A motor vehicle accident can happen anytime in Salt Lake City, Utah, and you need to know what to do next. If there is a truck collision that takes place, the results can be catastrophic. You need to seek medical care as quickly as possible, and then you should reach out to a Salt Lake City truck accident lawyer who can help you.
At Good Guys Injury Law, we provide you with access to some of the best truck accident lawyers in the local area. We will represent your rights and help you pursue all the financial compensation you deserve.
Learn more about how our truck accident attorneys can help you, and give us a call to schedule a case consultation.
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Secure Legal Representation From a Team of Aggressive Salt Lake City Truck Accident Lawyers
You might think your insurance or truck company will handle everything, but what happens if the claim is denied? What happens if your medical expenses and property damage exceed the limit of the liability?
You should not be responsible for the accident if it were not your fault, and that is where our aggressive Salt Lake City truck accident attorneys can help you.
At Good Guys Injury Law, we have significant experience representing individuals and families of all backgrounds. We can lean on that experience to ensure your rights are adequately protected. We can pursue damages from various locations, maximizing your compensation.
Call us to schedule a free case consultation with our skilled truck accident lawyer.
Utah Truck Accident Statistics
Truck accidents in Utah are more common than many people realize. According to the Utah Department of Transportation, there have been 323 truck crashes during the past three years, and 91 of those accidents resulted in at least one fatality. Because of how serious truck accidents are, everyone needs to understand what they should do next if they are involved in a truck accident in Utah.
Critical Things You Must Do After Your Truck Accident in Salt Lake City
Immediately following a motor vehicle collision, including a truck accident, many emotions will go through your head. It is easy to forget to complete several necessary steps, so what must you do if you get involved in a truck collision in Salt Lake City?
Some of the steps you need to take include the following:
- You must call 911 to ask the authorities to come to the scene. Remember that you must also ask emergency medical personnel to go to the scene.
- If you can get out of your vehicle safely, use your phone to take pictures of everything that happened. You will need evidence to support your version of events.
- When the police arrive, tell them everything that happened. The only thing you can do is be honest with the police about the accident from your perspective. Don’t worry about what anyone else, including the truck companies, might say.
- Even if you feel fine, you still need to be evaluated by medical personnel. You might be taken to the emergency room, but remember to schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor. It will help if you have a comprehensive plan in place for your recovery, and you may have suffered severe injuries.
- You should reach out to our truck accident lawyers for a case consultation. We can review the accident and see if you are entitled to compensation.
If you follow these steps after a truck accident in the local area, you can put yourself in the best position possible for a favorable outcome.
Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents in Utah
There are plenty of reasons why truck accidents might happen in Utah. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Utah include the following:
Truck Driver Fatigue
It is common for truck drivers to get tired behind the wheel. Because truck drivers get paid by the mile, they receive incentives to stay up as long as possible and drive as long as possible.
One of the side effects of this is that truck driver fatigue can lead to serious truck accidents in the local area.
Drowsy Driving
If a truck driver gets tired behind the wheel, they may react to changing road conditions slowly. They might even fall asleep behind the wheel, causing them to lose control of a huge vehicle.
There are strict rules and regulations in place that truck drivers need to follow regarding the number of hours they can spend behind the wheel and how many hours of sleep they need to get before they can get behind the wheel again.
Drug and Alcohol Use
Sadly, driving under the influence is another common cause of truck accidents. While it is good news that the rates of drunk driving accidents have dropped during the past few decades, it is still a significant contributor to motor vehicle accidents in the local area. That includes truck accidents.
Anyone driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol dramatically increases the chances of an accident.
Pressure From Employer
Truck drivers may also be receiving pressure from an employer. For example, their employer might want them to make the delivery on time, which could cause the truck driver to make decisions behind the wheel that they ordinarily would not make.
Pressure from the trucking company can also contribute to truck accidents in the local area.
