Utah Fatal Truck Accidents: Wrongful Death & Compensation

Truck accidents are among the most catastrophic events on Utah’s roads—often resulting in severe injuries or tragic fatalities. When a loved one is killed in a commercial truck crash, the emotional devastation is overwhelming. But for many Utah families, the pain is worsened by financial burdens, unanswered questions, and the need for accountability.

If someone else’s negligence caused your family member’s death in a trucking accident, Utah law gives you the right to pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim. Understanding how these claims work—and how to protect your legal rights—is essential for seeking justice and financial relief.

A wrongful death claim allows certain family members to recover damages when a person is killed due to another party’s negligence or wrongful act. Under Utah Code § 78B-3-106, a wrongful death occurs when someone is fatally injured because of carelessness, recklessness, or intentional harm.

In the context of truck accidents, these claims are often brought against:

Learn more from our truck accident blog series.

Fatal truck collisions can occur for a variety of reasons, including:

Large trucks—especially those weighing over 80,000 pounds—create a dangerous dynamic when colliding with passenger vehicles. These crashes are not just traffic accidents; they’re often life-altering tragedies.

Utah law permits specific family members or representatives to file a wrongful death claim. According to Utah Code § 78B-3-105, eligible claimants may include:

If no immediate family survives, other heirs may be eligible. Proving the relationship and how the death caused emotional and financial hardship is crucial to the case.

To recover compensation, survivors must prove the truck driver or company was negligent. This involves establishing four legal elements:

Evidence used to support these claims often includes:

Survivors of fatal truck accident victims may recover both economic and non-economic damages:

In extreme cases involving gross negligence (e.g., drunk driving or falsifying driver logs), punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct.

In addition to a wrongful death claim, Utah law permits a survival action under Utah Code § 78B-3-107. This allows the estate to recover damages the deceased could have pursued had they survived, such as:

Both actions can be filed together to fully account for all losses suffered by the deceased and their loved ones.

In most cases, wrongful death lawsuits in Utah must be filed within two years of the date of death. If a government entity is involved (e.g., a city-owned vehicle), that time frame may be only one year.

Missing this deadline can bar you from recovering any compensation—regardless of how strong your case is.

Reference: Utah Courts – Personal Injury Claims

On May 27, 2025, a fatal crash occurred on State Route 40 near Heber City, Utah. A Nissan Xterra turned in front of a westbound Kenworth semi-truck, causing a deadly impact. Sadly, this was the fourth fatality on that stretch of road since 2023, with nearly 100 crashes reported in a five-mile area over two years.

In response, UDOT has proposed safety upgrades, including new traffic lights and concrete barriers. These improvements underscore the life-or-death importance of accountability—both for drivers and public agencies.

If your loved one was killed in a similar truck crash, London Harker Injury Law can help your family pursue justice.

Wrongful death truck accident claims are high-stakes, complex legal battles. Trucking companies have powerful legal teams and insurance adjusters on their side. You need a law firm with the experience, resources, and compassion to fight for your family.

The attorneys at London Harker Injury Law can help:

We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case.

If a loved one has died in a Utah truck accident, don’t wait to explore your legal options. Reach out to London Harker Injury Law for a free, confidential consultation. Let us help you seek justice, closure, and the compensation you deserve.