We all drive on the same roads as big trucks every day in Utah. When truck drivers follow safety rules, it helps keep everyone safe. But if truckers or trucking companies ignore important rules, they put people at risk of serious or even deadly crashes. This can make you nervous when driving near 18-wheelers, especially if you don’t know whether the driver is following the law or if the truck has been properly maintained.
Hearing about bad truck accidents can make these worries even worse. You might wonder how trucking companies get away with cutting corners or what you can do if a careless truck driver causes you harm. The good news is that state and federal laws exist to prevent accidents and hold drivers and trucking companies responsible.
At Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks, we have highly experienced personal injury attorneys who are well-versed in Utah’s trucking regulations, and can help you get the compensation you deserve if you’ve been involved in a truck accident case. We can even represent you in trial if needed and you don’t need to pay us until we win your case.
This article explains Utah’s trucking rules, how they protect you, and how breaking these rules can impact injury claims.
Large commercial trucks often move goods across multiple states, so the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) creates uniform guidelines for operators. These rules affect truck drivers in Utah. Here are the regulations to be aware of:
Truck drivers can only drive for 11 hours after taking 10 hours off. This rule helps prevent accidents caused by tired drivers. If a trucker breaks this rule, they are more likely to crash due to drowsiness.
Trucking companies must regularly check their trucks. This includes brakes, tires, lights, and how cargo is secured. Drivers must inspect their trucks before trips and report any problems. Ignoring these checks can lead to dangerous breakdowns on busy roads.
To drive a big truck, drivers need a valid CDL. But that’s not all, they must also pass medical exams, have a good driving record, and show they can handle large trucks safely. If a driver has too many violations or fails health tests, they cannot legally drive a commercial truck.
Truck drivers must take random drug and alcohol tests. If they fail or refuse, they are suspended from driving immediately. This rule helps keep drunk or drug-impaired drivers off the road.
Trucking companies must keep detailed records about driver work hours, truck maintenance, and cargo. If a crash happens, these records help show whether the driver worked too many hours or if the truck had problems.
While federal rules apply across all states, Utah supplements them with laws that reflect local conditions. Companies operating in Utah must comply with both sets of regulations.
Utah sets maximum weight limits for commercial trucks. These usually match federal rules, but some roads or cities may have extra restrictions.
If a truck carries too much weight, it can make braking harder or cause the truck to tip over on sharp turns. Weigh stations check truck loads, and companies that push the limits too often can get in trouble.
In addition to required federal inspections, Utah may have extra checks for trucks using local highways. Sometimes, these inspections happen more often to catch problems with brakes or tires before they become dangerous.
If a company skips these inspections, their trucks might have mechanical failures, which could lead to accidents and legal trouble.
Truck drivers must follow federal rules about how many hours they can drive before taking a break. Utah police can stop trucks to check drivers’ logbooks. If an officer sees signs of fake records or driver fatigue, they can issue fines or even order the driver off the road. These checks help prevent companies from forcing drivers to work unsafe hours.
If a truck carries an extra-wide or heavy load in West Valley City, it might need a special permit. These permits tell the driver which roads to use and what time they can drive. If a truck doesn’t have the right permit or ignores the route rules, it puts other drivers in danger and can get fined.
Utah Highway Patrol randomly stops commercial trucks for safety checks. If they find problems, like worn-out tires or bad brakes, the truck company can get a fine or a warning. These rules help keep the roads safe, but not all trucking companies follow them properly.
When a truck collision arises, verifying whether the driver or company missed state rules can strengthen an injured victim’s claim. If a trucking outfit repeatedly dodged compliance, that negligence might be pivotal in winning fair compensation.
Despite state and federal rules, some trucking companies and drivers knowingly cut corners to meet deadlines or reduce costs. This disregard can dramatically raise the risk of accidents in West Valley or anywhere else in Utah.
Overly tired drivers struggle to maintain control, especially on congested highways. If a carrier pressures drivers to exceed 11 hours or skip rest breaks, drowsy driving can occur, potentially causing multi-vehicle collisions.
Even mild fatigue can slow reaction times. A single blink of an eye might lead to missing a changing traffic signal or a slower-moving vehicle ahead.
Though electronic logging devices have tightened oversight, some drivers or carriers still try to manipulate data by underreporting hours or splitting shifts in ways that appear legal. If an accident occurs and subsequent investigations show log tampering, the driver or company can face serious liability.
Properly functioning brakes, tires, and lights are basic safety elements for commercial trucks. Neglected maintenance is a frequent problem when carriers hurry deliveries or attempt to save money. Worn tires can blow out, causing the driver to lose control.
