18-Wheeler Accidents in Denver and What You Should Do
Whether you realize it or not, large trucks are a vital means of transporting our ever day goods and produce throughout the continental United States in a short matter of time. Without such services, a lot of our fresh produce would not be within reach, and certain goods would simply not be made available at such frequency and volumes as we now experience. But at times, these conveniences come at a cost…
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, out of the 34,349 motor vehicle accidents throughout the U.S. in 2016, 4,564 of those fatalities resulted from large commercial trucks. Large commercial trucks are defined as semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, big-rigs, tractor trailers, and hazmat trucks.
If you have been involved in an accident with a large truck, you will need experienced representation, as trucking companies and their insurance carriers are notorious for trying to settle for as little as possible to avoid large judgments – not to mention the complexity that often accompanies such cases.
Why are large truck accidents different?
Large trucks are in a category all their own, as they require trained professionals licensed to maneuver them under certain weather, road, and stress conditions. Nevertheless, the severity of an accident with a large truck may result in catastrophic or life-altering impairments. A few of the common causes of accidents with a large truck are:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to perform regular maintenance and inspections on the truck
- Excessive or unsafe weight
- Failure to observe all traffic laws
- Operating the truck without proper rest
Of course, truck accidents are not your typical personal injury case. Because truckers are trained professionals required to carry specific liability coverage, and due to the serious nature of their profession, trucking accidents require showing that a certain duty was breached by the trucker that led to the accident. This can be a showing that the driver was fatigued, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless, or distracted. But more so than the fault of the truck driver, there may be multiple other parties to hold liable for a large truck accident. This may be any
- the trucking company assigned an inexperienced driver to perform a certain delivery;
- the manufacturer of the truck may have been aware of a part defect, or may have manufactured the vehicle below the standard duty of care;
- the shipping or loading company may be responsible for not properly loading the goods onto the truck;
- the truck may not have been properly serviced and maintained.
Of course, knowing who to hold responsible for a large truck accident requires experienced attorneys that can spot the specific cause of an accident.
Truck Accident Injuries are no Joke
Even with certain precautions taken by both the operator of large trucks, and the operator of a typical motor vehicle, the possibility for serious injuries or even fatal accidents still exist. Injuries from large truck accidents often amount to large medical expenses and can put an individual out of work for a prolonged period. Aside from the large medical expenses from a wide range of injuries, the injuries are often accompanied by life long pain and emotional trauma.
It is crucial that you contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately or as soon as possible after the accident – do not wait. You should certainly avoid speaking to the trucking company’s attorneys or their insurance agents without an attorney, as they do not have your best interest in mind and may try to persuade you that you were at fault, or that you will need to settle to avoid not getting anything. Furthermore, an experienced attorney will help you piece together all the vital evidence that you will need to prove fault in your case.
Truck Accidents Require Specialized Attention and Skills
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a large commercial truck, you may have sustained serious injuries and property damage. For a free case evaluation, contact the experienced Denver attorneys at Alhasoon, Glidden and Glidden at (720) 487-1050. We have represented clients in a wide variety of trucking accidents and have secured settlements and awards to make our clients whole. We will vigorously represent your rights to help your recovery what you deserve.
