Large commercial trucks are found on just about every roadway in Colorado. Denver is a major crossroads for goods moving along I-70 running east to west, and I-25 running north to south. In fact, Colorado is home to over 20 major trucking companies.
A truck’s large profile allows them to transport product long distances but also makes them a deadly force when something goes wrong. At Springer & Steinberg, P.C., our lawyers have decades of experience handling commercial truck and tractor-trailer collisions in and around the Denver area. We are here to help you seek justice after a serious truck accident.
Find out how our Denver truck accident lawyers can help you by calling (877) 342-1230. Your consultation is free and strictly confidential.
Truck accident cases present unique challenges to prosecute. With weights upward of 80,000 pounds, semi-trucks have the force to easily crush your vehicle. If this has happened to you, it is important to understand the severity of the situation and to hire an attorney qualified to help. As each accident is unique, you need an attorney who will thoroughly examine the facts of the case, determining liability and who is at fault. Investigators with our firm will obtain crucial information in your case such as photographs, witness statements, and background investigation.
About 130,000 people are injured in truck collisions each year, and about 98% of all truck accidents result in at least one death. Unlike private vehicles, truck drivers have Hours of Service (HOS) limits that are supposed to limit them to driving no more than 10 hours at a time, and no more than 11 hours a day. But oftentimes they work around the clock to deliver their load in the quickest time possible, driven by the financial incentive of multiple loads. Long hours on the road can create a drowsy driver who becomes oblivious to basic traffic hazards, causing an accident – this is the case in about 30% of all long-haul truck accidents.
Contact Springer & Steinberg, P.C. today if you've been injured in a truck accident in Colorado. We can provide the aggressive representation you need!
Multiple parties could be responsible for a semi-truck accident, such as the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, and the truck driver. It is the trucking company’s responsibility to hire safe drivers and ensure their equipment is safe. Making sure the truck is not overweight and has sufficient brake pads and safe tires are among the many things that trucking companies cannot overlook. Truck operators and trucking companies also have an obligation to comply with regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). 49 CFR Parts 300-399 set forth a number of regulations related to Hours of Service, weight limits, overweight trucks, commercial license standards, alcohol and drug testing, special training requirements, inspection, maintenance, repairs, and more. Proving a violation of federal trucking regulations would greatly strengthen a truck accident claim.
Product liability is also a possibility in a truck accident case. If any part of the truck was to malfunction, the manufacturer would be at fault. Colorado Revised Statutes §§ 13-21-401 through 13-21-406 define product liability, set forth certain presumptions as to when a product may not be considered defective, and discuss inadmissible evidence and product misuse. A thorough understanding of product liability laws is essential if a truck accident claim is to be brought on this basis.
The driver can be held at fault too. Drivers must obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) before operating a semi-truck. Different levels of CDL qualification allow drivers to carry different loads, such as hazardous materials or drive different trucks such as a triple trailer. This license may subject the truck driver to a standard of care that applies to drivers holding such unique qualifications.
The truth is many semi-truck accidents could have been prevented. Allow our Denver truck accident attorneys to help get you compensated for your injuries. We assist injured victims throughout many Colorado communities, including Boulder, Brighton, Castle Rock, and Colorado Springs. We have the experience and know-how you need in your corner when facing off against a large trucking company and its insurance provider.
Call us at (877) 342-1230 to schedule a free evaluation of your case.