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Utah Truck Accident Lawyer

After a serious truck accident, you may find yourself struggling physically and financially. Trucking companies and insurers will put up a fierce fight to minimize or even deny payment for what you’re going through. You don’t need this added stress. A Utah truck accident lawyer from Swenson & Shelley can help take the pressure off you during this difficult time. We will manage all the details of your injury claim and fight for the maximum financial recovery you deserve.

Our truck accident law firm leverages decades of legal experience to protect the rights and interests of injured accident victims across Utah. We have the resources to go toe-to-toe against deep-pocketed trucking companies and insurance giants. Our respected trial attorneys are committed to the relentless pursuit of justice for truck accident victims™. 

If you have been hurt in a truck accident in Cedar City, turn to Swenson & Shelley for a free review of your case. A Utah truck accident lawyer from our firm can help you understand your legal options for seeking compensation and explain what to expect at each stage of your case.

Kevin Swenson is board-certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He can answer many of your trucking accident questions.

Do You Have a Truck Accident Claim?

It’s normal to wonder what your legal options are after a semi-truck accident. After all, you may be facing significant financial pressures, and you shouldn’t be the one forced to pay for someone else’s mistake. You may be able to file a legal claim for compensation if another party was responsible for the crash that harmed you. This could be the truck driver, the trucking company, or anyone else whose negligence contributed to the wreck.

For a successful truck accident claim, you will also need to show you have sustained losses you can be financially compensated for. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our truck accident attorneys have helped many people in your situation before, and we may be able to help you too.

If you or somebody close to you has been involved in a truck accident, Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable semi-truck accident lawyers. We’ll review the circumstances of your case and let you know if we think you

At Swenson & Shelley, our St. George commercial truck accident attorneys will review the circumstances of your crash for free and help you understand your legal options.

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Why Truck Accidents Are More Complicated

Pursuing compensation in a truck accident case in Orem can be more complicated than the typical car accident claim. Some of the biggest reasons truck accidents are more complicated include:

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    More liable parties

    An accident may be caused by parties other than the truck driver, such as the trucking company, the cargo or freight company, or the truck’s manufacturer. An in-depth investigation is needed to identify exactly who is liable.

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    More layers of insurance

    Trucking companies often purchase layered insurance policies, with each layer only being triggered after a prior layer is exhausted. This can make it challenging to determine how much insurance coverage may be available in your case.

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    More complex state and federal laws and regulations

    These regulations require trucking companies to keep extensive records, all of which must be reviewed for evidence that may prove what caused the accident.

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    More intensive investigations

    Truck accident cases require the review of considerably more evidence than other kinds of motor vehicle accident cases and often involve retaining computer experts to review metadata of electronic records. A truck driver’s electronic onboard recorder (“EOBR”), also called an electronic logging device or “ELD,” automatically records the truck driver’s hours of service. The device is similar to an airplane’s black box and can be a key piece of evidence following a serious truck accident.

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    More catastrophic injuries

    The violent nature of a truck crash tends to cause more serious injuries for truck accident victims, leading to more extensive medical treatments and lifelong care needs. When a truck driver is at fault for an accident, they and their employer may be held liable for the resulting injuries.

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    More money on the line

    Due to the serious injuries often suffered by victims, truck accident cases often involve negotiations over significant sums of money. Insurance companies will do everything in their power to minimize payouts.

Why Hire a Lawyer to Handle Your Truck Accident Case?

Given how complex truck accident cases can become, you shouldn’t try to negotiate your injury claim on your own. A Utah truck accident lawyer from Swenson & Shelley can help you through your case by:

  • Thoroughly investigating the facts and circumstances of the accident and recovering all available evidence
  • Working with accident reconstruction, trucking industry, and engineering experts to review the evidence and identify the party or parties responsible for causing the crash
  • Identifying all possible sources of compensation for your injuries and losses
  • Documenting your injuries and losses, including future anticipated losses
  • Filing your claims for compensation with the trucking companies and their insurers and vigorously negotiating for a fair settlement
  • Taking your case to court and advocating on your behalf at trial to fight for the best result possible in your case

 

How Much Is Your Truck Accident Case Worth?

In a semi-truck accident claim, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation for the full extent of losses that you incurred. Our Utah truck accident law firm will pursue maximum payment for:

  • Costs of your medical treatment and physical rehabilitation
  • Costs of long-term health or personal care that you need for permanent disabilities
  • Loss of income from missed work after the big-rig accident
  • Loss of future earning capacity if disabilities affect your ability to return to work
  • Physical pain and emotional suffering from your injuries and medical treatment
  • Reduced quality of life because of disabilities, scarring, or disfigurement
  • Losses related to the wrongful death of a loved one

How Is Fault Determined in a Truck Accident?

