Ogden Truck Accident Lawyers

We Provide Effective & Experienced Legal Representation

Commercial trucking companies must ensure that their fleets are well maintained and its drivers act responsibly behind the wheel. Truckers have the responsibility to safely operate their tractor-trailers and not drive if they become too exhausted. However, both parties frequently let their responsibilities fall away by the wayside while chasing profits or a quicker delivery route, often leading to disastrous truck accidents.

At Lowe Law Group, we have managed many truck accident claims for clients throughout the years, many of them bringing in six- or seven-figure settlements and verdicts. With our deep understanding of federal trucking regulations put forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), we have the insight and know-how needed to empower your claim and increase your chances of winning a maximized compensation amount. When trucking companies step up with a large team of corporate attorneys, we stand our ground and go on the offensive for our clients.

Dial (801) 797-3444 to learn more about our Ogden truck accident attorneys.

Watch the video below to hear Peter Lowe explain why it is so important to hire an attorney after a truck accident:

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Common Types of Truck Accidents

A truck accident is any collision or incident involving a commercial truck, also known as a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or big rig, with another vehicle, pedestrian, or stationary object. These accidents can result in serious injuries, fatalities, and extensive property damage due to the size and weight of commercial trucks.

Common types of truck accidents include:

• Rear-end collisions: These occur when a truck crashes into the vehicle in front of it. They can happen due to the truck driver's failure to maintain a safe following distance, distracted driving, or sudden braking.
• Jackknife accidents: This happens when the trailer of the truck swings outward, forming a 90-degree angle with the cab. It often occurs when the truck driver brakes suddenly, causing the trailer to lose traction with the road surface.
• Rollover accidents: These occur when a truck tips onto its side or roof. Rollovers can result from various factors, including speeding, sharp turns, overloading, or unevenly distributed cargo.
• Underride accidents: In this type of accident, a smaller vehicle collides with the rear or side of a truck and ends up wedged beneath it. These accidents often happen at high speeds and can be particularly deadly for occupants of the smaller vehicle.
• Blind spot accidents: Large trucks have significant blind spots, especially on the right side and directly behind the truck. Accidents occur when a vehicle enters these blind spots, and the truck driver is unaware of their presence, leading to a collision during lane changes or turns.
• Tire blowouts: Commercial trucks are prone to tire blowouts due to their heavy loads and long hours of operation. When a tire suddenly bursts, it can cause the truck driver to lose control, potentially leading to a collision.
• Cargo spills: Improperly secured or overloaded cargo can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unbalanced or spill its contents onto the roadway. Cargo spills pose hazards to other vehicles on the road and can lead to secondary accidents.
• Head-on collisions: These occur when a truck crosses the centerline or median and crashes into an oncoming vehicle. Head-on collisions are often catastrophic due to the combined force of the vehicles involved.

Understanding Federal Trucking Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations are a set of rules established by the U.S. Department of Transportation to govern the safety practices of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) operating in interstate commerce. These regulations are designed to enhance the safety of commercial trucking operations and reduce the risk of accidents involving large trucks and buses. Some key regulations related to truck accidents include:

• Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations: These regulations govern the amount of time truck drivers can spend behind the wheel before taking mandatory rest breaks. HOS regulations are designed to prevent driver fatigue, which is a leading cause of truck accidents. The regulations specify maximum driving hours within specific duty periods and require drivers to take rest breaks after a certain number of hours on duty.
• Vehicle Maintenance Regulations: Federal regulations require commercial trucks to undergo regular inspection, maintenance, and repairs to ensure they are safe to operate. These regulations cover various aspects of vehicle maintenance, including brakes, tires, lights, steering, and suspension systems. Failure to comply with maintenance regulations can lead to mechanical failures and accidents.
• Weight Limits: Federal regulations impose weight limits on commercial trucks to prevent overloading, which can affect a vehicle's handling and braking capabilities. Overloaded trucks are more prone to accidents, especially during braking or cornering maneuvers. Weight limits vary depending on the type of truck, the number of axles, and the type of roadway.
• Drug and Alcohol Testing: Federal regulations require commercial truck drivers to undergo drug and alcohol testing to ensure they are not impaired while operating their vehicles. Drug and alcohol use can impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time, increasing the risk of accidents. Employers must implement drug and alcohol testing programs in compliance with federal regulations.
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Requirements: Federal regulations establish standards for obtaining and maintaining a CDL, which is required to operate commercial vehicles. CDL requirements include knowledge tests, skills tests, and medical examinations to ensure drivers have the necessary qualifications to operate trucks safely. Violations of CDL requirements can result in driver disqualification and fines.
• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires commercial trucks to use ELDs to record drivers' hours of service electronically. ELDs help enforce HOS regulations by accurately tracking driving hours and rest breaks. ELDs also provide real-time monitoring of driver compliance and facilitate more accurate recordkeeping.

Multiple Parties May Have Caused Your Accident

Managing a trucking accident claim can be incredibly difficult for people not trained or educated in the nuances of regulations and personal injury law. The main reason why your case could be far more complicated than it looks on the surface is liability, or liabilities. In many or most truck accident cases, there are multiple parties who are partially liable for the accident. All must be identified and named appropriate in your claim if you want your case to be successful and your reward, settlement, or verdict amount to be as great as possible.

Parties that may be found liable for your truck accident could be:

• Parent trucking company
• Truck driver
• Truck maintenance crew
• Trailer load crew

Set our attorneys to work on your injury case by calling us at (801) 797-3444. We are insistent when looking into truck accidents and pinpointing liability. The end goal is always bringing your own liability down to 0%.

Truck Accident Clients in Utah Trust Our Team

The damages you have accrued due to your truck accident are likely to be monumental. Due to the sheer size and weight of a commercial truck, it is not uncommon for there to be severe injuries and devastation at even low speeds. You should not have to pay for those costs out of your own pocket when the motor vehicle accident was not your fault.

Contact Lowe Law Group and our team of Ogden truck accident lawyers today to start down the right track in your personal injury claim. We are dedicated to your recovery and fair treatment throughout the legal procedures.

You can even begin with a free consultation. Just call (801) 797-3444.