Ogden Truck Accident Lawyer
Large trucks are an essential part of our transportation infrastructure, supporting businesses and economies across the nation. However, when truck accidents occur, they can have devastating consequences. If you have been injured in a truck accident, an Ogden truck accident lawyer can help you seek justice and compensation.
At Siegfried & Jensen, our experienced Murray car accident attorneys are dedicated to providing exceptional legal representation. With over 30 years of experience, we have a proven track record of success in handling truck accident cases.
Contact our Ogden personal injury lawyer today to start the process of recovering the compensation you deserve.
Common Evidence in Truck Accident Cases
If you have been injured in a truck accident, time is of the essence to gather evidence. Do not delay consulting with an Ogden car accident lawyer to discuss your case and begin gathering evidence. Some common forms of evidence that might be used in your truck accident case include:
- Police and law enforcement reports regarding the accident scene, location, time, and injuries involved
- Medical records documenting your injuries and ensuing treatment
- Photos and videos of the accident scene, damaged vehicles, and injuries
- Witness statements from people who saw the accident and can corroborate your account
- Truck driver records, hours of service logs, and maintenance records
- Black box data from event data recorders (EDRs) may have information on the truck’s speed, braking, and other factors before the accident occurred.
- Surveillance footage, traffic cameras, or dashcams
Gathering evidence should be done promptly to ensure accuracy and relevance. Physical evidence will degrade over time, and memories will fade. Consult with a truck accident lawyer in Ogden to help identify and collect any necessary evidence to support your claim.
Truck Accidents in Ogden, Utah
Truck accidents can be complicated to investigate as many different factors and liable parties can contribute to a crash. Driver distractions, fatigue, driving under the influence, and driver error are all prohibited actions under the Code of Federal Regulations Part 392 – Driving of Commercial Motor Vehicles. The trucking industry is very regulated, but that does not seem to keep semis from getting into crashes.
Due to their commercial nature, trucks are driven significantly more miles than an average passenger vehicle. In 2022, large trucks were involved in 1.4 fatal crashes per 100 million miles traveled.
This number is lower than the rate for passenger vehicles, but when those crashes occur, the ensuing injuries can be devastating.
With a truck’s sheer size and weight, passenger vehicles do not stand a chance in a crash against a semi-truck. At Siegfried & Jensen, we use our legal resources to fight for victims of truck accidents and obtain the compensation our clients deserve. We resolve over 2,000 vehicle accident cases every year and have received $4.4 million for a truck accident settlement for our client.
Understanding Utah’s No-Fault Laws and Comparative Negligence
Utah is a no-fault state for vehicle accidents, meaning that you can file an injury claim with your own insurance company, regardless of who caused the accident.
However, the fault is still determined for reporting purposes and can impact additional compensation. Under Utah’s no-fault system set out in Utah code §31A-22-309, drivers must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which provides benefits for medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses, regardless of who caused the accident.
You must prove that the at-fault party was negligent in seeking additional compensation beyond PIP benefits. This means demonstrating that they had a duty to prevent harm, breached that duty, and caused your injuries.
Utah follows a comparative negligence system under Utah code §78B-5-818, which means your compensation can be reduced based on your fault in the accident.
If you are found to be partially at fault, your award will be reduced proportionally, and if you are deemed to have more than 50% responsibility for the accident, you will be barred from recovering any compensation for your injuries.
If you did not use turn signals while driving and this contributes in any way to an accident, you could share in the liability. Working with a truck accident lawyer can help you understand the specifics of your claim and how to build a strong case backed up with proof to ensure that comparative negligence does not take away your ability to recover compensation.
Potential Compensation In Your Ogden Truck Accident Claim
Truck accidents can have devastating consequences, both physically and financially. Seeking compensation for your losses is essential to recovering from the accident’s impact on your life. Two primary types of damages can be awarded in truck accident cases: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are losses that are directly tied to a monetary amount. Typically, they are easier to prove than non-economic damages as they can provide evidence such as bills, invoices, receipts, repair estimates, and other documentation. Losses included in this category include hospital expenses, medical treatments, rehabilitation care, property damage, lost wages, and impact on future earning potential.
Non-economic damages are losses that are not directly tied to a monetary amount but still are losses that have impacted the accident victim’s life.
These are more difficult to calculate but can include things like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Speak with your truck accident attorney in Ogden to determine what compensatory damages you might be able to seek in your truck accident claim.
Punitive Damages in Truck Accident Cases
Punitive damages may be awarded in extreme cases of negligence or reckless behavior under the Utah State Legislature. These damages are intended to punish the defendant and deter them from similar conduct in the future instead of as compensation for the victim. You should not count on receiving punitive damages, as it is up to the court to determine if they are awarded.
Get Help from an Ogden Truck Accident Attorney from Siegfried & Jensen
At Siegfried & Jensen, our Ogden truck accident attorney is here to help you understand your rights under the law and provide you with the support and guidance you need during this time.
We will help you understand the legalese and navigate the insurance claims process, maximizing the amount you can receive. Contact us today for a free case consultation.
