Western Slope highways are loaded with tractor-trailers—overloaded, in fact! The Colorado Department of Transportation reports that a significant percentage of the 18-wheelers that roll across Interstate 70, State Highway 50, and many other Colorado and Utah highways each year are overweight, oversized. or both.
Overweight or not, when a vehicle of such size is involved in an accident, the results can be devastating, especially for anyone in a smaller vehicle. Typical cars and other motor vehicles don’t stand a chance against commercial trucks.
An experienced Grand Junction truck accident lawyer at Veritas Injury Lawyers understands how these accidents involving massive commercial vehicles drastically impact families—often permanently.
If injured in a crash involving a semitrailer, you may face a lengthy hospital stay, an extensive rehabilitation process, missed work, and mounting expenses. Fortunately, if the truck accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation for your losses.
These losses can include your medical expenses, lost wages, long-term rehabilitation expenses, and even pain and suffering.
Contact our talented personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can have devastating consequences, often resulting in severe injuries and property damage. Understanding the causes of these accidents is crucial for improving road safety and preventing future incidents. While there are many factors that can contribute to truck accidents, several key causes consistently emerge in accident data and studies.
Here are some of the primary factors that lead to truck accidents:
- Driver Fatigue
- Distracted Driving
- Impaired Driving
- Speeding
- Inadequate Training
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance
- Weather Conditions
- Reckless Driving
- Inadequate Following Distance
If a large commercial truck injures you in an accident, your injuries may be very severe. While it’s understandable to feel angry at the reckless trucker who caused the crash, many accidents involving big rigs actually occur because drivers of smaller passenger cars and light trucks make mistakes on the road.
Motorists sometimes don’t realize the much greater distance it takes a semi-truck to brake and full stops when a car pulls out in front of them or cuts them off in traffic on the highway. Other drivers cruise along in the big rigs’ “No Zones,” the blind spots located on either side of, and directly in front of and behind, large commercial trucks. But when vehicles are in these positions, truck drivers can’t see them.
Another danger for passenger cars on multi-lane highways is to ride in the lane between two 18-wheelers. This is an extremely vulnerable position to be in because you are not visible to either driver and could easily get crushed between the two commercial rigs.
But truckers have to accept their fair share of the responsibility for accidents and injuries to motorists. Some drivers have not received sufficient training to learn how to drive defensively and safely.
The trucking companies, too, share the blame for highway injuries and deaths. They push truckers to adhere to impossible schedules that force them to ignore federal Hours of Service regulations, drive when fatigued and in hazardous weather conditions, and at excessive speeds.
What Are The Most Common Injuries Caused By Trucking Accidents?
Trucking accidents, given the massive size and weight of commercial vehicles, frequently lead to severe and life-altering injuries. Drawing from our extensive experience as Colorado truck accident lawyers, we’ve observed a variety of common injuries sustained by victims in these devastating incidents.
Below are some of the most common injuries one may suffer after a truck accident:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): The force of the impact can result in concussions or more serious brain damage, which can cause memory loss, emotional instability, and long-term cognitive deficits.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: These injuries can cause partial or total paralysis, which drastically lowers the victim’s quality of life and necessitates intensive medical care and rehabilitation.
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Frequently occurring in rear-end accidents, whiplash can result in long-term discomfort and restricted movement, affecting everyday activities and professional capacity.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: The force of a trucking accident can break bones in the arms, legs, ribs, and other body parts, requiring extensive medical care.
- Internal Injuries: Internal organ damage can be fatal and may not show symptoms right away following an accident. Immediate medical assessment is essential.
- Burns and Lacerations: Severe burns and cuts resulting from crashes or from coming into close contact with sharp objects can leave a person permanently scarred and deformed.
- Psychological Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, victims often suffer from PTSD, anxiety, and depression following a traumatic trucking accident.
Our skilled trucking accident attorneys in Grand Junction are experts in navigating the complexities of these serious injury cases. We recognize the significant toll these injuries take on your life and dedicate ourselves to fighting for the full compensation you deserve. If a trucking accident injures you or a loved one, contact us for a thorough consultation to discuss your legal options.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Truck accident victims may be entitled to significant compensation for:
Economic Damages
- Medical Expenses: Past, current, and future medical bills.
- Lost Wages: Income lost due to your inability to work.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If injuries prevent you from returning to your previous occupation.
- Property Damage: Repairs or replacement of your vehicle and other damaged property.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional pain.
- Emotional Distress: Including anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
- Loss of Consortium: Compensation for impacts on your relationships with loved ones.
Punitive Damages
In cases involving gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing, such as drunk driving, the court may award punitive damages to punish the offender and deter similar behavior.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor, seek a thorough evaluation to document your condition.
- Document the Accident: Take photos, gather witness information, and obtain the truck driver’s insurance and company details.
- Avoid Statements to Insurers: Do not discuss fault or sign anything without consulting an attorney.
