A crash involving a large commercial truck is nothing like a typical car accident. The size and weight of these vehicles mean the injuries are often catastrophic, and the legal process that follows is far more complicated. Trucking companies carry large commercial insurance policies and move quickly to protect their interests after a crash.
If you were injured in a large trucking accident in Utah, you need an attorney who understands how these cases work. Roberto Hernandez represents injury victims throughout the Salt Lake Valley and Northern Utah. Consultations are free, and there is no fee unless we recover compensation.
How can we Help?
After a serious trucking accident, having the right attorney makes a real difference. We handle each case personally; you won’t be passed along to someone else after the first call.
We have experience dealing with the complexities that make trucking cases unique: commercial carriers, federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and insurance companies that are well-prepared to dispute your claim.
Here’s what we bring to every case:
We stay involved at every stage, not just at the beginning.
We handle high-stakes cases involving life-altering injuries, not just minor fender-benders.
We dig into maintenance records, driver logs, and company compliance history to build the strongest possible case.
We know how commercial insurers operate and how to push back when they undervalue a claim.
If a fair settlement isn't on the table, we're ready to take the case to court.
Truck accident claims differ from standard car accident cases in several important ways. Understanding those differences is part of building a strong claim.
Commercial truck drivers and carriers operating in Utah are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules govern how many hours a driver can be behind the wheel, how trucks must be maintained, and what records must be kept. When those rules are violated, it can directly establish negligence.
Most commercial trucks are equipped with Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) that record hours of service, speed, braking, and location data. This information is critical evidence, but federal retention rules mean that some records are kept for only 6 months. Black box data may be overwritten within a short period depending on the system. Acting quickly matters.
Unlike a car accident, where one driver is at fault, large trucking accidents often involve several potentially responsible parties:
FMCSA Hours-of-Service rules limit property-carrying drivers to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty, within a 14-hour on-duty window. When carriers pressure drivers to push past those limits, or when drivers falsify logs, fatigue becomes a serious danger. A tired truck driver has significantly slower reaction times.
Cell phone use, in-cab navigation systems, and other distractions take a driver's attention off the road. At highway speeds, even a few seconds of distraction can be fatal.
Large trucks take much longer to stop than passenger vehicles. A fully loaded 18-wheeler traveling at highway speed needs nearly 500 feet to come to a complete stop. Speeding dramatically reduces the margin for error.
Overloaded or unevenly distributed cargo can shift during transit, affecting steering and braking. Cargo that breaks loose on the highway creates hazards for everyone nearby.
Brake failures and tire blowouts are among the most dangerous mechanical issues in trucking. When a company skips required inspections or defers known repairs, it may be directly liable for any resulting crash.
Utah follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover compensation as long as you are found to be less than 50% responsible. Your percentage of fault reduces your recovery.
Injuries sustained in construction accidents can be life-changing. They don’t just affect your physical well-being; they also affect your working capacity, connections with family and friends, and financial security.
From mild concussions to severe brain damage, TBIs can affect memory, cognition, and daily function for months or permanently.
Damage to the spine can cause partial or complete paralysis, chronic pain, and permanent loss of function.
Organ damage from blunt force trauma may not be immediately apparent but can become life-threatening without prompt treatment.
High-impact collisions with large trucks frequently result in broken bones that require surgery and extended rehabilitation.
Fuel tank ruptures and fires are a real risk in serious trucking crashes and can cause permanent scarring.
Many truck accident survivors face long-term or permanent limitations that affect their ability to work and live independently.
When construction injuries have taken a toll on your body, you’ll find they’ve also taken a toll on your finances, career, and life. You can usually recover compensation for 2 types of damages:
These are the measurable financial losses:
These cover the personal impact that doesn’t come with a dollar amount on a receipt:
In cases involving reckless or egregious conduct by a trucking company, punitive damages may also be available under Utah law.
After a large trucking accident, how you respond in the days that follow can directly affect your case. Here’s what to do:
At Hernandez Law, we keep the process simple for our clients. Here’s what it looks like:
We talk through what happened, answer your questions, and give you an honest assessment of your case at no cost.
We gather the police report, identify all liable parties, and begin building the factual record.
We move quickly to preserve ELD data, black box records, driver qualification files, and maintenance logs before they disappear.
We handle all communication with the trucking company's insurer and push for full and fair compensation.
If the insurer won't offer what the case is worth, we take it to court. Our willingness to litigate gives us leverage at the negotiating table.
In large trucking accident cases, time is not on your side. Here’s why acting quickly matters:
Hernandez Injury Law represents injury victims across the Salt Lake Valley and Northern Utah. We handle cases in:
If you were injured in a large trucking accident anywhere in the region, we’re ready to help.
Utah’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally four years from the date of the accident. However, cases involving government entities or certain defendants may have shorter deadlines. Don’t assume you have plenty of time; evidence disappears fast in trucking cases.
Liability can extend beyond just the driver. Depending on the facts, the trucking company, a cargo loading company, a maintenance provider, or a vehicle manufacturer could all share responsibility. A thorough investigation is the only way to identify every liable party.
Truck accident cases involve federal regulations, commercial insurance policies, multiple potential defendants, and time-sensitive electronic evidence that doesn’t exist in standard car crash cases. The legal complexity is significantly higher, and so are the stakes.
Yes, in most cases. Utah’s modified comparative fault rule allows you to recover compensation as long as you are less than 50% responsible for the accident. Your award will be reduced by your share of fault.
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is always free.
We serve clients throughout Northern Utah and the Salt Lake Valley, including Salt Lake City, Ogden, Sandy, West Jordan, Taylorsville, Midvale, Holladay, Cottonwood Heights, East Millcreek, and surrounding areas.
If you were injured in a large trucking accident, we encourage you to learn about your legal options as soon as possible. The trucking company and its insurer are already working on their defense; you deserve someone equally prepared on your side.
We offer free consultations in both English and Spanish and handle cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
