Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
Being in any type of accident is terrible, but a truck accident can be even worse. The size and weight of a truck and the load it carries can devastate the roadway, other vehicles, and the drivers and passengers in those vehicles. Being in an accident can be so traumatic that you’re unsure of what to do, even if you typically know how to respond. But there are essential steps you’ll need to take at the scene of the accident. The Steps to Take Even for accidents that look the same, there will be differences. One truck could be carrying clothing to a department store, while another could be transporting large pieces of furniture parts. Imagine the difference between clothing and a chair leg hitting your vehicle. Both could cause a severe accident, but chances are those injuries will be different. But, thankfully, your response to being in a truck accident should be the same every time. These are the steps you should take. Call 911 First, immediately call 911. The police will know how to respond if goods from the truck are on the highway or roadway. They will also examine the accident scene to determine who was at fault. You’ll need a copy of the report they fill out for your insurance company. Assess Injuries Second, assess injuries. Some injuries will be apparent, while other injuries are hard to detect. For example, if you have internal bleeding, you might not feel it right away from the state of shock to your body. Third, allow paramedics to examine you. Even if you don’t think you’re injured, it’s best to undergo a medical exam at the accident scene. That’s why ambulances accompany police to accident scenes. Additionally, it would be best to go to the doctor as soon as possible after the accident. A full-body exam will further help to determine if you are injured. There might be issues to deal with if you wait until you’re in pain to go to the doctor. The trucker’s company will claim that your injuries are unrelated to the accident. Immediately going to the doctor establishes proof that your injuries were related to the accident. Most truck lawsuits don’t end until your injuries have been resolved. So, if you want to receive compensation for the accident, we highly recommend going to the doctor right away. Collect Contact Info Finally, before leaving the scene of the accident, collect the contact information for everyone involved. You should see everyone’s driver’s license and insurance information. This will help you contact the right people to resolve the accident’s claims. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Were you involved in a truck accident? Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton is here for you. We can help you get compensated for your injuries and your pain and suffering. We’ll guide you through the lawsuit process and be with you every step of the way. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
Are Truck Accidents More Dangerous than Car Accidents?
Any type of accident involving a vehicle is dangerous–but are truck accidents more dangerous than car accidents? The answer is yes, and there are several reasons why. In addition to the higher level of danger, truck accidents are also more complicated. The Size and Weight of a Vehicle It’s not hard to imagine how devastating a truck accident can be when you think about the sheer size of the truck. A semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and measure 70 to 80 feet long. Some semi-trucks are even bigger. They require oversize or overweight permits to be allowed on the road. In comparison, a regular-sized passenger car weighs around 5,000 pounds and is rarely considered oversized. Different Gears Cars in the United States are automatic, where the car automatically shifts gears for you, or manual, where you have to shift gears as you drive manually. Cars usually have five gears, while trucks can have as many as 18 gears. Having more gears means it takes longer to change how you operate your vehicle. Need to back up? Give your truck extra time to shift gears. Meanwhile, it only takes a few seconds to shift gears to back up, even with a manual car. Other Factors Not only do trucks take longer to shift gears, but they also take longer to make turns. Their turns are very wide because of the size of the vehicle. If a truck driver tried to make a right-hand turn the same way a car does, there would be a horrible accident. Different Laws to Follow Commuting to and from work is very different from driving a truck for a living. Because of how dangerous it is to stay on the road for hours at a time, truck drivers have strict laws and protocols they must follow. Breaking those protocols could be held against them in a lawsuit if they caused an accident. For example, they must follow Hours of Service Regulations, which mandate how long they can drive without taking a break. With today’s technology, the old-fashioned logs that truck drivers used to fill out are nearly obsolete. Instead, electronic logging devices automatically do the work for drivers. This makes it easy to tell if a driver was on the road longer than they should have been. Multiple Parties in an Accident Normal car accidents usually involve two drivers and their passengers, if they have any. But because trucks are so big, they can cause devastating, multi-car collisions. And it’s not just about whether vehicles make unwanted contact with each other. Many large trucks carry goods or cargo. An accident can cause that cargo to spill, causing even more damage. The loading company may be equally liable for the accident in those cases. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Were you recently involved in a truck accident? Not sure how to respond? Look no further. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton can help. We’ll guide you through the entire process and help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries and your pain and suffering. Contact us today to get started.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You in Utah
Some accidents are minor enough to handle on your own, but you should contact a personal injury lawyer if you’ve been injured in most cases. For example, if you fall and end up with a bruised elbow, you’re probably fine handling it independently. But if you broke your arm falling in a store, you’ll want to contact a lawyer. You might think, “oh, it’s just a broken bone. I’ll be fine.” But a lawyer may have valuable insights that you won’t think of on your own. The Severity of Your Injuries Like we mentioned above, the severity of your injuries can help you decide if you need a lawyer. Here are some examples of cases where you’ll want to speak with a lawyer. A car accident is an example of when you should contact a lawyer. Of course, you should contact a lawyer if you’ve been in a major car crash. But even a minor fender bender can result in serious injuries. A mild case of whiplash could still injure the soft tissues in your neck and spine. You should contact a lawyer if your injuries are more severe. Examples of severe injuries include: Traumatic brain injuries Spinal cord injuries Amputation Establish Who Caused The Accident You need to prove that another party or outside factor caused your accident for a successful personal injury claim. There could also be multiple parties at fault. But you might not know how to establish that, which is part of why you should speak with a lawyer. A lawyer will determine who those parties are and work to get you compensation from every party involved. For example, say you weren’t feeling well and went to the ER. You were sent home with medication and told to rest until you felt better, even though you felt like something was wrong. In that case, you can sue the doctor who failed to provide you with proper treatment. But you could also sue the hospital. A personal injury lawyer will know what steps to take to accomplish this. Speak with a Lawyer First It doesn’t always occur to a personal injury victim to speak to a lawyer first, which is normal, especially since you’ve been in a traumatic situation. But we recommend contacting a lawyer first. You can speak to a lawyer instead of communicating with the party who caused your injury. We don’t recommend speaking with the liable party because they’ll try to get you to settle. An attorney will fight to get you as much compensation as possible. Ways a Lawyer Can Help A lawyer can help you with the following problems: If the insurance company rejects your claim If the insurance company doesn’t get back to you or doesn’t pay you when they agree to If the insurance company offers a low settlement offer If the insurance company won’t negotiate with you These are all common problems that personal injury victims encounter. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton has seen it all, and we’re here to help you with your personal injury lawsuit. Contact us today to get started with a free case evaluation.
Safety Matters: Advice for New Truck Drivers
If you’re starting your career as a truck driver, you’ll want to hear some advice for new truck drivers from seasoned pros. After all, everyone starts in the same spot. Even with 20+ years of experience under your belt, everyone remembers what it was like to start. Your Mental Game Plan Of course, truck drivers need to stay alert on the road. But you also need to have a mental game plan to stay alert behind the wheel. Your mental state is just as important as your physical state. There are several ways you can learn to manage your stress levels while navigating life as a truck driver. You’ll need to fight through distractions, poor road conditions, and strict deadlines. These factors can affect your job performance, which is critical for your first year on the road. If you’re getting stressed out, we recommend: Deep breathing Positive self-talk Meditating Focusing on what you can control Listening to music Talking to someone on the phone By calming yourself down and remembering what you can control, you’ll alleviate some of your stress. Singing along to your favorite music or calling a friend or family member can help take your mind away from what’s stressing you out. Your First Job Won’t Be Your Dream Job It’s natural to think about what you want to do for your career. But when you’re