Can I File a Lawsuit After a Colorado Truck Accident?

Jerry Bowman, Owner and Managing Attorney

Trucking Accidents
February 4, 2026
Can I File a Lawsuit After a Colorado Truck Accident?

Yes. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may want to consider filing a lawsuit against a truck driver, trucking company, and broker following a Colorado truck accident. It is important to keep in mind, however, that not all personal injury lawyers have the experience or understanding to take your case the distance. Our Colorado truck accident lawyers are equipped to handle your case. If you have been injured in a Colorado truck accident, contact Bowman Law today to learn about your rights.

Being injured in a truck accident can be overwhelming. Serious injuries, mounting medical bills, time away from work, and uncertainty about what to do next often collide at once. Truck accidents are not handled the same way as ordinary car accidents, and understanding how the legal process works in Colorado is an important first step toward protecting your rights.

If you were injured in a Colorado truck accident, the path to pursuing a claim or lawsuit involves different rules, more parties, and significantly more evidence than a typical motor vehicle collision. This article explains how Colorado truck accident lawsuits work and what injured individuals should understand before moving forward.

Why Truck Accidents Are Different from Car Accidents

Truck accidents differ from car accidents in several ways. Commercial trucks are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, which often results in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Liability is also more complex, as responsibility may extend beyond the driver to the trucking company, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, or manufacturers.

In addition, commercial trucking is regulated by federal safety rules enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, along with applicable Colorado laws. These regulations govern driver hours, vehicle maintenance, inspections, training, and cargo securement. Violations of these rules frequently play a central role in Colorado truck accident cases and require careful investigation.

Evaluating a Colorado Truck Accident Claim

Before pursuing a lawsuit, it is important to assess the impact of the accident. Truck crashes often cause severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal injuries, and multiple fractures, many of which require long-term treatment or result in permanent impairment. Property damage is also typically extensive, as passenger vehicles are often totaled in collisions with large trucks.

Determining fault is another critical step. In a Colorado truck accident, fault may rest with the driver, the trucking company, or other entities involved in operating, maintaining, or loading the vehicle. Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning an injured person may recover damages only if they are less than 50 percent at fault, and any recovery is reduced by their percentage of responsibility.

Evidence in Colorado Truck Accident Lawsuits

Evidence is the foundation of a truck accident case. Key materials often include police reports, photographs or videos of the scene, medical records, witness statements, and vehicle damage documentation. Truck-specific evidence is particularly important and may include driver logbooks, electronic logging device data, driver qualification files, maintenance and inspection records, and post-accident drug or alcohol testing.

Much of this evidence is controlled by trucking companies and may only be retained for limited periods unless preservation steps are taken. Acting promptly after a Colorado truck accident can be critical to preventing the loss of important records.

Understanding Your Legal Rights in Colorado

Colorado law allows truck accident victims to seek compensation for medical expenses, future medical care, lost income, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and property damage. In fatal truck crashes, surviving family members may also have wrongful death claims.

Colorado’s statute of limitations generally provides two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, though certain circumstances can affect that deadline. Failing to act within the allowed time frame can permanently bar a claim.

Identifying Who May Be Liable

One of the defining features of a Colorado truck accident lawsuit is the number of potentially responsible parties. Liability may involve the truck driver for unsafe driving, fatigue, distraction, or impairment. The trucking company may be responsible for negligent hiring, training, supervision, scheduling, or failure to maintain the vehicle.

Other liable parties may include maintenance providers, cargo loading companies, or manufacturers if a defective component contributed to the crash. In some cases, government entities may also be involved if roadway design or maintenance played a role.

How Truck Accident Lawsuits Progress

Most truck accident cases begin with insurance claims against the responsible parties. A formal demand outlining injuries, damages, and liability often initiates settlement discussions. Because truck accident claims involve high financial exposure, insurers frequently dispute liability and damages aggressively.

If settlement efforts fail, a lawsuit may be filed. The case then moves through discovery, where evidence is exchanged and witnesses are deposed. Many cases resolve through mediation or other alternative dispute resolution, but some proceed to trial, where a judge or jury determines responsibility and damages.

Common Challenges in Colorado Truck Accident Cases

Truck accident lawsuits are complex. Multiple defendants may attempt to shift blame to one another, insurers often deploy extensive legal resources, and proving negligence may require expert testimony and detailed analysis of trucking regulations. Understanding how federal safety rules intersect with Colorado law is often central to establishing liability.

Because of these challenges, truck accident cases demand careful preparation, early evidence preservation, and a clear understanding of the legal standards that apply.

Contact our Colorado Truck Accident Lawyers

At Bowman Law, we recognize the profound impact a personal injury can have on your life. Our Colorado truck accident lawyers understand the overwhelming challenges you may be facing. Our personal injury lawyers are committed to providing compassionate legal representation to help you navigate this challenging time.

Our client-first approach ensures your needs are at the forefront of everything we do. We pride ourselves on transparency, integrity, and clear communication, guiding you through each step of the legal process. From initial consultation to the resolution of your case, we will guide you through the process. Bowman Law will alleviate the stress of legal proceedings so you can focus on your recovery. With a proven record of success, we are dedicated to securing the compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, do not face the challenges alone. Please send us a message or call us at 720-740-3423 to schedule a free case evaluation. Remember, you have one chance at attaining full and complete justice, and we are here to ensure you seize it. Let Colorado’s top-rated personal injury lawyers fight for your rights, protect your interests, and deliver the justice you deserve. We serve clients across Colorado’s Front Range and beyond, including DenverColorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins, Westminster, Lakewood, and Aurora. Call us now and take the first step toward reclaim your life.