It’s easy to understand why so many Denver drivers feel nervous when they see a large tractor-trailer coming up behind their vehicle, or when they pass them on the highway. These commercial trucks are huge. They weigh much more than the average passenger car, and they take longer to stop due to their weight.
When these trucks get into an accident with a smaller vehicle, those in passenger cars are typically the ones who suffer the consequences. Truck accidents can leave a wake of destruction behind them. In many cases, the injuries that accident victims are left with impact them for the rest of their lives. In the worst cases, victims are killed and families are left to pick up the pieces.
While a lawsuit or an insurance claim is not going to change what happened, it can help victims deal with the financial burden of the accident. Respected Denver truck accident lawyer Sean Olson and his skilled legal team have earned a reputation for securing outstanding results and delivering unwavering customer service to injured clients. If you are struggling in the aftermath of a serious truck crash, please contact the Olson Law Firm, LLC today to tell us your story. A consultation is free, with no obligation to you.
Why Truck Accident Claims in Denver Are More Difficult Than Car Accident Cases
After being in a truck accident, it’s common for victims to think that the process for filing a claim will be very similar to filing a car accident claim. That is not the case, though. Truck accidents are extremely complex for a number of reasons, and this makes them incredibly difficult to pursue without the help of a knowledgeable truck accident attorney in Denver.
Catastrophic injuries: One of the reasons for the complexity of these claims is the extent of injuries a truck causes when it’s in an accident. Victims can suffer a great number of injuries, all of which are severe and take time and money to treat. In order for accident victims to file a claim, though, they must understand the full extent of their injuries. This is the only way they can ask for the full amount of compensation they are entitled to receive. One of the most challenging aspects of a truck accident case is for the victim to get better, so they can truly understand how much compensation to seek.
Complex rules and regulations: Additionally, all drivers in Colorado understand the rules of the road that apply to them. This includes following posted speed limits and obeying signage and traffic lights. However, trucks have many more federal and state laws that pertain to them. Most drivers don’t understand what these are because they’ve never had a reason to learn. When a trucker or trucking company violates any of these laws, it is negligence. However, you will need an experienced truck accident lawyer who has an in-depth understanding of these rules and regulations in order to successfully pursue a claim.
Multiple liable parties: Another very difficult aspect of any truck accident is that there is the potential for many liable parties. When two cars or motorcycles get into an accident, the fault typically lies with one of the drivers. When a truck gets into an accident with another vehicle, however, even when those two vehicles were the only ones involved, there is the possibility of multiple liable parties. The cab and the trailer of the truck are often owned by different companies, which means dealing with different insurers. The trucking company could also be partly liable, as can the truck driver. These are just a few of the possibilities, and it can quickly become confusing.
At the Olson Law Firm, LLC, we have extensive experience successfully resolving complex truck accident claims for our deserving clients. If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a commercial motor vehicle accident, please do not hesitate to contact trusted Denver truck accident attorney Sean Olson.
Catastrophic Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents in Denver
Very few people walk away from truck accidents unharmed. In most cases, victims suffer injuries that involve a very long recovery. In severe cases, the individual may never fully recover or the injuries may result in death.
Some injuries restrict not only a person’s ability to work, but also their basic ability to care for themselves. Such victims may need 24-hour full-time assistance with all of their daily functions.
Some of the injuries our clients struggle with after a truck accident include:
Families who have lost a loved one to catastrophic truck accident injuries may still be able to demand justice through a wrongful death lawsuit. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Sean Olson today to learn about all your legal options for financial recovery after a crash.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Denver?
Being involved in a semi-truck accident is an extremely frightening situation. It’s not uncommon for accident victims to be left unsure of what to do next. However, the steps taken now will have a direct impact on your claim, so it’s important you understand what to do.
Report the accident: Under Colorado law, you must stop after an accident and report it to the police if it involved property damage, injury, or death. Truck accidents will typically cause at least one of these, so it’s important to report any truck accident immediately after it happens and ask for a copy of the police report.
