LOGAN, UTAH TRUCK & 18-WHEELER ACCIDENT LAWYERS

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How a Utah Truck crash attorney can help…

Attorney Ron Kramer understands the many ways that a truck crash can occur. He uses his knowledge as a licensed commercial driver and his legal skill to help clients who have been harmed by tractor trailers.

We begin by listening carefully to the facts of your case and the ways that your life has changed as a result of your injuries. Insurance companies often try to take advantage of injured people after truck wrecks and push lowball settlements that do not reflect the full extent of your losses. An initial offer may be only a fraction of the amount that you should receive based on the severity of your injuries.

We can help you evaluate your options for seeking just compensation. We often give advice about the next steps you should take: how to talk to the insurance company, what to do next, and how to protect your legal rights.

We will review the facts of the collision and identify the potentially at-fault parties. Car crashes involving semi-trucks may have multiple potentially liable parties including the truck driver, the trucking company, a cargo shipper, a trailer owner, or a manufacturer of truck components such as defective tires or faulty brakes.

We will conduct a detailed investigation of the wreck and determine all the potentially responsible parties and their insurance companies. We will gather police reports, driver’s logs, truck maintenance records and other evidence to show that negligence on the part of the truck driver, trucking company or another party caused your injuries.

We will develop an estimate of your losses including your medical expenses, lost income from missed work, and future lost income if your injuries prevent you from returning to work.

We will prepare a claim and submit it to the insurance companies representing the at-fault parties. We will negotiate vigorously for a just settlement that reflects the extent of your losses.

If the insurance companies refuse to make a fair settlement, we will be prepared to file a lawsuit after consulting with you and seek justice for you in court.

Throughout the process, we will stand beside you —and stand up for you—in settlement negotiations, in mediation and, if necessary, in court.

Who may be liable for a car accident…

Truck wrecks differ from collisions between passenger cars in a number of ways. The contributing factors in a truck accident have a direct effect on how these cases are handled in negotiations, in mediation, and at trial. Among the ways that truck crashes differ from a car crash are:

Employers

If the driver was operating the vehicle to do his or her job, the driver’s employer might also be liable for the accident. It is important to check whether an employer is behind the scenes and how much control the employer had over the driver or the vehicle – including any insurance for accidents that the employer might carry in addition to the driver’s individual coverage.

Vehicle Manufacturers or Distributors

Some accidents cannot be predicted or prevented by the people involved. This is because the crash is caused not by a driver’s negligence, but by a hidden defect in one of the vehicles or its equipment or parts. If a defect results in an accident, the injured parties can often pursue compensation from the vehicle manufacturer, distributor, or mechanic if the defect was supposedly addressed. To know whether a defect caused an accident, a thorough investigation is required.

Alcohol Vendor

In a drunk driving accident, an injured motorist may seek damages not only from the driver, but also from an alcohol vendor or social host who continued to serve the drunk driver after realizing he or she was drunk. This type of case is known as “dram shop” liability. In a dram shop case, the injured person must demonstrate that the bar, restaurant, or host served alcohol to someone who was “actually or apparently intoxicated” or underage. The purpose of dram shop cases is to compensate those who are injured by drunk drivers and also to encourage alcohol vendors to watch carefully whom they serve.

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Unique factors in truck accidents…

You should report the collision to the police and wait for the police to arrive. Don’t let the truck driver or anyone else talk you out of reporting the accident to police. A police record of the accident is essential to making a successful claim.

You should exchange license and insurance information with the truck driver and others involved in the accident. Get the name and contact information of the truck driver, the trucking company and their insurance information.

While waiting for the police to arrive, take some photos documenting the scene of the crash, your injuries and the damage to the vehicles, if you can do so safely. Photograph skid marks on the road and any vegetation that is blocking traffic signs. If you are unable to do this, ask someone else to take photographs. Photos can be helpful evidence.

Resist the urge to discuss the specifics of the wreck with the other driver or drivers. Give a factual account of what happened to police. Let the police reach their own conclusions about how the accident occurred.

Do not make any off-the-cuff statements about your health after a wreck. Your statements may be used against you later. Some people are tempted to reassure others that they are unharmed. But the rush of adrenaline after a collision may mask injuries that are more obvious a day or two later.

See a doctor and have a medical evaluation if you not require emergency medical treatment. It is important to see a doctor. Inform the doctor that you were involved in a collision. A doctor’s evaluation documenting your injuries related to the accident will provide important evidence if you later need to pursue an injury claim.

You should inform yourself about your legal options if you have been injured in a crash caused by a truck. Schedule a free consultation with an experienced truck wreck lawyer. Understanding your legal options will help you make an informed decision.

You should expect that the trucking company or an insurance representative will contact you soon after the collision. The trucking company may offer a settlement. It is important not to give any recorded statements to the insurance company or sign any liability release until you have consulted with an experienced Utah truck accident lawyer.

Our attorneys have handled many wreck claims. We can provide trusted guidance on whether an insurance company’s offer represents a fair settlement based on the specific facts of your accident.

How our lawyers investigate car crashes and help victims…

It isn’t always easy to determine who should be liable in a Utah car accident case and why. Working with an experienced attorney like those at the Kramer Law Group can help you build a strong case.

When we work with a client, we begin by listening carefully to your memories of the accident and the events that led up to and followed the crash. We gather police reports and other documentation that can shed light on the events of your case. We also look at your insurance coverage and the insurance available from any other involved parties. We look into whether an employer, vehicle manufacturer, alcohol vendor, or other responsible party might also be involved in the case. We talk to witnesses and gather their testimony for use in negotiations or in court. If needed, we consult with experts in fields like accident reconstruction and medical care to determine both what happened and how the resulting injuries will affect the course of your life, work, and hobbies. Then, we use the evidence to establish the precise extent of the harm caused and your right to full compensation for that harm.

With the evidence in hand, we represent your interests in every setting: at mediation, at trial, or on appeal if needed. We’ve won substantial settlements for clients in negotiation and landed significant verdicts for the injured at trial, and we strive to represent each client with the same dedication and rigor.

If you’ve been in a crash, you probably have questions. Our attorneys offer free and confidential consultations. To talk to us about your auto accident, call the Kramer Law Group today or fill out our online contact form.

Sources…

Crash Stats

“Crash Stats: Critical Reasons for Crashes.” National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Crash Statistics

NCSL