Understanding Your Legal Rights After a Pedestrian Truck Crash in Utah

Being hit by a commercial truck as a pedestrian can change your life in an instant. These collisions are often catastrophic due to the size and weight of 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, and semi-trailers. If you or someone you love was struck by a truck in Utah, understanding your rights under state law is essential to protecting your health and your financial future.

At London Harker Injury Law, we help victims of truck crashes throughout Utah—including Salt Lake City, Sandy, Provo, and St. George—pursue justice and compensation. Pedestrian truck accidents often result in devastating injuries, making experienced legal representation critical.

The Harsh Reality of a Truck Crash for Pedestrians

Large trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds—20 to 30 times more than the average car. In any truck crash involving a pedestrian, the human body simply cannot withstand the force. The result is often catastrophic or fatal injuries.

According to the National Safety Council, more than 5,700 people died in large-truck crashes in 2021. Many of those victims were pedestrians or cyclists. Utah’s combination of urban centers and high-speed freight corridors make these accidents a real and growing danger.

Common Catastrophic Injuries After a Semi-Truck Crash

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) – Concussions or severe brain damage
• Spinal Cord and Neck Injuries – Often resulting in partial or full paralysis
• Multiple Fractures – Requiring surgeries and months of rehabilitation
• Internal Organ Damage – From blunt-force trauma
• Amputations – Caused by crushing force or severe lacerations
• Burns and Disfigurement – From fires or fuel explosions
• Psychological Trauma – PTSD, depression, and anxiety

Why Utah Truck Crashes Happen

Most truck accidents involving pedestrians are preventable and caused by negligence. Utah law requires all drivers to operate their vehicles with reasonable care (Utah Code §41-6a-601), but trucking companies and their drivers often violate this duty. Common causes include:

• Distracted Driving – Using devices or GPS while driving
• Speeding – Reducing stopping distance and reaction time
• Driver Fatigue – Violating hours-of-service regulations
• Impaired Driving – Operating a commercial vehicle with a BAC above 0.04% (Utah Code §41-6a-502)
• Improper Maintenance – Brake or tire failure due to neglect
• Reckless Driving – Ignoring signals or failing to yield

Who Can Be Liable in a Utah Truck Crash?

Truck accident liability is rarely limited to just the driver. Under Utah’s modified comparative negligence rule (§78B-5-818), fault can be divided among multiple parties. Identifying each responsible entity is key to securing full compensation:

• Trucking Company – Liable under vicarious liability or negligent hiring
• Maintenance Providers – For improper or skipped safety inspections
• Cargo Loaders – For overloading or failing to secure freight
• Truck or Parts Manufacturer – For defective brakes, tires, or steering systems
• Government Entities – For unsafe roads or failed traffic signals (subject to Utah Governmental Immunity Act)
• Other Motorists – Whose negligence triggered a chain-reaction crash

Utah Law on Fault and Pedestrian Rights

Utah uses a modified comparative negligence system. You can recover damages if you are less than 50% at fault for the truck crash. However, your compensation is reduced by your fault percentage. For instance, if you are 10% at fault, your recovery decreases by 10% (Utah Code §78B-5-818).

Driver’s Legal Duties

• Yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks (Utah Code §41-6a-1002)
• Do not pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk
• Exercise extra caution around children and visually impaired persons
• Maintain safe following and stopping distances

Pedestrian Duties

• Obey all traffic signals (Utah Code §41-6a-1003)
• Use sidewalks when available (Utah Code §41-6a-1009)
• Avoid jaywalking or stepping suddenly into traffic
• Do not obstruct roadways or cross where prohibited

Recoverable Damages After a Truck Crash

Utah law allows victims to seek both economic and non-economic damages after a truck crash:

• Medical Expenses – Emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation
• Lost Wages – Income missed during recovery
• Reduced Earning Capacity – Long-term financial impact
• Pain and Suffering – For physical and emotional trauma
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life – Inability to enjoy activities once loved
• Punitive Damages – For reckless or malicious conduct
• Wrongful Death Damages – For surviving family members (Learn more about wrongful death claims)

What to Do After a Truck Crash in Utah

1. Get Medical Help Immediately – Even minor injuries can worsen.
2. Call Law Enforcement – File an official report for evidence.
3. Document the Scene – Photos, witness names, and truck info.
4. Don’t Admit Fault – Leave fault determination to investigators.
5. Contact a Utah Truck Crash Attorney – Legal guidance is vital from day one.

Remember, you have four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim under Utah Code §78B-2-307. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your claim.

Why Legal Representation Matters

• Identify All Liable Parties – Including employers, loaders, or manufacturers
• Preserve Evidence – Such as the truck’s “black box” and maintenance logs
• Negotiate With Insurers – To avoid lowball settlement tactics
• Navigate Complex Laws – Like comparative negligence and government immunity

If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian truck crash in Utah, you deserve an advocate who understands both the state and federal regulations that govern these complex cases. Contact London Harker Injury Law for a free consultation. We’ll help you pursue justice and secure the full compensation you deserve.