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Specialized representation for victims of delivery trucks, box trucks, dump trucks, and commercial vehicles
When commercial truck drivers cause catastrophic injuries, you deserve attorneys who understand the unique complexity of these cases and fight to hold trucking companies accountable.
Truck accidents are fundamentally different from car accidents in ways that profoundly affect the legal and medical aspects of resulting claims. While a car accident typically involves two passenger vehicles of roughly similar size and construction, a truck accident involves a massive commercial vehicle that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds â up to 20 times heavier than a passenger car. This difference in mass creates dramatically different impact forces, injury patterns, and liability considerations.
The physics of truck accidents are catastrophic. When an 80,000-pound truck collides with a 4,000-pound passenger car, the forces are so disproportionate that the occupants of the car have virtually no chance of escaping serious injury. A person hit by a fully loaded delivery truck traveling at highway speed experiences forces far exceeding what the human body can withstand. Spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and fatal injuries are common outcomes in truck accidents that would be survivable if caused by a passenger vehicle.
Truck accident cases also involve multiple layers of liability that do not exist in simple car accident cases. While a car accident typically involves just two drivers, a truck accident may involve liability on the part of the truck driver, the trucking company that employed the driver, the owner of the truck if different from the operating company, the shipper or recipient of cargo who may have caused improper loading, the truck manufacturer if a defect contributed to the accident, the maintenance company if poor maintenance caused failure, and the road authority if design defects contributed. This complexity creates opportunities to recover from multiple defendants and their insurance policies, significantly increasing the potential recovery.
Importantly, this page addresses general truck accidents involving pickup trucks, box trucks, delivery trucks (such as package delivery vehicles), commercial trucks, dump trucks, garbage trucks, moving trucks, tow trucks, and other commercial or semi-commercial vehicles â but NOT semi-trucks or 18-wheel tractor-trailer combinations, which present their own unique legal and regulatory issues and are addressed on our separate semi-truck accident page. While many of the principles discussed here apply to semi-trucks, federal motor carrier regulations and specialized trucking industry practices create distinct claims that require focused expertise.
If we fail to meet every commitment before a settlement offer, you owe nothing. We cover all case costs upfront, including accident reconstruction experts, mechanical engineers, medical records, court costs, and investigation expenses. You have zero financial risk working with us.
BAM Personal Injury Lawyers represents victims of all types of truck accidents in the Salt Lake City area. Each truck type presents unique liability issues and injury patterns, and understanding which category your accident falls into is important for evaluating your case.
Delivery trucks operated by UPS, FedEx, Amazon, and other parcel delivery services are ubiquitous on Salt Lake City streets and highways. These trucks typically carry hundreds of packages and make frequent stops throughout busy commercial and residential neighborhoods. The stop-and-start driving pattern, distracted drivers attempting to manage delivery routes, and tight schedules create accident risk. When a delivery truck strikes another vehicle, a pedestrian, or cyclist, liability typically rests clearly with the trucking company due to aggressive scheduling, inadequate driver training, or failure to implement safety measures.
Box trucks â the large rectangular cargo vehicles operated by moving companies, rental agencies, and commercial services â are involved in numerous accidents throughout the Salt Lake Valley. These trucks have significant blind spots and are difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. Drivers often lack adequate training and experience with large vehicles. Box truck accidents frequently occur during loading and unloading operations when the vehicle is parked, creating liability on the part of the operator or property owner for failing to maintain safe work practices.
Companies that operate fleets of commercial trucks â including beverage distributors, appliance delivery services, furniture movers, and equipment rental companies â maintain large numbers of vehicles on Utah roads. These trucks often operate on aggressive schedules with pressure on drivers to maximize deliveries. Company pressure to meet quotas can result in drivers speeding, running red lights, ignoring weight limits, and driving while fatigued. BAM has successfully pursued claims against major commercial trucking companies by demonstrating how corporate policies prioritized delivery speed over driver safety.