- Contact Veritas: The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case will be.
Why Choose Veritas Injury Lawyers for Your Truck Accident Case?
When it comes to navigating the complexities of truck accident claims, having a dedicated and experienced legal team on your side can make all the difference. At Veritas Injury Lawyers, we understand the unique challenges that arise in truck accident cases, including dealing with large trucking companies and their insurance providers. Our commitment to fighting for your rights and securing the compensation you deserve sets us apart.
Here are just a few reasons why clients in Grand Junction trust us with their truck accident cases:
- Personalized Attention: We take the time to understand your individual circumstances and tailor our legal strategies to meet your specific needs.
- Proven Track Record: Our Grand Junction truck accident law firm has successfully represented numerous clients in truck accident cases, achieving favorable outcomes and significant settlements.
- Comprehensive Legal Support: From gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies, we handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on recovery.
- Contingency Fee Basis: You don’t pay us unless we win your case, ensuring that you have access to top-notch legal representation without financial risk.
- Local Expertise: As a personal injury law firm rooted in Grand Junction, we have a deep understanding of Colorado and Utah laws, as well as local court systems.
Don’t navigate the aftermath of a truck accident alone. Let us be your advocates and help you secure the justice you deserve. Contact Veritas Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation!
How Veritas Builds a Strong Case
At Veritas, we leave no stone unturned in building your case. Our approach includes:
1. Thorough Investigation
- Gathering Evidence: Reviewing police reports, eyewitness accounts, and accident scene photos.
- Analyzing Black Box Data: Obtaining the truck’s electronic logging device data to uncover speeding or hours-of-service violations.
- Inspecting Maintenance Records: Identifying any mechanical issues or neglect.
2. Collaboration with Experts
We work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, and financial analysts to strengthen your claim and calculate fair compensation.
3. Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Trucking companies often have powerful insurance providers aiming to minimize payouts. Our attorneys handle all communications to protect your interests.
4. Trial Representation
If the parties cannot reach a fair settlement, our truck accident lawyers in Grand Junction will take your case to trial and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Determining Liability After a Truck Accident
Unlike a car accident, the driver who causes a crash is not always the one responsible for it. Investigators usually launch an inquiry to determine which parties are liable. In many cases, investigators find that the trucking company bears responsibility because it encouraged drivers to break trucking regulations to save time and money.
In some situations, a trucker may bear liability for an accident. For example, a driver who owns their own truck or causes a crash through negligence—such as drinking while driving—can be held accountable. The truck manufacturer may also face liability if a defect in the vehicle’s design or construction causes the accident and your injuries.
Whatever the cause of your accident, our firm has the skill and knowledge to identify the appropriate party and fight for you. Learn more about how we can help you by calling us today.
Truckers and the Hours of Service Regulations
Because of the risk semi-trucks pose in the event of an accident, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) heavily regulates truck drivers. The goal of the regulations is to prevent truck accidents and help protect other drivers on the road. A notable regulation is called the hours of service regulations.
The hours-of-service regulations ensure truckers stay well-rested because fatigued drivers are far more likely to cause serious accidents. Under these federal rules, truck drivers may work up to 14 hours in a day, but they can only drive for 11 of those hours. They must use the remaining time for meal or rest breaks. After completing a workday, drivers must rest for at least 10 consecutive hours before returning to the road.
Truckers also have to take regular days off based on their employer’s operating schedule. For example, if a trucking company operates seven days a week, a driver can work up to 70 hours within an eight-day period before taking at least 34 consecutive hours off. When drivers or companies ignore these rules, fatigue-related accidents often occur. A Grand Junction Truck Accident Lawyer investigates whether driver fatigue or employer negligence caused the crash and holds the responsible parties accountable.
If a trucking company is open less than seven days a week, then a driver can work up to 60 hours in a seven-day period before taking 34 hours off.
Too often, truckers are caught breaking these rules. In rarer circumstances, the hours of service regulations are modified in times of national emergencies. If you have a case, don’t hesitate to contact our firm right away for a free consultation!
Trucking Maintenance and Weight Regulations
Trucking companies must comply with federal and state regulations governing vehicle operation, including maintenance, weight limits, and driver hours of service. When companies or drivers fail to follow these safety standards, serious accidents can occur. Common causes of truck crashes in the U.S. include driver fatigue, improper cargo loading, and poor vehicle maintenance.
Some commercial trucking companies try to use their vast resources to challenge personal injury claims when one of their drivers causes an accident. A Grand Junction Truck Accident Lawyer from Veritas Injury Lawyers has the experience and determination to hold these companies accountable. We have the knowledge and resources to take them on and pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
Attorney Gary Doehling was on the opposite side of these cases for 25 years, representing insurance companies in personal injury litigation. As a result, he is able to accurately anticipate the legal strategy the trucking company’s insurance provider will use as it attempts to minimize the amount of compensation that gets paid to victims.
