Commercial trucks are massive vehicles, often weighing 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. Thousands of them speed down Colorado highways daily.
Most truck drivers obey traffic laws and federal and state regulations for their industry. However, some truck drivers and trucking companies take unnecessary risks and put themselves and other motorists at significant risk of harm.
Truck accidents can devastate families in an instant. Many truck accident victims do not survive, and those who do are often left with life-altering injuries that require long-term medical care and may leave them permanently disabled.
Despite the enormous harm truck accidents can inflict, truck accident injuries have steadily risen over the last decade.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, contact our Denver truck accident attorneys at Dan Caplis Law. Schedule your free consultation today.
Top Causes of Colorado Truck Accidents
Truck accidents have various causes, many of them specific to commercial trucks. Colorado roads can be incredibly challenging to navigate due to mountainous terrain.
Our roads can be even more treacherous for motorists in winter when they may be covered with snow or ice. In a recent news story, one truck driver said driving on Colorado’s I-70 during winter is possibly “the worst drive of your life.”
Some of the most common Colorado truck accidents include:
- Truck driver fatigue. Many truck drivers are pressured to work longer hours than federal and state regulations permit, and are likely to be sleepy and tired. When drivers are fatigued, their reaction time slows, and they can’t think as clearly.
- Inadequate training. Driving a commercial truck requires significant training, and drivers even need additional training to carry some types of cargo. They also need training to navigate Colorado roads that run through mountainous terrain or may be covered with snow or ice. Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring the drivers they hire and put on the road have the necessary training to operate the truck safely in all conditions.
- Aggressive driving. Truck drivers often rush to get to their next destination and exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for the weather conditions. Some drivers may tailgate, change lanes without signaling, and even run red lights and stop signs when in a hurry.
- Driving under the influence. Even though truck drivers have a much stricter standard for blood alcohol content when driving, some drivers choose to drink or take other substances that impair their ability to operate their rigs safely.
- Equipment failures. Commercial trucks need frequent maintenance, and trucking companies and drivers must keep them in good condition. When trucks are not properly maintained and repaired, equipment may fail, causing an accident. In addition to negligent maintenance, defective parts and equipment can fail during operation, leading to an accident.
- Dangerous road conditions. Defective design or negligent maintenance of roads can contribute to serious accidents.
Liability in Denver Truck Accidents
Liability depends on the cause of the truck accident. Some potentially liable parties in Colorado truck accident cases include the truck driver, the trucking company, a negligent employment screening company, another vehicle driver, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Other potentially liable parties include the manufacturer of defective parts, a negligent maintenance or repair company, and government entities.
Contact Dan Caplis Law for Help with Your Colorado Truck Accident Claim
Truck accidents often result in devastating injuries. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident, you need the help of an experienced Colorado truck accident attorney.
Insurance companies will try to deny or devalue your claim to settle your claim for as little as possible. They often drag out your claim, hoping you will accept a low settlement offer out of desperation.
However, Dan Caplis Law is a world-class law firm with record-setting results. Our trial record is unmatched, and these results help us resolve claims quickly and for maximum compensation.
Let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Call (303) 770-5551 or complete the short form on our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your Colorado truck accident claim.