Dump trucks, cement mixers, excavators, and other construction vehicles create special hazards on Utah roads. These vehicles have severe blind spots, carry unstable loads prone to shifting, and are often operated by drivers with minimal safety training. Construction companies routinely prioritize schedule and cost over safety, resulting in accidents caused by inadequate equipment maintenance, failure to secure loads, and operation by unqualified drivers. When a dump truck spills its load across a highway or strikes another vehicle, construction companies and equipment operators face significant liability.
Garbage collection trucks are among the most dangerous vehicles on Salt Lake City streets. These trucks operate in residential neighborhoods with frequent stops, often driven by minimum-wage workers with limited training. The hydraulic systems that lift and compress waste can fail suddenly, raining debris on following vehicles. Drivers have poor visibility when backing up and may not see pedestrians or cyclists. When a garbage truck accident occurs, liability typically rests with the municipal or private waste collection company that operated the vehicle and failed to maintain it properly or train drivers adequately.
While pickup trucks are also personal vehicles, they are frequently operated as commercial vehicles by construction companies, landscaping services, and tradespersons. When used for commercial purposes with heavy loads, overloading, or improper cargo securement, pickup trucks become dangerous. We handle claims arising from commercial pickup truck operations where the owner company's failure to maintain the vehicle or properly train the driver caused an accident.
Tow trucks frequently operate at high speeds on highways and in traffic emergencies where visibility and reaction time are compromised. The process of towing or flatbedding another vehicle can destabilize the tow truck, particularly on curves or during emergency maneuvers. Towing companies often employ drivers with minimal training. When a tow truck accident causes injury, the towing company can face liability for inadequate driver screening, lack of safety training, or mechanical failure resulting from poor maintenance.
Rental moving truck companies like U-Haul and Penske generate accident claims when they provide vehicles to drivers without adequate training or when the vehicles are mechanically unsafe. Additionally, professional moving companies that operate their own fleets can face liability when accidents result from driver negligence, overloading, or mechanical defects. These cases often involve claims against both the moving company and the manufacturer if a defect contributed to the accident.
Truck accidents in the Salt Lake City area result from diverse causes, many of which are preventable through proper maintenance, driver training, and corporate safety policies. Understanding the cause of your accident is essential to establishing liability.
Commercial drivers are often pushed to work excessive hours to meet delivery schedules and maximize revenue. Although federal regulations limit the hours commercial drivers can work, many trucking companies violate these regulations or find ways around them. Fatigued drivers have impaired reaction times, reduced alertness, and diminished judgment â equivalent to driving under the influence. When a truck accident results from driver fatigue, the trucking company faces liability both for the driver's negligent driving and for violating federal hours of service regulations. Electronic logging devices (ELDs) now required on most commercial trucks create records that can prove fatigue violations.
Many trucking companies minimize training costs by hiring drivers without verifying their qualifications and providing minimal safety instruction. Professional truck operation requires specialized skills for handling large vehicles, managing blind spots, braking properly with loaded cargo, and responding to emergencies. When an accident results from inadequate training, the trucking company faces liability even if the driver followed the company's instructions, because the company had a duty to train drivers properly.
When cargo is improperly loaded or fails to shift during transit, the truck's center of gravity changes, making it prone to tipping on curves or during emergency maneuvers. Federal regulations require that cargo be loaded and secured properly, and that truck drivers refuse to operate overloaded vehicles. When improper loading causes an accident, both the shipper who loaded the cargo and the trucking company who accepted and operated the overloaded vehicle can face liability.
Truck brakes are safety-critical systems that must be maintained to exact specifications. Worn brakes, brake fluid leaks, or defective brake systems cause runaway trucks and loss of braking ability. Similarly, tire defects, steering system failures, coupling failures (on vehicles towing other vehicles), and lighting system failures all contribute to accidents. When a mechanical defect causes an accident, liability rests with the trucking company that failed to maintain the vehicle and the manufacturer if the defect was inherent to the design or construction. Commercial trucking companies have a legal duty to perform pre-trip inspections and maintain vehicles properly.
