A Colorado 18-wheeler accident involving a passenger vehicle, such as a car, can be much, much worse than a typical accident. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh 80,000 lbs. The average auto weighs about 3,000 pounds. The basic laws of physics say that an accident between two vehicles with such a tremendous size disparity is going to result in more serious and fatal car accident injuries.
The danger from the size disparity in commercial truck accidents can be compounded by the kind of cargo the truck is carrying. Some commercial trucks carry flammable or otherwise dangerous materials that can cause secondary car accident injuries. If you’ve been injured in a commercial truck accident in Colorado you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
How is a Truck Accident Different?
In addition to the much greater potential for serious injury and death as the result of a car and truck accident, there are a number of special considerations that you and your Colorado truck accident attorney may need to take into account. A large commercial vehicle such as an 18-wheeler truck is prone to special types of accidents, such as jackknifing. The fact that a truck jackknifes, however, is not in itself proof of truck operator negligence, because there are many present in which there is no way to avoid jackknifing without risking some other form of catastrophe.
Also, large commercial trucks make wide turns and can sometimes hit other drivers or parked cars. It’s not always clear, however, what constitutes negligence in these situations. An experienced Colorado truck accident attorney can navigate through these issues.
Additionally, commercial truck accidents may have more potential defendants than a normal auto accident injury case. In addition to the truck driver, trucking companies, contractors, employers, insurance companies, and in some cases the manufacturer of hazardous materials carried by the truck may also be liable. Liability, however, can be very complicated in these cases and dependent on a large number of variables. It’s important that you and your truck accident attorney identify as many potential defendants as possible.
As in any auto accident, it’s important to take the necessary steps to first protect you or your loved one’s health and safety, and then to protect your right to fair compensation for your truck accident injuries.
Steps to follow after a Car and Semi-Truck Accident:
1. Move clear of debris and potentially hazardous materials
2. Seek medical attention immediately.
3. Act to protect your rights: Keep track of any police reports, medical bills and expenses, lost wages, and any other documents relevant to your car/truck accident case so that you can give them to your attorney
4. Contact us — our experienced Colorado truck accident attorneys will fight to get you the compensation that you deserve.
Bill’s Truck Accident Experience
THE TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYERS AT FDAZAR
For more than thirty years the attorneys at Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers have helped thousands of injured people obtain complete and timely compensation for their losses. Our proven track record and expertise have allowed us to grow into the largest personal-injury law firm in Colorado, with offices in Denver, Aurora, Thornton, Fort Collins, Greeley, Grand Junction, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo.
If you’ve been injured in a bus, car, truck, bicycle, or motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Please call FD Azar day or night at 800-716-9032, or contact us here for a free consultation and no-obligation evaluation of your case.
