Denver Truck
Accident Lawyers

How Truck Accidents Are Different From Car Crashes

The Dangers Are Bigger and the Legal Issues More Complex

Truck accidents aren’t just car accidents with bigger vehicles. An 80,000-pound semitruck is about twenty times heavier than a car, and this weight difference means people in smaller vehicles usually suffer the worst injuries.

Truck crashes also involve special federal rules that don’t apply to regular drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets rules for everything from how long truckers can drive to how often trucks must be checked for safety problems. Knowing these rules is key to proving who is at fault.

How Truck Accident Investigations Work

Truck accident cases require special kinds of evidence that might not apply to regular car crashes:

• Electronic control modules (black boxes) record speed, braking, and driving patterns.
• Driver logbooks show how long the trucker was behind the wheel.
• Qualification files reveal whether the driver had proper training and a clean record.
• Maintenance records can show if the company skipped important safety checks.
• Weight tickets tell if the truck was overloaded.
• Results of drug and alcohol testing, which is required by federal law after crashes, show whether the driver was impaired.
• GPS data tracks exactly where the truck was before the accident.

What accident victims should know is that trucking companies have to keep some records for only a short time, and they might “lose” documents that hurt their case.

Evidence in truck accidents can quickly disappear. Trucking companies may try to hide or destroy records that show their fault. Getting legal help early protects your rights.

Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Truck Accident?

Often, It’s More Than Just the Driver

In a car crash, one driver is usually at fault; but in truck accidents, several parties might share blame:

• The truck driver might have been speeding, texting, or driving too many hours.
• The trucking company may have hired a bad driver or pushed unsafe schedules.
• Maintenance crews might have done poor repairs.
• Loading companies sometimes don’t properly secure cargo.
• Parts makers could have made defective brakes or other components.

To help you get the most compensation possible, our truck accident attorneys look into every party that could be responsible.

Common Causes of Truck Crashes in Denver

Finding Out Why It Happened Helps Build Your Case

Most truck accidents happen for specific reasons that show someone was careless:

• Fatigue of drivers who have been behind the wheel too long
• Distracted driving from texting or using phones
• Inadequate training in how to handle big rigs
• Poorly secured loads that shift or fall off
• Brake failures and other mechanical problems
• Driving too fast, especially in Denver’s snow and rain
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Knowing exactly what went wrong helps us prove who should pay for your injuries.

Don’t let trucking companies and their insurance teams push you around. Call Born & McCaffrey, PC at (303) 800-6996 for a free case review.

Special Challenges for Trucks in Colorado

Colorado’s geography and weather create special risks for large trucks that aren’t present in flatter, warmer states:

• Mountain passes require special braking techniques to prevent overheating.
• High-altitude driving affects truck engine performance and driver judgment.
• Steep grades on I-70 and other mountain highways create dangerous conditions for trucks with heavy loads.
• Sudden weather changes can bring snow, ice, and poor visibility even when weather reports don’t predict it.
• Chain laws require trucks to carry and use tire chains during winter months.
• Colorado has specific weight and size restrictions on certain roads and passes.

Many out-of-state trucking companies and drivers aren’t properly prepared for these challenges. When they fail to follow Colorado’s special rules or don’t have the right training for mountain driving, they put everyone else on the road at risk.

Truck Accident Damages and Compensation

Under Colorado law, victims of Denver truck accidents can recover some damages, based on the impact the crash has had on their lives. Here’s a breakdown:

The Financial Impact of Truck Accidents

A serious truck crash affects every part of your life, and the costs are not limited to the initial medical bills. Victims usually face immediate emergency room charges, surgeries, and hospital stays that can quickly reach tens of thousands of dollars. These expenses continue with physical therapy, medication, and follow-up appointments that might last for months or years.

Lost Income and Future Earnings

When you’re injured, you can’t work. This lost income comes at the worst possible time — when medical bills are piling up. For many victims, the financial impact also extends far into the future, with some injuries preventing returning to the same job or working the same hours. This can lead to a permanent reduction in earning capacity.

Quality of Life Changes

Truck accidents often cause injuries that change daily life. You might need home modifications if you have mobility limitations, and daily activities that were once simple might now require assistance. Additionally, the psychological impact, including anxiety, depression, and even PTSD, can be just as devastating as physical injuries.

What Colorado Law Allows You to Recover

Under Colorado law, truck accident victims can seek several types of compensation to address these losses. Economic damages cover concrete costs with specific dollar amounts for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and future care needs. Non-economic damages address the human cost of injuries, including pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Comparative Negligence in Colorado

Colorado uses comparative negligence rules. This means you can still get compensation even if you were partly at fault — however, you must be less than 50% responsible. Your compensation will be lowered by your percentage of fault. Our truck accident lawyers work to maximize your recovery.

Why Choose Us?

Our Approach Puts You First

Born & McCaffrey, PC is different from other injury firms. Here’s why:

• We take fewer cases, so we can give your case our full attention.
• Our lawyers have won major settlements for truck accident victims across Colorado.
• You pay no upfront costs, and we get paid only if you win.
• Our team includes lawyers who used to work for insurance companies, so we know their tactics.
• We work with crash experts who understand the science of trucking accidents.
• Our attorneys aren’t afraid to go to trial if insurance companies won’t offer a fair deal.

We keep you updated throughout your case, explaining each step in clear language.

How We Build Strong Truck Accident Cases

When you choose Born & McCaffrey, PC as your truck accident attorneys, we do the following:

• Secure the truck’s “black box” data before it can be erased
• Get truck driver records and safety inspection reports
• Talk to witnesses while they still remember what happened
• Work with experts who can explain exactly how the crash occurred
• Review police reports and any video footage
• Check for violations of trucking safety rules
• Talk with doctors about your injuries and future needs
• Add up all your current and future costs.

This thorough approach helps us build the strongest possible case for you.

Trucking companies start defending themselves immediately after a crash. Every day that you wait to get a lawyer puts you further behind. Don’t give them a head start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Truck accident victims usually have questions about their rights and options. Here are answers to some of these questions:

It’s important to have a full understanding of your situation so you can make informed decisions.

Contact Our Denver Truck Accident Lawyers Today

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, you need experienced Denver truck accident lawyers. Born & McCaffrey, PC has the knowledge, resources, and dedication your case deserves. We understand the challenges you face, and we’re committed to helping you get the compensation you need to move forward with your life.

Don’t wait to get legal help. Call Born & McCaffrey, PC at (303) 800-6996 for a free, no-obligation consultation with our truck accident attorneys.

ATTORNEY MICHAEL BORN

Michael has represented well over a thousand injury victims in his career. He has litigated 500 court cases. He has tried cases in counties all over Colorado. He has briefed and argued appeals in the appellate courts. This experience ultimately led to him leaving the big firm life to form Born & McCaffrey in order to provide a more client centered and personal representation than a large law firm is able to provide. [ ATTORNEY BIO ]