Denver Truck Accident Lawyer

Driving around beautiful Denver, Colorado, means sharing the road with large commercial vehicles. If you or a loved one suffered injury due to the negligent actions of a truck driver or company, a truck accident attorney in Denver can help you fight for justice.

Victims hurt by careless or reckless truckers can pursue compensation and hold the driver and their employer accountable. Our attorneys fight for damages to cover your medical care, lost income, car repairs, and pain and suffering.

A Denver personal injury lawyer from Matlin Injury Law can help with your truck accident claim or lawsuit. We will review your legal options with you for free today. Speak to a team member who will assess your case and answer your questions. Contact us today to get started.

Our Denver Truck Accident Attorneys Pursue Fair Compensation for Crash Victims

When representing a client injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, we aim to recover the money they need to cover all their accident-related expenses and losses. And for many victims of truck accidents, expenses and losses can be extensive because truck accidents can cause severe injuries such as:

• Fractures
• Scarring and disfiguration
• Internal organ damage
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement that covers your current and future losses, our Denver trucking accident lawyers will not settle for less. We will file a truck accident lawsuit and ask a jury to award you full compensation. 

Does Your Truck Accident Settlement Cover All Economic Losses

Economic damages are compensation for financial losses. These include things like:

• Present and future medical bills related to truck accident injuries
• Ongoing care and support needs
• Income losses from time missed at work
• Diminished earning capacity for lasting injuries
• Home modifications needed to increase accessibility after an accident caused a disability
• Property damage, including car repair or replacement
• Other related expenses

Your Truck Accident Case Should Account for Non-Economic Damages Too

Noneconomic damages cover losses that are not directly financial in nature. They include things like:

• Pain and suffering, including emotional trauma, mental anguish, and other physical, mental, and emotional injuries
• Loss of consortium
• Lowered quality of loss
• Loss of enjoyment of life

We handle these cases regularly and know how to develop strong evidence to support recovering the financial compensation your family deserves based on your expenses, future losses, and Colorado law.

Contact us today at Matlin Injury Law to learn more. We provide free consultations for families pursuing semi-truck accident claims.

Denver Wrongful Death Claims for Truck Accidents

If your loved one died from their Denver truck accident injuries, their surviving family members should not have to deal with the resulting financial burden. Our Denver wrongful death lawyers will manage your legal case with compassion so that your family has time to grieve. 

Under Colorado law (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-201), only certain close family members can file a wrongful death action, such as the decedent’s: 

• Spouse
• Heirs
• Parents, in some circumstances

Your attorney will pursue compensation covering funeral and burial costs, medical expenses, and other losses related to their passing. 

Why Choose a Matlin Injury Law Attorney to Handle My Denver Truck Accident Injuries?

You can count on our team to fight for your rights. Founding attorney, Brian Matlin, Esq., and his team are prepared to fight for you after your Denver 18-wheeler accident. We believe having the right attorney on your side can significantly relieve the stress and frustration you feel and make it easier to focus on your treatment and physical recovery.

Here’s what you can expect when you work with our truck accident lawyers in Denver:

• Direct access to your lawyer: You won’t need to go through a case manager or office assistant to reach your attorney.
• Access to an app to track your case: Get daily updates on your case so you’re always aware of what’s going on.
• Walk through the truck accident case: We’ll make sure you understand the complex legal and insurance process.
• Representation start to finish: Most cases will settle out of court, but if we need to take the case to trial, we’ll be ready.

Handling All Aspects of Your Truck Accident Case

You focus on healing from injuries and reaching maximum medical improvement. See your doctors, rest, and recover. Let us handle your legal case.

• Filing paperwork, ensuring accuracy and completeness
• Handling all communications and negotiations on your behalf
• Advising you throughout the settlement process
• Filing any necessary appeals
• Answering your questions and keeping you up to date on your case’s progress
• Representing you in court, if needed

Our attorneys work based on contingency. We never charge upfront fees or ask clients to pay a retainer before working on their case. You only pay if we secure financial compensation for you. 

When Should I Hire a Denver Truck Collision Attorney to Handle My Case?

Our truck accident lawyers recommend acting as soon as possible to speak with our team. Hiring a lawyer early in the process means they can protect your rights from the start. As soon as your injuries allow, contact our team. 

Generally, you have a three-year time limit to file a car accident lawsuit in Colorado, per CO. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101. The deadline is typically two years for wrongful death cases, per Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-80-102.

Other deadlines could apply to your case. You must also navigate several steps before you sue, so hire a truck accident lawyer to oversee this process and ensure you meet all necessary timelines.

Prove the Cause of Your Truck Accident to Hold the Driver & Carrier Accountable

In 2022, 5,837 commercial trucks were involved in fatal accidents while another 120,200 trucks were involved in accidents where injuries occurred. These numbers have increased almost 50% in the last ten years. Despite the prevalence of trucks on interstates, almost three-quarters of fatal truck accidents occur on non-interstate roadways.

