At about 2:30 am on Tuesday morning in Lehi Utah there was a crash involving a car and a semitrailer.  An article in the Daily Herald it appears that the car driven by an unidentified man crashed into the rear of a parked dump truck and then burst into flames.  The man in the car was extricated from the burning vehicle by fire and police emergency personnel.  Life Flight was immediately called and after the man's airway was established he was evacuated to the University of Utah Burn Trauma Unit.  The cause of the crash is under investigation.

As a former nurse and now a personal injury lawyer I have intimate knowledge of the catastrophic injuries this man faces.  He will be in critical condition for weeks and maybe months.  Hopefully, with the great skill and compassion of the professionals at the burn unit, this man will experience as best a recovery as can be hoped for.

The liability for the crash needs to be determined in a near emergent manner.  Pictures need to be obtained and statements taken to preserve the evidence.  If the truck was parked in violation of the law the truck driver and his employer might be held responsible for causing the crash.

George Tait Law and its lawyers are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well. George Tait Law and its attorneys are licensed to practice law only in the State of Utah and maintain offices in Salt Lake City, Utah. No attorney client relationship is established by simply visiting this website.

It is not surprising that semi-truck crashes occur. Tractor trailers, in apparently ever-increasing numbers, carry produce and merchandise across the country to satisfy our needs. Utah is a major hub for both north-south and west-east interstate travel. Interstate travel in Utah occurs west-east along I-80 and I-70 and north-south along I-15 and I-84.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted large truck crash studies. In 2008, 380,000 large trucks (gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds) were involved in traffic crashes in the United States; 4,066 were involved in fatal crashes. A total of 4,229 people died (11% of all the traffic fatalities reported in 2008) and an additional 90,000 were injured in those crashes. One out of nine traffic fatalities in 2008 resulted from a collision involving a large truck.

Of the fatalities that resulted from crashes involving large trucks, 74 percent were occupants of another vehicle, 10 percent were non-occupants, and 16 percent were occupants of a large truck. Of the people injured in crashes involving large trucks, 71 percent were occupants of another vehicle, 3 percent were non-occupants, and 26 percent were occupants of a large truck.

Large trucks were much more likely to be involved in a fatal multiple-vehicle crash – as opposed to a fatal single-vehicle crash – than were passenger vehicles (82% of all large trucks involved in fatal crashes, compared with 58% of all passenger vehicles). In 30 percent of the two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a large truck and another type of vehicle, both vehicles were impacted in the front. The truck was struck in the rear 3.2 times as often as the other vehicle (19% and 6%, respectively).

In half (50%) of the two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a large truck and another type of vehicle, both vehicles were proceeding straight at the time of the crash. In 9 percent of the crashes, the other vehicle was turning. In 9 percent, either the truck or the other vehicle was negotiating a curve. In 8 percent, either the truck or the other vehicle was stopped or parked in a traffic lane (6% and 2%, respectively).

Most of the fatal crashes involving large trucks occurred in rural areas (64%), during the daytime (67%), and on weekdays (80%). During the week, 74 percent of the crashes occurred during the daytime (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.). On weekends, 63 percent occurred at night (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.).

Nearly one-fourth (24%) of all large-truck drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2008 had at least one prior speeding conviction, compared to 18 percent of passenger car drivers involved in fatal crashes.

In 2008 in Utah there was a total of 350 vehicles involved in fatal crashes. Of these 32 involved large trucks.

If you need help in your semi-truck accident case we are ready to provide you the assistance you need. Remember – there is never any fee until we get money for you. Call us for a free consultation at 801-487-6454 or toll free at 800-953-4811. You can also fill out the e-mail form and we will contact you as soon as possible.