Truck accidents are among the scariest types of accidents on the roads. If you are in a semi-truck accident, you are more likely to suffer serious injuries. These injuries may be permanent and require ongoing medical care that prevents you from working.
Truck accidents can instantly strip away your livelihood and destroy your financial standing. If this truck accident was not your fault, you can file a truck accident claim to recover your financial losses.
However, commercial truck accident claims are much more complex because of multiple liable parties and insurance policies. It is essential that you seek representation for this complicated legal process with a Colorado Springs truck accident lawyer.
At Ganderton Law LLC, we have over 40 years of combined experience advocating for truck accident victims. Learn more about your legal options by contacting us for a free consultation with a Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer from our law firm today.
Why It’s Important to Hire a Colorado Springs Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accidents are different from car accidents in many ways. In semi-truck accidents, there is usually much more damage because the size and weight of large commercial vehicles are far greater than that of passenger vehicles.
Additionally, the truck driver will be backed by the trucking company and its insurance company. Trucking companies are big entities with powerful litigation teams to protect them in the event of a truck accident.
It only makes sense that you should hire a Colorado Springs truck accident lawyer to advocate for your best interests. Only truck accident attorneys understand the complexities of a truck accident case, which may involve a variety of state and federal agencies such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Transportation Safety Board.
At Ganderton Law LLC, we know Colorado’s trucking laws and the federal laws that should be followed by commercial truck drivers and large trucking companies. We will move mountains to hold the responsible parties in your truck accident accountable for your injuries and demand fair compensation.
What Causes Colorado Springs Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents happen for a variety of reasons, but most of them involve truck driver error. These are the common causes of truck accidents that our trucking accident lawyers have seen over the years:
Distracted Driving
Truck drivers must pay close attention to the road at all times and be prepared for the unexpected. Like drivers of passenger cars, they get distracted by their phone, radio, eating, or even daydreaming. In the blink of an eye, a bad truck accident can happen when truckers become distracted.
Reckless Driving
When a truck company puts pressure on its truckers to meet tight deadlines or face dire consequences, many truck drivers will engage in reckless behavior on the road. They may speed, weave in and out of traffic, or tailgate to try to get to their destination faster.
Drowsy Driving
Federal regulations require truck drivers to take mandated rest breaks to eliminate driver fatigue. When a trucker is hauling cargo, they may carry on with the journey and risk falling asleep at the wheel.
Hazardous Weather and Road Conditions
Rain, ice, snow, and fog can make a tough job tougher. Roads that aren’t well-maintained and construction zones can be a recipe for disaster that often leads to trucking accidents.
Lack of Training
The trucking industry has experienced exponential growth and it is hard for truck companies to find qualified drivers. A trucking company may look the other way and allow a driver who has not yet fulfilled the requirements for a commercial driver’s license to start hauling.
Improper Loading of Cargo
A Colorado trucking accident may also be caused by the cargo shifting in the tractor-trailer or not being secured by tie-downs. Cargo loaders must be diligent when loading commercial trucks to prevent catastrophes.
A Colorado Springs truck accident attorney from the law firm of Ganderton Law LLC can help determine how your truck accident happened. Once we complete an investigation and gather evidence, we will seek maximum compensation for your injury claim. Contact us today to set up a free consultation with a Colorado personal injury lawyer from our personal injury law firm.
Types of Truck Accidents in Colorado Springs
Jackknife Accidents
When tractor-trailers jackknife, it sends the trailer towards the cab. This kind of truck wreck can cause serious injury to anyone in cars in the adjacent lanes.
Rollovers
A rollover commercial truck accident involves the truck rolling, usually from attempting to take a tight turn too quickly or avoiding a sudden hazard.
Head-On Accidents
If a trucker heads the wrong way down a highway or street, it can have deadly results.
Underride Accidents
Some large trucks may not have safety bars that protect passenger vehicles from getting lodged underneath the truck. Underride accidents are often fatal for the victims.
Blind Spot Accidents
Every commercial vehicle has blind spots but what you may not realize when driving alongside a semi-truck is that their blind spots are large. The entire right side of the truck is a blind spot, and a truck driver has limited visibility at the front and rear of their vehicle.
If you have been in any type of truck accident, do not delay getting representation from our Colorado Springs truck accident lawyers. Schedule a free initial consultation with a truck accident attorney from our legal team.
Who is At Fault for Truck Crashes?
Many truck accidents are caused by errors on the part of the trucker. However, even when the trucker caused the accident, they may not be the only liable party.
Truck Driver
The driver of the truck will usually bear fault if they cause the trucking accident. However, they will be backed by the policy of the insurance company of their employer.
Trucking Company
Truck accident claims will almost always involve the company that employed the trucker. These entities will have lawyers and insurance companies backing them with legal protection.
Maintenance Company
The company in charge of performing maintenance may also be liable if they did not uphold their duty of care.
Cargo Loading Company
The company tasked with loading the truck could also be named in your lawsuit. If an investigation conducted by our Colorado Springs truck accident attorney reveals that improper loading caused the crash, we will hold them accountable.
Government Entities
If the truck involved is the property of the local or federal government or the lack of maintenance of the road led to the crash, the parties responsible for them may also be part of your lawsuit.
What to Do If You’re in a Serious Accident with a Truck in Colorado Springs?
Since trucks are large and heavy even when they are not loaded with cargo, your trucking accident is likely to be serious. Our Colorado Springs truck accident lawyers advise that you immediately involve local law enforcement so they can file a police report.
There is a high chance that there will be serious injuries sustained in this event, which will require you to seek urgent medical care. You will want to keep organized records of all your medical expenses, including all of your past medical bills, lost wages, and other damages to seek compensation in the legal process.
Additionally, the insurance companies will need proof that you sustained these injuries. The sooner you get medical treatment, the better, as it makes it difficult for insurance companies to claim your injuries occurred in some other way.
Perhaps the most important advice is to discuss your truck accident with an experienced truck accident lawyer. An attorney will have a full understanding of the complicated federal laws that will be applicable to your situation. At Ganderton Law LLC, we also have access to extensive resources, allowing us to get evidence that you may have been too injured to get in the aftermath.
We can get access to the photos of the scene, look for skid marks, and contact the proper authorities for traffic camera footage and surveillance videos from nearby establishments. We can obtain the maintenance records to find out if the truck company was negligent in maintaining its fleet. The black box in the truck can also hold powerful evidence to support your claim. We will also speak to those who saw the accident and get witness statements.
Our attorneys act quickly because we know time is of the essence in a truck accident case. The statute of limitations imposes a time limit for these lawsuits. With our personal attention and diligence in representation, we will move mountains to fight for your legal rights and get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Schedule a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys today to learn about the legal options you have after a truck accident.
