Truck Accident FAQs
Truck accident injuries are devastating, and leave victims and their families with many questions about how they can pay for medical treatment and regain their physical, emotional, and financial health. Here are some of the most common questions our Colorado Springs clients ask us:
How do truck drivers cause crashes in Colorado Springs?
Careless or negligent truckers hurt thousands every year on our nation’s roads. These accidents happen in many different ways, but some of the most common include:
Driving Drowsy
Federal regulations 49 CFR § 395.3 and § 395.5 restrict the amount of hours truck drivers can spend behind the wheel. However, because trucking companies tend to pay by the mile driven and give drivers tight deadlines, the desire to make a little extra cash means truck drivers often violate these rules and get behind the wheel fatigued. This fatigue can lead to a slower reaction time and impaired judgment.
Driving While Distracted
Distractions are not just a problem for people in passenger cars. Driving the interstate can get boring, so it is no surprise that so many truckers talk on the phone, surf the web, play games, and even watch movies while driving, even though handheld cell phone use is against federal regulations. Even a second of distraction can mean the difference between avoiding an accident and barreling into a passenger car.
Driving While Intoxicated
Most commercial truck drivers know the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, but many truckers fail to see any issue with taking prescription or over-the-counter medications behind the wheel. Unfortunately, many of these drugs can slow reaction time, cause excessive drowsiness, and otherwise make it difficult to focus on safe driving.
Failing to Check Blind Spots
Commercial tractor trailers have large blind spots, and it pays to try to avoid them when driving a passenger car. However, it remains the trucker’s responsibility to check these areas carefully before starting, stopping, or changing lanes. Lane changes are especially dangerous, causing override and squeeze play crashes.
What should I do if I suffer injuries in a Colorado Springs truck crash?
Your main concern after a Colorado Springs 18-wheeler crash should be to get the medical care you need. Focus on regaining your physical health, follow all recommended treatments, and keep seeing your doctor.
As soon as you are able, reach out to us, your truck accident lawyer in Colorado Springs. You only have three years to file a claim to collect compensation for your injuries, and we need to take action as soon as possible to ensure the trucking company preserves all possible evidence.
Who is liable for my Colorado Springs truck accident injuries?
When a negligent commercial driver causes a truck crash, the driver behind the wheel is likely not the party responsible for your injuries. Because of a legal concept known as vicarious liability, the trucker’s employer is the party responsible for his careless actions. This means you will file your claim with the trucking company’s corporate insurance carrier.
This is good news because these policies typically have much higher limits. This may allow you to collect more compensation for your ongoing care or any future medical needs related to your injuries. However, it also means that you will be facing a well-financed, stressful, uphill battle to recover the compensation you need.
How much is my Colorado Springs truck accident claim worth?
It is impossible to determine how much compensation you might recover for your Colorado Springs truck accident without a thorough analysis of your situation.
Many truck accident injuries require several weeks in the hospital followed by inpatient rehabilitation and ongoing physical therapy. Some people need to purchase wheelchairs or other equipment, and others continue to require regular nursing care after release from the hospital. The nature, severity, and prognosis of your injuries plays a major role in determining the value of your claim. Other factors include:
- How much time you missed from work
- Whether you can return to work
- Your chance of future recovery
- The cost of your ongoing care
- Any out-of-pocket costs
- The pain and suffering you experienced
Have a lawyer from Sears & Associates, P.C. help you determine the value of your case before you accept any settlement.
Do I need a lawyer to help me file an 18-wheeler crash claim?
A truck accident attorney plays a key role in many crash claims. Most 18-wheeler crash victims file with the trucking company’s insurance policy, often taking on a national corporation who have a whole team of legal experts on its side. You should not let this intimidate you, however. With a knowledgeable and skilled truck accident lawyer on your side, you have someone who will:
- Send a spoliation letter to prevent the trucking company from destroying logs or other records
- Collect evidence to build your case, including evidence held by the trucking company
- Investigate and analyze all aspects of the accident, including accident reconstruction when necessary
- Adequately demonstrate your injuries and the impact the accident had on your everyday life
- Work to negotiate a fair settlement or pursue further action to recover the compensation you deserve
- Protect your right to compensation throughout the process
Talk to a Colorado Springs Semi-Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a Colorado Springs commercial trucking crash, the truck accident lawyers at Sears & Associates, P.C. may be able to help you get the compensation you need for medical care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Call us today at 719-471-1984 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our skilled personal injury attorneys.
