You have your driver’s license, so you learned the rules of the road in Utah – but no one taught you anything about how to get compensation for losses resulting from a trucking collision. Is hiring a semi-truck accident lawyer necessary?
Actually, no. Legal representation isn’t required to file an accident claim in Utah.
That said, you can’t expect insurance adjusters to offer good advice or advocate for your rights. Their goal is to save their employer money, which is contrary to your goal. The reality is, you may need to have an experienced semi-truck accident lawyer in your corner to obtain the maximum in financial compensation.
Some victims of trucking collisions receive fair settlement offers from insurance companies, but most face an uphill battle in terms of compensation. All too often, filing a semi-truck accident lawsuit is the only way to get an acceptable payout.
If you’re compelled to go that route, you won’t have all the time in the world to bring an accident claim. In Utah, the statute of limitations for truck accident lawsuits is four years – and the clock started ticking the date of your trucking collision. With very few exceptions, injured victims lose the right to make a claim for compensation after the four-year period expires.
Be aware, though, that you have an even shorter amount of time to pursue compensation for property damage – in Utah, this type of claim has a three-year deadline. And in the event of wrongful death, a victim’s surviving heirs have just two years from the date of death to take legal action.
Depending upon the circumstances surrounding your trucking collision, you may need a semi-truck accident lawyer to help you figure out who can be held legally responsible for your injuries and losses.
That’s obviously the semi-truck driver, isn’t it? Perhaps – if the collision involved distracted driving, speeding or any other reckless actions. But if the driver wasn’t negligent and didn’t violate any Utah traffic laws or trucking regulations, you may need to make a claim against another party.
Who might be to blame for your trucking collision? A number of parties could be named in your accident claim. The trucking company, a parts manufacturer, a maintenance contractor, a cargo loader – those a just a few of the entities that can be held liable in Utah. A truck accident lawyer will have the expertise to work out how and why the collision occurred, identifying the at-fault party or parties and holding them accountable.
Aside from getting expert assistance determining liability, are there any other reasons to consider hiring a semi-truck accident lawyer? Sure – and the biggest reason is to level the playing field.
Insurance companies have catchy slogans designed to make you think they care about you, but their focus is on profit. Instead of protecting your rights, insurance adjusters aim to protect the bottom line of the insurance company. An experienced truck accident lawyer can advocate for your best interests, ensuring that you don’t settle for less money than you deserve.
In addition, to get fairly compensated, you’ll need to secure ample evidence. This includes proof of negligence on behalf of the at-fault party or parties, proof that the trucking collision caused your injuries and proof of the financial losses resulting from the accident. Getting all of the documentation you need can be a challenge on your own – and to obtain some forms of evidence, such as data from onboard electronic logs and in-cab cameras, you may need help from a semi-truck accident lawyer.
You have a narrow window of time to file a truck accident lawsuit, so it’s in your best interests to consult with an attorney as soon as possible. Investigating the cause of your trucking collision, getting the necessary evidence to prove your claim and securing the compensation you deserve could take quite some time – and for the best case outcome, your lawyer will need to get to work right away.
For expert legal representation in Utah, accident victims trust the professional team at William R. Rawlings & Associates. Our highly skilled lawyers have decades of experience taking on truck accident claims, and as former insurance adjusters and insurance company attorneys, we know what it takes to negotiate a fair settlement. And if that isn’t in the cards, we’re willing to battle it out in court.
After a serious trucking collision, your attention should be on recovering from your injuries – not on recovering financial compensation. Let the legal team at William R. Rawlings & Associates focus on the latter, and we’ll do whatever we can to get you the maximum possible payout. To learn why our Utah law firm is the right one to handle your accident claim, or to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a friendly and knowledgeable semi-truck accident lawyer, contact our Draper, Utah, office today.