Table of Contents
- How Our Team Can Help You?
- What Causes Truck Accidents in Fort Collins, CO?
- How Are Truck Accidents Different from Other Accidents?
- Common Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents
- What Kinds of Damages Can Be Collected in Truck Accident Cases?
- Should I Sign a Release for the Insurance Company?
- Who Will Pay for My Medical Treatment?
How Our Team Can Help With Your Fort Collins Truck Accident Lawsuit?
When it comes to trucking accidents, insurance companies will try to pay out as little as possible to those injured. They may deny claims that the truck driver was at fault or attempt to pay you only a small portion of what you’re owed. That’s why you need a team of experienced lawyers to fight for your rights. At Hadfield Stieben Doutt, we will investigate the accident and identify all responsible parties, then build a strong case to prove their fault in court. You can count on us to stand up for you and work hard for a favorable outcome.
If you are currently injured due to the negligence of a truck driver, now is the time to call our truck accident attorneys in Fort Collins, CO. For years, we’ve represented clients across Northern Colorado, fighting to get them the compensation they need and deserve. Please reach out to us today to schedule a consultation where we can review your case.
What Causes Truck Accidents in Fort Collins, CO?
Truck accidents can be caused by numerous factors. But no matter their cause, these accidents can result in severe injury and damage to your vehicle. In many cases, the truck driver is at fault for these accidents. If you can prove their negligence, you are entitled to compensation to cover the cost of medical care and vehicle repairs or replacement. At Hadfield Stieben Doutt, we will assess the situation surrounding your accident and determine whether there is enough evidence to build a case. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents are:
- Driver Errors: Truck drivers spend hours behind the wheel and often don’t drive as safely as they should. They may follow vehicles too closely, drive too fast for current weather conditions, or drive too aggressively. All of these errors can result in collisions.
- Distracted Drivers: Distracted driving is a common cause of accidents. Because truck drivers frequently travel in unfamiliar areas, they may take their eyes away from the road to look at a map or GPS, which can distract them and cause an accident.
- Fatigued Drivers: Truck drivers are under immense pressure to make delivery deadlines, often spending hours on the road without proper rest. Fatigued and drowsy drivers do not respond as quickly and may be unable to avoid a collision when there is stopped traffic or other changes on the road.
- Blind Spots: Due to their size, semi-trucks have large blind spots that make it difficult for them to see smaller vehicles. A truck may switch lanes and hit another vehicle because they could not see it in their blind spot.
How Are Truck Accidents Different from Other Accidents?
Unlike accidents involving other four-wheeled vehicles, accidents involving 16-wheelers are much more complex and difficult to resolve. Multiple insurance companies may represent a single semi-truck because separate policies may cover the driver, the trucking company, the cargo shipper, and the trailer owner.
This means it can be hard to get the compensation you deserve. Trucking companies and insurance providers will work quickly to obtain information about the accident and offer you a low settlement to close the claim before you have time to consider other options. You must be sure you fully understand the severity and effects of your injuries before agreeing to a settlement.
In addition to being more difficult to navigate, trucking accidents often result in more severe injuries due to the difference in the size of the two vehicles. This means you’ll likely need more extensive medical care and more expensive repairs to your car. You want to be sure you have an experienced attorney who will help you fight for the compensation to cover these mounting costs.
Common Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents
Because semi-trucks primarily use highways and interstates, truck accidents frequently occur at high rates of speeds. This speed, combined with the weight and size of commercial trucks, can lead to very serious bodily injuries and even fatalities. Survivors of these collisions often suffer catastrophic injuries with life-changing effects that will impact them forever. Some of the most common injuries associated with truck accidents include:
- Back and neck injuries
- Burns
- Fractures and broken bones
- Head and brain injuries
- Lacerations
- Loss of limbs
- Internal injuries
- Rib and torso injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
What Kinds of Damages Can Be Collected in Truck Accident Cases?
If you are injured during an accident with a commercial truck, and you can prove the truck driver is at fault, you may be entitled to receive monetary damages. The compensation you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries and the negligence exhibited by the driver or trucking company. You may be entitled to receive:
- Reimbursement for medical care, including hospital stays, prescriptions, and physical therapy
- Lost wages, both past and future
- Compensation to replace or fix your vehicle, including the rental of a car while your vehicle is being repaired
- Non-economic damages like emotional distress and physical pain, and suffering that were caused by your injuries
- Exemplary damages or punitive damages, which are ordered to be paid solely to act as punishment for wrongdoing, may be applicable in situations in which the actions of the truck driver or trucking company were outrageous
Should I Sign a Release for the Insurance Company?
If you do not hire an attorney after an accident, then you will likely be contacted by the insurance company for the at-fault party. Most of the time, the insurance adjusters are friendly. They will ask you to tell them about the accident and ask you to sign a release so that they can access your medical records to evaluate the claim. Although the insurance adjuster will encourage you to sign a medical records release, you should not sign one. If you signed a medical records release before speaking to an attorney, be sure to inform them so they can promptly revoke the release.
There are many reasons that we do not have clients sign medical releases for the at-fault insurance company. Signing a release potentially reveals your entire medical history to the insurance company and violates your privacy. It also allows the insurance company to use unrelated medical conditions as an excuse to undervalue your claim. It may also give them access to your health insurance information, which is irrelevant to your claim and will only result in a lower settlement amount.
If an insurance company is asking you to sign a release, you should talk to an HSD attorney immediately. Once you hire HSD Law, the insurance company will stop calling you, and you are required to talk to your Fort Collins wrongful death attorney instead. An attorney at HSD Law will determine which medical records the insurance company receives. This preserves your privacy and avoids giving the insurance company information to use against you.
Who Will Pay for My Medical Treatment After a Trucking Accident?
Payment for your medical treatment remains your responsibility. If you have MedPay coverage under your own auto insurance policy, you may be able to bill some of your treatment through that insurance coverage. Aside from MedPay coverage, your health insurance carrier is required to cover your medical treatment related to your injury. Once your claim is resolved, your health insurance carrier will be reimbursed for what it paid for your treatment.
Call us at (970) 221-2800 today to discuss your case.