COLORADO SPRINGS BIG RIG ACCIDENT LAW FIRM

According to Colorado’s Integrated Report Exchange System, there were more than 6,000 collisions on Colorado Springs County roads in 2017. Nearly ten percent of the collisions involved commercial vehicles. Anyone who has been in a vehicle accident knows how dangerous it can be. Because of the size of the truck involved, those who are involved in a truck collision are more likely to have significant injuries.

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REGULATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL TRUCKS

The laws of the road must be followed by everyone who drives on Colorado roads. Vehicle drivers are subject to additional laws than regular drivers, including rules governing the number of hours a driver may be on the road, what safety equipment must be used, and which drugs must be avoided when driving a commercial truck. Unfortunately, these restrictions are sometimes broken, which may result in a catastrophic accident.

POTENTIALLY LIABLE PARTIES INVOLVED IN TRUCK ACCIDENTS

The at-fault party must be identified in every personal injury lawsuit. This procedure may be very time-consuming when dealing with a truck collision. This is because the driver may not be the only one to blame for an accident. Some of the parties who may be held accountable include:

• The driver’s employer. If an employer encourages a driver in their employ to work more hours than the laws allow, the employer may be held accountable in the case of an accident.
• The owner of the vehicle. While a truck may be owned by the driver or by their company, in some cases vehicles are leased. The owner may be held liable if the leasing firm failed to properly maintain the car, resulting in an accident that led to an injury.
• The manufacturing party. If a faulty item, such as tires, cab, or trailer, fails during a truck’s operation and causes an accident, the manufacturer may be held liable for the victim’s injuries. If a faulty item causes an accident to be worse than it would have been otherwise, the maker may be held jointly accountable.
• The loading party. When a truck is poorly loaded, it might cause an accident. When this happens, the person loading the vehicle or their company may be held partly liable for the injuries sustained in the truck accident.
• Repair and maintenance. Suppose a firm or a driver engages an outside mechanic to maintain, inspect, or repair a truck, and the repair crew’s faulty work causes an accident. In that case, the repair crew might be held liable for any injuries sustained as a consequence of the poor workmanship.

TRUCK ACCIDENT INJURIES AND THEIR SEVERITY

The weight of an automobile can vary greatly depending on several variables. Cars, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles typically weigh between 2,500 and 5,000 pounds. A fully loaded commercial truck, by contrast, may weigh up to 30,000 pounds; this implies that anybody driving anything other than a commercial truck is at a substantial disadvantage in the event of a collision with a bigger vehicle.

When you consider the weight difference between cars and trucks, it’s no wonder that injuries sustained in a commercial vehicle collision may be severe. When a driver or passenger car occupant collides with a commercial truck, head or neck injuries, crushed or fractured bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries, and death are all common.

Long-term hospitalization is also common for victims, as is the need for rehabilitation treatment when they recover. Victims may also have to contend with permanent pain, incapacity, or deformity. The expense of therapy, rehabilitation, and pain medication, especially if the victim is unable to return to work, might be prohibitive.

COMMERCIAL TRUCKS AND COLORADO CAR INSURANCE LAWS

According to state rules, every vehicle traveling on Colorado’s roads must have a minimum amount of coverage. Drivers of passenger vehicles used for personal purposes must have at least $10,000 in property damage liability and medical payments coverage. Commercial vehicle operators must carry far higher insurance, with a minimum of $50,000 and a maximum of $400,000 depending on a variety of conditions.

However, one aspect of being in an accident is constant for victims. Because Colorado is a no-fault state, your claim is filed with your insurance carrier first. Because most drivers just carry the bare minimum of insurance, your losses are likely to be significantly higher.

In other words, your insurance carrier may only reimburse a percentage of your out-of-pocket expenses after a commercial vehicle accident. This is why, in the event of an accident, it’s important to call a Colorado Springs commercial truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

WHY HIRE A TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER IN COLORADO SPRINGS?

After a truck accident, recovering from your injuries may be a long and difficult process. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may need to heal for weeks, months, or even years. Serious injuries might also leave you unable to work for the rest of your life.

Keep in mind that insurance adjusters are not your friends when it comes to addressing the financial component of an accident. Regardless of how badly you’ve been hurt, their goal is to keep the insurance company’s expenditures as low as possible.

You have the legal right to be free of the financial ramifications of a truck accident that was not your fault. But often it’s necessary to fight for this right, so it is critical to contact a Colorado Springs truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after a collision.

While Colorado’s statute of limitations allows you to file a claim for up to three years after a truck accident, several issues must be addressed quickly, including determining who is to blame for your injuries, gathering evidence and testimony, and determining the extent of the victim’s damages. Waiting too long to make a claim or hesitating to do so might significantly influence a victim’s chances of recovery.

COMPENSATION FOLLOWING A TRUCK ACCIDENT

Damage to your car, lost income, future earnings when you are unable to return to work, treatment for your injuries, any special equipment you may need after an accident, and rehabilitation fees should all be covered by the guilty party’s insurance company.

Victims who suffer permanent disability, such as losing a limb, losing eyesight or hearing, or losing the function of an internal organ, may face major problems for the rest of their lives and must pursue appropriate compensation.

A Colorado Springs truck accident lawyer will evaluate several issues when filing a personal injury case on your behalf. When making a claim, careful calculations of lost income, meetings with professionals regarding your health and prospects of rehabilitation, the amount of suffering you endured after an accident, or the agony you may feel for the rest of your life, will all be taken into account.

A family that has lost a loved one in a commercial truck accident may be eligible to claim medical expenditures, pain and suffering, burial costs, and other non-monetary losses. You should speak with an attorney who has expertise with truck accident lawsuits right away to learn what rights and alternatives you may have.

We recognize that no amount of money can make up for the loss of a loved one. Money also cannot restore a lost limb, compensate for years of misery after an accident, or repair your cognitive skills following brain damage that may result from a truck accident.

However, receiving compensation may help alleviate the financial pressure of requiring around-the-clock medical care, the cost of specialized equipment, and the continuous medical bills that might arise.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’VE BEEN IN A TRUCK ACCIDENT

Ambulances are often used to transport those involved in truck accidents to the hospital; few individuals are unharmed. However, a few common blunders might jeopardize a personal injury claim. For example, when interacting with law enforcement officials, avoid assuming any direct or implied culpability for the accident. Keep in mind that insurance adjusters will examine police reports, medical records, and witness testimonies to determine if you were at least somewhat to blame for the collision that caused your injuries.

Make sure you follow up with any experts the doctor recommends. Our bodies are typically filled with pain-blocking adrenaline just after an injury. As a result, certain injuries might go undetected for hours, days, or even weeks, so following up on all medical check-ups is important. Keep track of any changes in your pain levels and any specialist referrals and drugs prescriptions. If your injury lawyer files a case, this information may be crucial.

COLORADO TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS AT WARRIOR

Warrior will examine your case, explain your choices, and assist you in determining the best course of action. Suppose we decide to pursue a personal injury case. In that case, we will meticulously research the circumstances surrounding the accident, ensure that the appropriate persons are held responsible, and represent you throughout the process.

After a truck accident, the legal team at Warrior defends individuals who need assistance submitting insurance claims. We also represent those who have suffered personal injuries as a result of a major accident. If you or a loved one has been wounded in a commercial truck accident, please call us right away for help. Call 719-300-1100 or send us an email to set up a free consultation.