Denver Head-On Truck Accident Law Firm

While head-on collisions are less frequent than other collisions, such as rear-end collisions, they are much more deadly. Frontal collisions killed 57 per cent of passenger car passengers in a recent year, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Passengers in passenger cars are more likely to die or suffer severe and debilitating injuries when a truck is involved in a frontal collision. The majority of head-on truck accidents are caused by the trucker’s or another driver’s irresponsibility.

Because of the severe effects of head-on collisions, it’s vital to figure out what caused the collision and who could be held accountable. Consider calling a skilled Denver truck accident attorney to help you obtain damages from the at-fault party.

Head-On Truck Collisions: What Causes Them?

The great majority of truck-related head-on collisions are caused by driver error.

The following is a list of the most prevalent reasons for head-on truck collisions:

Speeding

When driving excessively quickly, drivers are more prone to make errors. When driving at high speeds, drivers typically lack sound judgement simply because they have less time to make judgments, not to mention that a car is more difficult to manage when travelling too quickly. Speeding motorists are also more likely to miss traffic-rerouting signals or warnings that the road will divide in two.

Poor maneuvering choices

Manipulation of a massive car takes a great deal of expertise and experience. When conducting maneuvers, even the most experienced truck drivers may make blunders. When executing a wide turn, a truck, for example, may swing into oncoming traffic.

Incorrect passing

To avoid smashing into oncoming traffic while passing on a two-lane road, you must use good judgement. Unfortunately, while trying to pass another car, a motorist may not have enough time or space to return to their lane, resulting in a head-on accident.

Disobedience to traffic signs and signals

When a car jumps a red light or otherwise fails to respect road signs or traffic signals, a substantial majority of head-on collisions occur. If a truck driver fails to surrender the right of way or ignores traffic signs, the truck may hit head-on with a car turning in front of it.

Driving when distracted

Head-on accidents involving trucks are also often caused by texting while driving and other kinds of inattentive driving. After numerous hours on the road, truck drivers may quickly get bored, which increases the risk of distractions.

While talking on a mobile phone while driving is the most prevalent sort of distraction, other diversions like eating while driving or reaching for something in the backseat may be just as deadly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 3,000 individuals are killed each year due to a lack of attention on the road.

Driving when inebriated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Intoxication with alcohol affects a big section of the brain that controls judgement and thinking. Consequently, driving while intoxicated may lead to errors such as driving in the wrong direction, failing to remain inside a lane, or drifting into oncoming traffic, all of which can result in head-on collisions.

Drowsy driving

Drowsy driving, also known as tired driving, is equally as hazardous as driving while intoxicated. Due to weariness, a driver’s response time may decrease when he is weary.

When weariness comes in over lengthy drives, a tired driver’s decision-making and judgement might be harmed. There’s always the possibility of falling asleep at the wheel, which might force a truck over the center divider line and smash head-on with oncoming traffic.

Driving inexperience

A new motorist may not be familiar with all of the traffic laws and road signs. Consequently, novice drivers are more prone to make errors, such as driving in the incorrect direction, which may lead to head-on collisions.

Unfavorable weather conditions

Bad weather may sometimes contribute to head-on truck accidents, but most weather-related accidents can be avoided by exercising caution and slowing down. Weather conditions such as wind, snow, fog, and rain may reduce vision and make car handling more difficult.

Inadequate road conditions

Head-on collisions may be caused by poor road signage or a lack of road signage. A frontal contact collision is likely to occur if a traffic sign designed to notify a car that the route was going to divide into two opposed directions is missing or not visible. Head-on truck accidents may also be caused by poor road conditions, such as potholes that force drivers to veer recklessly or drive into oncoming traffic.

When researching your accident, a lawyer will check into the truck driver’s experience and credentials to see whether the trucking firm may be held accountable for negligent hiring. A truck accident lawyer can assist you in determining what caused the collision and if the other party broke any traffic or transportation restrictions.

Injuries Involved in Truck-on-Truck Collisions

Although head-on crashes are less prevalent on our roadways than other kinds of collisions, they may result in catastrophic and life-threatening injuries when cars travelling in opposing directions collide head-on. The repercussions of a head-on collision with a truck may be fatal for the passengers of a smaller car.

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), head-on collisions account for roughly 11% of all fatal accidents in the United States, according to Insurance Information Institute (III). Passengers in passenger cars are in danger of severe injury and death since trucks may weigh up to 80,000 pounds.

Spinal cord injuries

Paralysis

Broken or shattered bones

Traumatic brain injuries

Crush injuries

Loss of a limb

Severe burns

Internal injuries

Severe lacerations

Disfigurement

Permanent scars are some of the most prevalent injuries connected with head-on collisions.

Large trucks may cause crippling injuries due to their sheer size and weight. Consider contacting a lawyer to assess your damages and hold guilty parties accountable if you were injured in a head-on accident with a truck or if a loved one died in a front-to-front collision with a huge truck.

