What are the truck laws in Utah?
Utah trucking laws incorporate both state regulations and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). These laws establish strict standards intended to reduce commercial truck accidents and improve roadway safety.
Important regulations include:
- Hours of Service limits
- Commercial Driver License (CDL) requirements
- Drug and alcohol testing
- Vehicle inspection requirements
- Brake maintenance standards
- Cargo securement rules
- Driver qualification requirements
Any violation of these regulations may help establish negligence after a truck accident. Our attorneys thoroughly investigate every potential violation to strengthen your claim.
How long after a truck accident can you file a claim in Utah?
In most cases, Utah gives injured victims four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations.
Although four years may seem like plenty of time, waiting can seriously weaken your case. Critical evidence can disappear, surveillance footage may be erased, trucking companies may destroy records after legal retention periods expire, and witnesses’ memories often fade.
Speaking with a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible allows your legal team to preserve evidence, investigate the crash, and protect your right to pursue compensation before important deadlines pass.
What if I was partially at fault for the truck accident?
Utah follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you may still recover compensation as long as you are less than 50% responsible for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.
For example, if your damages total $500,000 and you are found to be 20% at fault, you may still recover $400,000.
Insurance companies often attempt to shift blame onto injured victims to reduce payouts. Our attorneys thoroughly investigate every truck accident to challenge unfair fault allegations and protect your right to maximum compensation.