Trucking Accidents
The Gooch Firm, P.C. is a service-oriented personal injury practice representing plaintiffs in Salt Lake City and throughout Utah and Idaho in claims arising from trucking and commercial vehicle accidents.
Causes of Trucking Accidents
With restricted visibility and limited maneuvering capability, large trucks and commercial vehicles are a challenge to operate. Even the most competent truck driver must diligently work to navigate the enormous trucks and safely share the roads with smaller vehicles. However, many commercial truckers suffer from fatigue, leading to a high rate of collisions with other cars and trucks on the road. Other common causes of trucking accidents include:
- Driver inexperience
- Improper training
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which may be used to stay awake for long periods of time
- Poorly maintained brakes, tires, headlights, or safety equipment
In order to determine whether the truck driver or trucking company violated state law or any of the safety rules outlined in the Federal Motor Carrier Regulations, it is imperative to carefully examine the company's records as soon as possible after the accident. Safety violations may involve:
- Exceeding truck load weight limits
- Exceeding maximum weight limits for truck equipment
- Lack of required safety equipment
- Violations of tire tread depth requirements
- Violations of drivers' hour requirements
Careful review of records often reveals serious and even fraudulent violations of safety regulations, such as driving for long periods of time in excess of limits set by state and federal law. Having this information makes proving negligence much easier for plaintiffs; however, trucking companies are only required to maintain many of their records for six months. Our attorneys and support staff possess the requisite knowledge of commercial vehicle regulations and trucking company procedures to gather the necessary information and records to substantiate your strongest claim.
Compensation and Recovery
If the negligence or recklessness of a truck driver or trucking company caused your injury or the loss of a loved one, you may be entitled to recover monetary compensation. Recoverable damages for injured parties include both economic damages, such as medical costs and lost wages, and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. However, injuries suffered in commercial accidents are often very serious, requiring surgery and extended hospital stays, and some trucks and trucking companies do not have insurance policies that will cover the full extent of costs spent on serious injuries. Not only do our attorneys have experience handling cases involving serious accidents and injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and wrongful death, we regularly take on large insurance companies, considering and seeking out all sources of recovery.
Seek Experienced, Knowledgeable Representation
Our firm has significant experience advocating on behalf of trucking accident victims. In all cases, work tirelessly for our clients, and base our success on the satisfaction and results that we provide. Please contact The Gooch Firm, P.C. for a free initial consultation regarding your potential claim. Se habla español.
