Large commercial trucks weigh 80,000 pounds and can stretch to 75 feet or more. Their size and longer stopping distances can make trucks very dangerous when truck drivers don’t follow safety precautions or operate the commercial vehicles safely.
If a truck driver causes an accident that hurts you or kills your loved one, a Greeley personal injury lawyer from Hadfield Stieben & Doutt, LLC is here to help. Our Greeley truck accident lawyers have been fighting for the injured for decades and have recovered millions for our clients. We are ready to bring our legal experience to work to fight for you.
To find out how we can help, give us a call or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.
Types of Truck Accidents in Greeley, CO
Some truck accidents are similar to standard car accidents and motorcycle accidents. However, because trucks carry heavy loads, are configured differently from cars, and have specialized equipment, there are also certain crashes that can only occur when a commercial truck is involved. These are often among the most serious of all collisions.
At Hadfield Stieben & Doutt, LLC, we have represented clients involved in many different kinds of truck accidents, including:
- Override or underride accidents: With underride accidents, a car gets trapped underneath a truck, while override accidents involve a truck going over the top of a car. These are often deadly.
- Rollover accidents: Top-heavy trucks can roll over on top of passenger vehicles, especially if they are overloaded or not loaded properly.
- Jackknife accidents: If the tractor swings out from behind a trailer, this is called a jackknife accident because the shape resembles a jackknife. Other vehicles can be struck when the trailer swings out, and injuries are often very serious.
- Fatigued driving accidents: Drivers are limited in the hours they work by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations, but some violate hours-on-duty rules to try to get deliveries done. This can lead to a fatigued driving crash.
- Impaired driving accidents: Truckers have a lower BAC limit because the stakes are higher with commercial vehicles. Those who are drunk or impaired by alcohol present a serious risk.
- Tire blowouts: Improperly maintained truck tires can blow out on the road, causing a truck to lose control.
- Reckless driving accidents or speeding accidents: If truckers drive carelessly or go too fast, this significantly increases the accident risk — especially given that trucks have long stopping distances.
These are just some of the many types of truck accident claims our Greeley truck accident lawyers have helped clients recover compensation for.
How Our Team Can Help With Your Greeley Truck Accident Lawsuit
When a truck accident happens, you have three years to bring a truck accident claim under Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-80-101.
You can pursue a claim against the trucker and sometimes against the trucking company, or those responsible for manufacturing or maintaining the truck.
At Hadfield Stieben & Doutt, LLC, our dedicated legal team will help every step of the way. We’ll work with you to:
- Identify defendants: You can take action if a driver is negligent or pursue a claim against a trucking company based on vicarious liability laws.
- Gather evidence: Trucking companies often send investigators to try to disprove liability. We’ll gather evidence like black box data, driver on-duty logs, truck maintenance logs, police reports, witness testimony, expert testimony, and more.
- Represent you in or out of court: We can negotiate a settlement with the insurance company or go to court to fight for fair compensation.
If a Colorado truck accident results in the death of a loved one, it is important to consult with a Greeley wrongful death lawyer to learn about your options.
Contact a Greeley Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Hadfield Stieben & Doutt, LLC is here for truck crash victims, and we won’t stop fighting for you until justice is done. Give us a call today to speak with a Greeley truck accident lawyer at our firm and schedule your free case evaluation to learn how we can help you.