Injured In A Trucking Accident?

18-Wheeler Truck Accidents Lawyers in Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Colorado has some of the most dangerous roads in the United States. The threat to public safety posed by tractor-trailers and other large trucks increases this threat exponentially. Commercial trucks serve a vital logistical function within the state’s economy, but a forty ton fully loaded tractor-trailer combination driven by a poorly trained or distracted truck driver can cause devastating accidents. The physics of an impact between an 80,000 pound and 3,000 pound vehicle do not bode well for occupants of the passenger car. This difference in mass explains why the vast number of catastrophic injuries and fatalities in big-rig collisions involve occupants of the passenger truck rather than the commercial Truck.

While Highlands Ranch truck accident victims can pursue a lawsuit for financial compensation, commercial carriers (trucking companies) anticipate the potential for lawsuits involving their vehicles and commercial drivers. Their readiness for litigation and the financial resources of Truck accident companies can make the challenge of obtaining the fullest compensation in a semi-Truck accident case difficult. Truck accident litigation also involves special legal and factual issues that make these types of personal injury and wrongful death claims particularly sophisticated and challenging. Because Alhasoon, Glidden & Glidden, LLC has an extensive background representing truck accident accident victims, we can effectively deal with these special truck accident considerations.

Why Do Commercial Carriers and Insurance Companies Respect Alhasoon, Glidden & Glidden, LLC

Our nationally acclaimed law firm has established a reputation for tenacity and effective litigation of motor vehicle accident cases that puts commercial carriers and their insurance companies on notice of Alhasoon, Glidden & Glidden, LLC’s penchant for positive results.

Although the compensation obtained in any Truck accident case will be based on its unique facts and circumstances, trucking companies and their insurers must take into account the law firm’s track record for large recoveries and the reputation of Alhasoon, Glidden & Glidden, LLC. Given the devastating injuries commonly experienced in semi-Truck accidents, an injury victim’s quality of legal representation becomes especially important because of the complexity of trucking litigation. Research from the Insurance Research Council (IRC) reveals that injury claims with legal representation settle for 350% higher than cases negotiated directly between an injury victim and an insurance company. The reputation of Alhasoon, Glidden & Glidden, LLC for results and client responsiveness has been established by many respected organizations in the legal field, such as:

• 2017 “10 Best for Client Satisfaction” by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys
  
• 2018 “Lawyers of Distinction”
  
• 2016-2017 “Best Female Attorney for Client Satisfaction” by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys

Why Choose an Experienced and Proven Highlands Ranch Truck accident Accident Law Firm

Lawsuits seeking compensation for injuries or the loss of a loved one in a truck accident require specialized knowledge that makes these legal claims much more sophisticated than a “trucking accidents with a massive sized vehicle.” The Alhasoon, Glidden & Glidden, LLC truck accident accident attorneys who represent clients in tractor-trailer collision lawsuits have the background and expertise in this highly technical area of vehicle litigation, which includes issue like the following:

Insurance Issues: Unlike the relatively meager liability coverage minimums imposed under Colorado law for ordinary drivers, the Federal Motor Carrier Regulations (FMCSRs) require commercial drivers to carry far more extensive coverage. Commercial trucking companies that operate in interstate commerce (i.e. across state lines) must carry at least $750,000 in coverage. This minimum increases if the interstate motor carrier transports hazardous materials. Skilled 18-wheeler accident accident lawyers in Highlands Ranch must possess a thorough understanding of insurance requirements and the tenacity of trucking insurance companies in fighting liability claims with this level of exposure.

Crash Dynamics: The enormous weight differential between a passenger car and a tractor-trailer make the physics of a collision much different when a big-rig hits a passenger car. The difference in mass also means the risk of severe injuries will be much higher for occupants of the the passenger vehicle. Other key differences involve a higher center of gravity, which makes large truck prone to tip over, as well as multiple axles and differing braking systems that impact the control and stopping distance of a commercial truck.

Truck accident Industry Regulations: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) provide extensive safety regulations because of the heightened risk of catastrophic injury associated with these large vehicles. The regulations often constitute a basis for imposing liability in Truck accident injury lawsuits. Some of the areas these regulations cover include hours of service and mandatory rest periods, minimum licensing standards for commercial drivers, drug and alcohol testing, and restrictions on routes, weight, and length.

Truck accident Lawsuit Documentary Evidence: The types of information that must be gathered to prove liability of a commercial carrier or truck accident company differ significantly from a collision involving two passenger cars. This evidence often relates to compliance with the federal safety regulations that apply to interstate trucking companies. Evidence that needs to be obtained and analyzed includes vehicle inspection and maintenance records, the driver hours of service (HOS) log, post-accident substance impairment screening, and the driver’s training and qualification files.

Analyzing Black Box Data: Large commercial trucks include systems that provide vital electronic data, such as engine control modules, brake modules, onboard communication, and GPS tracking systems. Our attorneys understand that these sources of electronic data constitute vital evidence regarding negligent practices and causes of truck accident collisions.

