Denver Truck Accident Lawyers

A: Because semis travel in interstate commerce (travel between different states), they are subject to many federal regulations that do not apply to other vehicles.[1] Semi-trucks are required to carry higher amounts of insurance coverage because of the federal regulations, and drivers must also meet higher safety standards than other vehicle drivers. Trucking companies also have responsibility to periodically evaluate their existing employees and perform background checks prior to hiring drivers. Additionally, semi drivers are subject to limits on the number of hours they can drive in a given day, and must keep a log and routes records.[2] Drivers are also subject to testing for drugs and alcohol, both randomly and in the event of an accident.[3]

Motor vehicle drivers generally carry the amount of insurance that is mandated by the state.  Some states, including Colorado, don’t require motor vehicle drivers to have uninsured/underinsured coverage.  Additionally, motor vehicle drivers must abide by general traffic laws, and do not have to meet additional high safety standards.

The importance of this difference is that if you are injured in an accident with a semi and sustain severe injuries, the driver and the company should have multi-layer insurance coverage that will adequately cover your damages, and will be held to a higher safety standard when determining liability (fault).

A: A commercial truck, such as a “big rig,” is a vehicle used in the course of business and for the transport of commercial goods. Some examples are eighteen-wheeler tractor-trailers, tanker trucks, delivery vehicles, and other large freight trucks. Although some businesses use standard pickup trucks for their day-to-day activities, commercial trucks are generally much larger and require a commercial driver’s license to operate.

A: Generally, injuries from a semi-truck accident are severe because of the size of the vehicle involved.  If you are involved in an accident in which you have severe injuries you may receive many types of damages from the at-fault driver or, in certain circumstances, the company that employs the driver.

The losses that you sustain in a semi-trailer accident will affect you at the time of the accident, but also may last far into the future.  Therefore, if you are injured you may recover (if they apply to your situation) past[4] and future earnings[5] and profits,[6] loss of earning capacity,[7] loss of time[8] (if you are a homemaker), pain and suffering,[9] loss of enjoyment of life,[10] emotional distress[11] (if you are in the zone of danger[12]), physical impairment,[13] past and future medical expenses,[14] and loss of consortium.[15]

A: The statute of limitations in Colorado for a personal injury claim arising out of the auto-negligence (carelessness) of another driver is three years from the date of the accident.[16]  The statute of limitations for wrongful death is within two years from the date of the death and without regard to when the claim is discovered .[17]