Large trucks cannot stop as quickly as passenger vehicles due to their mass and mechanical braking systems. A truck traveling 60 mph requires hundreds of feet to come to a stop. Despite this physical reality, truck drivers frequently exceed posted speed limits, particularly when under time pressure from dispatchers. Aggressive driving â including tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and running red lights â is common in commercial trucking. When speed or aggressive driving causes an accident, the driver and trucking company share liability.
Truck drivers using cell phones, GPS devices, or in-vehicle entertainment systems are distracted from the task of safely operating the vehicle. Federal regulations prohibit commercial drivers from texting while driving, but many violate this rule. Cell phone records obtained through discovery can prove that a driver was using their phone at the time of an accident.
While federal regulations prohibit drivers with alcohol in their system from operating commercial vehicles, some drivers violate this rule. Additionally, driver fatigue mimics impaired driving in terms of its effects on reaction time and judgment. If a truck accident results from an impaired driver, both criminal DUI charges and a civil negligence claim can proceed in parallel.
Truck drivers often attempt to pass slower vehicles on two-lane highways despite limited visibility. When a truck crosses into oncoming traffic to pass, it creates a head-on collision risk that is nearly always fatal. Similarly, improper lane changes on multi-lane highways cause sideswipe accidents with vehicles traveling in adjacent lanes. These accidents frequently occur because drivers underestimate the time and distance required to pass a vehicle of significant mass.
Utah's winter weather requires extra caution when operating heavy trucks. Snow, ice, and reduced visibility necessitate reduced speed and increased following distances. Trucks that are not equipped with appropriate tires or that are driven at excessive speeds for road conditions may lose traction and slide into other vehicles. Additionally, trucks with heavy top-loaded cargo are prone to jackknifing in snow and ice.
Truck accident cases involve multiple layers of regulation at the state and federal levels. Understanding these regulations is essential because they establish duties that, when violated, can prove negligence.
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes federal regulations governing commercial truck operations. These regulations cover driver qualifications, medical certifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance standards, cargo securement, and numerous other safety matters. When a truck accident results from violation of a federal safety regulation, the violation constitutes negligence per se â meaning the violation automatically establishes that the driver or company breached their duty of care.
Utah Code § 41-6a-502 establishes specific speed limits and operating requirements for trucks. Utah law requires that trucks carrying hazardous materials display appropriate placards and comply with transportation safety standards. Utah also enforces federal weight limits and requires trucks to comply with bridge weight limits posted throughout the state. Violation of Utah truck-specific regulations can form the basis for negligence liability.
Under Utah Code § 78B-2-307, you have four years from the date of a truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is two years under Utah Code § 78B-2-304. However, many critical evidentiary deadlines are much sooner. Electronic logging device data is frequently deleted after 30-60 days if not preserved. Surveillance footage is overwritten. Accident scenes are cleaned up. We recommend consulting an attorney within days of a serious truck accident.
Under Utah Code § 78B-5-818, you can recover compensation for a truck accident as long as you are less than 50% at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often attempt to shift blame to the victim by arguing they were partially at fault. An experienced truck accident attorney can counter these arguments by thoroughly investigating the accident and demonstrating that the truck driver and company were entirely at fault.
Under Utah Code § 31A-22-306 through 31A-22-309, every vehicle must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which pays medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. However, PIP coverage is limited to $3,000 for medical expenses and $1,500 for lost wages. Given the catastrophic nature of truck accident injuries, PIP coverage is almost always exhausted, and victims must pursue claims against the truck driver's liability insurance and the trucking company.
Commercial trucking companies are required to carry liability insurance. The minimum coverage amounts depend on the type of cargo and the truck's weight, but commercial trucks frequently carry coverage limits of $1 million or more. Some trucking companies also carry umbrella policies with additional coverage. Identifying all available insurance is critical to maximizing recovery.
