Lakewood Truck Accident Lawyer

The experienced team at Franklin D. Azar & Associates, P.C. is here to help after a truck accident. Our dedicated Lakewood truck accident lawyers have served the community for over three decades. We work hard to ensure our clients receive the compensation they need and deserve.

Lakewood Truck Accident Lawyer Guide

Why Partner with a Lakewood Truck Accident Lawyer at Our Law Firm?

When you’re dealing with a truck accident, having a skilled legal team on your side can make all the difference.

Here’s why choosing Franklin D. Azar & Associates, P.C. is the right move:

Extensive Experience: Since 1987, we’ve been representing truck accident victims in Lakewood and throughout Colorado. Our deep understanding of local laws and regulations gives us an edge in negotiations and the courtroom.
Proven Track Record: We’ve successfully recovered millions of dollars for our clients. Our firm’s reputation for securing fair compensation is well-known among insurance companies and opposing sides.
Client-Centered Approach: You’re not just a case number at Franklin D. Azar & Associates, P.C. We provide personalized attention to each client, ensuring your needs and concerns are addressed throughout the legal process.
No Upfront Costs: We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay any attorney fees unless we win your case. This allows you to focus on your recovery without worrying about legal expenses.
24/7 Availability: Truck accidents don’t happen on a schedule, nor do we. Our team is available 24/7, even on weekends, to address your concerns when needed.
Resources to Take on Big Cases: As one of Colorado’s largest personal injury firms, we have the resources to handle cases against powerful opponents, including major insurance companies.

Why Do Truck Accidents Happen in Lakewood, CO?

Lakewood, a city in the Denver metropolitan area, sees its share of truck accidents due to:

High Traffic Volume: As a major suburb of Denver, Lakewood experiences heavy traffic, including commercial trucks, especially on major roads like West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Driver Fatigue: Long-haul truck drivers may experience fatigue, leading to decreased reaction times and poor decision-making.
Distracted Driving: Using smartphones and other devices while driving continues to be a significant cause of accidents, including those involving trucks.
Speeding: Excessive speed, particularly on highways, contributes to many serious truck accidents.
Improper Loading: Improperly loaded or secured cargo can cause trucks to become unstable, leading to accidents.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Neglected truck maintenance can lead to mechanical failures and accidents.
Weather Conditions: Lakewood’s climate can bring sudden changes in weather, including snow and ice in winter months, which can be particularly challenging for large trucks. Drivers who don’t adapt to the weather by slowing down, turning on lights, etc., can lead to accidents.
Inadequate Training: Some accidents occur due to insufficient training of truck drivers in handling their vehicles or navigating specific road conditions.

Understanding the cause of your truck accident helps your attorney build a strong case. Our Lakewood truck accident lawyers will thoroughly investigate your crash to confirm liability and the compensation you need.

What is My Lakewood Truck Accident Case Worth?

The value of your claim will depend on various factors.

While nobody can provide an exact figure without a detailed evaluation of your case, some key factors that influence the value of a truck accident claim include:

Severity of Injuries: Truck accidents often result in more severe injuries due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved. More severe injuries may result in higher compensation due to increased medical expenses and long-term impact on your life.
Medical Expenses: This includes current and future costs related to your accident injuries, such as hospital bills, medications, physical therapy, and potential surgeries.
Lost Wages: If your injuries have caused you to miss work or have impacted your ability to earn in the future, this will be factored into your claim.
Property Damage: We will consider the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other damaged property.
Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages like physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life may also factored into your claim’s value.
Permanent Disability or Disfigurement: If the accident has resulted in long-term or permanent impairment, this can increase the value of your claim.
Insurance Policy Limits: Commercial trucks typically carry higher insurance limits than personal vehicles, which can affect the maximum amount you can recover.
Liability: If there’s shared fault for the accident, this could affect the final compensation amount.

At Franklin D. Azar & Associates, P.C., we want you to receive compensation for all of your losses. Our experienced Lakewood truck accident lawyers will carefully evaluate all aspects of your case to determine its full value.

Compensation After a Truck Accident in Lakewood

You may recover compensation after a truck accident for:

1. Economic Damages:

Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost wages
Loss of earning capacity
Property damage
Cost of household services
Other out-of-pocket expenses related to your injuries

2. Non-Economic Damages:

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of consortium (impact on personal relationships)

3. Punitive Damages:

Punitive damages can punish the wrongdoer in cases involving the truck driver or trucking company’s reckless or intentional conduct.

Our Lakewood truck accident lawyers will work diligently to document all your losses and fight for maximum compensation across all applicable categories.

Who’s Liable For My Lakewood Truck Accident?

Many moving parts determine liability in a truck accident case. One part is that multiple parties may share responsibility.

Potentially liable parties may include:

Truck Driver: If the driver’s negligence caused the accident, they would be primarily liable.
Trucking Company: The company that employs the driver may be held responsible under the doctrine of vicarious liability.
Cargo Loaders: If improper loading contributed to the accident, the company responsible for loading the truck could be liable.
Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers: You could hold the manufacturer responsible if a defective truck part contributed to the accident.
Government Entities: If poor road design or maintenance caused the accident, local or state government agencies might be liable.
Other Drivers: In some cases, the actions of other drivers on the road may have contributed to the truck accident.

Shared Fault After a Lakewood Truck Accident: What You Need to Know

Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule.

Here’s what you need to know:

50% Bar Rule: You can recover damages if you’re less than 50% at fault for the accident. You cannot recover compensation if you’re 50% or more at fault.
Reduced Compensation: If you’re partially at fault (but less than 50%), your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Insurance Company Tactics: Insurance companies often try to shift blame to reduce their payout. They may attempt to assign you a higher percentage of fault than is fair.
Importance of Evidence: Strong evidence can dispute unfair fault assignments. This may include police reports, witness statements, and expert testimony.
Legal Representation: Your Lakewood truck accident lawyer will work to minimize your assigned fault and maximize your compensation.

