Semi-Trailer Truck Accident Lawyer in Colorado

Parties that might be held responsible following a truck accident in Colorado include:

• The truck driver, who can be held responsible when their own negligent or reckless operation of their vehicle causes an accident
• The trucking company, which can be held liable for the negligence of a truck driver that it employed, or for its own negligence in hiring, training, or supervising drivers that operate for the company
• The truck’s owner, if different from the truck driver or trucking company, who can be held responsible for deferred maintenance of a truck that causes an accident
• The freight company that loaded the truck or trailer if problems with the load cause or contribute to the accident
• The truck’s mechanics, who may be held responsible for negligently performed maintenance that leads to an accident
• The manufacturer of the truck or parts used in the truck, who may be subjected to a products liability claim if design or manufacturing defects lead to the truck accident

Evidence Our Firm May Use to Support Your Truck Accident Claim

Truck accident claims require us to review many more pieces of evidence than in other kinds of motor vehicle accident cases. Examples of evidence that our colorado springs tractor trailer accident attorneys may use in your truck accident claim include:

• The truck driver’s logs, which may show if the driver had exceeded their hours-of-service limitations and may have been exhausted or tired at the time of the accident
• The truck driver’s toxicology report if the crash involved serious injury or death
• The truck’s vehicle data recorder, a “black box”-like device which records information during the truck’s operations, such as speed, GPS position, and steering/acceleration/braking
• The truck’s dashcam footage from a video device that is common in most trucks today
• The trucking company’s dispatch logs, which might show if the driver was using the radio at the time of the crash
• The truck driver’s cell phone logs, which might show if the driver was using their cell phone immediately before the accident
• The load manifest, which can show if the truck was carrying an unsafe load that may have caused or contributed to the crash
• The truck’s maintenance records, which can show if necessary or recommended maintenance was not performed

In addition,  Our semi-truck accident lawyer may use other evidence commonly used in other types of motor vehicle accident cases, such as police accident reports, vehicle damage reports, and accident scene photos.

How Much Is Your Truck Accident Case Worth?

If you have been involved in a truck accident caused by the truck driver’s or trucking company’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation for losses arising from:

• Medical expenses, including hospital bills, doctor’s appointments, surgery, physical therapy, medication, or medical equipment you are required to purchase
• Lost income and earning potential when your injuries cause you to miss time from work or disable you from being able to return to your job
• Lost quality of life such as due to scarring or disfigurement, or due to disabilities that interfere with your daily life
• Pain and suffering caused by your physical injuries and emotional distress
• Property damage, such as repair or replacement costs for your vehicle that was involved in the accident

Statute of Limitations on Truck Accident Lawsuits in Colorado

Under Colorado law, if you wish to pursue a lawsuit to recover compensation following a truck accident, you typically must file your suit within three years of the date of the accident. Filing a suit after the statute of limitations has expired on your claim can give the court grounds to permanently dismiss your case regardless of the merits of your claim. For that reason, you should not wait to get legal help.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Colorado

Many truck accidents occur due to the negligence or recklessness of truck drivers and trucking companies. Some of the most frequent causes of truck accidents in Colorado include:

• Careless or reckless driving, including speeding or going too fast for road conditions, failing to signal, following too closely/tailgating, and failing to check mirrors and blind spots
• Distracted driving, including using a cell phone while driving
• Drowsy or fatigued driving, often caused by a truck driver remaining on duty for too long
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which could include prescription medication
• Inexperienced drivers, as safely operating a commercial truck requires a degree of training and experience
• Unfamiliarity with routes, which can lead truck drivers to end up on roads and streets unsafe for large commercial trucks
• Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo, including failing to secure cargo from shifting during travel or having an unbalanced or top-heavy cargo load
• Deferred or negligently performed vehicle maintenance
• Design or manufacturing defects that contributed to the accident

Other factors that can cause or contribute to truck accidents in Colorado include adverse weather such as snow, ice, heavy rain, or fog, and poor road conditions, including potholes or debris in the roadway.

Truck Accident FAQs