Truck accidents can be catastrophic and devastating, leading to significant injuries, severe property damage, and, in some cases, fatalities. As commercial vehicles are large and heavy, subsequent crashes with passenger vehicles can be extremely destructive. If you or your loved one has been hurt in a truck accident in Salt Lake City, Utah, it is crucial to work with a Salt Lake City truck accident attorney from RamRock Injury Lawyers, who can help you overcome these challenges.
At RamRock Injury Lawyers, our dedicated Utah truck accident lawyer understands the devastating consequences that follow semi-truck accidents, including significant financial, emotional, and physical challenges. We are here to fight ferociously on your behalf, negotiating with insurance companies and even litigating in court to help you recover the compensation to which you’re entitled.
Call us today at (385) 412-1927 to schedule a free case evaluation. You do not have to pay any fees upfront unless we win your case for you.
Understanding the Complexity of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Salt Lake City, Utah
Compared to standard car or motorcycle accidents, truck accidents can be more complex in nature. This is because they may commonly involve multiple potentially liable parties and require navigating complicated federal and state regulations. On top of this, severe or catastrophic injuries can compound a case’s complexity, requiring specialized legal strategies to bring home compensation amounts that fully reflect the damages.
An empathetic Utah truck accident lawyer can help you navigate the following complexities of semi-truck accident cases:
1. Significant Injuries and Financial Stakes
The size and weight of trucks can cause significant force upon impact, leading to more severe or even fatal injuries. Common injuries suffered by commercial truck accident victims include crush injuries, amputations, burns, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and complicated fractures. This necessitates significant compensation for medical expenses so that victims can receive the care and attention they desperately need to recover.
As severe or catastrophic injuries require more care and attention, this increases the financial stakes of 18-wheeler accident cases. Many victims may require long-term physical rehabilitation, medical attention, and assistive devices. A detail-oriented Salt Lake City truck accident lawyer can ensure these damages are accurately calculated, working to help accident victims secure the full compensation required to heal or manage their new conditions.
2. Complicated Federal and State Regulations
Various Utah state and federal regulations are in place to promote quality and safety. For example, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration outlines clear regulations requiring hours of service, driver qualifications and training, required maintenance and inspection of vehicles, and guidelines on maximum cargo weight and how it should be secured.
If these regulations have been violated, drivers and trucking companies may be held liable for any subsequent accidents. An experienced Utah truck accident attorney can examine the details of your case and compare them with safety regulations to determine whether any rules were violated and whether these violations were linked to your crash.
3. Multiple Liable Parties
While standard car accidents may only involve other drivers who could be liable, truck accidents typically involve multiple parties who could be at fault for the accident. An attorney from RamRock Injury Lawyers can investigate the details of your case to determine whether one or more of the following parties could be potentially liable for your semi-truck accident:
- The truck driver. If the truck driver involved in your case was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, engaged in distracting activities, or was negligent in any way, they may be held liable for the accident.
- The trucking company. With the rise of online retail, truck drivers and delivery workers are commonly pressured to make unrealistic deadlines, encouraging them to skip breaks and violate other crucial regulations that protect their own safety and the safety of others on the road. A skilled Salt Lake City personal injury attorney can help you hold trucking companies accountable for their exploitative practices, in addition to other violations, like failing to maintain vehicles.
- The maintenance company. If the company who maintained or repaired the truck did not do so adequately, and it led to the accident that caused your injuries, they may be held accountable for wrongdoing or negligence.
- Truck manufacturers. The company that designed, manufactured, or even distributed any faulty parts that broke down and led to your accident could be held accountable for failing to handle, create, or sell parts that are safe for the use of the public.
- Other third parties. Other third parties, such as the individuals who loaded the truck, could be held accountable for causing your truck crash. For example, adding too much cargo to the truck or loading it in a way that is not well distributed can increase the amount of time required to stop, leading to crashes or causing a truck to lose control or flip.
A Utah Truck Accident Lawyer Can Investigate the Causes of Your Accident
In Salt Lake City and surrounding areas, 18-wheeler accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, many of which could have unfortunately otherwise been preventable. A diligent Salt Lake City semi-truck accident attorney from RamRock Injury Lawyers can conduct a deep investigation into what happened before, during, and after your case, helping to determine potential causes. For example, they can determine whether your truck crash was caused by the following:
- Driver fatigue. As truck drivers are commonly pressured to make unrealistic delivery deadlines, they may be driving in an exhausted state. Although federal regulations put a limit on the number of hours a driver can work, some trucking companies may push drivers to ignore these regulations. Truck drivers who are fatigued can have significantly limited judgment abilities and reaction times, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Distracted driving. Across the state of Utah, distracted driving continues to be a leading cause of motor vehicle accidents, including truck crashes. Distractions could include checking social media, looking at navigation apps, talking on the radio with other truck drivers, or eating meals while driving.
