Truck Accident Attorneys in Salt Lake City & Midvale, Utah

In Need of a Truck Accident Lawyer?

At Waddoups Law Personal Injury Attorneys, our Salt Lake City truck accident lawyers understand that commercial vehicles, including semi-trucks, utility trucks, and construction vehicles, are much larger than passenger cars and require specialized CDL licensing. When these massive vehicles are involved in crashes, injuries are typically severe, and fatalities are common.

Truck accident cases are complicated. It’s essential to contact our attorneys immediately to preserve evidence and conduct a thorough investigation before critical information disappears. We ensure that your case is filed properly and in a timely manner.

Your Recovery Is Our Priority

We focus on helping our clients physically, emotionally, and financially recover after an accident. When someone else’s negligence changes your life, you need a dedicated team in your corner. Our Salt Lake City truck accident attorneys deliver relief through compassion, attention to detail, and tenacious advocacy.

With over 90 years of combined experience, our firm has represented clients in more than 1,200 mediation and arbitration cases and over 85 jury trials with tremendous success. Let us help you and your family move forward with confidence.

Why Truck Accidents are Different from Car Accidents

Truck accident cases are more complex than typical car collisions because of the size of the vehicles, the laws involved, and the number of stakeholders.

Size, weight, and stopping distance: A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, far more than the average passenger vehicle, and needs considerably more distance to stop safely at highway speeds.

Limited maneuverability and blind spots: Large trucks have wide turning radiuses and extensive no-zones that make lane changes and emergency maneuvers more dangerous for everyone nearby.

Complex federal and state regulations: Commercial trucks must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules, Utah trucking regulations, and insurance requirements that are stricter than those for ordinary drivers.

Multiple insurance policies and aggressive defense: Claims may involve policies for the driver, trucking company, trailer owner, cargo owner, or maintenance provider, and each insurer has strong incentives to minimize or shift liability.

These differences make it especially important to work with a lawyer who handles commercial trucking cases regularly rather than treating your crash like a standard car accident claim.

The Importance of Preserving Evidence in Utah Truck Accidents

In a semi-truck crash, if you are injured or you know somebody who was killed as a result of the negligence of a semi-truck driver, preserving the evidence is critical. It is essential to send a preservation of the evidence to the truck driver, the trucking company, and the insurance company to preserve all of the evidence.

The evidence is very detailed and must be preserved. Some of the items that need to be preserved in their original condition, and before any repair is made to the semi-truck are the following:

• Do not move or alter any of the equipment in the semi.
• Dashcam video.
• Driver’s log.
• Driver’s application.
• Driver’s history.
• Onboard computers of the semi.
• Computer printouts from the employers.

The quicker you can involve our skilled Midvale semi-truck accident attorneys in your crash investigation, the sooner we can help preserve additional critical evidence that strengthens your case.

That may include, but is not limited to:

• Police Accident Reports.
• Photographs and Videos from the Crash Scene.
• Vehicle Debris Evidence.
• Truck Driver Information, including License and Qualifications.
• Drug and Alcohol Test Results.
• Truck Driver Communication Records, including Cellphone or Other Electronic Device Use.
• Trucking Company Service and Maintenance Records.
• Trucking Company Employment Records.
• Trucking Company Dispatch Records.
• Cargo Information.
• Witness & First Responder Statements.
• Injury Reports and Medical Records.
• Surveillance Footage from Traffic or Security Cameras.
• Inspection and Investigation Reports.

Preserving this evidence is essential for accurately determining the cause of the accident and establishing liability. Our experienced truck accident and injury attorneys in Salt Lake City can help ensure all relevant evidence is properly collected and preserved so you can focus on your injuries and regain control of your life. Contact us today to learn more.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Salt Lake City

Understanding what causes truck accidents helps establish liability and strengthen your compensation claim. Our investigations frequently uncover one or more of these common contributing factors:

Driver Fatigue and Hours of Service Violations

Federal regulations limit how many hours truck drivers can operate without rest. Despite these rules, pressure from employers to meet delivery deadlines often leads to drivers pushing beyond safe limits. Fatigued drivers have slower reaction times and impaired decision-making abilities, making them dangerous on roads like Interstate 15 and Interstate 80, which see heavy commercial truck traffic through Salt Lake City.

Distracted Driving

Truck drivers face unique distractions during long hauls, including cell phone use, GPS navigation, eating, drinking, and adjusting vehicle controls. Even a momentary lapse in attention can be catastrophic when operating an 80,000-pound vehicle.

Speeding and Aggressive Driving

Delivery schedules create pressure for drivers to speed or drive aggressively to make up time. When large trucks travel at excessive speeds, their already-limited ability to stop or maneuver safely is further compromised.

Improper Cargo Loading

Unbalanced, overweight, or unsecured cargo can cause trucks to tip over, jackknife, or lose control. Cargo loaders and trucking companies share responsibility for ensuring proper weight distribution and secure loading.

Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Commercial trucks require regular maintenance to operate safely. Worn brakes, defective tires, faulty steering systems, and other mechanical failures can lead to devastating accidents. Both trucking companies and maintenance providers may be liable when inadequate maintenance causes crashes.

Poor Weather and Road Conditions

Utah’s mountain terrain and winter weather create challenging driving conditions. Truck drivers must adjust their speed and driving behavior for snow, ice, rain, and reduced visibility. Failure to drive safely for conditions is a form of negligence.

Devastating Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents

The sheer size and force involved in truck accidents often result in severe, life-altering injuries that require extensive medical treatment and long-term care. Our clients have suffered:

Catastrophic Injuries

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Ranging from concussions to severe brain damage that permanently affects cognitive function, personality, and quality of life
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Including partial or complete paralysis that requires lifetime care and adaptive equipment
• Severe Burns: Resulting from fires or explosions, often requiring multiple surgeries and skin grafts

Serious Physical Injuries

• Multiple Bone Fractures: Including compound fractures requiring surgical intervention and lengthy rehabilitation
• Internal Organ Damage: Injuries to vital organs that may require emergency surgery and cause long-term complications
• Amputations: Loss of limbs due to crush injuries or surgical necessity
• Neck and Back Injuries: Herniated discs, compressed nerves, and soft tissue damage, causing chronic pain

Psychological and Emotional Trauma

Beyond physical injuries, truck accident victims often experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and fear of driving that impacts their ability to return to normal life.

Wrongful Death

When truck accidents result in fatalities, surviving family members face unimaginable grief compounded by financial hardship and loss of companionship. Our wrongful death attorneys help families pursue compensation and accountability for their devastating loss.

The full extent of your injuries may not be immediately apparent. Some conditions worsen over time or require ongoing treatment. Our Salt Lake City truck accident lawyers work with medical professionals to ensure we account for both current and future medical needs when pursuing your claim.

What To Do After a Truck Accident in Utah

Taking the right steps after a truck crash can protect both your health and your legal rights.

• Get emergency medical care, even if you think your injuries are “minor,” and follow all treatment recommendations. This documents your injuries and connects them to the crash date.

• Call law enforcement and ensure a police report is created; this report often becomes a key piece of liability evidence later.
• If it is safe, take photos or video of the scene, vehicle damage, visible injuries, skid marks, road conditions, and any debris on the roadway.

• Gather contact and insurance information for the truck driver, trucking company, and any witnesses who saw what happened.
• Avoid giving recorded statements, signing documents, or accepting a quick settlement from an insurance company before talking to a lawyer.
• Contact a Utah truck accident attorney as soon as possible so preservation letters can be sent to secure black-box data, logbooks, and maintenance records before they are lost or overwritten.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Truck Accident Injuries?

Commercial truck drivers in Utah must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, the Utah Commercial Driver’s Handbook, and standard traffic laws. Those with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) have a higher duty of care than regular drivers, and violations of these standards can establish liability.

When truck accidents occur, multiple parties may share responsibility for your injuries and losses:

Truck Drivers

Individual drivers can be held liable for negligent actions such as speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, violating hours of service regulations, or failing to properly secure cargo. Even when employed by trucking companies, drivers maintain personal responsibility for safe operation of their vehicles.

Trucking Companies

Trucking companies face liability through several legal theories. They may be held directly responsible for negligent hiring practices, inadequate driver training, failure to maintain vehicles properly, pressuring drivers to violate hours of service regulations, or failing to conduct required drug and alcohol testing.

Truck and Vehicle Manufacturers

When defective parts or design flaws contribute to accidents, manufacturers may be held liable under product liability law. This includes defects in braking systems, tire failures, steering malfunctions, or other mechanical failures that cause or contribute to crashes.

Cargo Loading Companies

Third-party companies responsible for loading cargo must ensure proper weight distribution, secure fastening, and compliance with weight limits. Improperly loaded or secured cargo can cause trucks to tip, jackknife, or lose control.

Maintenance and Repair Providers

Companies contracted to service and maintain commercial vehicles may be liable when inadequate repairs or maintenance failures contribute to accidents. This includes failure to address known mechanical issues or improper repairs that create safety hazards.

Other Drivers

In some cases, the negligent actions of other motorists contribute to truck accidents. Utah’s comparative negligence laws allow for allocation of fault among multiple parties.

Determining liability requires a thorough investigation, including examination of driver logs, electronic logging device (ELD) data, vehicle maintenance records, employment files, training documentation, and other critical evidence. The attorneys at Waddoups Law Personal Injury Attorneys, based in Midvale, have extensive experience with the complex regulations governing commercial vehicles and have successfully handled hundreds of truck accident cases. We know how to identify all potentially liable parties to maximize your compensation.

Can I Pursue a Claim If I Lost a Loved One in a Truck Accident in Utah?

Losing a loved one in a truck accident in Utah is a devastating experience, but pursuing a wrongful death claim can provide financial support and a sense of justice for the surviving family members. It is crucial to act promptly and seek legal advice to protect your rights and maximize the chances of a successful claim.

