Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident Injury Claim?
Establishing liability is a key aspect of a successful truck accident injury claim. When an 18-wheeler or other large commercial vehicle is involved in an accident, liable parties may include the truck driver, the trucking company, the truck maintenance provider, and the truck manufacturer.
The Truck Driver
While most truck drivers are competent, hard-working contributors to our economy, it only takes a moment of negligence to cause a tragedy on the road. Examples of truck driver errors that can lead to serious injuries include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Driving with unbalanced or overloaded cargo
It takes training and constant attention to safely operate a semi-truck. When truck drivers fail to adhere to the rules of the road, they place the lives of every driver, passenger, and pedestrian at risk.
The Trucking Company
Trucking companies may be held liable in injury claims when their policies and procedures result in dangerous circumstances that lead to truck accidents.
For instance, a freight carrier that fails to properly screen job candidates may be found at fault if an unqualified driver under their employ causes an accident. Failure to implement and enforce drug screening also allows dangerous drivers onto Greeley roads. Situations like these make the company’s behind-the-scenes decisions just as important as the conduct of the driver operating the truck.
Trucking Maintenance Provider
Maintenance providers may be liable when careless inspections or repairs allow unsafe trucks to stay on the road. Missed brake issues, worn components, or improper servicing can give rise to dangerous conditions that later result in serious crashes. In these cases, the risk often begins with neglected maintenance rather than driver conduct.
Truck Component Manufacturer
Truck part manufacturers may be responsible when defective components contribute to a collision or increase the severity of injuries. Flaws in design, manufacturing, or warnings involving critical parts like brakes or tires can introduce hazards beyond a driver’s control. When a component fails, the cause of the accident may lie with the product itself.
Determining Liability
Whether a single person, a company, or some combination of parties caused your truck accident, an experienced trucking accident lawyer in Greeley can identify all liable parties, coordinate the investigation, and pursue full compensation from every available source of insurance and recovery.
Compensation for People Injured in Truck Accidents
People injured in truck accidents often face tremendous hardships, which is why it is important to explore all sources of liability and all avenues of compensation. Under Colorado personal injury laws, victims of negligence and wrongdoing are entitled to compensation for damages such as:
Medical Bills
Expenses for your medical treatment are compensable in a truck accident claim, as long as an act or pattern of negligence can be linked to your injuries. Treatment after a truck wreck may be extensive and ongoing, including expensive needs like hospitalization, surgery, and physical therapy.
Wage Loss
Truck accident injuries can result in short- and long-term disability, making it impossible to perform job duties that once came easily to you. If someone else’s negligence has left you unable to work, a personal injury claim can help you recover the amount of wages you would have earned were it not for the accident. A claim can also help compensate you for future wages in the event your earning capacity is diminished.
Pain and Suffering
Beyond financial losses, truck accident victims often endure significant physical pain and a diminished quality of life. Colorado law allows injured individuals to seek compensation for the discomfort, limitations, and daily struggles caused by their injuries, including chronic pain and the inability to engage in activities they once enjoyed.
Emotional Trauma
Serious truck accidents can leave lasting psychological effects, such as anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, or post-traumatic stress. When emotional injuries stem from the negligence that caused a crash, a personal injury claim may include compensation for the mental and emotional toll the accident has taken on your life.
When Truck Accidents Prove Fatal
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal truck accident in Greeley, we can help you understand your rights and explore your options under Colorado wrongful death laws.
While nothing can ever replace what was lost, a legal claim can help you recover compensation for elements such as emotional trauma, loss of companionship, lost financial support, and funeral expenses.
A wrongful death claim can also provide answers as to why this happened and who is to blame, as well as a measure of justice against the at-fault party.
A Trusted Law Firm for Truck Accident Injury Claims in Greeley
At Bowman Law, we place clients at the center of everything we do. When you come to us after suffering a serious truck accident injury, we will help you understand your rights and explore your legal options.
We are not only committed to helping you obtain the compensation you deserve, but also want to make sure you are informed, supported, and treated with respect throughout every stage of the legal process. From your initial free consultation to the resolution of your claim, we will prioritize clear communication and personalized guidance, so you are never left uncertain about what comes next.
We never lose sight of the fact that results are what you need. Our truck accident law firm in Greeley has built a strong record of success obtaining favorable settlements and trial results for our clients.
We have been awarded by the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association for our experience and success representing the injured. Our trial experience sends a clear message to insurance companies: Don’t lowball, delay or deny truck accident injury claims, because we are never afraid of litigation when our client’s financial well-being is at stake.
Schedule a Free Consultation Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, you don’t have to face the legal process alone. Our 18-wheeler accident lawyers in Greeley are here to guide you through all aspects of your personal injury claim and help you pursue maximum compensation for your losses. Contact us to arrange a free consultation with a knowledgeable member of our legal team.