One of the most significant differences between truck accident cases and car accident cases is the potential for multiple liable parties. While a car accident may involve only two drivers, a truck accident frequently involves several potentially liable parties, each insured separately. Identifying all liable parties is critical because each defendant's insurance policy can provide additional recovery.
The driver who operated the truck is personally liable for negligent driving. The driver's personal insurance may provide some coverage, but commercial operations are typically covered by the trucking company's commercial policy.
The trucking company that employed the driver faces vicarious liability for the driver's negligence under the doctrine of respondeat superior. Additionally, the trucking company faces direct liability for negligent hiring, negligent supervision, negligent training, or failure to maintain the vehicle. We routinely pursue claims against both the driver and the company, often in parallel against both their liability insurance carriers.
In cases where a trucking company operates a truck owned by another entity (a common arrangement), both the owner and the operator can be liable. We investigate ownership to identify all insured parties.
If a truck accident resulted from improper cargo loading or overloading, the entity that loaded the cargo can share liability. This is frequently a shipper, manufacturer, or distribution center that failed to load or secure the cargo properly or failed to account for weight limits.
If a mechanical defect contributed to the accident â such as defective brakes, tires, steering components, or coupling systems â the truck manufacturer can face liability under theories of product liability. In these cases, we typically bring claims against both the trucking company (for failure to maintain the vehicle and catch the defect) and the manufacturer.
If an independent maintenance company serviced the truck and failed to discover or repair a mechanical defect that caused the accident, the maintenance company can share liability.
If a road defect, poor road design, missing guardrail, or inadequate signage contributed to the accident, the government entity responsible for maintaining the road (UDOT, Salt Lake City, or the county) can face liability. These claims are subject to the Utah Governmental Immunity Act and require filing a notice of claim within one year.
The enormous mass and force of trucks creates devastating injury patterns. A person struck by a truck or exposed to the impact forces of a truck accident frequently sustains catastrophic injuries that permanently alter their life.
The violent impact of a truck collision frequently causes the head to strike the vehicle interior or to be violently accelerated and decelerated by the impact forces. Traumatic brain injuries range from mild concussions to severe injuries that permanently impair cognitive function, memory, personality, and the ability to work. Even "mild" traumatic brain injuries can cause persistent headaches, cognitive dysfunction, mood changes, and sleep disturbances lasting months or years. Severe TBIs can result in permanent disability, requiring lifetime caregiving and support.
The impact forces in a truck accident frequently cause damage to the spinal cord, resulting in partial or complete paralysis. A spinal cord injury can render a previously healthy person completely dependent on caregivers, requiring home modifications, specialized medical equipment, and constant assistance with activities of daily living. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center reports that the average lifetime cost of care for someone with paraplegia exceeds $2.5 million, and care for someone with quadriplegia can exceed $5 million.
When a vehicle is crushed by a truck or pinned under a truck, occupants may sustain crush injuries involving severe tissue damage, compartment syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, and complications that lead to infection and amputation. The psychological trauma of losing a limb compounds the physical injury, frequently resulting in severe depression, anxiety, and loss of employability.
The force of a truck impact can fracture multiple bones simultaneously, including the pelvis, ribs, spine, and long bones of the legs and arms. Pelvic fractures are particularly serious because they frequently cause internal bleeding and damage to organs. Additionally, the blunt force trauma of a truck collision can cause organ damage, including splenic rupture, liver lacerations, kidney damage, and intestinal perforation.
If a truck is carrying flammable cargo or if a fuel tank is ruptured in the collision, victims may be exposed to fire and severe burn injuries. Chemical trucks may release hazardous materials, exposing victims to chemical burns or inhalation injuries.
Many truck accidents result in death. When death results from negligence, the deceased's heirs can pursue a wrongful death claim under Utah Code § 78B-3-106 against the liable parties.