Our law firm founder and managing attorney, George Waddoups, obtained one of the largest wrongful death verdicts in the United States at the time in 2013. The lawyers at Waddoups Law Personal Injury Attorneys are trained to properly handle a semi-truck crash to maximize the compensation for the victims of an owner/operator who caused the accident.

Utah Truck Accident Laws You Should Know

Understanding Utah’s legal framework helps you protect your rights after a truck accident:

Statute of Limitations

Utah law imposes strict deadlines for filing injury claims:

• Personal Injury Claims: You have four years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for injuries
• Wrongful Death Claims: Surviving family members have two years from the date of death to file wrongful death claims
• Property Damage Claims: You have three years to pursue compensation for vehicle and property damage

Missing these deadlines typically means losing your right to pursue compensation, regardless of how strong your case may be. Early consultation with our Salt Lake City truck accident attorneys ensures you don’t miss critical filing deadlines.

Comparative Negligence

Utah follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you share some fault for the accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you’re found to be 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover any compensation. Insurance companies often try to shift blame to victims to reduce their liability, making strong legal representation essential.

No-Fault Insurance Does Not Apply

While Utah is generally a no-fault state for auto insurance, these rules don’t apply to commercial truck accidents. You can pursue compensation directly from at-fault parties and their insurers without first exhausting your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.

Commercial Vehicle Insurance Requirements

Federal law requires commercial trucks to carry substantially higher insurance coverage than passenger vehicles, typically $750,000 to $5 million, depending on the type of cargo. These higher policy limits mean more compensation may be available, but insurers fight harder to avoid large payouts.

Compensation Available in Utah Truck Accident Cases

Utah law allows truck accident victims to pursue several categories of damages to address both economic and non-economic losses:

Economic Damages

These compensate for quantifiable financial losses:

• Medical Expenses: Emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, prescription medications, medical equipment, and future medical care
• Lost Wages: Income lost while recovering from injuries, including salary, benefits, bonuses, and other compensation
• Loss of Earning Capacity: Reduced ability to earn income in the future due to permanent disabilities or limitations
• Property Damage: Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle and personal property damaged in the accident

Non-Economic Damages

These address subjective losses that significantly impact quality of life:

• Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and discomfort caused by injuries
• Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other psychological impacts
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to participate in activities and hobbies you previously enjoyed
• Disfigurement and Scarring: Permanent visible injuries that affect self-esteem and social interactions
• Loss of Consortium: Impact on relationships with spouses and family members

Wrongful Death Damages

When truck accidents result in fatalities, surviving family members may recover:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical bills incurred before death
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and protection
• Mental anguish and emotional suffering

Punitive Damages

In cases involving particularly reckless or intentional misconduct, Utah courts may award punitive damages designed to punish wrongdoers and deter similar behavior. These are awarded in addition to compensatory damages.

Why Choose Waddoups Law Personal Injury Attorneys

When you’re facing life-changing injuries and mounting expenses, choosing the right legal representation makes all the difference. Here’s what sets our Midvale truck accident lawyers apart:

Proven Track Record

With over 90 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys have successfully represented clients in more than 1,200 mediation and arbitration cases and over 85 jury trials. Our firm founder’s record-breaking wrongful death verdict demonstrates our ability to achieve exceptional results in high-stakes cases.

No Fees Unless We Win

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront costs or attorney fees unless we secure compensation for you. This arrangement allows you to access quality legal representation regardless of your financial situation.

Thorough Investigation and Case Preparation

We immediately begin investigating your accident, preserving critical evidence, consulting with accident reconstruction professionals, and building a comprehensive case. Our preparation ensures we’re ready for negotiations or trial.

Knowledge of Trucking Regulations

Our attorneys have in-depth knowledge of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Utah commercial driving laws, and the tactics trucking companies and their insurers use to avoid liability. This knowledge is essential for building successful truck accident claims.

Personalized Attention

We focus on our clients as individuals, not case numbers. We take time to understand how your injuries have affected your life and fight tenaciously for compensation that addresses your complete losses.

Resources to Handle Complex Cases

Truck accident cases require substantial resources for investigation, witnesses, and litigation. Our firm has the financial strength and professional network to take on trucking companies and their well-funded legal teams.

Contact Our Trusted Truck Accident Attorneys in Salt Lake City, Utah to Discuss Your Claim During a Free Consultation

Waddoups Law Personal Injury Attorneys has represented thousands of Utah clients, successfully obtaining settlements during negotiations and fighting for their rights and optimal outcomes in jury trials for more than 90 combined years.

If you have been hurt or lost a loved one to negligence anywhere in Utah, contact our Salt Lake City truck accident attorneys today to discuss your claim during a free consultation. We provide personalized legal representation on a contingency basis and never recover any legal fees until we win your case. You can also give us a call at (801) 212-9992 to discuss your case.

Related Links:

• How Semi-Truck Accidents Differ from Car Accidents in Utah
• How to Prove Liability in a Utah Semi-Truck Accident Case
• Insurance Challenges After a Semi-Truck Accident in Utah