Truck accidents can cause catastrophic injuries and sometimes even fatalities. You deserve to know what your legal options are after such an incident. We have the expertise to help you get back on track with our personal injury lawyers who will work hard for you every step of the way.
Our Denver truck accident lawyers are dedicated to helping victims of truck accidents receive compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage and more through a variety of different avenues including lawsuits against negligent drivers or manufacturers of defective vehicles as well as insurance claims. Let our law firm fight for justice on your behalf, call 720-770-5454 today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced truck accident attorney.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Commercial truck drivers have to undergo extensive training, but there are still plenty of dangers on the road. Causes of truck accidents can be split into driver/company error, and poor road or weather conditions.
Inattention
This is when someone becomes distracted by their phone, food, etc., then starts speeding up or slowing down without noticing how close they are to another vehicle in front of them so they crash into it. This type of accident usually results from texting while driving or eating behind the wheel.
Driver Fatigue
When people drive long distances over many hours there will come a point where their body needs more sleep than what's given during regular breaks in between journeys; some studies show that as many as 46% of truck accidents occur because someone is tired.
Speeding
Speeding up without enough time to react when approaching a tight corner or curve could cause collisions with other vehicles on your right side which would result in death or serious injuries if you don't brake soon enough.
Improper Cargo Loading
Truck companies need to make sure each load is within the weight, size, length, width, and height limits for a truck. If they are carrying hazardous materials, there are even stricter regulations for how it must be handled. Still, mistakes happen and errors can mean that a load makes a truck too heavy or likely to tip over. If a load falls onto the road it can cause severe accidents with other vehicles on the road as well as create other dangerous situations such as hazardous materials catching fire or creating other dangerous situations.
Improper Maintenance
Trucking companies are required to inspect their trucks before they get on the road. But sometimes, routine maintenance falls by the wayside and a truck is on the road without being safe for the trip. This can lead to fatal accidents that cause serious injury or death.
Poor Weather Conditions
Driving in the rain, snow or fog can also lead to an accident and it's important for drivers to be aware of the weather conditions and safely drive in them before getting behind the wheel to keep everyone safe.
What to do After a Truck Accident in Colorado
After a commercial truck crash, it can be difficult or confusing for you and your family. Let an experienced Denver personal injury attorney help with the process of filing claims for monetary compensation and answering any questions about how much money is available based on damages from injuries sustained.
Report the Accident
If you are involved in a crash, it is imperative that you remain at the accident scene of the crash and follow these steps. Make sure you and your vehicle are safe and off the road if possible, turn on hazard lights, put cones around your vehicle, and light up flares if possible. This will help prevent another accident from happening.
Once you are sure everyone is safe you should call the police or state highway patrol and wait for an officer to arrive on the scene. Once they assess the situation, they will fill out an accident report and instruct you on your next steps. Request a copy of the report so that you have all of this information for your records and as evidence if necessary.
Gather Evidence
The most important thing that someone who was injured in a commercial truck accident should do is to document the collision and their injuries. If possible, take photos of any damage sustained from the crash or if you are unsure about how serious your injury might be, see a doctor immediately in order to prevent more severe problems later on down the road.
Exchange Contact Information
It is extremely important to exchange information with the other party while at the scene of the crash. Once you go your separate ways it can be hard to track the other driver down. If all you have is their first name and the name of the trucking company contacting them can be difficult. Getting the right contact information will make everything much easier if you choose to file an auto accident claim. Information you get should include:
- The driver’s full name, phone number, address, and email address
- Their insurance company and policy information
- Their commercial driver's license number
- Contact information and the name of their employer
Get Medical Attention
It is important to seek medical care after an accident, whether you are obviously injured or not. Your adrenaline could prevent you from feeling pain or noticing an injury. If you do not receive treatment at the scene of the crash or are not immediately transported to the hospital, visit your doctor as soon as possible after the accident and let them know about all injuries that occurred during this incident so they can help treat them accordingly and make sure nothing gets worse over time due to lack of care.
Be sure to follow up with any recommendations for treatment made by your doctor so that there will be no interference with your ability later on down the road when seeking fair compensation for injuries sustained in this incident.
Contact an Attorney
You may have questions about your rights and options for recovering from the injury or damage caused by the crash. Our team of experienced attorneys is here to help answer those questions and guide you through this process so that you can focus on healing and moving forward with your life. We want to make sure that we are there for every step of the way as we work together towards a positive resolution.