Truck accident claims involve unique legal, investigative, and insurance issues that do not arise in typical car accident cases.
Truck accident victims rarely recover from a single insurance policy. Instead, recovery may come from the trucking company's liability policy, an umbrella or excess policy, the shipper's insurance, the truck manufacturer's insurance, and the victim's own uninsured motorist coverage if the trucking company was underinsured. Navigating multiple policies and pursuing claims against all available sources of insurance is a specialized skill.
Truck accident cases require immediate evidence preservation. Electronic logging devices record driver hours and may record vehicle location and speed data. Surveillance footage is frequently available from nearby businesses or traffic cameras but is routinely overwritten within 30-60 days. Accident scene evidence such as skid marks and debris field must be photographed before the road is cleaned and repaired. We immediately send preservation letters to all parties with knowledge of evidence, and we work with local law enforcement to preserve physical evidence before it is destroyed.
Truck accident cases require expert witnesses with specialized knowledge of commercial truck operations, federal safety regulations, heavy vehicle physics, and mechanical systems. Accident reconstruction experts must understand how trucks of specific weight and configuration behave in various scenarios. Mechanical engineers must analyze brake systems, coupling systems, and other components that may have failed. Experts in federal motor carrier safety regulations must explain which regulations the defendant violated. These experts are expensive â often $15,000 to $75,000 per expert â but are essential to maximizing recovery. BAM advances all expert costs with no upfront expense to clients.
Truck accident cases often involve violation of federal safety regulations, which constitute negligence per se â the violation automatically proves that the defendant breached their duty to operate safely. Car accident cases rarely involve federal regulation violations, making this tool unique to truck cases.
Trucking companies can face liability not only for the driver's negligence but also for corporate policies that prioritize profit over safety. Discovery may reveal that the company pressures drivers to exceed speed limits, demands that drivers meet unrealistic delivery schedules, or fails to invest in safety equipment or training. Evidence of a corporate safety culture problem can dramatically increase the value of a case.
The actions you take immediately after a truck accident can significantly affect both your safety and the value of your claim.
If you are able to move, exit the vehicle and move to a safe location away from traffic. If you cannot move or are uncertain about your injuries, remain in the vehicle and wait for emergency personnel. Call 911 and request police and ambulance response. Remain at the scene unless emergency personnel determine that you need immediate evacuation.
Exchange contact and insurance information with the truck driver. Obtain the name of the trucking company the driver works for or the company that owns the truck. Get the vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number, and truck number (often painted on the side). Take a photograph of the truck's commercial license or authority documents if visible. Note the time of day, weather conditions, and any traffic conditions that may have contributed to the accident.
Photograph vehicle damage from multiple angles and distances. Photograph the accident scene including road conditions, traffic signals, road markings, and any physical evidence such as skid marks or debris. Photograph your injuries. If you are able, record a brief video describing what happened while your memory is fresh. These photographs and videos are extremely valuable evidence that may not be available later.
Get the names and phone numbers of any persons who witnessed the accident. Witnesses are frequently willing to provide information immediately after an accident but become difficult to locate later. Ask witnesses what they saw and offer to provide them with your attorney's contact information for follow-up interviews.
Go to the emergency room within hours of the accident, even if you feel fine. Many serious truck accident injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and spinal cord injuries, do not produce immediate pain. Adrenaline and shock can mask symptoms for hours. Additionally, seeking prompt medical treatment creates documentation that directly links your injuries to the accident, making it difficult for the insurance company to later argue that your injuries were pre-existing or unrelated.
Do not give a recorded statement to the truck company's insurance adjuster, even if they present this as a routine requirement. Anything you say can and will be used to minimize your claim. Politely decline and inform them that you are represented by counsel (once you hire an attorney). Do not discuss the accident on social media.
The trucking company's insurance company will likely contact you within days with a settlement offer. This offer will almost always be a fraction of what your case is worth and will be presented with pressure and urgency. Do not accept. Once you accept and sign a release, you lose all rights to pursue additional compensation, even if your injuries are far more serious than initially believed.
