Colorado Trucking Accidents: Backing Up

Jerry Bowman, Owner and Managing Attorney

Trucking Accidents
December 20, 2024
Colorado Trucking Accidents: Backing Up

Large commercial trucks play a pivotal role in Colorado’s economy as they transport goods across the state and support various industries like agriculture, manufacturing, and retail. However, the sheer size and weight of these massive vehicles also pose significant dangers to road safety. Colorado Trucking accidents result in severe injuries, emotional trauma, and significant financial strains, or worse, deaths. 

The Colorado trucking accident lawyers at Bowman Law recognize the importance of understanding how these crashes happen to help prevent them and ensure that any at-fault party will be held responsible. This article hopes to discuss the causes of truck backing accidents and the devastating injuries they can cause, providing victims support in their recovery and pursuit of justice.

What is a Truck Backing Accident?

A truck backing accident is a collision where a large commercial truck, a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or delivery truck, hits an object, vehicle, or person while reversing or backing up. It occurs when the truck is moving in reverse. Due to their size and limited visibility, backing maneuvers can be dangerous. Even with properly adjusted mirrors, drivers can still miss seeing smaller vehicles, pedestrians, or objects behind the massive trucks.

A 2022 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recorded more than 500,000 large trucks that were involved in police-reported traffic crashes.  One of these collisions, the most common, is backing accidents. According to the agency, heavy trucks in backing crashes accounted for an estimated 56 fatalities and about 1,000 incapacitating injuries a year. This statistic highlights the serious hazards posed by backing trucks. 

Semi running into the back of another Semi damaging the truck

Where Do Truck Backing Accidents Occur?

Truck backing accidents can happen in various settings, often when a truck maneuvers in confined or congested spaces. Backing crashes, which require precise movements, take place in loading docks as trucks align with loading bays. Backing accidents also occur in warehouses and distribution centers due to the tight spaces between buildings or storage areas. At construction sites, accidents transpire when trucks back up to deliver materials in areas with limited visibility and busy activity.

In parking lots, trucks backing into or out of spaces pose risks to pedestrians and other vehicles, especially during business hours. On the other hand, in residential areas, home deliveries in narrow streets or driveways result in backing accidents. Urban streets are another frequent site for these collisions, where trucks that deliver goods to businesses back into tight or congested areas.

In industrial parks, trucks that maneuver between buildings or shared loading zones with limited space may initiate backing collisions. Similarly, service areas along highways are prone to these crashes as trucks park or leave rest stops. In waste management facilities, garbage trucks backing up to dumpsters or compactors are susceptible to backing accidents due to tight operational spaces. Meanwhile, in agricultural settings like farms or grain elevators, trucks that back up to silos or storage areas may collide with other vehicles, objects, or pedestrians in the area.

How Do Colorado Truck Backing Accidents Happen?

Truck backing accidents result from a combination of factors that obstruct the ability of a driver to do a safe maneuver. Limited visibility is one of the key issues. Large trucks have significant blind spots, especially behind the vehicle, which make it difficult for drivers to see obstacles or pedestrians. Environmental factors like poor lighting, adverse weather, or narrow spaces further complicate the capacity of the trucker to evaluate the surroundings. The absence of or failure to maintain backup cameras and mirrors can also prevent drivers from properly assessing their surroundings.

Over 90% of backing accidents are attributed to the driver being unaware of obstacles or using improper backing techniques. In Colorado trucking accidents, driver fatigue, inattention, or distraction plays a crucial role, as tired or distracted drivers are more likely to miscalculate distances or miss obstacles while backing. Similarly, improper backing techniques due to a lack of proper training can lead to unsafe situations. In addition, failing to use a spotter can also contribute to the collision risks.

Wreck ahead caution sign

Mechanical issues, such as steering or brake problems, can impair the ability of the trucker to make precise movements. In some cases, complacency among experienced drivers may cause them to be overconfident and skip essential safety checks. Time pressure from scheduling demands can cause truck drivers to rush and commit mistakes during the backing process. Lastly, a lack of proper signage or markings in loading areas or parking lots can create confusion, leaving truckers uncertain of safe traffic patterns.

Injuries in Colorado Truck Backing Accidents

In Colorado, truck backing accidents can lead to a range of injuries. Our lawyers specialize in Colorado trucking accidents. The size and weight of commercial trucks cause the injuries to be more severe and life-threatening compared to accidents involving smaller vehicles. The common types of injuries associated with truck backing collisions are:

  • Head injuries or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs);
  • Spinal cord injuries;
  • Fractures and broken bones;
  • Whiplash and neck injuries;
  • Back injuries, such as herniated discs or muscle strains;
  • Internal injuries like internal bleeding, organ damage, or ruptured organs;
  • Crush injuries;
  • Lacerations and abrasions like deep cuts, bruises, and road rash;
  • Psychological trauma such as emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or anxiety;
  • Fatal injuries;

Damages for Victims in Colorado Truck Backing Accidents

Victims of Colorado truck backing accidents may be entitled to various types of damages, depending on the specifics of the crash, such as the severity of the injuries sustained by the victims and liability. Economic damages cover quantifiable financial losses like medical expenses. These include emergency treatment costs, hospital bills, surgeries and procedures, medications, rehabilitation and physical therapy, checkups, and future medical care related to the injury. Lost wages and earning capacity are measurable compensation for lost income and benefits due to time off work for recovery and reduced earning potential if the injury affects the ability to work long-term. Another is property damage which aims to recover the costs of repair or replacement for damaged vehicles or personal belongings.

Meanwhile, non-economic damages are compensation for losses that do not have a specific monetary value, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress and mental anguish, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.

In cases where a truck backing accident leads to a fatality, surviving family members may file a claim for wrongful death damages. These are designed to cover funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.

Punitive damages may also be awarded if the truck driver or trucking company is determined to have acted with gross negligence or recklessness. These damages are intended to punish the responsible party for their misconduct and discourage similar behavior in the future.

Firefighters looking at a car crash

Bowman Law: Specializing in Colorado Trucking Accidents

At Bowman Law, we recognize the profound impact Colorado trucking accidents can have on your life. Our Colorado trucking accident lawyers understand the overwhelming challenges you may be facing. Do not go at it alone. Let us help. Our team of trucking accident lawyers are committed to providing compassionate, personalized 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. Our goal is to 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 720-863-6904 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 Colorado trucking accident 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 Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins, Westminster, Lakewood, and Aurora. Call us now and take the first step toward reclaiming your life.