Worn brakes lengthen the stopping distance. Malfunctioning lights make it hard for others to gauge the truck’s motions at night. Any one of these failures can spell disaster for smaller vehicles in the truck’s path.
Cargo that is not distributed correctly or is secured poorly can shift suddenly, destabilizing the truck.
Overweight loads may cause brake stress and cause a big rig to skid on inclines or sharp turns. If the cargo includes hazardous materials, accidents might release toxic substances or create explosions. Whoever loaded the trailer might share liability if they violated safe loading practices.
Drivers sometimes check phone apps, respond to messages, or even watch videos while on the road. This violates fundamental safety guidelines. In large vehicles, even minor lane drift or delayed braking can lead to a high-impact crash.
Though random testing exists, some drivers continue using alcohol or illegal drugs. This severely compromises motor skills and reaction times. If a driver fails a post-crash drug or alcohol test, it underscores the trucking company’s oversight failures or the driver’s personal misconduct.
Speeding or ignoring posted signs, especially on roads less suited for large trucks, is hazardous. A rig going above the recommended speed for a curve might roll over or drift into oncoming lanes.
Though many truckers abide by regulations, the small fraction that violates them can produce catastrophic wrecks. Identifying these transgressions is paramount when building a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
If you or a loved one is harmed, your West Valley truck accident lawyer can check maintenance logs, driver hours, or cargo weight records to show how these negligent violations set the stage for the accident.
When truck drivers or trucking companies don’t follow safety rules, they make serious accidents much more likely. Breaking these rules can also affect what happens after an accident, including whether the victims get full compensation.
If a police report or private investigation shows that a trucking company broke the rules, like forcing drivers to work too many hours or not fixing the brakes, this is strong proof of negligence. In Utah, ignoring safety laws is a clear sign that someone failed to act responsibly. Proving this failure is a key part of any injury case.
In some cases, if a law exists to protect people’s safety and someone breaks it, causing harm, they are automatically considered negligent. This means victims don’t have to prove that the person had a duty to be careful, they just have to show that the law was broken.
For example, if a truck driver worked too many hours beyond the legal limit or tested positive for drugs or alcohol, they are automatically seen as negligent. At that point, the driver may have to prove that their actions weren’t the direct cause of the accident.
Breaking safety laws can affect not just who is responsible but also how much the victim gets paid.
If a driver or trucking company ignored important safety rules, courts might decide that the victim deserves more compensation.
When talking to insurance companies, pointing out that the truck driver or company broke safety rules can make a big difference. Insurance companies know that if the case goes to court, a jury may not look kindly on a company that ignored safety laws. Because of this, insurers may be more willing to offer a fair settlement early on.
Public opinion often turns against trucking companies that don’t follow safety rules, so insurance adjusters may try to settle quickly to avoid bad publicity.
Sometimes, it’s not just the driver or trucking company at fault. If another company, like the one that loaded the truck or maintained it, also ignored safety rules, they could be partly responsible. This means there may be more than one insurance policy that could help cover the victim’s damages.
In complicated cases, lawyers often bring in experts who understand trucking laws and mechanical issues. These experts can review trucking logs, check for mechanical failures, and explain to a judge or jury how the accident happened. Their professional opinions can be strong evidence in proving who was at fault.
Trucking accidents can be complex, with multiple factors contributing to a crash. Sometimes, a truck driver may have been on the road too long, violating federal driving limits. Other times, a mechanical issue, such as faulty brakes or worn-out tires, may have played a role. Experts carefully examine these details to determine if negligence was involved.
Accident reconstruction specialists may also be called in to analyze the crash scene. They use science and technology to recreate what happened before, during, and after the accident. By studying skid marks, impact points, and vehicle damage, they can help show whether the truck driver, the trucking company, or another party was responsible.
Medical experts may be involved as well, especially if injuries are severe. They can explain how the crash impacted the victims and what kind of long-term care might be needed. All these expert opinions help build a strong case, ensuring that the right party is held accountable.
If a negligent trucking firm left you injured in a serious collision, you do not have to confront them alone. Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks has helped many individuals in West Valley City and surrounding areas obtain compensation for harm caused by non-compliance with safety standards.
Call (801) 500-4000 today for a free consultation. We can investigate driver logs, maintenance records, and other evidence of regulation violations, aiming to secure a fair outcome so you can move forward with your life. Let our experience, compassion, and dedicated advocacy guide you to the justice you deserve.
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