But whenever and wherever in the Denver area that your truck accident occurred – I-25, I-70, downtown, the Denver suburbs, or any of the city’s main and side roads – your truck accident lawyer will need to prove its cause to hold the driver and carrier liable. Some causes of truck accidents include:

• Driver fatigue
• Speeding
• Inattentive driving
• Drug use
• Brake issues
• Traffic flow issues, such as congestion or hazards in the road
• Failure to come to a complete stop, such as at intersections
• Following too close behind other vehicles
• Not being familiar with the road
• Tire problems

Our Denver Truck Crash Lawyers Build Cases to Prove Liability

An accident caused by a commercial driver creates several complexities, potentially making it difficult to file a personal injury claim, negotiate a payout, or otherwise get justice in your case.

When you consider who might be liable for your crash, it becomes apparent why victims hire a truck accident lawyer to help with their case.

Unlike in most auto accidents, liability in truck accidents often goes beyond the other driver. Parties that could be liable for your truck accident include:

• The Truck Driver: The truck driver may have acted negligently by speeding, disobeying traffic laws, being distracted while driving, or failing to yield.
• The Trucking Company: The company may be negligent if it hired unqualified drivers, neglected to properly train drivers, or has practices that violate safety standards.
• Vehicle Manufacturers: If a defect with the truck caused or contributed to the wreck, the vehicle manufacturer could be liable too.

Further, truck carriers are often vicariously liable for accidents caused by their truck drivers. Employers are responsible for the negligent actions of their workers. This means we will likely pursue a case against the truck company. To win these cases, we must deal with insurers, lawyers, and large corporations.

Our Denver semi-truck accident lawyers have knowledge, experience, resources, and reputation to manage these complex cases. We know what it takes to navigate this process and secure the compensation our clients deserve.

How Our Truck Accident Attorneys Prove Responsibility

Proving the negligence that led to your accident is essential. In order to do so, we may take some of the following actions:

• Interviewing Witnesses: Eyewitnesses may be able to offer clear and impartial views of what happened during the accident. Witnesses may be bystanders or drivers and passengers in other vehicles.
• Obtaining Video Footage and Photographs of the Accident: Photos or videos from dashcams, cellphones, and traffic and security cameras can be some of the most helpful forms of evidence, as they can provide unbiased footage of what happened.
• Accident Reconstruction: An accident reconstruction specialist may examine physical evidence such as debris and skid marks to demonstrate a driver’s actions leading up to and during the collision. 
• Retrieving Evidence from Carriers: Other evidence such as driving records and personnel records can also be helpful. Compliance with (or lack thereof) trucking regulations like hours of service and inspection rules could be relevant to your case, and our attorneys can retrieve those records. 
• Reviewing Police Reports: Police or crash reports contain valuable insight into an accident. They can provide crucial details of the accident scene.

Having a truck accident lawyer from Matlin Injury Law by your side can mean peace of mind knowing that no stone is left unturned as they investigate your accident. Truck accidents involve more regulations, more parties, and more complexity than most auto accidents, so knowledge of those nuances is important.

Commercial Vehicle Regulations in Colorado

In Colorado, commercial vehicle operations are governed by specific laws and regulations designed to ensure road safety and compliance. A commercial vehicle is one used in commerce that either weighs at least 16,001 pounds, is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, or is utilized for transporting hazardous materials. 

Other trucking regulations in Colorado include:

• Licensing: Operators of commercial vehicles are required to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) appropriate for the vehicle’s class and adhere to hours-of-service regulations to prevent driver fatigue. These regulations mandate specific rest periods and limit driving hours within a given timeframe. 
• Sizing: Size and weight limitations are strictly enforced. Vehicles exceeding an empty weight of 16,000 pounds or a gross combined weight rating over 26,000 pounds must clear through the state’s ports of entry managed by the Colorado State Patrol.
• Road Usage: Additionally, commercial vehicles are prohibited from using the farthest left lane on certain stretches of Interstate 70, except when safely passing slower vehicles. 
• Insurance Regulations for Commercial Vehicles in Colorado: In Colorado, as in other parts of the country, commercial truck operators must adhere to both state and federal insurance requirements to ensure adequate financial responsibility. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates that interstate motor carriers operating vehicles over 10,000 pounds maintain a minimum liability insurance coverage of $750,000. 

If a driver or trucking company is in violation of these regulations, it can impact your truck accident claim. 

Comparative Fault in Truck Accident Cases

If you are partially at fault for the truck accident, you can still recover compensation as long as your negligence is not more than or equal to that of the defendant. Partial fault will reduce the damages you recover, however. 

If you were 30% at fault, your damages will reduce by 30%. It’s therefore important to fight allegations of fault from the insurance company or truck carrier. 

Because truck accidents often result in severe injuries, taking proactive steps to stay safe around large commercial vehicles can help prevent collisions altogether. Understanding how trucks operate and adjusting your driving habits accordingly can reduce the likelihood of an accident and the risk of being partially at fault.

