Under federal law, a tractor-trailer fully loaded with cargo can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and truckers with special permits can carry even heavier loads within Colorado state lines. Put simply, commercial trucks are massive vehicles on a scale that no commuter car comes close to matching—and unfortunately, that means these trucks can be extraordinarily destructive when they end up involved in traffic accidents.
If a truck driver, trucking company, or affiliated third party’s negligence led to you being injured in a wreck, get in touch with a Denver truck accident lawyer at Roberts Markland LLP about your legal options as soon as possible. A dedicated personal injury attorney who has experience handling cases like yours could work diligently on your behalf and improve your odds of securing fair compensation.
Often, negligence leading up to tractor-trailer collisions looks the same as negligence that might cause any other motor vehicle accident—for example, a truck driver driving too fast or violating some other traffic law, or simply not paying attention to their surroundings. However, individual truckers are not the only parties who could be held liable for this kind of incident, nor is it always prudent to name only one person as a defendant in such a claim.
In many cases, a company that fails to properly screen the truck drivers they hire, does not ensure they are trained properly, or actively encourages drivers to violate federal or state law in order to make deliveries faster could be considered vicariously or directly liable for an 18-wheeler crash. Likewise, a supplier who does not make sure a truck’s cargo is secured before transit could bear partial or primary fault for an ensuing wreck. A mechanic who did not address a mechanical problem with a heavy commercial vehicle before it got on the road could also be held legally accountable.
Importantly, though, an injured truck wreck victim may also be found somewhat to blame for their own injuries if they too were negligent in some way. If they are found to bear some fault, it could lead to them missing out on much-needed compensation or possibly being prohibited from recovering anything at all. Guidance from a seasoned Denver truck accident attorney can be vital to establishing another party’s fault for a crash while also fighting back against accusations of comparative negligence.
Unfortunately, commercial truck crashes often result in life-changing catastrophic injuries even when they happen at relatively low speeds. Comprehensive recovery efforts after a wreck like this often must account for both past and future damages relative to when the claim is actually filed, including:
However, as a knowledgeable semi-truck collision lawyer in Denver could explain, state law limits how much compensation one person can recover for non-economic forms of harm stemming from a single accident, with the cap for most accidents occurring after 2020 being $613,760 in accordance with Colorado Revised Statutes §13-21-102.5.
Big rigs and other commercial trucks are an essential part of the American economy, but that unfortunately does not mean everyone involved in operating them acts with reasonable consideration and care in every situation. When reckless or careless conduct leads to collisions between trucks and commuter vehicles, severe injuries and losses all too often ensue.
Representation from a skilled Denver truck accident lawyer at Roberts Markland LLP could make all the difference in how effectively you can pursue the recovery you need after a traumatic incident like this. Schedule a consultation by calling today.
