St. George Truck Accident Lawyers

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At Swenson & Shelley Law, our truck accident and injury lawyers in St. George represent clients throughout Utah — including the nearly 100,000 people who call this city home. St. George is the county seat of Washington County, located on the Arizona border. It is 118 miles northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, and 300 miles south-southwest of Salt Lake City, Utah, on Interstate 15, which means cross-state truck traffic is common on our highways, city streets, and rural areas.

The reality is that the more semi-truck and commercial vehicle traffic on our Utah roads, the more collisions will occur, especially when negligence is a factor.

Our St. George truck accident attorneys are knowledgeable, compassionate, and adept at helping crash victims throughout Utah. Our dedicated team of personal injury attorneys in Maricopa County takes the pressure off our clients from their first call to our office. Our compassionate lawyers and support staff do more than hear the details of your case during our free consultations. We listen to how your personal injury incident has impacted your daily activities and overall quality of life.

We genuinely want to understand what has happened to you, where you are in your treatment plan, and what you need to move forward so we can provide the legal and personal support you deserve, starting with a free consultation.

Truck Accident Law in St George

Were you hurt in a truck accident in St. George? Did another party’s careless or negligent behavior cause you to suffer painful injuries, miss time at work, and amass overwhelming medical bills? If so, you have a right to pursue justice and financial recovery for your losses. The St. George truck accident attorneys at Swenson & Shelley can help.

Our respected St. George personal injury attorneys have in-depth knowledge of federal and state trucking industry laws and regulations. Our firm has built a strong track record of successfully taking on big trucking companies and insurers. We have the experience and the resources necessary to fight for maximum compensation for our clients. Our team is committed to the relentless pursuit of justice for truck accident victims™.

Learn more about your legal options in a free consultation with a seasoned truck accident lawyer in St. George. You do not pay us anything upfront or out-of-pocket for our services. Instead, we are only paid when we secure compensation for you.

When the Worst Has Happened, We Fight for What’s Best for You.

Visit our Truck Accident Law Firm in St. George

When is a Commercial Truck Driver Liable for an Accident with Injuries in Utah?

At Swenson & Shelley, our truck accident attorneys in St. George know commercial truck drivers can be liable for an accident with injuries under various circumstances.

Some of the most common include:

Negligence

Distracted Driving: If the truck driver was texting, using a mobile phone, or engaging in any behavior that diverted their attention from the road.

Fatigue: If the driver was fatigued or violated hours-of-service regulations, leading to impaired alertness and increased risk of accidents.

Impaired Driving: If the driver was under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that impaired their ability to operate the truck safely.

Traffic Violations

Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions can lead to accidents, and the driver may be held responsible.

Running Red Lights or Stop Signs: Failing to obey traffic signals and signs can result in collisions and establish liability.

Failure to Yield: If the truck driver fails to yield the right of way when required, it can lead to accidents and injuries.

Improper Loading or Cargo Issues

Overloading: If the truck is overloaded or improperly loaded, it can affect stability and handling, potentially causing accidents.

Cargo Spills: If cargo is not secured correctly and spills onto the road, leading to accidents and injuries.

It is important to note that liability can sometimes be shared among multiple parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, maintenance providers, or manufacturers. Investigating the details of the accident, obtaining witness statements, and reviewing relevant records, including the driver’s logbook, are crucial steps in determining liability.

When is a Commercial Trucking Company Liable for an Accident with Injuries in Utah?

A commercial trucking company can also be held liable for a Utah commercial vehicle accident with injuries under various circumstances.

Here are situations where a commercial trucking company may be deemed liable for the crash:

Negligent Hiring or Supervision

If the trucking company hires drivers without proper qualifications, fails to conduct adequate background checks, or neglects to provide appropriate training, these factors contribute to an accident.

Failure to Maintain and Inspect Vehicles

If the company fails to properly maintain and inspect its fleet of trucks, leading to mechanical failures or equipment malfunctions that cause an accident.

Violation of Federal Regulations

Commercial trucking companies are subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. Violations of these regulations, such as exceeding hours-of-service limits, can lead to accidents and liability.