The sooner you hire an attorney, the sooner we can begin preserving evidence. We immediately send preservation letters to the trucking company, insurance companies, local law enforcement, and any business with surveillance cameras. We work with electronic logging device experts to preserve driver data. We obtain the police report and interview witnesses while their memories are fresh. Early intervention is essential to maximizing your recovery.
BAM's investigation of a truck accident case is far more detailed and intensive than the typical insurance company investigation.
We photograph and measure the accident scene, documenting road conditions, visibility, traffic signal timing, and any physical evidence such as skid marks or debris field. We work with accident reconstruction engineers who use this physical evidence combined with vehicle data and engineering principles to determine exactly how the accident occurred, including the speeds of both vehicles before impact and the impact dynamics.
Modern trucks contain multiple sources of electronic data. Electronic logging devices record driver hours, location, and vehicle speed. Vehicle data recorders similar to aircraft "black boxes" record speed, acceleration, brake application, and other operational data in the seconds before a crash. GPS systems may record vehicle location and routing. We work with specialists who retrieve and analyze this data before it is deleted or lost.
We obtain the truck driver's employment history, training records, and prior accident history. We investigate whether the driver had valid commercial licensure and medical certification. We review the trucking company's safety record with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, including complaints, safety violations, and prior accidents. This information frequently reveals a pattern of negligence.
If mechanical failure may have contributed to the accident, we retain mechanical engineers who thoroughly inspect the truck and analyze maintenance records. We determine whether the truck was properly maintained and whether any defects existed. If a defect was manufacturer-designed, we pursue claims against the truck manufacturer.
We investigate how cargo was loaded, whether it was properly secured, and whether weight limits were exceeded. If improper loading contributed to the accident, we pursue claims against the shipper or loader.
We identify all insurance policies that may cover the accident, including the trucking company's liability policy, any umbrella or excess policies, the truck owner's policies, the shipper's policies, and any other relevant coverage. We pursue claims against all available sources.
Utah law allows truck accident victims to recover compensation for all damages caused by negligence, without the caps that exist in medical malpractice cases.
You can recover the full cost of all medical treatment related to your truck accident injuries, including emergency room care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy, pain management, prescription medications, adaptive equipment, and home modifications necessary due to your injuries. Critically, you can also recover the estimated cost of future medical treatment that you will need. For serious truck accident injuries, future medical costs frequently exceed current medical costs by multiples.
If your injuries prevented you from working, you can recover compensation for all lost wages and benefits from the date of the accident through settlement or trial. If your injuries have permanently reduced your ability to work â whether through physical limitations, cognitive impairment, pain, or other restrictions â you can recover compensation for lost earning capacity. This is calculated based on your pre-injury earning capacity versus your post-injury earning capacity, often extending across decades of lost work life. Vocational experts and economists provide testimony to quantify this loss.
You can recover compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium (loss of companionship and intimacy with a spouse), and all other non-economic damages resulting from your injuries. Utah does not cap pain and suffering damages in personal injury cases. The value depends on the severity and permanence of your injuries and the persuasiveness of your testimony.
If a truck accident results in death, the deceased's heirs or personal representative can pursue a wrongful death claim under Utah Code § 78B-3-106. Recovery includes funeral and burial expenses, the deceased's lost future earnings, loss of companionship and consortium, and pain and suffering experienced before death. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of death.
Utah's personal injury laws contain important provisions that directly affect your ability to recover from a truck accident.
Under Utah Code § 78B-2-307, you have four years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. While this may seem like ample time, critical evidence disappears much more quickly. Electronic data is deleted after 30-60 days if not preserved. Surveillance footage is overwritten. Witnesses move or forget details. We recommend consulting an attorney within days of a serious truck accident.
Under Utah Code § 78B-2-304, if a truck accident results in death, the deceased's heirs or personal representative must file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years of the date of death. This is a strict deadline that cannot be extended.
