Truck Accident Lawyers | Colorado
Truck accidents are among the most devastating types of motor vehicle collisions, often resulting in severe injuries and complex legal challenges. Colorado’s highways see their fair share of these incidents due to the heavy presence of commercial vehicles transporting goods across the state. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, dozens of fatal crashes involving large trucks happen every year.
At Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C., we understand the unique challenges victims face after a truck accident. Our team is dedicated to advocating for your rights, holding negligent parties accountable, and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. This page provides insight into how a Colorado truck accident lawyer can help you navigate your case.
Why Choose Us
Why Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous
Commercial trucks, including 18-wheelers and semi-trucks, pose unique risks on the road due to their size, weight, and limited maneuverability. When these vehicles are involved in collisions, the consequences can be catastrophic.
The weight disparity between a fully loaded truck and a standard passenger vehicle often leads to severe injuries for the smaller vehicle’s occupants. Trucks also require longer braking distances, and sudden stops can cause rear-end collisions or jackknife accidents. Additionally, the elevated center of gravity in trucks increases the likelihood of rollovers, particularly on Colorado’s winding mountain roads.
Understanding these risks underscores why truck accident cases require experienced legal representation.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents in Colorado happen for various reasons, many of which are preventable. The most common causes include:
- Driver fatigue from long hours on the road without sufficient rest;
- Distracted driving due to phone use, eating, or other inattentive behaviors;
- Improper maintenance leading to mechanical failures such as brake or tire malfunctions;
- Overloaded or improperly secured cargo that shifts and destabilizes the truck, and
- Adverse weather conditions on Colorado’s icy or winding roads.
Identifying the cause of the accident is crucial for determining liability and building a strong case for compensation.
Types of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents come in various forms, each with unique challenges for victims seeking compensation. Common types of truck accidents include:
- Jackknife collisions—where the truck’s cab and trailer fold into a V-shape;
- Rear-end crashes—caused by the truck’s inability to stop quickly;
- Underride accidents— smaller vehicles sliding beneath the trailer; and
- Rollover incidents—collisions resulting from sharp turns or improperly loaded cargo.
Each type of accident requires a thorough investigation to understand how it occurred and who is responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do Immediately After a Truck Accident?
If you are involved in a truck accident, prioritize safety and documentation. Seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries seem minor, as some symptoms may appear later. Call the police to report the accident and obtain an official report. Gather evidence at the scene, including photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and your injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses and the truck driver. Finally, consult a Colorado truck accident lawyer to discuss your legal options and protect your rights.
Can I Still Pursue a Claim If I Was Partially at Fault for a Truck Accident?
Yes, Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which allows you to pursue compensation even if you are partially at fault for the accident. However, your share of fault will reduce your potential recovery. For example, if you are 20% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by that amount. If, however, you are more than 50% at fault, you will not be eligible to recover damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Colorado?
In Colorado, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim after a truck accident is generally three years from the date of the accident. However, the timeframe may be shorter if a government entity is involved.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Case?
Liability in truck accident cases is often more complex than in standard car accidents. Multiple parties may share responsibility, including:
- Truck drivers who engage in negligent behaviors such as speeding or driving while fatigued;
- Trucking companies that fail to enforce safety regulations or properly train drivers;
- Maintenance providers responsible for ensuring the truck is in safe operating condition; and
- Cargo loaders whose improper loading practices contribute to instability.
Determining liability requires careful analysis of evidence, including maintenance logs, driver records, and accident scene reports.
How a Colorado Truck Accident Attorney Can Help
A skilled Colorado truck accident attorney can be an invaluable ally in pursuing your claim. They can provide critical services, including:
- Investigating the accident to determine its cause and identify all liable parties;
- Gathering evidence such as police reports, eyewitness testimony, and expert analysis;
- Negotiating with insurance companies to ensure fair compensation; and
- Representing you in court if a settlement cannot be reached.
Truck accident cases also involve federal regulations from agencies like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Compensation Available to Truck Accident Victims
Victims of truck accidents often face significant financial and emotional burdens. Compensation can help address your losses, including:
- Medical expenses for hospital stays, surgeries, and ongoing rehabilitation;
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity due to injuries preventing you from working;
- Pain and suffering caused by physical and emotional trauma; and
- Property damage to repair or replace your vehicle.
A Colorado semi-truck accident lawyer, like those at Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, can help ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible.
Why Choose Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C.?
With over 100 years of combined legal experience, Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. has recovered more than $230 million for their clients. Our team of commercial truck accident lawyers provides personalized attention and fights tirelessly for the compensation you deserve.
Our firm’s client-centered approach means they take the time to listen to your story, understand your needs, and tailor strategies to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your family. Our extensive knowledge of Colorado trucking laws and federal regulations makes us your trusted ally in even the most complex cases.
3 Reasons Why You Need a Colorado Truck Accident Attorney
While you may feel confident in your ability to handle your case without professional help, you’ll soon realize that presenting an injury claim requires a lot of hard work and legal expertise.
When you should be working your way back from painful disabilities, you’ll have to comply with insurance adjuster requests. Before you see a single dime of settlement money, there is a long list of procedures and issues to follow through. It will be your job to contact doctors for bills and reports.
Taking care of a serious injury case on your own involves focus on investigation, evaluation, and negotiation. Instead of taking on these new challenges, you should be working on your personal recovery.
When you are seriously injured, your financial future depends on obtaining adequate compensation for your injuries. You have a lot at stake. That’s why it’s important to seek help from a Colorado truck accident attorney before you make a critical mistake. Here are 3 additional reasons to consider.
1. Liability Issues
Accidents often involve liability issues that can be difficult to resolve. Colorado’s comparative negligence statute plays a key role in liability assessments. You must determine whether or not you contributed to the circumstances which caused the accident and how it may affect the compensation you receive for your injuries.
2. Dealing with Insurance Companies and Adjusters
When you have a serious injury claim, the other driver’s insurance company adjuster will call and may want to visit your home. It’s an adjuster’s job to clear up any liability issues, so they must record your statement.
3. Calculating Damages
When you’re injured, you know the pain, disabilities, and scarring you are forced to endure, but do you know their economic value? Injury claims don’t have one-size-fits-all evaluations. If two different people sustain the same injury, the settlement value will be different due to a wide range of factors. Attorneys research your injuries to understand how they affect you.
Contact a Colorado Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, don’t wait to seek legal help. Contact Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. for a free consultation. Our dedicated attorneys and professional staff are ready to listen, understand, and fight for you.
Whether dealing with medical bills, lost income, or emotional distress, we can help you navigate the legal process and secure the compensation you deserve. Let Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. guide you toward justice and recovery.