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Utah Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident with a semi-truck, it's time to call an Advocate.

A Semi-Truck Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

An accident with a semi-truck is a devastating event for most everyone involved. No matter if you are the driver of a passenger vehicle or a trucker yourself, being injured in a commercial truck accident can leave you with months of physical therapy and a mountain of medical bills.

If you or a loved one was hurt in a semi-truck collision caused by another driver’s negligence, you do not have to go through the recovery process alone. The personal injury attorneys with The Advocates know how to build the strongest truck accident claim possible.

Our experienced attorneys have helped thousands of truck accident victims, and we can help you too. We represent clients in Salt Lake City and throughout the rest of Utah. We are ready to help you make a full recovery from the injuries and losses you have suffered. Contact our office today for a free case evaluation.

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Property Damage

Address any property damage resulting from the accident

Treatment Completed

Once you've completed treatment, your case can move forward

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex.

Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.

You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate.

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees.

Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We don’t get paid unless we win your case and you receive a settlement.

For more information on how settlements and payment work, please see our contingency fee information page.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.

In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

We Get Results

$500 Million

In Settlements

A Team of Legal Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you. 

We can help you:

  • Understand the claims process
  • Investigate your accident
  • Build your case
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters

We only get paid if we win your case!

Hable con un profesional

Utah Truck Accident Statistics

Truck driver uses cell phone while operating commercial truck

What are common causes of truck accidents?

Truck accidents can be caused by negligent drivers, poor driving conditions, and mechanical errors. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

  • Speeding
  • Failure to check blind spots
  • Improper turns
  • Improper passing
  • Distracted driving
  • Driver fatigue

When a malfunction with a large truck causes an accident, the most common faulty part was the tires of the truck.

When do truck accidents often occur?

  • Truck accidents most often occur during daylight hours; nearly 50% happen between 6:00 am and 3:00 pm
  • Most accidents occur in rural areas at non-intersection locations
  • The months of June through October see the most accidents each year
  • Nearly 85% of truck accidents happen on weekdays.

Most truck accidents occur in dry conditions, likely because motorists are more likely to drive carefully when roads are wet or icy. However, adverse weather conditions do play a part in a significant number of accidents each year.

How many truck accidents occur in Utah each year?

In recent years, there have been an average of 33 fatal accidents involving large trucks in Utah annually. These accidents have resulted in an average of 37 fatalities each year. Most often, it is the drivers and passengers of regular cars and trucks that are seriously injured or killed in these accidents.

The good news is that when compared to other states, Utah ranks 35th in the nation for truck accident fatalities. However, when most of these deaths could be prevented by paying attention and following the rules of the road, even one fatality is too many.

Utah Trucking Laws

Trucker stand by his passenger door with his CDL.

What is required to obtain a CDL?

In order to operate a commercial vehicle in Utah, you must get a Commercial Driver’s License. To qualify for a CDL, a potential driver must be 18 years old or older, have held a regular Class D license for at least one year, and pass vision and medical screenings.

A qualified applicant must then pass a written test, a training course, and a skills test.

What condition must a truck be in to drive?

For a commercial vehicle to be driven on Utah roads, the driver must complete a pre-trip inspection. This inspection is done to verify that all components of the truck are in good working order. This includes the engine, brakes, wheels, lights, wipers, mud flaps, mirrors, and horn.

“Good working order” means that all of these parts of the truck must be functioning as intended. If any component of a large truck malfunctions or breaks during travel, it could mean disaster.

Truck driver inspects tires

How large can a commercial truck be?

Semi-trucks must meet size restrictions for the roads they intend to be driven on. The various combinations of trucks and trailers have different regulations for size. In general, a semi-truck may not exceed the following sizes:

  • Height: 14 feet
  • Width: 8 feet, 6 inches
  • Length: Trailer may not exceed 53 feet

As long as a semi-trailer is less than 53 feet, there is no limit on how long the truck-trailer combination can be.

Transporting anything over these sizes requires the trucker to obtain certain endorsements and permits, and may require one or more escorts.

Can truckers in Utah use the left lane?

In general, the left-most lane on Utah highways is reserved for passing. No one, regardless of the vehicle they are driving, should travel in the left lane, unless it is a designated HOV lane and they meet the requirements for that lane.

On two-lane freeways, a semi-truck may use the left lane to pass slower traffic.

On freeways with three or more lanes traveling in the same direction, Utah law states that a person may not operate a vehicle in the left-most lane or HOV lane if:

  • The vehicle is pulling a trailer or semi-trailer
  • The gross vehicle weight is greater than 12,000 pounds

The exceptions to this law include drivers preparing to make a left turn and those safely moving left to avoid an obstruction in the road.

Semi-truck driving in the right lane on a desert highway.
80 mile per hour highway sign on a desert highway

What is the speed limit for semi-trucks in Utah?

In many states, large trucks must adhere to a lower maximum speed limit than other motor vehicles. Utah’s maximum speed limit does not differ between trucks and passenger vehicles, except in certain areas where the truck speed limit is posted. In most cases, the maximum speed limit on Utah freeways is 80 miles per hour for all vehicles.

How many hours are truckers allowed to work?

There are federal regulations regarding the number of hours a trucker may drive without a break. This is called the “hours of service” rule.

The hours of service rule states that a truck driver may not drive more than 11 hours at a time after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. Additionally, drivers must take a 30-minute break after driving for 8 hours.

This law is in place to prevent driver fatigue. Because many trucking companies pay per mile driven, truckers have incentive to keep driving, even when tired. If a truck driver falls asleep behind the wheel, however, it creates a major safety hazard for everyone on the road. By stopping to rest periodically, truckers can prevent fatigue and keep themselves and others safe.

Book of Statue of limitation by a gavel on a desk.

What is the statute of limitations for truck accidents?

The Utah statute of limitations for most motor vehicle accidents, including truck accidents, is four years. After this length of time has passed, you will be unable to file a suit. It is best to contact a Utah truck accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident, in order to have the best chance at receiving a settlement.

Why Should I Hire a Truck Accident Attorney?

If you were injured in a truck accident, you’re likely dealing with physical pain, emotional trauma, and seemingly never ending medical expenses. Attempting to navigate the claims process during your physical recovery may add unnecessary stress to your plate.

If you choose to attempt to negotiate with insurance adjusters on your own, you may end up settling for less than you deserve. These multi-million dollar companies will often go out of their way to avoid offering you a fair settlement. An experienced personal injury attorney can go up against insurance providers for you and fight for your right to compensation.

The Advocates are a law firm of competent, caring truck accident lawyers who can help you navigate the legal process, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. We will be there to listen to your story, help you understand the next steps in your case, and protect your legal rights.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, The Advocates are here for you every step of the way. Contact our law office today for a free consultation. You deserve a team who will fight for you. You deserve an Advocate.