When you’re injured in a truck accident in Sandy caused by someone else, you could suffer severe injuries that require costly medical treatment, therapy, and possibly even lifelong care. In addition, you may be facing a significant loss of income due to being unable to work. The road to recovery may seem overwhelming, and the last thing you need is the added stress of handling legal proceedings or fighting with insurance companies. You need help.

At London Harker Injury Law, we’re more than just truck accident attorneys. We’re partners in your journey to healing and recovery. It’s only fair that those responsible for your injuries should pay for their actions, and our skilled and compassionate attorneys can guide you through the legal maze. We understand that this can be a difficult time, but remember, you don’t have to be alone on this road. Let us be your trusted advisors, working hard to obtain a fair settlement or verdict for you. Call 77CARCRASH today or reach out online for your free case evaluation.

Common Types of Semi-Truck Accidents in Sandy, UT

As personal injury attorneys in Sandy, we have helped countless clients in Utah navigate through the aftermath of various truck accidents. Here are some of the most common types and causes of truck accidents we encounter at our firm:

  • Distracted Driving: Distracted driving has become a significant safety concern as commercial truck drivers have more technological distractions in their vehicles. A moment’s distraction for a truck driver can lead to horrific accidents.
  • Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers often work long, grueling hours on the road. Tiredness can slow reaction times and lead to poor decision-making, culminating in tragic accidents. The dangers of truck driver fatigue are partly why state and federal regulators have implemented Hours of Service rules governing how much time drivers can spend behind the wheel.
  • Reckless Driving and Speeding: Trucks are massive vehicles that require extra time and space to maneuver safely. When truck drivers choose speed over safety, the results are often catastrophic.
  • Impaired Driving: Consuming drugs and alcohol can impair truck drivers’ judgment, slow reaction times, and lead to disastrous accidents. It’s also worth noting that Utah has a lower legal limit for drunk driving than most states. Even though Utah’s limit is a BAC of .05, federal regulations make a BAC of more than .04 illegal for commercial truck drivers.
  • Improper Load: Trucks carrying unstable or overweight loads are a risk on the road. An improperly loaded truck can tip over or lose its cargo, leading to severe accidents.
  • Equipment Failure: Brake failures, tire blowouts, steering malfunctions – these are just a few examples of equipment failure that can lead to truck accidents. In these cases, a negligent maintenance provider or manufacturer might be partly liable for a crash.
  • Inadequate Training or Experience: Driving a truck isn’t like driving a car. It requires specialized training and experience. Inadequate driver training or driver inexperience can result in serious accidents.

Why You Need a Sandy, UT, Truck Accident Lawyer

Being involved in any motor vehicle accident can be overwhelming. However, a truck accident is a different beast, and working through the aftermath can be complex. Here are five key reasons why you need a lawyer after a Sandy truck accident:

  • Complex Laws: The laws surrounding truck accidents are more intricate than those of regular car accidents. Factors such as federal regulations, trucking company policies, and multiple insurance policies come into play.
  • Severity of Injuries: Given the size and weight of commercial trucks, accidents involving them often result in more severe injuries than in passenger vehicle accidents. These severe injuries can lead to higher medical costs and longer recovery periods.
  • Multiple Liable Parties: In many truck accidents, liability does not rest solely with the truck driver. The trucking company, truck manufacturers, cargo loaders, and others could also share the blame.
  • Large Insurance Claims: Trucking companies often have larger insurance policies than individual drivers due to the potential for serious damage. This means insurance adjusters work harder to limit their payouts.
  • Preservation of Evidence: In truck accidents, evidence can be lost or destroyed quickly if it’s not secured promptly. This crucial evidence includes truck logs, GPS data, and maintenance records. Having an attorney on your side who can take legal steps to protect this evidence is critical.

Who’s Liable for a Sandy Truck Accident?

In a typical car accident, liability usually rests with the drivers of the involved vehicles and no one else. But in a truck accident, the situation is significantly more complex. Multiple parties could be responsible for the crash, each with their own insurance coverage. Here are some parties that could be held liable in a truck accident:

  • The Truck Driver

    If the driver was negligent – due to fatigue, distraction, impairment, or violations of traffic laws – they could be held responsible for the accident.

  • The Trucking Company

    Sometimes, the trucking company is liable for a crash, especially if they overlooked critical safety measures, pressured drivers to ignore regulations, or failed to train their drivers adequately.

  • The Owner of the Truck

    If the truck’s owner is someone other than the driver or the trucking company, they may also bear some liability for a crash, especially if the accident was caused by improper maintenance or failure to ensure that the truck was roadworthy.

  • Cargo Loaders

    If the accident occurred due to improperly loaded or secured cargo, the party responsible for loading the truck could be liable for your injuries.

  • Truck or Parts Manufacturer

    If a mechanical failure caused by a manufacturing or design defect led to the accident, the manufacturer of the truck or its parts could be liable for your losses.

  • Maintenance Providers

    If the party responsible for maintaining the truck failed in their duties, resulting in an accident, they could also be liable for a collision.

Recovering Compensation After a Utah Truck Accident

Utah follows a “no-fault” insurance system, which means that after most traffic accidents, including those involving commercial trucks, you must turn first to your own insurance coverage to get compensation for medical expenses and other out-of-pocket losses. This rule applies regardless of who caused the crash, which is how the no-fault system gets its name.

However, you can step outside the no-fault system and file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if your accident resulted in severe injuries or your medical expenses exceed the amount of your no-fault coverage. (State law says all Utah auto insurance policies must include $3,000 in no-fault Personal Injury Protection coverage.)

Every truck accident is unique, and understanding the different categories of compensation is crucial as you navigate your path toward recovery. With our help, you could recover compensation for the following losses after a truck accident:

  • Medical Expenses: This includes current and future costs for all medical care related to your accident, such as surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.
  • Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, either in the short term or long term, or if your ability to earn income is reduced, you can recover compensation for the income you’ve lost or will lose in the future.
  • Property Damage: This covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident. You can pursue a claim for property damage without having to use up your no-fault insurance coverage.
  • Pain and Suffering: A skilled truck accident attorney can aid you in pursuing compensation for your physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and your injuries.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in everyday activities or hobbies you once enjoyed, you may receive compensation for your loss.
  • Loss of Consortium: In severe cases, a spouse may receive compensation for the loss of companionship or the inability to maintain a sexual relationship after an accident.

Deadline to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Utah

According to Utah’s statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits, you typically have four years from the accident date to take legal action against any liable parties. However, this rule has several exceptions, some giving you more time to act and some that shorten your window to take action.

For example, anyone under 18 who was injured in an accident usually has four years from their 18th birthday to file a lawsuit.

On the other hand, if you intend to file a lawsuit against a government agency, state law says you must give notice that you intend to do so within one year of the accident. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible after a truck accident to protect your right to pursue compensation.

Let Our Lawyers Aid You in Your Pursuit of Justice

Life after a truck accident can feel like a battlefield. But with the Sandy truck accident lawyers of London Harker Injury Law by your side, you gain a strong ally armed with legal know-how, fierce negotiation skills, and a relentless drive for justice. We’re in the trenches with you, handling the legal maze, standing up to the insurance companies, and fighting to maximize your compensation. Call us now at 77CARCRASH or fill out our online form for a free case review.

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