Under Utah Code § 78B-5-818, you can recover compensation for a truck accident as long as you are less than 50% at fault for the accident. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were determined to be 20% at fault and your damages total $500,000, your recovery is reduced to $400,000. Insurance companies frequently try to shift blame to the victim to reduce their payment. An experienced truck accident attorney can effectively counter these tactics by thoroughly investigating the accident and demonstrating the defendant's liability.
BAM Personal Injury Lawyers was founded by Kigan Martineau and Dan Benzion, both experienced personal injury attorneys who previously worked at Utah's largest personal injury firms (Craig Swapp & Associates and Robert J. DeBry & Associates). We left high-volume firms to build a practice focused on fewer cases, deeper investigation, and relentless advocacy for every client.
BAM has extensive experience with commercial truck accident cases. We understand federal motor carrier safety regulations and know how to identify regulatory violations that constitute negligence per se. We work with accident reconstruction experts, mechanical engineers, and federal safety specialists. We understand trucking company operations, safety culture, and the economics that drive unsafe practices.
We cover all case costs upfront, including expert fees (often $15,000 to $75,000 per expert), court costs, investigation expenses, and medical record retrieval. You have absolutely zero financial risk. If we fail to meet every commitment we make before a settlement offer, you owe us nothing. We work on a contingency fee basis â you pay attorney fees only if we recover compensation for you.
Our business model differs fundamentally from high-volume firms. We take fewer cases, which allows us to investigate thoroughly and prepare each case as if it will go to trial. Insurance companies track which attorneys actually try cases versus which ones always settle. When insurance companies see BAM on the other side, they know we will try the case if necessary. This credibility translates directly to higher settlement offers.
Dan Benzion is fluent in Spanish and can communicate directly with Spanish-speaking clients. Many truck accident victims in the Salt Lake City area are Spanish-speaking, and we ensure they have full access to our services in their preferred language.
BAM has recovered over $100 million for injury victims. This track record demonstrates our ability to evaluate cases accurately, negotiate effectively, and try cases successfully.
Truck accidents represent a disproportionate share of serious injuries and fatalities on Utah roads, despite trucks representing only a small percentage of total vehicle traffic. Understanding the frequency and severity of truck accidents in the Salt Lake City area provides context for evaluating and valuing truck accident claims.
The Utah Department of Public Safety reports that commercial trucks are involved in a significant percentage of fatal accidents statewide, despite commercial trucks representing less than 10% of total vehicles on the road. Salt Lake County, with the state's highest traffic volume, consistently experiences the highest number of truck accidents. The combination of dense urban traffic, interstate highway corridors, and industrial areas with high commercial truck traffic creates conditions conducive to accidents.
Certain roads in the Salt Lake City area are particularly prone to truck accidents. Interstate 15 through Salt Lake County, particularly at the I-15/I-80/I-215 interchange (commonly known as the Spaghetti Bowl), is the site of numerous commercial truck accidents annually. Interstate 80 through Parley's Canyon is particularly dangerous in winter weather when trucks lose traction on snow and ice. Bangerter Highway, which carries heavy commercial traffic through the south valley, experiences frequent truck accidents due to high speeds, heavy traffic, and aggressive driving. State Street through Salt Lake City, which serves as a primary commercial corridor, has significant truck traffic and numerous pedestrian and cyclist conflicts.
Redwood Road (SR-68) through West Valley City and Taylorsville is a major commercial corridor for delivery trucks and commercial vehicles. 700 East carries heavy traffic and frequent truck deliveries. Road construction zones throughout the Salt Lake valley create temporary hazards that increase truck accident risk. When a truck accident occurs on a road known to have high accident rates, this information may support your claim by demonstrating that the road itself contributes to crash risk.
