When commercial trucks collide with personal automobiles, the results can be devastating. These multi-ton trucks often weigh around 50,000lbs — more than 12 times the weight of the average vehicle. All that extra mass leads to worse injuries for everyone involved.
You’d think that the trucking company — or the insurance company — would pay for your medical care after a severe truck accident. Unfortunately, that’s not often the case. Many of these companies will make you fight for every single cent that you’re owed.
Being refused an acceptable payment isn’t the end of the road when you have a capable Denver truck accident attorney from McDivitt Law fighting for you. We’ll help you get the compensation you need to move forward after a major accident.
Our Goal as Your Denver Truck Accident Attorney
Having to deal with a stingy insurance company after you endure serious injuries only adds insult to injury. We refuse to let these companies take advantage of you.
For more than 40 years, our Denver truck accident attorneys have fought to get severely injured accident victims the compensation they deserve, and have won them millions of dollars.
As Denver locals, we want the very best for the people of this city. That’s why we remain totally committed to getting you the best settlement possible, as quickly as we can.
How to Increase Your Chances of a Settlement Following a Truck Accident
The aftermath of a truck accident is a chaotic scene unlike anything else on a roadway. It can be difficult to manage your thoughts in the midst of this carnage. However, your actions can have a major influence on your settlement case.
Here’s what you should do immediately after a truck accident:
- Get any necessary medical treatment and have it documented: Truck accidents frequently lead to severe injuries that require immediate medical treatment. Calling 911 and getting you and your passengers to the hospital should be your first priorities. Timely treatment can reduce the long-term impacts of even severe injuries, improving your chances of a full recovery. While you are getting treated, your doctor will provide you with a recovery plan that your lawyer can use to explain the harm you were caused.
- Don't immediately accept a payment: If the truck driver was at fault for the accident, their company or insurer may try to expedite a payment to you. While this may seem like a stroke of luck, don't take the payment. The initial offers from these companies are usually far lower than what you deserve.
- Call our Denver truck accident lawyers: After receiving medical treatment, call a Denver truck accident attorney at McDivitt. The sooner you talk to us, the faster we can begin fighting for an appropriate settlement.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents Where the Truck Driver is at Fault
Truck accidents seriously injure thousands of people every single year. In many cases, truck drivers, or the companies they work for, can be held liable for the accident.
Here are just a few common trucking accident causes that could make you eligible for a settlement:
- Fatigued truck drivers – When truckers don't get enough rest, they become less effective drivers. A truck driver who has not taken adequate rest breaks is in violation of FMCSA regulations, and can be held liable for any injuries they cause other motorists.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol – Intoxicated drivers routinely make riskier driving maneuvers and have reduced reaction speed. A driver who is under the influence is highly likely to be at fault for any collision they're involved in.
- Speeding – Speeding makes maneuvering and braking more difficult for truck drivers. The collisions caused by commercial trucks moving at a high rate of speed are some of the deadliest — and, sadly, most preventable.
- Distracted driving – When truck drivers use a cell phone while driving, it greatly increases the risk of an accident. Colorado has strict laws regarding phone usage that can make it easier to demonstrate that the trucker was at fault for your injury.
- Poor vehicle maintenance – Some companies don’t perform proper truck maintenance on time. Poorly maintained trucks can be found at fault for accidents, and may even expose the truck owner to additional liability.
- Improperly trained truck drivers – All transportation companies must ensure that their drivers are licensed and trained before they take to the road. Improper training can lead drivers to make poor decisions that cause deadly accidents.
- Incorrectly loaded cargo – Unbalanced and unsecured cargo can cause trucks to lose control and slam into other vehicles on the road. While this isn't the truck driver’s fault, it is the fault of the cargo loading group. You can take them to court over your injuries.