Inadequate Supervision and Enforcement of Safety Policies

If the trucking company fails to enforce safety policies, including driver compliance with regulations, rest periods, and other safety measures, this failure contributes to an accident.

Negligent Training Programs

If the company provides inadequate training programs for its drivers, leading to a lack of preparedness and safe driving practices.

Negligent Retention of Unsafe Drivers

If the company is aware of a driver’s history of safety violations, accidents, or other issues and fails to take appropriate action, such as suspending or terminating the driver’s employment.

Determining liability in a trucking accident case can be complex, and multiple factors may contribute to the cause of the accident. Our truck accident lawyers in St. George must thoroughly investigate and gather evidence to build a case that allows you to understand your rights and pursue compensation.

Once we understand the details of your claim, our St. George truck accident attorneys will work quickly to investigate your case, preserve the evidence, and start identifying all possible liable parties so no claim detail is left to chance. We have a long track record of producing tangible results for our clients, and we would be honored to do the same for you and your family, starting with a free consultation.

How Do You Know If You Have a Truck Accident Case?

When you’re injured in a truck accident and someone else is at fault, you have a right to hold that party responsible for the losses you suffer. The liable party may be the truck’s driver, the trucking company, a truck part manufacturer, or anyone else that failed in their duty to keep the truck from operating safely on the road.

In addition to determining who could be held liable, you will need to demonstrate the damages you suffered as a result of your injuries. This could include your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.

A qualified truck accident lawyer in St. George can review the circumstances of your crash to help you determine whether you have a viable claim.

Why Are Truck Crashes More Complicated?

Truck accidents are much more complicated than collisions involving regular passenger vehicles for a variety of reasons, including:

Truck crashes tend to cause more damage and injuries. Due to their overall size and weight, 18-wheelers can cause catastrophic damage in collisions in St. George, MI. More damage and injuries add a layer of complication to a personal injury claim, as there are often more expenses and a greater need for financial compensation.
Trucks require more insurance. Because of trucks’ capacity to cause more harm, truck drivers and trucking companies are required to carry much more insurance than regular drivers. There are often layers of coverage that must be sifted through in a truck crash case. Since more money is on the line in a truck accident claim, insurance companies will do everything in their power to fight back, point fingers, and avoid paying victims what they’re owed. It is crucial to have an attorney who understands how these insurance companies work to help you pursue fair compensation.
The truck industry is highly regulated. Everyone involved in the trucking industry, including trucking companies and truck drivers, must follow state and federal regulations. You need a lawyer with detailed knowledge of these complex rules to determine how those at fault in your case may have violated industry regulations or laws.
Multiple liable parties may be involved. There are a number of entities involved in the operation of a commercial truck, from the trucking company to cargo loaders to the truck driver. It is common for there to be more than one liable party in truck accident cases, which means navigating multiple insurance policies and negotiating with multiple parties to pursue a just outcome.

Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer for Your Truck Accident Case

Truck accident cases can be incredibly complex because of the magnitude of the evidence that needs to be analyzed, the multiple parties that may be involved, and the complexity of the laws in play. A knowledgeable St. George truck accident lawyer can guide you through every step of the process and handle every aspect of your claim, including:

Thoroughly investigating your case to identify all potential sources of compensation
Analyzing and preserving evidence before it is destroyed
Interviewing witnesses and experts to build a solid claim
Managing all communication with the insurance company and the at-fault parties
Negotiating aggressively for a fair settlement
Fighting vigorously on your behalf at trial if a full settlement cannot be reached

Having a skilled truck accident attorney on your side can give you peace of mind while allowing you to focus on your physical recovery.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered for a Truck Wreck?

Big-rig accident victims can suffer many types of losses, from medical expenses to personal losses that can be more challenging to quantify. A truck accident claim is aimed at recovering fair compensation for these burdens.