Vehicle Malfunction
Vehicle malfunctions can also play a role in the development of truck accidents. It is the responsibility of truck companies to make sure that their vehicles are appropriately maintained.
If routine maintenance gets neglected, the truck might not respond properly, and it could result in a motor vehicle accident.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Speeding always contributes to motor vehicle accidents in the local area, including truck accidents. All drivers must follow posted signs and regulations, including speed limit signs.
If someone decides to speed, they reduce the chances of reacting to changing road conditions, which could lead to a truck accident.
Most Common Injuries in a Salt Lake City Truck Accident
There are different types of injuries that you might suffer if you are involved in a Salt Lake City truck accident.
Some of the most common examples of serious truck accident injuries include:
- You might suffer cuts and scrapes because of glass that shatters and falls all over you.
- You could be diagnosed with a bone fracture, including an arm or leg fracture.
- You might also suffer a head injury, such as a cerebral contusion or a skull fracture.
- You may also suffer a ligament sprain or a tendon strain.
- You might even suffer a dislocation of one of your joints.
These injuries can be severe, so you must seek medical care as quickly as possible if you are involved in a truck accident in Utah. Then, talk to an experienced truck accident lawyer representing truck accident victims.
Proving Liability in Salt Lake City Truck Accident Claims
Before recovering compensation in a truck accident case, you must prove that someone else is liable.
Some of the steps that you will need to follow to prove liability include the following:
- You must show that the other driver or party had a duty of care that he owed you while operating a vehicle on the road.
- You will also need to show that the other driver or party violated that duty of care somehow through the actions or inaction taken.
- You will also need to show that the breach of that duty led to the accident.
- Finally, you will need to show that the accident, and the breach of duty that took place, were the direct cause of damages you have suffered.
It can be challenging to prove liability in a Salt Lake City truck accident, so you need to contact a truck accident lawyer who can help you.
Compensatory Damages You Can Recover in a Salt Lake City Truck Accident Claim
If you get injured in a truck accident in the local area, you may be able to claim various compensatory damages.
Some of the biggest examples of damage that you might recover if you file a successful claim include:
Economic Damages
You could be entitled to economic damages. You can prove these are objective damages based on the bills and expenses you have received. For example, if you had to seek medical care due to the accident, you may be able to show bills from the doctor that you have to pay. These bills can be included in the economic damages you receive following a claim.
Non-Economic Damages
There is also a chance that you could be entitled to non-economic damages due to the accident. You may have suffered these damages but are challenging to put a number on. For example, you may have suffered emotional distress due to the accident. We may recover damages for that emotional distress on your behalf.
Punitive Damages
Finally, if the circumstances of the accident were particularly egregious, you may also be entitled to punitive damages. These are damages awarded to you to punish the responsible party.
Not every truck accident will result in punitive damages, but we can review your case to see if you might be entitled to punitive damages as a result of the accident.
Statute of Limitations on Truck Accident Lawsuits in Utah
There is a statute of limitations placed on truck accident lawsuits in the state of Utah. Generally, you have four years to file a truck accident claim in Utah. The clock starts ticking once the accident takes place. Therefore, you must act quickly to file your claim before the clock runs out. That is where we can help you.
You Need a Lawyer to Handle Your Truck Accident Case
Even though you may think the facts of the case are on your side, you need to ensure that the law is on your side.
At Good Guys Injury Law, we have already represented countless drivers, individuals, and families of all backgrounds, and we can help you make sure that your voice is heard. With our experienced truck accident attorneys, we can provide you with the representation you deserve and pursue compensation on your behalf.
Why Choose Good Guys Injury Law to Handle Your Salt Lake City Truck Accident Claim
At Good Guys Injury Law, we have the training, experience, and compassion necessary to give your case the attention it deserves. We will fight vigorously on your behalf to recover all compensation you are entitled to.
Call us today to schedule a case consultation with a Salt Lake City Truck Accident Lawyer, and let us fight for you.