A Truck Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case
A crash with a semi-truck is devastating. Semis are larger, heavier, and harder to maneuver than smaller vehicles. These factors combine to ensure that collisions with semis are rarely small things that are easy to recover from.
Staring down a mountain of medical bills, physical therapy, vehicle repair or replacement, and everything else that comes from an auto accident is incredibly daunting. You don’t have to face these challenges alone when you have the personal injury lawyers at The Advocates on your side.
Contact our American Fork law office for your free case evaluation. We are ready to help you get your life back
$2.5 Million
Head-on Car Crash
$1.3 Million
Side Impact Auto Accident
$1.0 Million
Side Impact Car Crash
$1.1 Million
Semi-Truck Auto Accident
$1.2 Million
Multiple Vehicle Collision
A Team of Professionals Assigned to Your Case
For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive fair 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
- Negotiate with insurance adjusters
- Obtain a settlement or judgment against the at-fault party
"Hiring The Advocates was the best move I could have made after my accident. They were very professional and made me feel confident my case would go smoothly. They really put me at ease. I would recommend them to anyone!" - Robert S.
When Should I Hire an American Fork Truck Accident Attorney?
An accident involving a semi leaves those involved reeling. You can feel lost and alone, unsure of your next actions or how to even begin getting back to something resembling normalcy.
The toll these accidents take on not just those involved but those who support the victims is immense and life-altering. You need someone in your corner who cares about you and your loved ones.
The Advocates personal injury law firm sees our clients as more than just a case to be won. We strive to ensure that our clients are treated the way we treat our loved ones.
Contact our American Fork personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation. You deserve legal representation that treats you like a friend. You deserve an Advocate.
Utah Truck Accident Information
Common causes of truck accidents
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers work long hours and cover many miles. These factors can result in significant fatigue.
- Distracted driving: Drivers must always pay attention on the road. Cell phones, media consoles, or myriad other distractions can lead to accidents.
- Impaired driving: Use of substances, including prescribed medication, can significantly impair driver ability. Don’t drink and drive, and heed warnings on medications.
- Mechanical failure: Semi trucks are complex machinery; maintenance is essential to ensure brakes don’t fail and tires don’t blow out.
- Improper passing or turning: Commercial trucks have large blind spots that other drivers should be wary of to avoid potential truck crashes.
- Poor road conditions: Be aware of adverse road conditions. Ice, inadequate maintenance, or steep grades can all be factors in truck wrecks.
Common truck accident injuries
The injuries from commercial truck accidents are often more severe than other accidents. Common types of truck accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Disfigurement
- Broken or missing teeth
- Ligament tears or strains
- Lacerations and bruising
- Fatalities
How many hours can a truck driver work at one time?
Truckers are generally paid by the mile and work long hours with few breaks. They are incentivized to keep driving, even when tired. Due to these conditions, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) created the Hours of Service Rule.
The Hours of Service Rule is as follows:
- Truckers can drive for 11 hours consecutively after 10 hours off.
- Drivers can be on duty for 14 hours to allow time for logging and various other responsibilities outside of driving.
- Drivers must take a 30-minute break after eight consecutive hours of driving.
- Two hours may be added to these maximums in adverse conditions.
Truckers must adhere to the Hours of Service Rule but should take breaks beyond those requirements as necessary to avoid fatigue. Falling asleep behind the wheel is dangerous for anyone, but fatigued driving is especially hazardous for truckers due to the size and weight of semi-trucks.
Truck Accident Responsibility and Damages
What damages can I seek in my truck accident claim?
Every case is different, so you should speak to a personal injury attorney to know what you can seek in your specific case.
As a general guide, some common damages sought by truck accident victims include:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Non-economic damages like pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial expenses in cases of wrongful death
A car accident lawyer with The Advocates can help you determine what you can seek. Contact our American Fork office today for a free case review.
Who is responsible for my commercial vehicle accident?
Beyond the typical responsibility between the parties involved in an accident, in semi-truck accidents, the companies responsible for training and maintenance of the driver and truck may hold some responsibility.
If the truck driver was not driving responsibly, they may bear the majority of the fault for the crash.
Trucking companies employing commercial drivers may be held liable if it is determined that they were not properly training their drivers or maintaining their trucks.
Truck manufacturers may be held responsible if mechanical failure was responsible for the crash.
An investigation may be conducted to determine the liable parties. Photo and video evidence from the scene, witness testimony, accident reports, maintenance records, the trucker’s activity logs, and the truck’s black box data may all be examined to determine who was at fault in the accident.
An experienced American Fork truck accident attorney can help you file an injury claim if you’ve experienced serious injuries.