Accidents between standard vehicles, like cars and SUVs, and commercial trucks can have devastating outcomes. The sheer mass of a fully-loaded truck is more than 20x that of a passenger car. When these two vehicles collide, the smaller car usually takes the majority of the damage.
Commercial trucks’ operation is often highly regulated. Still, some truck drivers and truck companies will skirt the rules to maximize profits by overloading their vehicles, overworking their drivers, or cutting corners on repairs. Often, these unlawful and reckless decisions can have grave consequences.
If you were in an accident with a commercial vehicle and are suffering from injuries as a result, reach out to a dedicated attorney. A Longmont truck accident lawyer could help you pursue the compensation you deserve for your losses.
If someone is hurt in a tractor-trailer accident, they may be entitled to damages. Injured parties can obtain compensation for the direct financial impact of the accident, including:
Victims in a semi-truck wreck may also receive compensation for injuries that are trickier to quantify. This includes compensation for injuries such as emotional distress, pain, suffering, loss of quality of life, and loss of consortium. A Longmont attorney could help an injured individual determine the damages they may be entitled to in a truck crash case.
Commercial vehicle injury claims are typically complex. Perhaps the most difficult aspect of a truck accident case is that several defendants are frequently involved.
The truck driver, the trucking company, a distributor, a maintenance specialist, or a combination of these parties could be held liable for injuries in a truck wreck case. Trucking accidents are frequently caused by driver error, but other factors outside the driver’s control, such as a poorly maintained vehicle, may also play a role.
Under state law, so long as the driver was performing work within the scope of the duties, the trucking company may be held liable for a resulting accident. Companies that overload trucks, skirt regulations involving their drivers, hire negligently, or fail to train their drivers properly may ultimately be found liable for injuries that result. A seasoned Longmont attorney could help an injured party pursue compensation from multiple parties after a tractor-trailer accident.
The right of an injured party to file a successful claim is not without checks and balances. To ensure fairness and allow evidence and eyewitness testimony to remain credible, the law enacts time limits on all personal injury claims. These time constraints are known as the statute of limitations.
In Longmont, the statute of limitations governing truck accident claims is three years from the date of the accident. Failing to file within this time limit will prevent an injured party from recovering damages for their losses. It is essential to consult with a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible after a commercial truck wreck to ensure that all necessary paperwork is filed within the state’s required timeframe.
Trucking companies are usually well represented by insurance companies and their lawyers. A Longmont truck accident lawyer could act as your legal advocate during the claim process, speaking with insurers and handling legalities so that you can focus on healing from your injuries. Our hands-on legal team could work to protect your best interests and hold the at-fault parties accountable for their actions. Call today to learn more.