In head-on truck collisions, who is responsible?

There may be many accountable parties depending on the facts of your head-on collision, including.

The truck driver. Truck drivers are at blame for a substantial proportion of head-on accidents. Speeding, running red signals, neglecting to cede the right of way, texting while driving, and other types of careless conduct are all possibilities for the truck driver. Truck drivers are frequently known to fall asleep at the wheel, which raises the danger of a frontal collision.

The other driver

The trucker’s carelessness causes not all truck-on-truck accidents. Some of these collisions are caused by passenger car drivers, particularly when they cross the oncoming traffic lane to overtake another car. While passenger car drivers fail to show sufficient caution when sharing the road with heavy trucks, they may be held accountable.

The transportation firm

If a truck driver is an employee of a trucking business, the trucking firm may be held accountable for its drivers’ carelessness. Trucking businesses are responsible for ensuring that their drivers have the necessary credentials and follow all safety laws, including the restrictions regarding work hours.

Manufacturers of cars or car components

If your head-on truck collision was caused by a design or manufacturing flaw in the car, the manufacturer of the faulty car may be held liable. If the car manufacturer did not make the components, an injured person might pursue a claim against the producer of the faulty parts.

A corporation that is in charge of car repair

When a truck is not properly maintained, it might cause a head-on collision. When there are maintenance problems, the firm in charge of inspecting and maintaining the car may be held accountable for any truck accidents caused by its failure to keep the car in safe working order.

Governmental bodies

Head-on collisions may happen as a consequence of poor road design or poor road maintenance. For example, suppose a traffic-rerouting sign becomes missing or is not visible to cars. In that case, injured parties may file a claim against the government agency in charge of road sign maintenance in the region where the collision happened.

You’ll need a truck accident lawyer to look into the specifics of your head-on collision to determine who and what could be to blame. While you concentrate on your therapy, a lawyer may help you perform the investigation, collect evidence, and construct a solid case on your side.

Head-On Truck Collisions: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In Colorado, how often are head-on collisions?

On Colorado’s roads and highways, head-on collisions are common. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, approximately 1,700 collisions in which cars collided head-on occurred in 2020, accounting for roughly 2% of all traffic accidents in the state. Head-on collisions, on the other hand, were among the worst kinds of accidents in Colorado.

Frontal impact accidents claimed the lives of 88 people in Colorado in 2020, accounting for more than 13% of all fatalities on the roadways. Head-on collisions accounted for more than 7% of all alcohol-related accidents.

Can you sue a trucking company for a head-on collision with a truck?

Yes, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the trucking business that recruited and trained the driver who caused your head-on collision. If the driver is an employee of the trucking firm rather than an independent contractor, you may hold them liable.

If an employee of a trucking firm causes a collision while doing their job obligations, the trucking company may be held vicariously accountable. However, if the driver was driving for non-work reasons or departed from the customary route or timetable, the injured person may not be able to sue the corporation.

After a Head-On Truck Collision, How Do You Prove Negligence?

If you were in a truck accident in Denver, you would need to show that the other driver or another party was negligent in getting compensation. However, demonstrating negligence may be difficult, particularly if you lack sufficient evidence to show that the other person was irresponsible.

An experienced and results-oriented Denver truck accident lawyer can assist you in gathering evidence to support your case, proving carelessness, and pursuing the maximum compensation you are entitled to.

What Compensation Can You Get After a Truck-on-Truck Collision?

As a result of a head-on truck collision, you have most likely sustained serious injuries as well as huge financial losses.

Fortunately, you have the right to seek compensation for both monetary and non-monetary losses, including

Medical expenditures (past and future)

Loss of income

Diminished/lost earning ability

Pain and suffering

Loss of consortium

Property damage

Emotional anguish.

A knowledgeable attorney can investigate your case to find all possible sources of compensation and establish the extent of your accident’s losses.

What Can a Truck Accident Lawyer in Denver Do for You?

Denver Truck Accident Attorney Jeremy D. Earle, JD

Consider calling a qualified lawyer to assist you to obtain compensation for your losses if you were injured in a head-on accident with a truck or if a loved one died in a frontal impact accident.

Because the claims process may be unpleasant, complex, and time-consuming, having a lawyer handle your case and argue for your rights can benefit you.

When fighting for compensation on your behalf, your attorney will take the following steps:

Investigate the accident site

Interview witnesses

Gather evidence to establish a compelling case

File an insurance claim and prepare a demand letter

Negotiate with insurance companies to get the payout you deserve

If you can’t reach an agreement, take your case to court

Having a seasoned and professional truck accident lawyer on your side may make all the difference in your case, not to mention that having a lawyer on your side helps you to concentrate on your medical care, allowing you to heal quicker and more efficiently. Do not put off getting the legal aid you need.