Causes of Truck and 18-Wheeler Accidents in Colorado

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in 2017 there were 107,000 large truck crashes that resulted in injuries in the U.S. Trucks are necessary on our highways, but are also much larger and heavier than other vehicles on the road which makes them slower to react to sudden changes in road conditions and more dangerous overall. If you have been injured in an accident involving an 18-wheeler in Colorado, you need an experienced lawyer on your side. The trucking company will undoubtedly have their own team of attorneys, so you need to be prepared with a professional to fight on your behalf.

Listed below are some of the most common causes of truck and 18-wheeler accidents in Colorado. Do any of them relate to your case?

There are many ways that drivers can become distracted on Colorado roads. One of the most common ways is cell phone usage. Although it is against the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations to use a cell phone while driving, some truck drivers will still become distracted by using their mobile devices.

The average text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for about 5 seconds. When traveling at 55mph, that is the equivalent to driving the length of a football field with your eyes on your phone instead of the road. If you believe distracted driving caused the accident you or a loved one has been involved in, call a Colorado truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your case.

Speeding is unfortunately common on highways across the USA. Truck drivers are constantly under pressure to make their destinations on time with sometimes strict deadlines which can lead drivers to feel pressured to speed. Most truck drivers who speed do not understand that they are endangering the lives of everyone else around them on the road. Speeding can make drivers unable to stop in time to avoid an accident and cause loss of control or jackknifing.

As mentioned above, truckers are under constant pressure to make deadlines on time. Sometimes, truck drivers will sacrifice the FMCSA required schedule of rest in order to make these deadlines and drive fatigued which can lead to accidents. A seasoned Colorado truck injury attorney can make drivers pay who do not follow the FMCSA guidelines and cause an accident.

There are federal regulations that truck drivers and companies must follow in regards to vehicle maintenance. Truck drivers have to inspect their vehicles and keep a record of these inspections to try and prevent maintenance related accidents. Sometimes, drivers choose to cut corners and the results can be deadly. Your lawyer can investigate the driver’s maintenance logs and make sure that the proper precautions were being taken by the driver who caused your accident.

Trucking companies can also cut corners by improperly training their drivers. Drivers with inadequate training are more likely to cause accidents. Your Colorado truck accident lawyer will comb through training records to ensure that a driver with inadequate training pays for the damage they’ve caused.

An unfortunate reality is that some truck drivers drive under the influence of drugs and / or alcohol. It goes without saying that drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol are more likely to cause serious accidents. Although there are very strict regulations in place to prevent drivers from using alcohol or drugs, it still happens. Call a Colorado truck injury attorney if you believe the driver of your accident was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

If you’ve been injured in an accident with an 18-wheeler, you need an expert attorney on your side. Trucking companies and their insurance companies will try to minimize the settlement that you deserve. If you want someone who will fight for you, call Colorado attorney James Shaw. Call today for a free, no-obligation consultation at 1-800-555-0101.