Get medical treatment: It’s likely that you will need emergency medical treatment after the accident, and this should be your first priority after the crash has been reported. Even if you don’t think you need emergency treatment, you should still see a doctor. They can perform a full examination and alert you to injuries that may be slow to show symptoms.
Exchange information: Similar to the aftermath of a car crash, you’ll need to exchange information with everyone involved in the accident. Make sure you write down the truck driver’s name, contact information, driver’s license number, and insurance information. Also, ask for the name and contact information of the truck driver’s employer.
Collect information from witnesses: Witness testimony can greatly help a truck accident claim. If there were witnesses, ask for their names and contact information and possibly even a brief statement of what they saw.
Document everything: Taking photos can help ensure important evidence is preserved. Take pictures of the truck, particularly the position it was in after the crash and any identifying markings on it, such as the company that leased it. Take photos of your injuries, and once home, document how they have impacted your life.
Don’t say anything: An insurance adjuster will likely contact you shortly after the accident. It’s important you understand that they are trying to get you to accept at least partial blame for the accident so they can pay out a lower settlement. They may even offer a settlement right away. They don’t want to wait until you’ve learned the full extent of your injuries because this will also mean they will have to pay you a larger settlement.
Once you’ve left the accident scene and have gotten any necessary emergency medical treatment, your next step is to call an experienced truck accident lawyer in Denver. The Olson Law Firm, LLC is here to answer your questions and begin working on your claim for compensation immediately.
How Can A Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?
After an accident, Sean Olson will be your ally throughout the entire process. This is important because much of the time, you’ll likely feel as though everyone else is working against you.
However, our 18-wheeler accident attorney can help you in many ways, including:
Investigating the accident: We will collect and analyze police reports, medical records, and any other documents. We will conduct interviews with witnesses and hold the trucking company responsible for preserving evidence and providing the black box data from the truck. We will also investigate all other aspects of the accident to determine negligence, such as driving while fatigued or under the influence of a substance.
Taking care of the paperwork: There is an enormous amount of paperwork involved in a truck accident case. If it’s not properly filled out or filed on time, you could lose your chance at compensation. We will ensure that will not happen and will take care of all the paperwork so you can focus on your recovery.
Helping you get the care you need: Many insurance companies will attempt to limit your doctor’s visits or state that you don’t require medical care anymore. We won’t let them get away with it. We’ll make sure you receive all the medical attention you need, and work to make the insurance company liable for paying for it.
Investigating the trucking company: It’s not only the accident scene that is investigated after a truck accident. The trucking company must be investigated, too. We will ask them for inspection reports, maintenance reports, training reports, and any other documentation that could show they were negligent and owe you compensation.
Negotiating with the insurance companies: This is incredibly difficult after any crash, and a truck accident is no different. The insurance companies will want to deny liability and minimize your claim. Throughout these negotiations, we will fight for the fair truck accident settlement you deserve.
Litigating your case at trial. Sean Olson is a respected trial lawyer with a track record of winning truck accident cases in the courtroom. He will not hesitate to take a truck accident lawsuit to a jury and let them decide how much you are truly owed.
Statute of Limitations on Truck Accident Claims in Denver
In Colorado, the statute of limitations on truck accident cases is three years from the date of the accident. (However, in some cases, the time limit can be shorter.) This means that when a claim is filed after this time, it will likely be thrown out and you will be barred from receiving compensation.
In addition to the three-year time limit, important evidence starts to disappear soon after an accident, and the memories of witnesses are often not as clear. It’s for this reason that you must consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Talk to a Trucking Accident Attorney Now
One of the most important steps you could take after a collision is to speak to a truck accident lawyer in Denver. At the Olson Law Firm, LLC, we will review your case, advise you on the value of your claim, and demand that insurance companies and at-fault parties pay you the full compensation you deserve.
The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner you can begin to protect your rights and interests, socontact us today. A consultation is free, and there is never a fee to begin work on your claim. In fact, you only pay us if we recover money for you.
Every truck accident is unique, so it’s hard to predict what any particular case is “worth” without a thorough investigation. Some of the factors that affect the value of a truck accident case include the extent of your injuries, the available evidence of what caused the crash, and whether you contributed to the accident in some way. Generally, the more serious your injuries, the more money you might be owed.
