Truck Accident Attorney in South Jordan, UT
Utah’s system of state highways is made up of city streets, rural roads, and freeways. The roads are scenic, pleasurable to drive on, and yet dangerous because of the freewheeling trucks, blind spots, wide turns, and more. If you have been injured in a commercial truck accident, an experienced South Jordan truck accident lawyer at the Garner Law Firm can help you pursue accountability and compensation for your damages.
Winter makes these roads even more dangerous because vehicles must be equipped with snow tires that do not skid and allow braking with ease. With winter upon us, the rush is on to change tires, unfortunately, no one knows how many truckers have taken the proper precautions and replaced their old snow tires. That’s a wildcard that drivers in Utah have to navigate.
Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of traffic fatalities fell by 2% in the first half of 2020, however, the fatality rate increased to 1.25 per 100 million miles traveled, which is up from 1.06 in 2018. Needless to say, it’s important to be cautious while driving in the winter months.
A truck accident can be devastating to human life because trucks are monstrous in size and weight, and can crush vehicles on impact. Victims often find it tough to understand their rights, recover damages, navigate through Utah’s accident laws, avoid mistakes, negotiate with third parties, and file insurance claims.
That’s why the Utah attorneys at the Garner Law Firm who focus on trucking accidents, wrote up this whitepaper to better explain the laws of Utah to the public.
When should a victim hire a Utah-based truck accident attorney?
The answer is – immediately after the accident. That’s because court procedures take time and accident-related evidence starts getting extinguished rather quickly. The legal process must start rolling immediately because time is at a premium.
As per federal laws, truckers are required to maintain a variety of records for varying periods. For example, logs that record service hours are required to be maintained for 6 months, and dispatch records/periodical reports for 3 years (each). Personnel, payroll, driver experience, claims, insurance, equipment, maintenance, and other records that can be used in a lawsuit are required to be maintained for varying periods.
Anything can happen in between – records can get lost, or destroyed. Or, they may not be analyzed correctly.
There’s plenty more to check in the limited time available – single and dual tire skid marks, substance use by the driver, qualifications of driver, truck fitness/defects, rules for 18-wheel trucks, and much more.
Let’s face it – the evidence is overwhelming and a layperson, or even an inexperienced lawyer, is likely to commit mistakes if he attempts to handle the case. Only an experienced and successful Utah lawyer who specializes in settling truck accident claims can extract the right kind of information from trucking accident records, and negotiate with third parties. Therefore, you need a lawyer to handle your claim, and you need him ASAP.
What are Utah’s trucking laws?
This is another complicated issue. The law allows semi-trucks to attach one trailer of up to 48 feet or two trailers of up to 61 feet. The permissible weight cannot exceed 10,500 pounds and is dependent on the type of axle used.
Other laws prescribe attaching flaps behind tires, signs that the truck is carrying hazardous material (if it is), fire extinguishers, different warning signals, etc. The driver also should fulfill Utah’s physical fitness requirements. Most of these laws are not easy to understand by the average Joe.
What are the rules that a car driver should follow to avoid Utah’s deadly truck accidents?
People just need to drive cautiously and defense oriented, follow the basic driving rules, road signs, and double their alert level when a truck is passing – especially so if it is snowing or raining.
They need to be very careful around blind spots (no-zone areas) because that’s where vulnerability maxes out. Remember that the area of the blind spot is directly proportional to the size of the truck.
Be careful and don’t get too close when trucks are turning because they take a wide turn. Even a minor slip can result in an accident. So, give the truckers room.
No-cost Consultation Offer With a Successful Utah Trucking Accident Lawyer
You need a knowledgeable, experienced, and successful Utah truck accident attorney to dig into your case, launch an investigation, build the case, negotiate with third parties, and help you get the right compensation. You also have limited time to pursue your case, so it’s crucial to hire a truck accident lawyer you trust at your first opportunity so they can begin building your case right away.
The attorneys at The Garner Law Firm are experienced and successful and have helped truck accident victims get the compensation they deserve. So, here is our no-cost, no-obligation consultation offer that will help you make an informed decision.
no risk to you,
no fee unless we win.
Insurance companies have lawyers you should have them too.
FAQs
Q: Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident in South Jordan?
A: If you must determine who is liable for a truck accident in South Jordan, hire a truck accident lawyer who can gather evidence and witness testimony for you. It’s possible for the accident to have happened due to the actions of the truck driver, but their employer could be vicariously liable for the accident under certain conditions. It’s also possible for the driver of another vehicle to be at fault.
Q: How Common Are Commercial Truck Accidents?
A: Commercial truck accidents aren’t as common as passenger vehicle accidents, but they happen more than the average person may expect. According to the National Safety Council, there were 5,375 large trucks involved in fatal crashes and 114,552 large trucks involved in accidents causing nonfatal injuries throughout the United States in 2023.
Q: What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in South Jordan?
A: A few of the most common causes of truck accidents in South Jordan include distracted driving, speeding, and moving violations. Truck accidents can also occur due to failure to follow trucking industry regulations. For example, violating hours of service rules can result in fatigued driving accidents. It’s also possible for improperly loaded cargo or poor truck maintenance to result in a serious accident.
Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Truck Accident?
A: The amount of compensation you can claim for a truck accident will depend on the severity of your injuries, how much insurance coverage you have, and whether you hire a truck accident lawyer to represent you in your legal efforts. It’s possible for you to recover compensation for economic damages like medical expenses and lost income, and you may also be able to recover pain and suffering compensation if you’re eligible to file a personal injury case.
Q: Why Should I Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
A: You should hire a truck accident lawyer because you may have more recovery options available to you than you initially realize, and you are more likely to succeed with your legal efforts and maximize your compensation if you have an experienced attorney on your side. Your South Jordan truck accident lawyer can negotiate an insurance settlement for you and represent you in a personal injury case if necessary for your recovery.
The team at the Garner Law Firm has years of proven experience handling a wide range of complex accident cases, including commercial truck accident cases. If you believe you have grounds to file such a case, you need to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation with an experienced South Jordan truck accident lawyer and learn how we can help with your recovery.
