Colorado Truck Accident Lawyers
Like almost every other state, there’s no shortage of commercial trucks on Colorado’s highways. We also have no shortage of accidents involving those trucks, and drivers often commit errors that can result in debilitating injuries and tragic fatalities.
The attorneys with Penn Kestner & McEwen are standing by to help if you’ve suffered an injury or the terrible loss of a loved one due to the negligence of a truck driver or other party. If you would like to schedule a free review of your case, you can use our online contact form or call (800) 732-3070.
Colorado Truck Accident Statistics
There were 74 fatal accidents involving commercial trucks in Colorado in 2020, according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Truck accidents made up 8.4% of our state’s motor vehicle accident fatalities.
Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents
Truck accidents have many different causes. Even though they’re at the helm of machines that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, they’re human beings who are just as prone to experiencing road rage as anyone else. This can lead to extremely dangerous behavior, such as cutting off motorists, driving too fast, and following too closely.
In other instances, inexperienced truck drivers can make deadly mistakes as well. They might not drive to the conditions of the road or may be easily distracted because they’re unfamiliar with their route.
Trucking companies can also play a role in causing an accident. Many of them are so obsessed with making profits that they’ll fail to perform maintenance checks on their fleet. Serious problems, such as faulty tires or worn-out braking systems, can go undetected. It doesn’t take much imagination to see how that type of negligence can result in a collision.
But truck drivers will often suffer for their employer’s pursuit of profits as well. Trucking companies routinely place ridiculous demands on those drivers, and the only way they feel they can make a deadline is to stay in the cab far too long. Not only is this a clear violation of federal regulations, but driver fatigue also poses a significant risk of a potentially devastating accident.
Potential Liable Parties
The above examples are just a few ways truck drivers and trucking companies can be held liable for an accident. The driver could have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or the company may not have done a good enough job researching the driver’s background before hiring them. Trucking companies have a tough time filling driving positions and will sometimes hire people even though they’re not qualified to handle a commercial truck, which is a very complex piece of machinery.
The reason truck accidents are so complex is that there are often many different parties that play a role in causing them. Not only could the trucking company and driver have contributed, but the company that loaded the cargo could have helped cause the accident. They may have done a negligent job, and the cargo came loose during transit. The loose cargo could have caused a sudden shift in balance, causing the driver to lose control.
If you’re going to obtain maximum compensation for your injury, you’ll need an attorney who can identify all potentially liable parties. Your legal representative must investigate the accident as soon as possible before critical evidence disappears. Once the investigation ends, your attorney will know who to target with legal action.
Another reason you’ll need an attorney is that your case’s stakes will be very high. Since truck accidents routinely lead to severe injuries, the insurance policies that cover those trucks are costly, and they’re often worth $1 million, $2 million, or even more. Insurance companies and trucking companies fight extremely hard to protect those policies, and they’re not above using questionable tactics.
But your attorney can protect you from those tactics. A skilled lawyer can also fight this powerful opposition much more effectively than someone with no legal background. Some injury victims feel they can take on insurance companies with the need for an attorney. When they lose, they’re responsible for all of their accident-related expenses. Please don’t let this happen to you. Hire an experienced Penn Kestner & McEwen truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Injuries Associated with Truck Crashes
These are just some of the devastating injuries that can result from a truck accident.
- Brain injuries – When a truck collides with a passenger car, those inside the smaller vehicle are subjected to powerful forces. Motorists and passengers often suffer traumatic brain injuries that can lead to decades of debilitation.
- Spinal cord injuries – The impact of a truck accident can leave a victim with a severe spinal cord injury that leaves them paralyzed.
- Internal organ damage – Internal injuries, such as a ruptured spleen, lacerated liver, and others, are typical in truck accidents.
How Much Will My Settlement Offer Be?
The more severe your injury, the greater the compensation you’ll be eligible to obtain. The reason is that severe injuries cost much more and have other financial impacts. A victim may no longer be able to work and experience horrible pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
After a truck accident, the most important thing to do is get medical help for yourself and anyone else involved. Once you call 911, the dispatcher will send emergency medical personnel and police. Tell the officer what happened to your best recollection, but don’t say anything the officer could construe as you admitting fault. If you do, that statement will make getting fair compensation extremely difficult.
Take photos and videos of the accident scene. Report the accident to your insurance company, then call a truck accident attorney. As stated earlier, the faster you make that call, the faster the investigation can start.
Why Choose Penn Kestner & McEwen?
The truck accident attorneys with Penn Kestner & McEwen have a long track record of helping clients obtain equitable compensation for their suffering. Schedule a free consultation by calling (800) 732-3070 or contacting us online.