To determine the true cause of a truck accident, our firm will review many different pieces of evidence that can show who and what caused the crash. Some examples of evidence we may use to determine fault in a truck accident include:

  • The truck driver’s hours-of-service logs, which may help prove if the driver caused the accident due to fatigue
  • Results of any drug/alcohol screens performed on the truck driver after the accident
  • The truck driver’s driving records and employment history
  • The truck’s electronic data recorder (“black box”) logs, which may show if the driver negligently operated the vehicle by speeding or failing to brake properly
  • The truck’s inspection and maintenance records, which might help prove that a failure to properly maintain the truck led to a mechanical failure that caused the accident
  • The load manifest, which shows what cargo was loaded on the truck and how it was loaded

Other kinds of evidence that we also use in truck accident cases in Salt Lake City include police accident reports, crash scene photos and videos, eyewitness testimony, and expert accident reconstruction reports.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Claim in Utah?

Unlike other kinds of motor vehicle crashes where one driver will typically be found to be at fault for the wreck, liability for a truck accident in Utah may fall on many different parties. Some of the types of parties that may be held liable in a truck accident claim include:

  • The truck driver
  • The trucking company
  • The truck’s owner (if separate from the driver and trucking company)
  • A shipper or cargo loader
  • The truck maintenance company
  • A truck parts manufacturer
  • Other drivers
  • Government entities responsible for roadways

Major Highways for Trucking in Utah

Utah is crisscrossed by several major highways that are vital for trucking and transportation within the state and for connecting to neighboring states. Some of the major highways for trucking in Utah include:

  • Interstate 15 (I-15): I-15 is a crucial north-south interstate that runs through the western part of Utah, connecting Las Vegas, Nevada, to Salt Lake City and continuing north into Idaho. It is a major corridor for transporting goods in and out of the state.
  • Interstate 80 (I-80): I-80 is an east-west interstate that passes through the northern part of Utah. It connects major cities like Salt Lake City and Park City and serves as an important route for cross-country trucking.
  • Interstate 70 (I-70): I-70 traverses the southern part of Utah, connecting cities like Green River, Price, and Richfield. It is a significant route for transporting goods between Colorado and points westward.
  • U.S. Route 6 (US-6): US-6 runs across central and eastern Utah, connecting several towns and serving as an important east-west route for trucking traffic.
  • U.S. Route 89 (US-89): US-89 runs through the northern part of the state, connecting Logan, Ogden, and Salt Lake City. It’s a key route for transporting goods in the northern region.
  • U.S. Route 40 (US-40): US-40 runs east-west across the northern part of Utah, connecting Vernal, Heber City, and Park City. It’s an essential route for trucking in this area.
  • U.S. Route 50 (US-50): Known as the “Loneliest Road in America,” US-50 passes through the central part of Utah, providing access to remote areas and serving as a cross-country route.
  • U.S. Route 191 (US-191): US-191 travels through southeastern Utah and connects towns like Moab and Blanding. It’s a significant route for trucking in the southern part of the state.

These highways are critical for the transportation of goods and commodities within Utah and for connecting the state to the broader national transportation network. They play a vital role in the state’s economy and logistics industry.

Statute of Limitations on Truck Accident Lawsuits in Utah

Under Utah’s statute of limitations, you have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation after a truck accident. Typically, you have four years from the date of a truck crash to file a lawsuit against the party or parties at fault. Although this may seem like a lot of time, evidence from a crash can be quickly cleaned up or destroyed. So it is crucial to begin working with a Cedar City truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Tips for Protecting Your Rights After a Truck Accident in Utah

If you have been involved in a truck accident, there are simple things you can do to protect your right to pursue fair compensation:

Save any photos and videos of details of the crash scene, such as vehicle damage, skid marks or debris, and any visible injuries you may have suffered in the crash.

See a doctor immediately and follow all treatment instructions.

 

Keep copies of any bills or receipts for expenses you incur because of the accident, such as medical treatment or vehicle repair. Also save your pay stubs or income statements if you miss time from work due to your injuries.

Avoid discussing the crash, your injuries, or your legal claim on social media.

Do not give a written or recorded statement to the trucking company or insurers.

Speak to a Utah truck accident lawyer from Swenson & Shelley to learn how we can step in and fight for your best interests after a crash.

Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents in Utah

Some of the most frequent causes of commercial truck crashes in Utah include:

  • Wide turns
  • Blind spots
  • Unsecured loads
  • Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
  • Drowsy or fatigued driving
  • Aggressive driving
  • Tailgating
  • Drunk or drugged driving
  • Distracted driving
  • Unfamiliarity with local roads
  • Inexperienced drivers
  • Defective truck parts
  • Poorly designed or maintained roadways

Talk to a Utah Truck Accident Attorney Now

Don’t wait to begin the process of seeking compensation after being injured in an 18-wheeler accident. Contact Swenson & Shelley today for a free, no-obligation review of your case.

A Utah truck accident attorney from our firm can help you demand the justice you deserve.