In many cases, trucks are driven by independent contractors rather than employees, creating questions about who is liable for the accident. While the independent contractor is always liable for their own negligence, the company that engaged the contractor may also be liable if it negligently hired or supervised the contractor, or if the contractor was acting within the scope of the company's business. We investigate the relationship between the driver and the company to determine all liable parties.
Yes. Federal diversity jurisdiction rules allow lawsuits to proceed in Utah even if the defendant is from another state. We pursue claims against out-of-state trucking companies and drivers. The defendant's liability insurance is typically issued by a large national carrier that accepts service through an agent registered in Utah.
If a truck carrying hazardous materials was involved in your accident, additional liability theories may apply. Hazardous material transporters must comply with strict federal regulations regarding labeling, placarding, and safe transport. Violation of these regulations can establish liability. If hazardous materials were released and exposed you to chemical burns or toxic substances, medical claims for chemical injury apply. We immediately investigate whether hazardous materials were involved.
You can sue both the driver and the trucking company. The company is vicariously liable for the driver's negligence under the doctrine of respondeat superior. Additionally, the company can face direct liability for negligent hiring, negligent training, negligent supervision, failure to maintain the vehicle, and violation of federal safety regulations. Pursuing claims against both the driver and the company ensures that all available insurance is accessed.
A medical emergency (such as a sudden heart attack or seizure) that the driver could not have reasonably foreseen may provide a complete defense to negligence liability. However, if the driver had a known medical condition that could cause emergencies and failed to disclose it or take appropriate precautions, liability may still apply. We investigate the driver's medical history and the circumstances surrounding any claimed medical emergency.
The amount of recovery depends entirely on the severity of your injuries, the amount of your medical bills, the duration of your recovery, the impact on your ability to work, and the pain and suffering you have experienced. Catastrophic truck accident cases involving permanent paralysis, severe brain injury, or amputation frequently settle or result in verdicts exceeding $1 million. Even non-catastrophic serious injuries can result in settlements of $300,000 to $750,000. BAM evaluates every case individually and provides an honest assessment during the initial consultation.
Violation of a traffic law is strong evidence of negligence but is not required. Even if the driver technically complied with traffic laws, they can still be found negligent if they failed to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances. However, violation of federal motor carrier safety regulations or Utah truck-specific regulations often constitutes negligence per se, automatically establishing negligence.
If the truck was rented from a company like U-Haul or Penske, the rental company can be liable if the truck was mechanically unsafe or if they failed to adequately train the driver. Professional moving companies and delivery services that own their trucks can also face liability for mechanical defects or failure to train. We pursue claims against the rental company or owner.
The majority of truck accident cases settle before trial because BAM's thorough investigation and demonstrated willingness to try cases creates leverage with insurance companies. However, if a fair settlement offer is not made, we will prepare your case for trial. Insurance companies know that BAM actually tries cases, which is why they make fair offers to avoid the risk and expense of trial.
Cases involving straightforward liability and completed medical treatment may settle in 6-12 months. Cases involving disputed liability, complex injuries, or litigation typically take 18-36 months. Cases that go to trial may take 2-4 years. We never rush to settle before the full extent of your injuries is known, because premature settlement could leave you without compensation for future medical needs and lost earning capacity.
Every truck accident case starts with a free, confidential consultation. We will listen to your story, evaluate your claim, and explain your legal options. There is no obligation and no cost. Call BAM Personal Injury Lawyers today at (801) 970-9913 or visit our Murray office at 310 E 4500 S #550, Murray, UT 84107. We are available 24/7 and offer bilingual services in English and Spanish.
From our office in Murray, BAM Personal Injury Lawyers serves truck accident victims throughout Salt Lake County, including Downtown Salt Lake City, Sugar House, The Avenues, Central City, Liberty Park, University District, Rose Park, Glendale, Poplar Grove, Marmalade, Federal Heights, East Bench, Millcreek, Holladay, Cottonwood Heights, Sandy, Draper, South Jordan, West Jordan, Taylorsville, and all surrounding communities.
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