A lawyer isn’t required to file an insurance claim or lawsuit after a truck accident, but choosing to work with one is a smart idea. Your attorney can gather evidence to support your claim, document your injuries, negotiate with the liable parties for a full and fair settlement, and take your case to trial if a deal can’t be reached.
Trucks are much bigger and heavier than standard cars, which means they strike with more force. This often leads to greater injuries in the event of a collision. According to the IIHS fatality facts report, trucks are 30 times heavier than cars and that is why vehicle drivers are more vulnerable to accidents.
Most truck accident lawyers, including Sean Olson at the Olson Law Firm, LLC, work on a contingency fee basis. This means that the attorney covers upfront costs and receives only a portion of the compensation they help you get. That means you don’t need to be rich to afford quality truck accident legal representation.
Your attorney might use police accident reports, accounts from the drivers involved in the crash, eyewitness statements, testimony from expert witnesses, medical records, and photos from the crash scene to establish legal responsibility or fault for the crash.
Either or both, depending on what the evidence shows. Truck drivers can be held liable if they acted negligently by, for example, driving while distracted. On the other hand, trucking companies must ensure their employees are adequately trained and drive safely, so the company can be held liable for an accident if they failed in these duties. Also, companies are typically held vicariously liable for their employee’s negligence. This means the trucking company would be responsible even if it didn’t do anything wrong.
Truck accident lawsuits are marathons, not sprints. Most truck accident cases take at least months to resolve. It takes time to gather evidence and medical records to build a strong case for compensation. If settlement negotiations drag on or the liable parties vehemently deny the claim, the case will take longer. Most cases are resolved in negotiation rather than through a trial. A lawsuit generally takes a year or longer.
Sean Olson wrote Results Matter, a book outlining the many stages of a lawsuit so that everyone can understand what goes into a truck accident case. Download your own free copy here.
If the truck driver is found to be at fault for the crash, you could recover compensation from the liability insurance on the truck. Additional commercial liability insurance held by the trucking company could also come into play. Commercial trucks must carry insurance with policy limits much higher than what most private drivers have on their cars. Your own insurance may also be available to you if the trucking company’s insurance is not enough to cover all your damages and losses.
Drivers in Colorado share the road with everyone else, including semi-trucks. Truck drivers might be driving on busy roads like Interstate 25, switching lanes without seeing the vehicle next to them. Suddenly, there is a serious accident.
Commercial trucking companies are expected to operate their fleet safely, but accidents still happen. When there is an accident between a semi-truck and a much smaller car, the results can be catastrophic — even deadly.
Being in an accident that involves a truck can be devastating to all drivers involved. If you find yourself involved in an accident of this nature, you have legal rights. At the Olson Law Firm, our Denver truck accident lawyers have decades of combined experience fighting and finding justice to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us at (303) 586-7297 or contact us online today for a free, no-obligation consultation over the phone or in-person at our local Denver office.
Truck Accidents Are Common in Denver and Throughout the U.S.
It is unfortunate that serious commercial truck accidents remain far too common, despite the many state and federal safety rules governing the trucking industry. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), nearly 4,000 Americans die in truck-related accidents each year.
Semi-trucks weigh easily up to 18 tons, while the average sedan weighs about a ton and a half. So it is easy to understand that such a vast size difference can generate huge impact forces against a smaller passenger car. Serious injuries, property damage, and other losses are likely to happen.
Trucking companies are responsible for adequately training their truck drivers, training them to perform proper inspections, and safely load and unload their trailers. And, by federal law, truck drivers must maintain reasonable delivery schedules. Truck drivers cannot surpass 60 hours of driving within a 7-consecutive day period (or 70 hours if driving 8 consecutive days). Companies must ensure that their drivers comply with highway safety regulations as well.
Following a commercial truck crash, accident victims need to know how to protect themselves and understand that they have rights moving forward and deserve compensation.
Accountability in Semi-Truck Accident
When evaluating accidents involving semi-trucks quite often the truck driver is to blame. They may be speeding, distracted, under the influence, or (in too many cases) drowsy. However, despite the risk they pose to the general public, truck drivers may ignore regulations to get paid more by meeting tight deadlines.
