Truck Accidents
Being injured in a truck accident can result in catastrophic long-term, life-altering injuries. These injuries can lead to costly medical bills and ongoing treatment needs. Should your injury impact your ability to return to work or earn as much as you earned previously, the financial stability of your household may be at stake. We understand what you’re going through and have walked this path with our clients countless times before.
When you are injured in a truck accident, an attorney from Denver Personal Injury Attorneys is available to help explain what this process looks like for you, what the next steps are, and how we can help.
Semi-Trucks, Tractor-Trailers, or 18-Wheelers leave no room for error because they are so much bigger and heavier than passenger vehicles. They can even cause fatal run-over accidents. Truck drivers are obligated to exercise extra care and caution when operating. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in 2020 there were 4,998 large trucks and buses involved in fatal crashes, while there were 108,000 crashes that caused injury and 327,000 crashes in which there was property damage alone.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck drivers must maintain care and safety while driving to minimize the risk of accidents. Due to the larger size and greater dimensions of trucks, they take longer to stop and are more difficult to maneuver in response to changes in road conditions or emergencies. This demands that truck drivers stay attentive and drive safely.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Distracted Driving: Anytime that a truck driver is engaging in anything that takes their attention off the road, they are meeting the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration’s (NHTSA) definition of distracted driving and are not fulfilling their obligation to drive safely
- Drowsy or Fatigued Driving: Truck drivers are required to be given sufficient time off between shifts for rest, as driving drowsy is a leading cause of accidents due to a drowsy driver’s inability to safely respond to demands on the road
- Equipment Malfunctions: When there is a manufacturing defect or malfunction in another piece of equipment on the truck, the manufacturer of the equipment that led to the accident may be liable for the damages caused
- Improper Maintenance: Trucking companies have an obligation not only to give their drivers enough time off between shifts to maintain safety but also to maintain their trucking fleets to ensure that their brakes function effectively and other essential safety features are in order
Your Truck Accident Lawyer Gathers Evidence to Determine the Cause
Our experienced Denver truck accident lawyers can help navigate the complex, expensive, and time-consuming investigations that follow large truck accidents. We can help answer questions like:
- Was the truck driver asleep?
- Was the truck driver given enough time off between shifts?
- Was the truck effectively maintained in the months before the accident?
- Was the truck driver using their onboard display or cell phone while driving?
We know the answers to these questions can determine the course and outcome of your case, which is why we want to get to work as soon as possible. If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, you have more than enough on your plate. We can help get your life back, starting now.
Truck Accidents Regularly Lead to Serious Injuries and Death
Some of the most common injuries that result from truck accidents include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: A bump or blow to your head can lead to permanent chemical changes in your brain that impact your ability to work and enjoy life and can lead to ongoing medical needs
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Injuries to the back and spinal cord can impact mobility and lead to life-long disabilities
- Broken/Fractured Bones: The impacts associated with truck accidents may lead to broken bones that can take quite a while and many medical treatments to recover from
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver or defective vehicle, we will help you collect the compensation you deserve. We do this with a thorough investigation of the crash and all the financial losses and costs linked to it, in addition to the pain and suffering you’ve experienced. We then send this evidence to the insurance company and demand they pay for your losses.
A Wrongful Death Claim Seeks to Provide Financial Coverage for the Loss of a Loved One
The alarming number of fatal accidents each year in the U.S. involving large trucks reported by the FMCSA does not mean that the person lost cannot provide for their family. Wrongfully losing a loved one to an accident can entitle surviving family members of the deceased with the right to bring a wrongful death claim or action.
The purpose of a wrongful death claim is to replace the loss of the financial and emotional contribution of your loved one to your household. While no amount of money can bring back a lost loved one, a wrongful death claim can help offset the financial costs and other damages associated with the loss. This includes the loss of the income of your loved one as well as compensation for the value of their household contributions including chores, emotional support, and other aspects that bring assistance and enjoyment in life.
Connect with a Truck Accident Attorney from Denver Personal Injury Attorneys
Being injured in an accident with a truck can complicate your plans for the immediate or even long-term future, but getting started on your claim will help you move forward with your life. Working with an experienced truck accident lawyer will help reduce the time and stress associated with filing your claim. Getting the compensation you deserve includes gathering evidence to measure and prove your damages and then negotiating the best possible outcome with opposing parties that are often interested in paying you as little as possible.
To discuss options on how Denver Personal Injury Attorneys can help on your case, call us at (303) 214-4299, or click here to schedule your 100% free consultation.