Driving Safely Around Large Trucks

Sharing the road with large trucks requires heightened awareness and adherence to specific safety practices to prevent accidents. Here are some key tips to ensure safe driving interactions with commercial vehicles:

• Avoid Blind Spots: Large trucks have significant blind spots, known as “No Zones,” around the front, back, and sides. If you cannot see the truck driver in their side mirror, they likely cannot see you. Stay clear of these areas to remain visible. 
• Maintain Safe Following Distance: Due to their size and weight, trucks require longer distances to stop. Keep a safe distance behind trucks to allow ample time for both vehicles to react to traffic conditions. 
• Pass with Caution: When overtaking a truck, ensure you can see the driver in the mirror before passing. Signal clearly, use the left lane, and avoid lingering alongside the truck. Before merging back, confirm the truck is visible in your rearview mirror and leave extra space. 
• Anticipate Wide Turns: Trucks often make wide turns and may swing into adjacent lanes. Never attempt to squeeze between a turning truck and the curb. Instead, wait for the truck to complete its maneuver. 
• Stay Focused and Avoid Distractions: Distracted driving can be as dangerous as impaired driving in some cases. Activities like texting, eating, or adjusting the radio divert attention from the road. Stay alert, especially when driving near large trucks. 

Even if the insurance company is saying you are partially at fault, you can still seek and recover compensation if the truck driver was more at fault.

A truck accident lawyer in Denver from our firm can help you sort out all the details, fight allegations of partial fault, and prove the truck driver or carrier is to blame for your wreck.

What to Do If You’ve Been in a Truck Accident in Denver

If you’ve been in a collision with a truck, you are likely scared and disoriented. You may also be in physical pain. It can be difficult to make decisions or take appropriate action after the wreck.

Do the following to protect yourself and others as well as a potential claim against the negligent truck driver who caused the wreck.

• Get Medical Attention: The most important action you can take is to keep yourself safe. If you or someone with you is injured, call 9-1-1 for emergency medical care. If you do not need emergency medical services, it is still important to seek medical care. A doctor can do a full medical evaluation and start a treatment plan as soon as possible.
• Call the Police: Once you have taken care of your medical needs, call the police to report the accident. In Colorado, accidents should be reported if there are any injuries, fatalities, or more than $1,000 in property damage.
• Document Injuries and Damage: If possible, document the accident scene and your injuries. Take photos of vehicle damage, the surrounding area such as traffic signs, and any debris. Photograph your injuries as well. Such evidence can serve as time-stamped proof of damage and injuries when you submit your truck accident claim.

Things to Avoid After a Truck Accident in Denver

• If the truck driver seems aggressive or inebriated, do not interact with them. Instead, remain in your vehicle, if it is safe to do so, until emergency responders arrive.
• Avoid taking blame for the accident when discussing the wreck. 
• Never post about your accident online. These social media posts can be used against you.

If you’ve been in an accident involving an 18-wheeler or other large truck, contact our Denver truck accident attorneys at Matlin Injury Law. We manage your injury case from start to finish so that you can focus on your recovery.

What to Expect Once You File Your Denver Truck Accident Claim

When you file a truck accident claim, the process typically involves several key steps. Here’s what to expect:

• Investigation: Once you file your claim, the insurance company will investigate the accident. This includes reviewing police reports, examining evidence (like photos, videos, and witness statements), and analyzing medical records to assess injuries.
• Liability: Establishing fault is critical. Truck accidents can involve multiple parties, such as the driver, trucking company, or vehicle manufacturer. The investigation may include checking for violations of trucking regulations like driver fatigue limits or vehicle maintenance standards.
• Medical Treatment and Documentation: Ensure you follow through with prescribed medical care, as this serves as evidence of your injuries. Detailed medical records are essential to substantiate your claim.
• Negotiations: The insurance company may offer a settlement. Your truck accident attorney will evaluate the offer and negotiate to ensure it reflects the full extent of your losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Litigation (if necessary): If negotiations fail, your case may proceed to trial. Your attorney will present evidence to support your claim and seek maximum compensation.

Throughout the process, communication with your Denver truck accident attorney is vital to navigate legal complexities and ensure your rights are protected.

Denied Claim? Your Truck Accident Lawyer in Denver Can Help

If your claim is denied or the insurance company is making lowball settlement offers that don’t account for all your losses, your attorney can fight the decision on your behalf. Your lawyer will respond with evidence proving the truck driver’s or truck carrier’s liability and establishing the short- and long-term effects of your injuries. 

Your lawyer will continue negotiations or take the case to trial if necessary to recover full and fair compensation.

Contact a Denver Truck Accident Lawyer Today for a Free Case Review

If you or a loved one has been involved in a collision with a truck, you are likely dealing with financial worries on top of physical pain and emotional trauma. You don’t have to deal with the complexities of your truck accident claim alone.

At Matlin Injury Law, our team provides free initial case consultations for truck accident victims and their families. We will review your case and assess your legal options. 

You can learn how a Denver truck accident lawyer from our team can help you navigate the claims process and fight to hold the trucking company responsible. Contact us today to get started.