truck Accident Claims
Figuring out who and what caused a truck accident in Cedar City requires many different pieces of evidence from the crash scene and the trucking companies’ records, including:
- The truck driver’s hours of service logs, which show how long the driver had been on duty and behind the wheel
- The truck driver’s employment and driving records
- Results from any alcohol/drug screens performed on the truck driver following the 18-wheeler accident
- Logs from the truck’s electronic data recorder, or “black box,” which records information about the truck’s operation
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage
- Dispatch logs from the trucking or freight company
- Cargo/load manifests
- Inspection and maintenance records and reports
- Post-accident vehicle inspection reports, which may reveal the existence of a defective part in the truck
- Police accident reports
- Accident scene photos and video
- Eyewitness testimony
- Expert accident reconstruction reports
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Semi-Truck Accident in Cedar City?
Several parties can be held liable for truck accidents and injuries in Cedar City, Utah, depending on the specific circumstances of the accident. In some cases, more than one party may share liability for the crash.
That may include any of the following:
- Truck Driver
The truck driver may be liable if their actions, like speeding, reckless driving, fatigue, or driving under the influence, contributed to the accident.
- Trucking Company
The company that owns or operates the truck may be held responsible for the actions of its employees. This includes issues related to driver training, supervision, maintenance, and adherence to safety regulations.
- Truck Owner
If the truck is owned by a party different from the trucking company, like an independent owner-operator, that owner may be liable for negligence in maintaining the vehicle or other factors contributing to the accident.
- Maintenance and Repair Contractors
Parties responsible for maintaining and repairing the truck, including mechanics and maintenance contractors, may be liable if inadequate maintenance contributed to the accident.
- Cargo Loaders
If the accident was caused by improperly loaded or secured cargo, the individuals or companies responsible for loading the cargo may be held liable.
- Manufacturers
If a defect in the truck or its components contributed to the accident, the manufacturers or distributors of the defective parts may be held responsible through a product liability claim.
- Third-Party Contractors
If a third-party contractor not directly affiliated with the trucking company, like a logistics or maintenance contractor, contributed to the accident, they may be liable for their actions.
- Other Motorists
In multi-vehicle accidents involving trucks, other motorists who acted negligently and contributed to the crash may also be held liable.
Determining liability in a truck accident case can be complex, and often, multiple parties share responsibility. An investigation into the specifics of the accident, including the truck driver’s actions, the truck’s condition, and any contributing factors, is necessary to identify all potentially liable parties. We can help. Contact our dedicated truck accident and injury attorneys in Cedar City today to learn how.
When the Worst Has Happened, We Fight for What’s Best for You.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Utah?
In Utah, the statute of limitations dictates that a truck accident injury lawsuit must be filed within four years of the crash. A lawsuit filed after the limitations period expires can be dismissed by the court. It is crucial to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after a crash. Your attorney must work quickly to preserve evidence and begin documenting your losses.
How to Protect Your Rights After a Truck Accident in Cedar City
After being involved in an 18-wheeler accident in Cedar City, you can help protect your rights:
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Go by ambulance from the scene, visit the emergency room, or set up an appointment with your primary care physician immediately. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan.
- Save any photos and videos of details of the crash, including skid marks or debris on the road, damage to the vehicles involved, traffic controls at the scene, any visual obstructions, and weather, lighting, road, and traffic conditions at the time of the crash.
- Keep copies of bills and invoices for medical or vehicle repair expenses and other costs you incur due to your injuries.
- Avoid posting on social media while treating your injuries and pursuing your compensation claim. The insurance company may try to use photos, videos, or posts you make to contradict your claims and to undercut your credibility in your case.
- Speak with a Cedar City truck accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss the next steps to pursue compensation for your injuries.
Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents in Cedar City
Common causes of big-rig crashes in Cedar City include:
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Tailgating
- Unsafe turns or lane changes, including failing to check mirrors or signals
- Unsafe wide turns
- Texting while driving and other distracted driving behaviors
- Fatigued or drowsy driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Inexperience driving commercial trucks
- Unfamiliarity with local roads or delivery routes
- Unsafe cargo loads, including overloading a truck with cargo or failing to balance or secure the load
- Inadequate truck inspections and maintenance
- Defective truck parts
- Poor road conditions, including black ice or potholes
- Adverse weather conditions, including heavy fog or precipitation
Get Help from an Experienced Cedar City Truck Accident Lawyer Now
Don’t wait to get legal advice when you have been injured in a catastrophic truck crash that wasn’t your fault. Contact Swenson & Shelley today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll discuss your case with you and advise you on how best to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Call us today at (435)-740-8371 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation where you can learn immediately whether your claim is eligible to move forward with legal action.
We do not charge any fees upfront for our services. Instead, you pay us only if we secure payment for you. That makes getting legal help accessible and allows you to focus on your recovery. Contact us now to learn more.
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