a new truck driver, it’s more important to get your first job and hold it down for a while. Like most other jobs, it’s unrealistic to get your dream trucking job right away. Your first truck-driving job might come with low pay. Many entry-level truck drivers earn as little as $18,000 per year. We recommend focusing on what you can accomplish during your first year to set yourself apart as a valuable employee. Doing so will help you land your dream job more quickly. Set Goals for Your First Year The first goal we recommend setting as a new truck driver is to not get into any accidents. Being accident-free will prove that you’re a safe, reliable driver who can be trusted to haul important cargo. G.O.A.L. (Get Out And Look) will help you accomplish this goal. If you need to back up, get out of your truck and look around you. Analyzing your surroundings can help you avoid hitting someone or something that may be closer than they appear from the driver’s seat. The second goal we recommend is to stick with your first job for as long as possible. Job hopping looks terrible on a resume. While this is true for any profession, it’s especially true for truck drivers. If you’ve had a lot of different jobs, you’ll have a hard time finding something that pays well. Finally, have a good attitude! An employee who doesn’t care doesn’t look good for the company. If you work without complaining and perform well, this will reflect positively and help you earn promotions and find better-paying work. Accidents Still Happen Even if you’re as safe as possible, you can only control your vehicle. You could still get into an accident if a new truck driver isn’t paying attention. It takes longer to slow down or completely stop when you’re driving an 18-foot truck. If you’ve been in an accident, Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton is here to guide you through the process. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Poor Weather Conditions and the Risk of Auto Accidents
Snow, ice, rain, wind, and other poor weather conditions lead to dangerous roads and are a leading risk of auto accidents. As convenient as driving is, most people know that the road can be treacherous. Auto accidents occur in startling numbers each year on roads all across America. Unfortunately, poor weather conditions can further increase auto accidents’ risk. Statistics show that bad weather leads to over one million car accidents in America each year. These car accidents often result in severe injury and costly property damage. Dangers of Poor Weather Conditions Conditions such as rain, fog, sleet, and snow can limit visibility, decrease traction, reduce speed control, and slow the reaction time for brakes. However, these are not the only dangers of poor weather conditions. One factor that increases the risk of an auto accident in poor weather conditions is driver error. Many drivers fail to respond appropriately when the weather is terrible due to inexperience or neglect. When weather conditions are poor, drivers should respond by decreasing their speed and space between other vehicles, allowing themselves plenty of time to react to potentially dangerous situations. Unfortunately, those who fail to take these precautions put themselves and others on the road in danger. Proving Liability for Accidents in Poor Weather If you or someone you know was involved in a car accident when the weather was notably bad, proving liability can be complicated. Insurance companies are usually quick to deny liability by blaming the weather. However, suppose another driver proves failure to take necessary safety precautions, even in poor weather conditions. In that case, they can be held liable for the accident and any resulting damages. In cases when the weather may have heightened the risk of auto accidents, insurance companies and attorneys will look for the following to determine if one of the drivers can be held liable: Was the driver traveling at a safe speed given the road conditions? Was the driver following too close to other drivers? Could either driver take action to avoid the accident? Contact Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton for a Case Evaluation Although the risk of poor weather leads to a higher risk of auto accidents, victims in Utah may still have a right to compensation for damages suffered during such an accident. The best way for an injury victim to ensure they receive the payment due for such damages is to work with an experienced auto accident attorney, such as those at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton. Our attorneys will prove a strong liability case to ensure that our clients receive payment for the damages caused by another driver’s reckless or negligent actions. Have you been involved in an auto accident during poor weather conditions? A liable party can still be held accountable for any physical, emotional, or financial damages you may have suffered. We serve the citizens of Utah and have offices in Provo, Orem, Saratoga Springs, and West Jordan. Get in touch with us now to discuss the details of your case and learn more about your legal options.
What Exactly Is A Burn Injury?
