Nearly 5,000 motorists die each year in truck-related traffic accidents, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Truck collisions account for more than 25,000 injuries requiring medical treatment each year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 90,000 people were injured in truck accidents in 2008. Fatal truck accidents occur mostly in rural areas, during the days and on weekdays. Many semi-truck accidents have occurred on Colorado’s I-25 and I-70 highways. If you are a truck accident victim in Denver, you need to consult with a Denver personal injury attorney who with a proven track record in handling motor vehicle accident cases.
Causes
A variety of factors can cause a truck accident. An over-weighted truck has a higher likelihood of rolling over and can be difficult for the driver to handle when going downhill. The strict deadlines under which many truckers work forces them to drive too fast, as well as forcing them to drive all through the night without stopping to take rest breaks. This causes driver fatigue, which can lead to erratic driving or a driver falling asleep behind the wheel. Exercising poor judgment when driving in inclement weather can also cause a motor vehicle accident. Poor maintenance of trucks and equipment is also a common culprit. Driving a truck with worn or leaking tires, poorly maintained brakes and insufficient lighting and safety markings is an accident–and a lawsuit–waiting to happen.
When An Accident Ends in a Fatality
Few people survive a truck-car collision without a scratch. The size and weight of a truck, combined with the impact when colliding with a passenger car, creates a very high likelihood for serious bodily injury or death. A fatal truck accident causes serious emotional anguish for the other parties involved in the accident, as well as the family and friends of the victim. A fatal truck accident also places the spotlight on the trucking company and the driver (if he survived), who can be held liable if evidence of negligence on the part of the driver and company is found.
How An Attorney Can Help
A Denver personal injury attorney can conduct an investigation to see if the trucking company and the driver involved in a fatal truck accident violated any federal or state trucking laws governing safe operation of commercial vehicles. The personal injury attorneys at the O’Connell Law Firm, P.C. have the experience, background and access to professional resources to get you the most possible compensation for their clients.
With 40 years of legal and negotiating experience and an understanding of the legal strategies involved in truck accident cases, the personal injury attorneys at the O’Connell Law Firm, P.C. are fully capable of handling your case. Contact their offices for a free initial consultation to see what options you have under the law and the best course of action to take. Time is of the essence in cases like these. The sooner you retain an attorney to represent and fight for you, the greater your chances for a favorable outcome.