Depending on the details of your case, you may be eligible to receive financial recovery for:

Present and future medical bills
Therapy and rehabilitation
Lost income and loss of earning potential
Pain and suffering
Mental injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder

Your St. George truck accident lawyer will consider many factors when determining the value of your losses. They will then work to build a strong case for maximum compensation for your injuries.

Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents in St. George

Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in St. George include:

Driver fatigue
Distracted driving
Driving while impaired
Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
Failure to properly check blind spots
Insufficient driver training

Hours of service violations
Negligent hiring
Mechanical failures
Lack of truck maintenance
Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo

Typically, an extensive investigation is conducted to identify the cause or causes of a truck accident.

Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident?

It can be difficult to determine liability in truck accident cases because of the many parties involved. Parties who could potentially be held liable include:

The truck driver, whose negligent driving or failure to follow state and federal regulations may lead to an accident
The trucking company, which is responsible for hiring qualified drivers, ensuring drivers are properly trained, and maintaining vehicles
The owner of the truck, who may be held liable if they fail to properly maintain their truck
The cargo loading company, if they overload a truck or fail to properly load cargo
Truck or truck part manufacturers, which may be liable for defective parts that lead to a crash
Maintenance providers if they fail to identify and address hazards such as worn tires or faulty brakes

Your attorney will thoroughly analyze the evidence to identify which parties are at fault for your crash.

How Is Fault Determined in a Truck Accident?

Because the trucking industry is heavily regulated and documented, your legal team will need to gather and analyze vast amounts of evidence to determine the party or parties that may be at fault for your wreck. Some of the evidence our attorneys often review includes:

Eyewitness accounts
Surveillance videos of the accident
Opinions from expert witnesses, including accident reconstruction specialists
Data from a truck’s electronic data recorder
Police accident reports

The truck driver’s logbook
The truck driver’s driving and training history
The truck’s maintenance history
Dispatch records
The truck driver’s toll receipts

A St. George truck accident lawyer from Swenson & Shelley can work quickly to begin preserving evidence and building a solid case on your behalf.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Lawsuits in Utah?

A statute of limitations is a law restricting the time a plaintiff has to file a lawsuit. In Utah, the statute of limitations for truck accident injury cases is four years, which means you have four years from the date of your crash to file your case in court. If your loved one died in a fatal truck accident, you have only two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

After a wreck, do not hesitate to consult with a truck accident law firm in Utah as soon as possible to protect your legal rights. Crash scenes are cleaned up quickly, and evidence may be lost or destroyed over time.

How Can You Protect Your Rights After a Truck Accident in St. George?

A truck accident will undoubtedly leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. However, there are steps you can take to help protect your rights to compensation:

Seek medical attention. See a doctor as soon as possible after an accident. Paramedics may treat you at the scene, but otherwise, visit an emergency room or your primary care doctor as soon as you are able. An examination will help to identify all of your injuries, allowing you to begin treatment right away. Additionally, be sure to follow through with treatment. Medical records play an important role in truck accident cases.
Do not talk to the trucking company or insurance company. The other side and their insurance company will do everything possible to discredit your case. Avoid giving them anything to use against you.
Save all evidence. Collect as much evidence and information as you can, such as photos of the accident scene and your injuries, witness contact information, medical records, and the police accident report.
Consult with a truck accident attorney in St. George. A lawyer is your best ally after an 18-wheeler accident. Your attorney can answer all of your questions, gather relevant details, and determine what the next steps should be. An attorney will also protect your rights from day one, helping you avoid making mistakes that could hurt your claim.

Our Truck Accident Attorneys Also Focus on The Following Areas:

Speak to a St. George Truck Accident Attorney Today

The attorneys at Swenson & Shelley have extensive experience fighting for people who have been seriously hurt in truck accidents. You can count on us to provide smart legal guidance and aggressive advocacy while you focus on the path to recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation with a trusted St. George truck accident lawyer.

Call us today at (435)-228-7647 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation where you can learn immediately whether your claim is eligible to move forward with legal action.

We do not charge any fees upfront for our services. Instead, you pay us only if we secure payment for you. That makes getting legal help accessible and allows you to focus on your recovery. Contact us now to learn more.