Truck accidents are some of the most devastating traffic collisions that can occur. Fully loaded commercial trucks can weigh up to 20 times more than passenger vehicles, which significantly increases the force of impact during a collision. This disparity in size and weight means that occupants of passenger vehicles are about three times more likely than truck occupants to be injured or killed when truck accidents occur. The aftermath of these accidents can leave victims with severe injuries, extensive medical bills, and a long road to recovery, emphasizing the need for legal guidance.

In some instances, truck accidents may occur on construction sites, where additional regulations and responsibilities come into play. Construction zones often have specific safety protocols and signage requirements that both drivers and site managers must follow. When a truck accident occurs in such an area, it may involve not only the truck driver and company but also construction firms and site managers, making the legal process more complicated. Determining liability in these cases requires an in-depth understanding of construction and transportation laws, which is why having experienced legal representation is crucial.

Tragically, truck accidents often lead to fatalities due to the sheer size and force of commercial vehicles. When these accidents result in the loss of life, the family members of the victims may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. Pursuing a wrongful death case is not only about seeking financial compensation; it's also about holding the responsible parties accountable and finding some measure of justice for the family's profound loss. These cases can involve complex investigations to establish fault and negligence, requiring the expertise of a skilled legal team.

Insurance companies representing the trucking firm often try to minimize payouts, using various tactics to protect their interests. They might argue that the victim was partially at fault or attempt to exploit loopholes in policies to reduce the compensation offered. This makes it crucial to have experienced legal representation on your side, ensuring that your rights are defended and that you receive fair compensation for your injuries, losses, and suffering. An attorney familiar with truck accident cases can negotiate with insurers, gather necessary evidence, and present a compelling case that accurately reflects the true impact of the accident on your life.

As with auto accidents, truck accidents are often caused by human errors, and these errors commonly arise from the negligent actions of drivers – either truck drivers or other motorists on the road.

When truck drivers are even partially responsible for causing traffic accidents, however, some of the specific forms of driver negligence that can be involved include:

• Trucker fatigue, which is a factor in about 13 percent of all truck accidents
• Trucker distraction, which can impair drivers’ abilities to perceive and properly respond to the driving conditions around them
• Trucker intoxication, which also prevents drivers’ from being able to safely maneuver trucks and appropriately respond to their changing driving environments
• Truckers’ failure to comply with any state or federal trucking regulations, which can result in truck equipment malfunctions (and other risks and problems).

At Bell & Pollock, P.C., our Denver truck accident lawyers are committed to seeking compensation and justice for the victims of truck accidents caused by any form of negligence. We will work relentlessly to hold negligent parties accountable, helping victims and their families pursue all available legal remedies so they can maximize their financial recoveries.

After a truck accident, the details of the collision will be pivotal to identifying the liable party or parties. Generally, however, those who are commonly liable for truck accidents include (but may not be exclusive to):

• Truckers when their negligence contributes to truck accidents
• Other motorists when their impairment, distraction or failure to comply with traffic laws leads to truck accidents
• Trucking companies when their failure to hire qualified drivers, maintain trucks and/or ensure compliance with trucking regulations plays a role in causing truck accidents
• Other parties, such as truck equipment manufacturers when defective equipment causes truck accidents or municipalities when poor roadway conditions contributes to collisions.

The Denver truck accident lawyers at Bell & Pollock are experienced at helping victims establish liability following these collisions. Some of the various ways we may do this include via:

• Data from electronic onboard records (EOBRs)
• Information from truckers’ duty logs
• Trucking company records
• Regulators’ compliance records for truckers and trucking companies
• Expert witnesses, such as accident reconstructionists, physicians, etc.