Additionally, there may be cases where another party may be responsible for your injuries. For example, sometimes a catastrophic accident is caused by negligent routine maintenance of the truck itself. One of the most common causes of truck-related accidents due to lack of maintenance is faulty brakes. Truck drivers sometimes drive trucks that are owned or leased by a large company. Under this arrangement, the driver leaves for their delivery expecting the vehicle to which they’re assigned to be regularly maintained. However, if it is determined that the accident was caused by a lack of maintenance by the company that owns the truck, the company may be held accountable.
Companies are also held accountable for inexperienced drivers who are not adequately trained or who fail to meet the qualifications needed to complete the job yet are hired anyway.
Your Denver truck accident lawyer will consider all available options to hold all at-fault parties accountable and increase your chances of getting the full compensation you deserve.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
A collision can happen when someone least expects it. Some common causes of truck accidents are driver errors or negligent acts, like the following:
Drowsy driving after an extensive amount of driving hours.
Speeding or driving aggressively.
Tailgating other trucks or smaller cars.
Intoxicated/drunk driving, including prescription or over-the-counter medicines, can hinder the operation of large machinery.
Distracted driving, including phone use and texting while driving.
Illegal driving maneuvers compromise the truck’s balance or endanger those around it.
Unbalanced or improper loading in the truck bed.
Being unfamiliar with the truck or kind of load, especially if a new driver.
Reckless or negligent drivers make careless mistakes.
Accidents happen, but when there is a negligent party — and that party happens to be operating a semi-truck — the results can be life-altering or even deadly.
Steps to Take After a Commercial Truck Accident
Being involved in a truck accident can be frightening and leave your mind racing about what you need to do next. Here at the Olson Law Firm, we recommend that you start with the following:
1. Call 911, and ask for police and medical services
The first thing that you should do following a commercial truck crash is to call 911 and report the incident. During that call, you want state or local law enforcement officers to respond to the scene to create a report of the incident. Request medical services if you are injured or suspect that any other party suffered any injuries. It is advisable to check on other parties involved to see if they are injured before concluding the call.
Most importantly, know that under Colorado law, any motor vehicle accident that results in an injury or substantial property damage must be reported to the police (§ 42-4-1606). Whether an officer is dispatched to the scene is at the discretion of the available personnel. If no officer is dispatched, a Colorado crash report can be filed online.
If an officer responds, a ticket may be assigned to a party for contributing to the accident, at the discretion of the officer on duty. Additionally, the police may conduct their own investigation and prepare a findings report in order to draw conclusions as to the cause of the accident and its outcome.
2. Seek medical attention
After calling 911 and requesting medical services, an EMT team will arrive and evaluate all of those involved in the accident. Professional medical attention is often needed even if you don’t feel hurt at the time, especially in cases of a commercial truck collision. If EMTs determine that there is a medical emergency at the scene, an ambulance will transport the victim(s) to the nearest medical center to receive the care they need.
It is important to note that not all injuries will be visible or even present at the site of the accident. Those who have sustained mild or moderate injuries still need quick medical attention. One of the most common delayed injuries reported after accidents is whiplash.
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries after a car accident. What makes it worse is that it is usually not present at the time of the incident but appears days and possibly weeks later. Whiplash can cause limited mobility, stiffness, and loss of neck flexibility, making everyday living life painful.
Another and even more serious injury that appears weeks — and even months — after a car accident is a chest injury. Chest injuries can be anything from bruising, broken ribs, or damage to internal organs. This kind of injury is dangerous because it can trigger a heart attack after the accident happens. Consequently, car accident victims should seek immediate medical attention if they feel chest pain, even if it appears weeks or months after a car accident.
Even if you do not know how extensive your injuries are, it is still imperative that you consult with a doctor. You need a comprehensive medical evaluation as soon as possible after the accident. Beyond protecting your safety, you will not be able to bring a truck accident injury claim unless you have supporting medical documentation of your injuries, including their severity, prognosis, and documented cause.