Let us handle all of the legal aspects so that you don't have to worry about anything else while dealing with your injury or vehicle damage. Get legal counsel, contact our office today for more information!
Who Can be Held Liable After a Truck Wreck?
After a crash involving a commercial truck has occurred there are several parties who can be held liable. When determining the cause of the accident potential liable parties can include the truck driver, the freight company with whom they are employed, the company who loaded cargo, or the company in charge of maintaining the vehicle.
How do You Prove Liability After a Crash?
In order to determine whether or not someone is at fault for an accident involving a commercial vehicle like a semi-truck, it is necessary to understand how Colorado's comparative negligence laws work. Colorado Revised Statutes section 13-21-111 allows for a jury to apportion liability between the plaintiff and defendant.
This means that an individual's negligence will be reduced by the percentage of their responsibility in causing or contributing to the accident. For example, if fault is split 30/70 between the two drivers the driver with 30% liability can recover 70% of the total cost of their damages from the other.
Do I Have to go to Court?
For many cases involving commercial truck wrecks, they settle outside of court. However, if you find the insurance companies initial offers to not be satisfactory, it is necessary to go to trial. This is where a Denver truck accident lawyer can help with your claim and represent your best interests. The trial process is complicated to those unfamiliar with it, so it is important to have a knowledgeable, experienced attorney on your side. Having representation can help you get all types of compensation you deserve for your injuries.
How an Attorney Can Help a Truck Accident Claim
If you were in a motor vehicle accident, it’s important that you get legal advice from an attorney. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help with your case by answering questions about the law and explaining what to do next. A personal injury specialist will know how to prove liability after a trucking accident and how to properly file claims for financial compensation within the allotted amount of time.
Investigating the Accident
Our attorneys will investigate the accident thoroughly, examine police reports, medical records and other documents related to your accident, interview witnesses and seek access to any evidence that was not gathered. We will also work with experts who specialize in vehicle safety engineering if necessary. This way we can build a strong case on behalf of our clients against negligent drivers like those at fault in your accident
Filing Your Paperwork
We make sure that all paperwork is filled out correctly and filed within the correct period of time so that when it comes time to get compensated for injuries sustained in a truck crash, there are no delays or complications with processing your claim. You'll have peace of mind knowing everything has been taken care of by our team of experts who specialize in these cases
Determining What Party is Liable
If commercial trucking companies are negligent, they could be liable for your injuries. We investigate trucking companies to find evidence of negligence that led to the crash and identify the responsible party.
Negotiating a Settlement
Negotiating with an insurance company can be frustrating if you do not know what you are doing, but we know how to get the best possible outcome for you. We have extensive experience and knowledge of the legal system which helps us build a strong case against them. And if they refuse our fair settlement offer, we will fight them in court until you get what you deserve.
How Much Will it Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
When it comes to hiring a Denver car accident lawyer, there are many factors that come into play. For many people, the cost of hiring an attorney is one of the most important considerations. If you’re not sure how much your case will cost, we can help!
We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis so you don’t have to worry about paying anything upfront. This type of agreement is often called "no-win-no-fee," and can help make legal service more affordable for people, especially since you are likely already worried about medical bills, your damaged vehicle, and any time off work the accident forced you to take.
Some of the advantages of a contingency basis include:
- You will not have to pay anything out of your own pocket toward the case whether you, win or lose.
- You will only be charged by your attorney after a successful win is achieved.
- Since the attorneys payment is dependent on the settlement you can rest asured that their goal will be to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Firm Today
Truck accidents are some of the most dangerous types of collisions that can happen on our roads. The sheer size and weight of trucks means they have a significant impact when they collide with smaller vehicles. This makes them more likely to cause serious injuries or death than other types of car accidents. Injuries from these crashes can be devastating and life-altering for victims and their families, so it’s important to know what options are available if you find yourself in this situation. We want all truck accident victims to get the justice they deserve, which is why we offer free consultations for all potential clients who believe they may have been involved in an incident like this one.
Our truck accident attorneys will listen carefully as you tell us about your case and then explain how we might be able to help you move forward with your claim for compensation after an injury caused by a truck collision has left you struggling financially or emotionally. We work hard on behalf of each client because we believe everyone deserves fair treatment under the law. Call our Denver personal injury law firm today at 720-770-5454 or fill out the online form to get your claim started!