Denver is a sprawling city that is consistently growing. Between stop-and-go traffic, seemingly endless road construction, and roadways lined with large trucks, getting around our great city can present challenges.
Maneuvering and stopping 18-wheelers and other large trucks can be difficult. Unfortunately, even experienced commercial drivers can’t always stop in time to avoid an accident. When a truck driver fails to stop and rear-ends a passenger vehicle, the occupants in the smaller vehicle could suffer severe or potentially catastrophic injuries.
It can be overwhelming to seek compensation from a truck driver, trucking company, other parties, and their insurers after an accident. You may feel pressured into accepting a lowball settlement.
Before speaking to anyone else, first speak to an experienced Denver rear-end accident attorney at Olson Personal Injury Lawyers. We have an unwavering reputation for standing up for victims’ rights and won’t back down when faced with intimidation tactics from trucking company insurers.
To set up your free and confidential legal consultation, get in touch with our Denver office today.
Rear-End Truck Accident Statistics in Denver
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimates that at least 510,000 police-reported crashes involved large trucks on U.S. roadways in a recent year. Tragically, over 5,000 trucks were involved in fatal crashes. A further breakdown of the numbers shows that 19 percent of these deadly crashes involved rear-end collisions.
The Colorado Department of Transportation recorded 92,469 traffic crashes in another recent year. Over 15,000 of those crashes occurred in Denver alone. Front-to-rear collisions accounted for 4,763 of the 15,000 accidents – a significant percentage compared to other accident types.
Common Causes of Rear-End Truck Accidents
Statistics show that rear-end accidents are among the most common types of crashes on Colorado roadways. Why are they so prevalent? One factor many rear-end crashes have in common is that negligent drivers generally cause them.
Operating a large truck is difficult. Drivers will often spend long hours behind the wheel to meet strict deadlines. Stress, boredom, and fatigue are common issues for truck drivers. Rushing to deliver cargo on time can also cause drivers to put safety on the back burner.
Some of the most predictably common causes of rear-end truck accidents are:
- Distracted driving
- Intoxicated driving
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Unsafe lane changes or merges
- Inadequate driver experience
- Worn tires
- Inclement weather conditions
- Defective parts
Common Injuries from a Rear-End Truck Accident
The size and weight of semi-trucks can cause tremendous damage when they collide with a smaller passenger vehicle, even at low speeds.
When a large truck rear-ends a smaller car, the occupants can suffer serious injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Paralysis
- Whiplash
- Facial injuries
- Dental injuries
- Broken bones
- Crushing injuries
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Contusions
- Lacerations
You should never take a rear-end accident lightly, even if your injuries seem minor at first. If you are involved in a rear-end collision with a large truck, seek medical attention immediately.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Rear-End Truck Accident in Colorado?
Typically in a rear-end truck accident, the front of a big rig truck crashes into the back of a vehicle directly in front of it. In most cases, the truck driver who rear-ends a passenger vehicle can be held liable for their actions.
Additional parties who could share responsibility include:
- The trucking company that employed the driver
- The owner of the truck and trailer
- Repair shops and truck maintenance companies
- Vehicle and parts manufacturers
- Cargo owners
- Cargo loading companies
- Other motorists
Even if you were partly to blame for the crash, it might still be possible for you to recover partial compensation. Colorado follows a rule called modified comparative negligence. This rule allows a partially at-fault victim to recover compensation for their injuries, but the victim’s share of compensation can be reduced by the amount of fault they bear.
Why It Is Important to Have an Attorney Help with Your Case
After a serious rear-end truck accident, you may find yourself feeling vulnerable. Trucking companies and insurers may take advantage of this challenging time and convince you to accept a settlement that won’t fully cover your expenses. After an accident, you just want to move on, but taking an initial offer from the insurance company is seldom in your best interest.
You need a seasoned semi-truck accident lawyer to fight for your rights and seek fair compensation for your injuries. Having an attorney can be a vital asset as you pursue justice.
Some of the ways a skilled truck accident lawyer can assist you include:
- An attorney can review the circumstances of your situation and lay out your most viable legal options for recovering meaningful compensation.
- Your legal team can work on investigating the cause of the accident and gathering evidence that will substantiate your claim. The trucking company holds much of the evidence that may help your case — evidence like dash-cam video, black box recording data, and safety inspection reports. An attorney can gain access to this information and use it to build a compelling case.
- An attorney can also negotiate aggressively, pursuing a fair and appropriate settlement on your behalf.
Never attempt to take on a trucking company or insurer by yourself after a rear-end accident. Get in touch with a skilled Denver rear-end truck accident lawyer.
Statute of Limitations on Truck Crashes in Colorado
Colorado has a statute of limitations on truck accident lawsuits. Victims have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. If you fail to meet this deadline, the courts will most likely dismiss your case, and you will lose your chance to seek compensation.
The Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys at Olson Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You
Are you ready to hold a negligent truck driver accountable for a rear-end accident? Turn to the legal team with experience handling complex truck accident injury claims. At Olson Personal Injury Lawyers, we are committed to helping Denver rear-end truck accident victims seek justice, fair compensation, and healing. We believe that your serious injury requires our serious attention.
For a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable rear-end truck accident lawyers, contact our Denver office today.