If you are feeling additional pain that was delayed after the accident, you must seek medical care to treat and document your worsening symptoms. Consult with your legal counsel handling the case to learn about how to receive compensation for any late-diagnosed injuries and conditions.
3. Document the crash
To the best of your ability, it is also recommended that you try to secure evidence and document the truck accident. The more evidence you have in your possession, the better off you will be when it comes time to make a truck accident injury claim.
In addition to the police report, some other common forms of truck accident evidence include photographs of the crash scene and the vehicle damage. Try to take these photos and gather witness statements from others at the scene while you wait for police respondents to arrive. You should also save all medical documents, receipts for care, and other expenses related to the accident.
Understanding Technical Terms Related to Truck Accidents
Different terms may be used to describe different types of trucks and trailers. Additionally, there may be times you find more than one word to describe the same kind of truck. Some of the more common terms that describe a truck are listed below:
Semi-Truck
18-Wheeler
Big Rig
Cargo Truck
Fuel Truck
Tanker Truck
Tractor Truck
Tractor-Trailer
Cattle Hauler or Cattle Truck
Chicken Hauler
Car Hauler
Lumber Truck
Reefer Truck
Types of Accidents Involving Semi-Trucks
Many types of accidents can occur when it involves a semi-truck. They carry heavy weight, so it changes how fast they can stop, accelerate, or turn. The types of accidents that happen with semi-trucks are the following:
Intersection accident
Hit-and-run accident
Read-end collision
T-bone accident
Collision with a jack-knifed trailer
Undercarriage accident
Hurt in a Truck Accident? Call a Denver Truck Accident Lawyer from the Olson Law Firm
Truck accidents are terrifying, hard to navigate, and possibly deadly if prompt treatment is not sought. However, as the victim of a truck-related accident, you can seek the compensation you need to receive treatment and recover from your losses. A potential settlement can include damages for past medical expenses, future medical costs, lost wages, damaged property, and your personal pain and suffering.
When you work with the attorneys at Olson Law Firm, our skilled legal team is experts in handling complex trucky accident claims. We know how to investigate accidents, review evidence, and build strong legal cases. As a result, we have helped many injured victims get full financial compensation for their losses.
Are you ready to set up your free and no-obligation consultation? Call (303) 586-7297 or contact us online today if you experience a car accident involving a semi-truck in Denver. We would be happy to take some time to review your claim and explain your legal options to you at our local Denver office.
Get Your FREE Copy of Sean Olson’s "RESULTS MATTER"
Licensed in both Colorado and Wyoming, personal injury attorney Sean Olson provides compassionate legal counsel to injured people in a variety of practice areas. His law practice abides by the fundamental principles of easing worries, simplifying life, and building others up.
We Demand Full Compensation in a Denver Truck Accident Claim
It’s natural after a truck accident to wonder how much your claim is worth. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. Attorney Sean Olson will have to review the full facts of your case and determine what your actual losses were. Then he and his team will be able to calculate the amount of compensation you deserve.
There are, however, some common types of compensation that appear in many of the truck accident cases our law firm handles.
Compensation available in a truck accident claim may include:
Emergency medical costs
Ongoing and future medical treatment
Rehabilitative costs
Disability coverage
Damage to your vehicle
Loss of current and future income
Pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Disfigurement
Loss of limb
Wrongful death
Any related financial damages
This compensation is intended to make you whole again and return you to the same physical, mental, and emotional state you were in before the accident. Colorado law states that accident victims shouldn’t have to pay for any loss incurred due to an accident that was not their fault. Therefore, you can claim any expense or loss you experienced as compensation.
Contact a Denver Truck Accident Attorney
Finally, you should always work with an experienced Colorado truck accident lawyer. You do not want to go up against the big trucking company and its insurers by yourself. Truck accident injury claims are notoriously complex. Specialized rules and regulations govern these types of accidents.
At Olson Law Firm, LLC, our legal team has extensive experience handling complex truck accident injury claims. We fight aggressively to make sure that our clients can maximize their financial recovery. If you’re facing injuries from a large truck crash in Denver, please do not hesitate to contact our law office today for a free, no-obligation initial legal consultation.