- Reckless driving behavior. Due to the sheer mass of trucks, a greater stopping time and distance is required for the vehicle to be able to come to a complete halt. This means that if a truck driver is going over the speed limit or driving aggressively, they have a significantly increased risk of losing control of the vehicle and causing an accident.
- Poorly loaded cargo. If cargo is not adequately secured to the truck, it can shift around during the trip, resulting in jackknifing or even tipping over the truck. In some cases, cargo from the truck can fall out onto the roadway, leading to life-threatening hazards for other drivers on the road.
- Mechanical failure. According to federal and state regulations, trucks need to be regularly inspected and maintained to make sure they are safe to operate on the roads. Unfortunately, some trucking companies fail to adequately maintain their vehicles to avoid spending time and money. Steering system breakdowns, tire blowouts, and defective brakes can cause accidents, ultimately harming or even killing victims.
What You Should Do After an Accident with a Semi-Truck
To protect your rights and your health, it’s crucial to take certain steps after being in an accident. While each case is unique, it is generally recommended to do the following:
- Ensure your safety. Directly after the accident, you need to make sure that you are somewhere safe. Whether this involves pulling your car to the side of the road out of the way of oncoming traffic or getting yourself and your small child away from an impending explosion, do what you need to do to make sure you do not sustain further damage or injury.
- Call law enforcement. Report the incident immediately to the relevant law enforcement authorities – especially if property damage or injuries are involved in the case. After law enforcement arrives on the scene, comply with any requests they may have for basic information, such as your driver’s license and proof of insurance. Be sure to collect a copy of the police report, as this can serve as crucial evidence for your claim.
- Go to a doctor. Even if you don’t think that you have sustained significant injuries, it’s crucial to seek adequate medical attention to get a full diagnosis after your crash, as well as the treatment you need. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for truck accident victims to suffer from severe or even life-threatening injuries that may not be immediately apparent, making it critical to get medical help after a crash. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Collect evidence from the scene. If it’s possible to do so, take extensive photos and videos of the scene of your accident, including any visible injuries, vehicle damage, and the conditions of the road. Be sure to collect the contact and insurance information of other drivers involved in the accident and any witnesses, as their statements could serve as crucial evidence for your claim later.
- Reach out to an attorney. RamRock Injury Lawyers is ready to help you handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies, collect crucial evidence, and build up a robust case to help you pursue compensation.
Why Work With a Salt Lake City 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer From RamRock Injury Lawyers?
When it comes to the legal representation at RamRock Injury Lawyers, we are unmatched. Our detail-oriented and empathetic team understands the devastation that 18-wheeler accidents can bring, from catastrophic injuries to mounting hospital bills. Therefore, we are dedicated to giving our clients aggressive, compassionate representation to secure the compensation needed to adequately recover.
Accident victims in Salt Lake City and surrounding areas continue to come to our firm because we offer the following:
- Demonstrated success. Apart from other firms who make various promises without any results to back their claims, we have testimonies and evidence showing our successful history of defending hundreds of clients who have been hurt, as well as the millions in compensation that we have helped them receive.
- Unique legal strategies. We leverage direct communication tactics, making sure that our clients are in the loop from start to finish regarding their case details. If you have any learning concerns or just need to talk, we are available for you to help you feel comfortable with what comes next. You can be sure that your legal tactics are unique to the specific circumstances of your case.
- Fierce advocacy. We have years of experience learning and studying the devious tactics that trucking companies and their insurance adjusters use to try to deny accident victims the settlements to which they are entitled. Fortunately, we have the knowledge and experience required to use these tactics against insurance companies, fighting fiercely on your behalf to get an optimal compensation package.
- Speed and efficiency. A Salt Lake City truck accident lawyer from our firm leverages modern and innovative legal tactics to help you get your settlement as quickly as possible, without sacrificing attention or quality.
So, what are you waiting for? Contact RamRock Injury Lawyers today to learn more about how we can help you win your case and recover the compensation you need during this challenging time.
Contact Us Today
If you or your loved one has been in an 18-wheeler accident, it’s crucial to contact an attorney sooner rather than later so that they can help increase your chances of winning your case. When you contact RamRock Injury Lawyers, we can start to build up your case and protect you from devious tactics leveraged by insurance companies to delay, deny, or minimize your payouts.
Call a Salt Lake City, Utah semi-truck accident attorney today at (385) 412-1927 to schedule your free case evaluation. We are ready to throw our knowledge, experience, and resources behind your case to get you the compensation you need to move on from your accident.
