If you get involved in an accident with a commercial truck, including a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or 18-wheeler, it is critical to hire an experienced Fort Collins truck accident attorney. These cases involve many unique elements that can be difficult to navigate on your own. Hiring an attorney will give you everything you need for a successful claim without the stress.
Trucking Accident Cases Are Unique
Truck accident cases are different on a legal level than standard car accidents. Unlike a car crash, a trucking accident involves more than just another driver; it also includes a trucking company, cargo company, and multiple insurance providers. An attorney who specializes in trucking accident law can navigate the unique aspects of your case, and consulting with a Fort Collins car accident lawyer can also provide valuable insights if your case overlaps with car accident claims.
Types of Accidents
Large trucks crash in different ways than passenger cars. They are much larger and heavier and often carry cargo. These cases can involve jackknifes, override and underride accidents, shifting or falling cargo, large blind spots, and fatigued truck drivers.
Involved Parties
Rather than only bringing a claim against a truck driver, you may have the right to pursue compensation from a trucking company or third party. Common carriers are held responsible for most accidents involving their trucks and drivers, even if drivers are classified as independent contractors.
Injuries Suffered
Trucking accidents often inflict severe to catastrophic injuries on occupants of smaller passenger cars. For this reason, it is important to hire an attorney to negotiate a fair and full settlement for past and future losses, including foreseeable medical care.
Federal Regulations
Commercial trucks are subject to federal safety rules and regulations, such as weight limits, cargo securement rules, truck driver qualifications and hours-of-service restrictions. Evidence of a federal law violation could be used to prove fault in a truck accident claim.
Unique Evidence
Trucking accident cases involve various types of evidence that are not present in a typical car accident case, such as the truck’s black box, a driver’s logbook, fleet maintenance records, trucking company compliance history and the truck driver’s medical records.
An Attorney Knows How to Process Your Claim
Many legal elements differentiate truck accident cases from other vehicle cases and personal injury claims. Hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer is the best way to navigate these nuances and achieve the case results that you deserve. Your attorney will know how to process your claim from start to finish:
- Investigation: your lawyer can conduct a comprehensive investigation of the accident to determine fault and identify the liable parties.
- Evidence collection: an attorney will preserve and gather key evidence before the trucking company’s rapid response team can interfere.
- Claims filing: a law firm will handle the complex legal paperwork involved in your claim and file it before Colorado’s statute of limitations expires.
- Settlement negotiation: an attorney can use aggressive negotiation tactics to fight for the settlement that you deserve.
- Personal injury trial: if necessary, your attorney can take your injury case to trial in pursuit of maximum financial compensation for your losses.
Having a dedicated and knowledgeable truck accident attorney by your side can be invaluable during the recovery process. You can count on your attorney to protect your rights and best interests while you concentrate on healing. To discuss a truck accident case with an experienced attorney in Fort Collins, contact us to request a free consultation from Cannon Law.