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Trucking Accident Justice
Utah Truck Accident Lawyer
Commercial vehicles weigh far more than regular cars and trucks. This weight difference is why so many people are seriously injured or killed in semi-truck accidents. If you have been in a commercial trucking accident, chances are you are hurt and could be facing a lifetime of managing your injuries.
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Why hire an attorney
As you can see, large trucks only account for 4% of all registered vehicles – but they account for 10% of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes. They contribute to a significant number of fatal crashes, something that may not be surprising given their ability to do so much damage in a crash. But even if it is not surprising, it is still worth paying attention to. The significant increase in fatal crashes involving large trucks from 2010 to 2019 is also concerning.
Why Are Utah Semi-Truck Accidents So Devastating?
In accidents involving large commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles, it is usually the passenger vehicle occupants that are injured or killed. There are several reasons why passenger vehicles are almost always on the losing end.Semi-trucks weigh far more than passenger vehicles.
Semi-trucks and commercial vehicles vary in size. However, even with that variation, they tend to weigh 20-30 times more than passenger vehicles.Large commercial trucks sit higher off of the ground than passenger vehicles
It is an unfortunate reality that semi-trucks often travel over passenger vehicles in a crash. They sit so much higher off of the ground that the top of cars can be sheared off.Semi-trucks require more distance to stop
A fully-loaded truck can take up to 40 percent further to stop than a standard passenger car. The problem gets worse as the road conditions become wet or slippery. This increased stopping distance means trucks have less room for error. It also means they can be traveling at higher speeds when they are involved in accidents where they have to stop suddenly.How Many Large Commercial Truck Accidents Are There?
The number of large truck accidents varies from year to year. According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 there were 5,005 accidents where large trucks were involved in fatal crashes. The number of crashes was only a 2% increase from the previous year, 2018. However, the number of crashes in 2019 was a 43% increase since 2010.
Statistics from the National Safety Council:
Large trucks accounted for 10% of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes
Large trucks accounted for 4% of all registered vehicles
Large trucks accounted for 7% of total vehicle miles traveled in the United States
The state of Utah had 43 fatal accidents that involved large trucks
What Are Some Common Causes of Utah Trucking Accidents?
Semi-truck accidents can have many causes. Sometimes, the driver is to blame. Other times, it may be the trucking company that is to blame – such as if the trucking company hasn’t properly maintained their trucks. It’s important to determine what caused your trucking accident because it will play a big part in your case.
Our firm will investigate your accident thoroughly to find out exactly what happened. If we can prove that the driver, the trucking company, or another related party was liable for the accident, we should be able to get the court to award you damages.
In our investigation, we may find one of the following to be true:
Truck drivers must have commercial driver’s licenses to show that they are professional drivers – qualified to handle a large truck safely. But truck drivers can make mistakes. They may be blatant mistakes, like breaking traffic laws. Or, they may be accidental, such as pushing themselves too far and not getting enough sleep. They may also be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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Why Do You Need a Utah Truck Accident Attorney?
Even if you are considering filing a lawsuit after your truck accident, you may still be wondering if you need a lawyer. It is possible to file a case without a lawyer – but we don’t recommend it. And that’s not just because we are a Utah law firm. It’s because we want you to have the best chance of success. You deserve compensation for the accident. The best way to get that compensation is to hire an experienced truck accident attorney.
It makes sense to question whether you need a lawyer. They charge for their services, after all (although we only get paid if we win your case). Here are a few reasons with think hiring a lawyer is important.
Henriksen & Henriksen – A Family-Run Utah Law Firm
Our family has been helping accident victims for decades. We believe that you deserve the best legal representation you can get – and we want to provide it for you. Because we are a family-run firm, you can depend on us to treat you with compassion and respect.
Utah Trucking Accident FAQs
It’s hard to determine the average settlement for a semi-truck accident because each case is unique. The compensation you receive will depend on various factors, including how severe your injuries are and how the accident happened. It’s better to hire a semi-truck accident lawyer immediately.