At Franklin D. Azar & Associates, P.C., we understand Colorado’s comparative negligence laws. We’ll fight to ensure you’re not unfairly blamed for the accident and that you receive the full compensation you deserve.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Truck accidents often result in more severe injuries due to the size and weight of commercial trucks.

Some common injuries we see in truck accident cases include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Including concussions and more severe forms of brain damage.
Spinal Cord Injuries: These can result in partial or complete paralysis.
Broken Bones: Fractures are common in truck accidents, particularly in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
Internal Injuries: Damage to internal organs, which may not be immediately apparent after an accident.
Burns: In cases where a fire or explosion occurs during the accident.
Amputations: The force of a truck accident can sometimes result in the loss of limbs.
Psychological Injuries: Including PTSD, anxiety, and depression resulting from the traumatic experience.
Whiplash: A common neck injury caused by sudden, forceful back-and-forth head movement.
Cuts and Lacerations: Often caused by broken glass or sharp metal.
Crush Injuries: When a smaller vehicle is crushed by a large truck, occupants can suffer severe crush injuries.

Even if you don’t feel seriously injured, go to the doctor after a truck accident. Some injuries may not appear immediately but can worsen if left untreated. You can trust that a Lakewood truck accident lawyer from our law firm will work with you to ensure all your injuries are documented and accounted for in your claim.

The Statute of Limitations for Colorado Truck Accident Lawsuits

In Colorado, there’s a limited time frame within which you can file a lawsuit for a truck accident. This is known as the statute of limitations.

A lawyer who understands these time limits can preserve your right to compensation:

Personal Injury Claims: You generally have three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit for personal injuries.
Property Damage Claims: For property damage resulting from the accident, you have three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit.
Wrongful Death Claims: If the accident resulted in a fatality, the deceased’s family members typically have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Claims Against Government Entities: If your claim is against a government entity (e.g., for poor road maintenance), you must file a notice of claim within 182 days of discovering your injury.
Discovery Rule: In some cases, the statute of limitations may be extended if the injury wasn’t immediately discoverable. This is known as the discovery rule.

Always start the legal process as soon as possible after a truck accident.

Early action allows for:

Preservation of evidence
Fresh witness memories
Timely medical documentation
Stronger negotiating position with insurance companies

Your Lakewood truck accident lawyer understands the importance of timely action in truck accident cases. They will take all necessary legal actions within the appropriate time frames to protect your rights.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What if the truck driver was uninsured?

After an accident with an uninsured truck driver in Lakewood, you still have options for seeking compensation:

Your Own Insurance: If you have uninsured motorist coverage as part of your auto insurance policy, you can file a claim with your own insurance company.
Trucking Company Liability: Even if the driver is uninsured, the trucking company that employs them may still be held liable for your damages.
Other Liable Parties: In truck accident cases, there are often multiple potentially liable parties. We can investigate whether other entities, such as the truck manufacturer or cargo loading company, share responsibility for the accident.
State Funds: In some cases, you may be eligible for compensation from state-run funds designed to help victims of uninsured motorists.

Remember, trucking companies must carry substantial insurance coverage. If they did not, you need an experienced Lakewood truck accident lawyer.

Can I file a claim if the accident happened in another state?

Yes, you can still file a claim even if your truck accident occurred in another state.

Here’s what you need to know:

Jurisdiction: The claim will typically be filed in the state where the accident occurred, as that state’s laws will generally apply to the case.
Local Representation: You may need an attorney licensed to practice in the state where the accident occurred.
Colorado Residents: If you’re a Colorado resident, we can still be your primary point of contact and work with local counsel in the other state to manage your case.
Statute of Limitations: The statute of limitations may be different in the state where the accident occurred.
Insurance Coverage: Your insurance policy may cover accidents that occur out of state, but it’s important to review your policy with your attorney to understand your coverage.
Complex Cases: Interstate trucking accident cases can be complex due to varying state laws and the involvement of federal regulations.

What types of evidence should I collect after a truck accident?

Collecting strong evidence builds a solid truck accident case.

Here is the evidence you should gather:

Photographs and Videos: Take pictures and videos of vehicle damage, injuries, road conditions, and any relevant traffic signs or signals.
Police Report: Obtain a copy of the official police report filed at the scene.
Witness Information: Collect names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
Driver and Company Information: Get the truck driver’s name, contact information, license number, and insurance details.
Medical Records: Keep detailed records of all medical treatments, diagnoses, and expenses related to your injuries.
Employment Records: Document any work missed due to your injuries, including pay stubs showing lost wages.
Maintenance Records: The truck’s maintenance history can be important if mechanical failure contributed to the accident.
Driver’s Logbook: Truck drivers must keep logbooks of their driving hours. This can be crucial in determining if driver fatigue was a factor.
Cargo Information: Details about the truck’s cargo, including weight and how it was loaded, can be important in some cases.
Your Own Notes: As soon as possible after the accident, write down everything you remember about what happened before, during, and after the crash.

Remember, you will not easily obtain some of this evidence, particularly information from the trucking company, without legal representation.

At Franklin D. Azar & Associates, P.C., we have the experience and resources to gather all the necessary evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.

Speak to a Lakewood Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Don’t let the stress of a truck accident overwhelm you. Let the dedicated Lakewood truck accident lawyers at Franklin D. Azar & Associates, P.C. fight for your rights and your future.

Remember, time is of the essence in truck accident cases. The sooner you reach out, the stronger your case will be. Call (720) 782-0993 or fill out our online contact form to get started. Your road to recovery begins here.

Lakewood Truck Accident Lawyer