How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Utah?

Have you been injured in a collision involving a semi-truck, tractor-trailer or other big rig? Filing a truck accident lawsuit can be the means to obtaining compensation – but to achieve that goal, you’ll need to meet the deadline. Here’s a look at how much time you have to take legal action.

Utah’s Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Lawsuits

The Utah legal code states that injured accident victims have four years to file a claim with the court – and the date of the collision is when the clock starts running. However, depending upon the circumstances, two other filing deadlines could come into play.

First of all, if the accident caused a fatality, the victim’s surviving heirs or their representative have only two years to file a wrongful death claim. In this case, the clock starts on the date of death – which may or may not be the date of the accident.

Secondly, if a collision results in vehicle or property damage, there’s a deadline to file a legal claim for financial compensation. In Utah, a case of this type must be filed within three years of the accident date.

When to Get in Touch With a Utah Truck Accident Attorney

While you technically have up to four years to file an accident lawsuit in Utah, building a solid case takes time – and preparation is crucial to winning a case. You should contact an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible so that they can:

• Interview witnesses who know what happened
• Compile evidence from the many different parties involved
• Obtain information on the trucking company’s safety history
• Calculate all of the damages that are legally defendable

What to Expect When You File a Utah Truck Accident Lawsuit

In an ideal world, truck accident attorneys would always be able to obtain fair financial compensation for their injured clients by simply asking the appropriate insurance company for a settlement. But as you might have guessed, that doesn’t happen in every case.

Your attorney may need to file a lawsuit to fight for a judgment in your favor. In that event, the case will proceed through these stages:

• Discovery, during which lawyers for both sides request driver logs, background checks, maintenance records and other documents pertaining to the accident
• Negotiation, when the parties involved and their attorneys try to come to a mutual agreement on a settlement amount
• Trial, where both attorneys will present evidence and a jury will decide if compensation is deserved and, if so, how much should be awarded

At William R. Rawlings & Associates, we routinely handle accident claims – and as former defense lawyers and insurance adjusters, our legal team knows how to sidestep the shady tactics and get injured victims every dollar they deserve. For a free case evaluation, contact us online or give our office a call today to speak with a Utah truck accident attorney now.