A Truck Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case
The idea of collisions with semi-trucks is a nightmare for anyone who spends any time on the roads beside those behemoths. We do our best to give them the space they need and to stay out of their blind spots, but unfortunately, that is not always enough.
After an accident, there is a ton on your plate. There are medical bills, potentially missed work, the mental toll an accident takes, and all that while fighting with insurance companies. With The Advocates’ Ogden-based personal injury lawyers, you don’t have to face these things alone.
Contact our Ogden law office for your free case evaluation. We want to help you because nobody should face such massive challenges alone.
$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 Ogden Truck Accident Attorney?
When your worst fears become reality, and you are involved in an auto accident with a semi-truck, things quickly become overwhelming. You may be looking at intense physical therapy, mountainous medical debt, and endless calls with insurance companies.
You and your loved ones can feel like you are entirely alone in your struggle as more and more piles on after your accident. You don’t have to be alone, however.
With an Advocate on your side, you have a personal injury law firm with years of experience. More importantly, you have a member of your community who will treat you as a friend and see you as more than just your case.
Contact our Ogden personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation. You deserve legal representation that wants what is best for you. You deserve an Advocate.
Utah Truck Accident Information
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
Accident victims often suffer much worse injuries when semi-trucks are involved. Medical expenses can pile up, and trucking companies may be involved in the comparative negligence that results in an accident.
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.
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. Fatigue worsens reaction time for everyone, which is especially hazardous for truckers due to the size and weight of semi-trucks.
Truck Accident Statistics
Utah truck accident statistics
UDOT analyzed commercial vehicle crashes in Utah between 2019 and 2021 and found that there were 323 total crashes involving commercial vehicles. 91 of these crashes resulted in fatalities, and 232 resulted in severe injuries.
- 82% of these crashes were on dry roads
- 65% were in clear conditions
- 69% were during daylight hours
- 25% involved only the commercial driver
- 33% happened at intersections
Knowing how and when car accidents involving semi trucks can help drivers protect themselves and avoid these devastating crashes.
National truck accident statistics
Most serious injuries and fatalities in semi-truck crashes are the occupants of smaller vehicles. Semi-trucks weigh up to 30x more than a passenger vehicle and have much greater ground clearance.
- In the US in 2022, there were 4764 fatalities from semi-truck accidents, 11% of all traffic deaths nationally.
- 35% of fatal crashes were on interstates and freeways, and 49% were on other major roads.
- Fatal crashes involving semi-trucks happen less on weekends, whereas deadly crashes involving passenger vehicles happen more often on weekends.