Truck Accident Lawyer in Salt lake city, ut

Urgently Assisting Large Truck & Commercial Vehicle Collisions in Salt Lake County

Semi-trucks and other large vehicles present unique problems on the road. Because of the size of these trucks, any negligence on the truck driver’s part can result in devastating consequences.

To make matters worse, pursuing compensation after a truck accident can be incredibly difficult due to a variety of reasons, including issues of liability, the severity of the victim’s injuries, and more.

If you’ve been injured in a Salt Lake City semi-truck accident, you should know that you may have a higher probability of winning your case. However, the outcome of a specific claim can never be guaranteed.

We invite you to contact our Salt Lake City truck accident attorneys at Steele Adams Hosman for a free consultation. We can help you understand your legal rights and options, as well as how we can help you seek the justice and compensation you are owed.

Contact us online or by phone at (801) 999-1506 today to get started.

Click on any of the topics below to jump to that section on this page:

• Common Causes of Truck Accidents
• Liability in Truck Accident Claims
• Are Truck Accidents Covered by No-Fault Insurance?
• Get Started With a Free Consultation

What Are Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Salt Lake City?

Just like regular car accidents, truck accidents are most commonly caused by negligence. However, unlike in standard auto accident cases, the driver is not always the negligent (or liable) party in truck accident claims.

While truck driver errors can and do cause many of these collisions, other underlying causes frequently contribute to commercial vehicle accidents.

Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Fatigued driving
• Hours-of-service violations
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drug
• Traffic law violations
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Dangerous turns
• Unlawful passing
• Aggressive or reckless driving
• Driving too fast for conditions
• Overloaded or improperly loaded trucks
• Failure to conduct truck maintenance
• Improper vehicle repairs
• Defective trucks or truck parts
• Vehicle/brake failure
• Poor weather conditions
• Defective roadways
• Third-party negligence

At Steele Adams Hosman, our Salt Lake City truck accident lawyers work with teams of experts, including accident reconstructionists, to determine exactly what happened and who is liable. We leave no stone unturned when it comes to investigating our clients’ claims and seeking the maximum compensation they are owed.

Liability in Utah Truck Accident Cases

One of the things that makes truck accident claims more complex than other motor vehicle accident cases is the difficulty in determining liability. Because truck drivers are typically “on the clock,” so to speak, when these accidents occur, their employers—the trucking companies—are often legally liable.

This is because employers are generally considered liable for their employees’ conduct. However, if the truck driver is classified as an independent contractor, rather than an employee, the trucking company may be off the hook.

Additionally, if the truck driver was not the one who caused the accident, neither they nor the trucking company may be liable. Instead, responsibility for the accident may reside with another third party, such as a company responsible for loading cargo, the individual in charge of truck maintenance or repairs, or even another motorist who negligently caused the collision.

It is important that you work with a skilled personal injury lawyer who has experience in large truck and commercial vehicle accident cases. An attorney will be able to properly investigate your case and build a persuasive, evidence-based claim aimed at securing full compensation for your damages, including your current and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Are Truck Accidents Covered by No-Fault Insurance? In Utah, Yes.

In Utah, truck accidents are covered by no-fault insurance. This means that, after an accident with a semi-truck or big rig, you can turn to your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage without having to prove that another person or party was at fault for the crash.

However, PIP coverage is limited; it only provides partial compensation for certain economic damages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering are not covered.

To go outside the no-fault system and bring a third-party claim or lawsuit against the liable party, you will need to prove that you sustained more than $3,000 in medical expenses and/or suffered serious injuries, as defined by the state.

To meet the state’s “serious injury” threshold, your injuries must result in at least one of the following:

• Dismemberment
• Permanent disability
• Permanent impairment
• Significant disfigurement

Because truck accidents so often result in catastrophic injuries, many victims do meet this threshold. Additionally, if your loved one was tragically killed in a collision with a large truck or commercial vehicle, you likely have grounds to file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit directly against the liable party, rather than having to go through the no-fault system.

Call our Salt Lake City truck accident lawyers today - Dial (801) 999-1506.