If you or a loved one have suffered a crash involving a commercial vehicle, you’re well aware of the severe toll it takes on your life. The physical damage, mental distress, and financial strain can seem insurmountable. When a truck accident ensues, it’s often accompanied by devastating and life-altering physical injuries. Furthermore, these incidents usually result in larger scale accidents, such as multi-vehicle pile-ups, due to the massive size and weight of trucks.
At Monge & Associates, our accomplished Denver truck accident attorneys can provide invaluable support. With a comprehensive knowledge of the intricacies tied to truck accident claims, we’re committed to advocating for your rights and obtaining the restitution you’re entitled to. You can rely on us to guide you through the legal procedures, allowing you to concentrate on your recovery and restoring your life. Navigating a truck accident claim might feel daunting, but our seasoned Denver truck accident lawyers at Monge & Associates stand ready to fight for your rights and help you succeed. Rest assured, you are not alone in this battle. Contact us today for your free consultation.
Denver Truck Accident Resources
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What is a Truck Accident Injury?
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Primary Causes of Denver Truck Accidents
Size and Weight Regulations for Denver Trucks
Colorado’s Truck Accident Statute of Limitations
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What is a Truck Accident Injury?
A truck accident injury refers to any harm or physical damage sustained by individuals involved in a collision with a commercial truck within the Denver area. These injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe and life-threatening conditions such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, or even fatalities. Due to the massive size and weight disparity between trucks and other vehicles on the road, truck accidents often result in more severe injuries compared to regular car accidents. Our truck and car accident lawyer in Denver can help you deal with the legal aftermath of a serious collision.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accidents can result in a range of injuries, varying in severity. Some common injuries that occur in truck accidents include:
- Whiplash: Sudden jerking motions during a collision can cause whiplash, which affects the neck and spine. Symptoms may include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness.
- Fractures: The impact of a truck accident can lead to broken bones in various parts of the body, including arms, legs, ribs, and the pelvis.
- Back and Spinal Cord Injuries: The force of a truck accident can cause serious damage to the back and spinal cord, resulting in herniated discs, spinal fractures, or even paralysis.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): When the head strikes a hard surface or experiences significant jolts, it can result in a TBI. These injuries can range from concussions to severe brain damage and can have long-term cognitive and neurological effects.
- Internal Organ Damage: The impact of a truck accident can cause internal injuries, such as damage to organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys. These injuries may require immediate medical intervention.
- Cuts and Lacerations: Broken glass, sharp metal, or debris from the accident can cause deep cuts and lacerations, which may require stitches or surgery.
- Psychological Trauma: Truck accidents can leave lasting psychological effects, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, or a fear of driving.
What Are the Primary Causes of Denver Truck Accidents?
While a truck accident can occur for various reasons, understanding the most common causes can help in identifying the responsible parties. Here are some of the typical causes of truck accidents in Denver:
- Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours and may experience fatigue, leading to decreased alertness and slower reaction times. Fatigue can result from violating federal regulations regarding rest breaks and maximum driving hours.
- Distracted Driving: Distractions like cell phone use, eating, or adjusting controls can divert a truck driver’s attention from the road, increasing the risk of an accident.
- Impaired Driving: Operating a truck under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or certain medications can impair judgment, coordination, and reaction times, significantly increasing the likelihood of accidents.
- Speeding: Driving over the speed limit or at excessive speeds reduces a truck driver’s ability to stop in time, increases the severity of collisions, and makes it harder to maneuver safely.
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Neglected maintenance can lead to equipment failures, such as faulty brakes, worn tires, or defective lighting systems, which can cause accidents.
- Improper Loading or Cargo Shift: If cargo is improperly loaded or secured, it can shift during transit, leading to imbalanced weight distribution and causing the truck to become unstable or tip over, potentially causing serious accidents.
- Weather Conditions: Adverse weather conditions like heavy rain, snow, ice, or fog can reduce visibility, affect traction, and make it more challenging to control a truck, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Inadequate Training: Insufficient training and lack of experience in handling large commercial vehicles can contribute to truck accidents, as drivers may be unfamiliar with proper techniques or fail to respond appropriately to hazardous situations.
Size and Weight Regulations for Denver Trucks
In Denver, the stipulations for the size and weight of commercial trucks are regulated by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). These stipulations are intended to ensure safety on the roadways, taking into account the impact of a truck’s size and weight on its stability and maneuverability. If these regulations are violated, it can lead to liability in the event of a truck accident.
Here’s a rundown of some of these guidelines:
- Height: In Colorado, including Denver, trucks generally cannot exceed a height of 14 feet.
- Length: The length limit for a standalone vehicle, including the load, is 45 feet. For a combination of vehicles, like a truck and trailer, the length limit is 65 feet. However, certain combinations with special permits may extend up to 75 feet.
- Width: Trucks are generally allowed a maximum width of 8.5 feet (102 inches). Exceptions are made for specific specialized vehicles with oversize permits.
- Weight: The weight limit depends on the number of axles and the type of roadway. Typically, the maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) allowed on interstate highways is 80,000 pounds, dispersed over multiple axles.
When these size and weight regulations are disregarded, it can cause or contribute to accidents, often resulting in severe damage and injuries due to the increased force of impact. The party responsible for the violation may be held liable for the resultant damages. This could include the truck driver, the trucking company, or even a third-party company responsible for loading the truck, depending on the circumstances of the violation. Our personal injury attorney in Denver can help determine who may have been liable for the collision.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Colorado Truck Accidents?
Statute of limitations are the rules governing the time limit for bringing a truck accident lawsuit in Denver. The laws set out a particular time window during which a claimant must initiate a legal action. If a claim is not made within this stipulated period, it could result in a forfeiture of the right to pursue legal remedy.
Typically, the time limit set by Colorado for filing personal injury claims is two years from the incident’s occurrence. Thus, those involved in a truck accident in Denver usually have a two-year period, counting from the accident’s date, to start a lawsuit seeking reparation for their damages and injuries.
There are exceptions to the exact duration of the statute of limitations, depending on the specifics of the case. For example, in instances where the accident led to a loss of life, the timeframe for instituting a wrongful death lawsuit might be different.
Contact Our Denver Truck Accident Lawyers Today
In the aftermath of a truck accident in Denver, it is crucial to take swift action to protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve. Our Denver truck accident attorneys can safeguard your rights and secure the compensation you’re entitled to, following a truck accident in Denver. Our in-depth knowledge of truck accident regulations, proven track record in handling complex cases, and unwavering commitment to championing our clients’ causes make us your most formidable allies. Let us carry the burden of the legal battle at Monge & Associates while you focus on healing. Don’t grapple with the legal system by yourself—reach out to our Denver truck accident lawyers now for a confidential, no-obligation discussion. Let us partner with you, supporting you every step of the way, as we strive to secure the justice you are owed. Contact us today for your free consultation.