Common injuries include cuts, bruises, broken bones, and fractures – so what exactly is a burn injury? Anyone can be burned, but some people are more susceptible to burns than others. Additionally, there are three different kinds of burns, and each one must be carefully treated. Even with proper treatment, it may be impossible to avoid permanent scarring or damage to the body. How Do People Get Burned? So, how exactly do people get burned? A burn injury is caused when your skin is exposed to fire, an open flame, or a hot liquid. Burns typically happen in your home from simple things like dry or wet heat, chemicals, heated objects, electricity, or even friction. Scald burns make up 35% of overall injuries at burn centers in the United States. Most scald burn victims are under the age of five. Hot water or re-heated food and drink cause most of these burns. The Layers of Your Skin Your skin is your largest organ and plays a significant role in protecting your body from infection and injury. Your skin is constantly being renewed and repaired by your body. Because your skin protects your whole body, it’s susceptible to many injuries, including burns. To understand how you may have been burned, you need to understand the skin’s anatomy. There are three layers of skin that can be burned. First is the epidermis, your top layer of skin. The epidermis is very thin. If you are burned, your epidermis will be affected. The dermis is your second layer of skin. It’s right underneath the epidermis. The dermis houses your sweat glands, hair follicles, and nerve endings. The subcutaneous layer (or hypodermis) is the third layer of skin. The subcutaneous layer is comprised of fat and helps regulate body temperature. Finally, muscle and bone are underneath the layers of skin. Some burns are severe enough to reach the muscles and bones underneath the three layers of skin. Different Types of Burns So, what exactly is a burn injury? There are three different types of burns: first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree. A first-degree burn only affects the epidermis. You’ll typically have redness and pain in the area that was burned. A first-degree burn is the mildest kind of burn. It hurts, but the pain is usually manageable. A sunburn is an example of a first-degree burn. A second-degree burn affects the epidermis and the dermis. Second-degree burns cause swelling, splotchy skin, blisters, and severe pain. The blisters could be swollen, which is even more painful, and the skin underneath hurts to touch. If the burn goes deep enough, you might have a scar. A third-degree burn passes through the epidermis and the dermis to the subcutaneous layer. The burned area could be black, brown, or white, and the skin may look like leather. Third-degree burns are more serious–they destroy every layer of skin. You could have destroyed nerves or numbness. Are You a Burn Victim? Have you recently suffered from a burn injury? Or is your burn the result of someone’s negligence? Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton represents burn victims and will work hard to get you compensated for your injury and your pain and suffering. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Liability for Accidents Involving Unqualified Truck Drivers
Trucking accidents cause severe injuries, and one of the top causes of these accidents is incidents with unqualified truck drivers. The sheer size of a truck versus the size of a passenger vehicle sets the stage for catastrophe when the two collide, and passengers in a car typically suffer several significant injuries. If you believe you sustained injuries due to a truck accident involving an unqualified truck driver, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Recovering compensation for losses caused by a trucking accident requires finding causation and holding the responsible party accountable. Stay tuned to learn more and see if your case might qualify for review. What Causes a Driver to be Unqualified? The phrase “unqualified truck driver” bears particular legal significance. It goes beyond an everyday understanding of the definition of unqualified and includes a truck driver who has: Had their license revoked, or Does not have the requisite commercial driver’s license (a CDL) To obtain a CDL, a driver needs to undergo specialized training. Driving a truck requires a different skill and knowledge set than operating a passenger vehicle. Truck drivers take courses on topics including mandatory driving hour requirements, how to safely enter and exit a roadway, how to check the weight load of the cargo, how to use the larger mirrors trucks are outfitted with, and the need to perform a vehicle check before embarking on a delivery trip. When a driver has not taken these classes, they do not possess the requisite skills to operate a large truck safely and will not qualify for a CDL. In this regard, a driver who lacks these qualifications is considered unqualified and should never get behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle. It is crucial to inspect all drivers’ training and educational records involved in a trucking accident to determine whether they are qualified or unqualified. How to Proceed Against an Unqualified Driver If you have been in an accident with an unqualified truck driver, an attorney will likely recommend holding the trucking company responsible. Attributing an accident to the trucking company requires an in-depth analysis to identify the pieces of evidence necessary to show guilt. Only a thorough investigation can unearth the documents and data necessary to prove a trucking company engaged in negligent hiring of a driver or implemented prohibited practices. Company records can reveal a history of hiring patterns and can be beneficial in showing the trucking company bears responsibility for the accident. Schedule a Consultation with Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Our team of legal professionals knows about recovering financial compensation for victims who were injured in a trucking accident involving unqualified truck drivers. If you have been in a truck accident, it is critical to explore all avenues related to liability. We will help determine the cause of the accident and assign fault to gain what you previously lost. We have offices in Provo, Orem, Saratoga Springs, and West Jordan, so reach out to the law offices of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton for a free case evaluation today.