Each year, more than 50,000 vehicle accidents are reported by the Utah Department of Public Safety. These collisions are caused by a variety of factors, including speeding and inebriated drivers, but the growing number of accidents caused by trucks in the State of Utah has many motorists worried about their safety when sharing the road with these large vehicles.
Anyone who has recently experienced a truck accident understands just how devastating they can be, especially on the roadways in Utah. However, when victims pursue a case after a truck accident, they may be unaware of how the process differs from the approach that they would take to a car accident claim. Knowing the distinction between the two types of cases can mean the difference between a failed or a successful accident claim.
Statewide and National Regulations for Commercial Trucks
To obtain a license and operate a commercial vehicle of any kind, truck drivers must go through a training process to educate them on national and statewide safety regulations. Many truck drivers navigate across state lines, which requires them to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration as well as the Department of Transportation, who enforce and dictate the regulations.
These guidelines are put in place to ensure the safety of the truck driver in addition to the safety of other motorists on the road. Many of the regulations explore the need to maintain the integrity of trucks and other commercial vehicles to prevent mechanical failure, as well as covering the steps that a driver may need to take in an emergency. If a truck driver fails to comply with some of these regulations, it may contribute to the cause of an accident. Lawyers with experience in trucking guidelines can help you identify these regulations and use them to strengthen your case.
Vehicle Insurance and Utah Trucking Companies
Civilian motorists have a different form of insurance than truck drivers. Many trucks weigh tens of thousands of pounds, which can cause serious damage to the surrounding area if a truck is forced to stop at high speeds. As a result, most insurance policies for drivers with semi-trucks are typically 50 times more expensive than for drivers of a car or SUV.
Often, the insurance that a trucking company has purchased makes it much more challenging to take them to court over accidents. Because of how large the policy limits are, many victims and their families are unable to receive the full amount of compensation that they are due for their pain and suffering after a serious injury or wrongful death case.
Reclaiming Damages from a Truck Accident in Utah
In Utah, an automobile accident occurs every eight minutes, many of them involving trucks or large commercial vehicles. For victims of truck accidents and their families, the process of obtaining financial damages from the trucking company and their insurance can be daunting but necessary. Retaining the help of a skilled Utah lawyer allows victims to focus on recovery while a trained legal professional handle the process of reclaiming damages for:
- Medication
- Medical equipment
- Physical therapy
- Hospital bills
- Doctor bills
- Surgery bills
- Loss of wages
- Loss of earning capacity
Although it may seem overwhelming for victims and their loved ones to start the complicated process of filing a claim after a serious truck accident, it is a necessary step to take if you hope to reclaim financial compensation. Your best choice is to contact a qualified lawyer that you can trust who can walk you through the process step-by-step.
Contact Trusted Truck Accident Lawyers in Utah
No one should have to take on litigation against a trucking company or their insurance alone. If you are looking to obtain financial compensation for the injuries or wrongful death that resulted from a serious Utah truck accident, you need the expertise of the lawyers at Feller & Wendt to build and strengthen your case.
Our team of legal professionals has over 70 years of combined experience successfully helping clients take their truck accident claims to court, and now it’s our turn to help you. Call us today at (801) 499-5060 for more information or visit us online to schedule a free case consultation with one of our skilled truck accident lawyers.