Cargo/Load Issues: While any big-rig poses a greater risk to roadway safety because of larger size and weight, violations of legal standards related to improper, excessive, unbalanced, or unsecured loads can further impair the handling of a large truck. Our lawyers conduct discovery and analysis to uncover load-related accident factors.

The Special Truck accident Accident Issue of Spoliation of Evidence

While all of the issues above are particular to truck accident litigation, the special issue of spoliation of evidence poses an exceptionally significant problem. In basic terms, spoliation refers to the efforts of a party to litigation to destroy or alter potential evidence. For example, a commercial truck might be repaired and placed back into service. This could deprive accident reconstruction experts of physical evidence of damage to the truck or lead to the loss of valuable data that could provide proof of important issues. Spoliation of evidence issues arises frequently in accident lawsuits against the truck accident industry. The issue of manipulation of evidence constitutes such a significant issue in trucking litigation, that driver logs historically have been referred to as “lie books.”

The Highlands Ranch truck accident accidents lawyers at Alhasoon, Glidden & Glidden, LLC recognize the importance of ensuring that valuable evidence is preserved. The law firm frequently sends a spoliation notice to trucking companies directing that key evidence is maintained in the same condition. Their attorneys also warn the trucking company that noncompliance will result in a request for sanctions from the court. These sanctions might take the form of an award of attorney fees against the commercial carrier or sanctions that limit the company’s ability to present a defense. In extreme cases, the firm might even seek an injunction to ensure compliance with the prohibition on spoliation of evidence.

Alhasoon, Glidden & Glidden, LLC also carefully cross-references information to expose manipulated logs and distorted evidence. Truck accident lawyers at the firm review gasoline receipts, lodging records, tire purchase invoices, maintenance company receipts, and other documents against records kept by the driver and trucking company, as well as electronic data from the truck’s “black box,” so the strongest case can be built for truck accident collision injury victims.

Common Causes of Collisions Involving Commercial Trucks

Many factors can contribute toward a collision involving a tractor-trailer or other large commercial truck. These factors might relate to driver negligence, trucking company indifference, or other causes. Some common issues that play a role in causing accidents involving large trucks include:

• Driver fatigue from violation of HOS rules

• Drivers impaired by methamphetamine or other intoxicating substances

• Failure to perform mandatory inspections and maintenance

• Lack of diligence regarding vehicles in large tractor-trailer blindspots
• Failure of a trucking company to properly train drivers
• Substandard pre-hiring screening of drivers

• Lack of proper training and supervision of drivers

• Poor route selection by drivers and trucking companies
• Violation of traffic laws (e.g. speeding)

• Failure to remove medically unfit drivers from service

Highlands Ranch Trucking Accident Law Firm Seeking Compensation for the Worst Vehicle Collisions

When a person experiences injury in a collision caused by a careless truck driver or an indifferent commercial carrier, the collision victim should seek prompt medical evaluation. Since the severity of injury of individuals in the other vehicle in a truck accident tends to be serious and debilitating, timely diagnostic screening and treatment can lead to a more positive prognosis and provide medical evidence of any injuries. Some of the injuries that might be experienced in a truck collision include:

• Loss of Use or Amputation of Limbs

• Injuries to the Head and Neck

• Spinal Column or Spinal Cord Injuries

• Traumatic Brain Injuries

• Catastrophic Burn Injuries

• Damage to Internal Organs (e.g. pancreas, bladder, kidneys, liver, spleen)

• Injuries Caused by Seatbelts and Airbags

• Rib and Torso Injuries

• Wrongful Death

These types of serious injuries lead to spiraling healthcare expenses, reduced household income, physical and emotional pain, and other tangible and intangible forms of loss or harm. The categories of compensation that might be sought will depend on the specific facts. Damages (financial compensation) that Alhasoon, Glidden & Glidden, LLC might seek include:

• Hospital bills, diagnostic screening invoices, prescription drug costs, psychological counseling, medical appliances, home and vehicle modifications, caregiver services
• Loss of earnings and diminished earning capacity

• Pain and suffering

• Mental distress

• Loss of consortium (affection of a spouse or guidance of a parent)

• Funeral/burial expenses

• Punitive damages (cases involving egregious conduct)

Our Truck accident attorneys in Highlands Ranch diligently gather documents and work with experts like medical professionals, economists, and others to prove the full measure of compensation for our clients. If you have questions about your legal rights or compensation after suffering injuries in a truck collision, our experienced Highlands Ranch Truck accident accidents law firm offers a free consultation. Because the law imposes strict time limits for commencing a lawsuit or taking certain pre-litigation steps when suing certain parties, you should seek legal compensation promptly. We combine a well-established track record of large settlements and verdicts with a focus on providing exemplary personalized attention and responsiveness to client inquiries. Alhasoon, Glidden & Glidden, LLC represents semi-Truck accident victims throughout Colorado. Call us at (720) 487-1050, today!