Grand Junction Truck Accident Lawyers

Have You Been Involved in a Commercial Vehicle Accident?

Western Slope highways are loaded with tractor-trailers—overloaded, in fact! The Colorado Department of Transportation reports that a significant percentage of the 18-wheelers that roll across Interstate 70, State Highway 50, and many other Colorado and Utah highways each year are overweight, oversized. or both.

Overweight or not, when a vehicle of such size is involved in an accident, the results can be devastating, especially for anyone in a smaller vehicle. Typical cars and other motor vehicles don’t stand a chance against commercial trucks.

 The experienced truck accident lawyers at Veritas in Grand Junction, Colorado, understand how these accidents involving massive commercial vehicles drastically impact families—often permanently.

If injured in a crash involving a semitrailer, you may face a lengthy hospital stay, an extensive rehabilitation process, missed work, and mounting expenses. Fortunately, if the truck accident was caused by someone else's negligence, you are entitled to compensation for your loses. 

These losses can include your medical expenses, lost wages, long-term rehabilitation expenses, and even pain and suffering. 

For help recovering these much-needed funds, call (970) 292-7171 to learn how our legal team can help you after a truck accident.

Determining Liability After a Truck Accident

Unlike a car accident the party who is held responsible for an accident isn’t always the driver who caused an accident. An investigation is usually launched to determine what party or parties can be held liable. Oftentimes an investigation will find the trucking company liable as they are often caught encouraging their drivers to break trucking regulations in order to help save their company time and money.

There are scenarios where a trucker can be held liable for an accident. For example, if a driver owns their own truck or if the accident was a direct result of their own negligence, such as drinking while driving. It’s even possible for the truck manufacturer to be held liable for your injuries if an accident was caused by a defect in the manufacturing.

 Whatever the cause of your accident, our firm has the skill and knowledge to identify the appropriate party and fight for you. Learn more about how we can help you by calling us today.

Truckers and the Hours of Service Regulations

Because of the risk semi-trucks pose in the event of an accident, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) heavily regulates truck drivers. The goal of the regulations is to prevent truck accidents and help protect other drivers on the road. A notable regulation is called the hours of service regulations. 

The hours of service regulations aim to ensure truckers are well-rested, since tired drivers are much more likely to cause an accident. According to these rules truck drivers can work up to 14-hours in a workday, but only 11 of these hours can be spent driving. The remaining time must be spent on meal or rest breaks. After the workday is over, drivers must rest for at least 10 consecutive hours.

Truck drivers are also required to take days off work at regular intervals. These days off are determined by the hours of the trucking company a driver works for. If a trucking company is open seven days a week a driver can work up to 70 hours in an eight-day period before taking at least 34 consecutive hours off. 

If a trucking company is open less than seven days a week then a driver can work up to 60 hours in a seven-day period before taking 34 hours off.

Too often truckers are caught breaking these rules. In rarer circumstances, the hours of service regulations are modified in times of national emergencies. If you have a case, don’t hesitate to contact our firm right away for a free consultation!

Maximize Your Compensation with an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer

Being involved in a truck accident can be troubling and handling what comes after can be challenging, especially if you are dealing with serious injuries. This emphasizes how crucial it is to have an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side. Their knowledge is essential to defending your rights and making sure you get paid as much as you are entitled to.

Below are common reasons as to why you need a seasoned truck accident attorney:

1. In-depth knowledge of truck accident laws: Truck accident cases involve complex laws and regulations that differ from regular car accident cases. Our experienced Grand Junction truck accident lawyers understand Colorado laws and know how to navigate through them to build a strong case on your behalf.
2. Investigation and evidence gathering: Truck accidents often require a thorough investigation to determine liability. An experienced lawyer has the resources and expertise to gather crucial evidence, such as black box data, logbooks, and witness statements, to support your claim.
3. Negotiation skills: Insurance companies representing trucking companies are notorious for trying to minimize payouts. A professional truck accident attorney knows how to negotiate with these insurance companies and fight for the compensation you deserve.
4. Understanding of truck accident injuries: Truck accidents can cause severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment and long-term care. An experienced lawyer understands the types of injuries common in truck accidents and can accurately assess the value of your claim, ensuring you receive fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
5. Peace of mind: Dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident can be overwhelming, especially if you're trying to recover from your injuries. Hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer allows you to focus on your recovery while they handle all the legal aspects of your case, providing you with peace of mind.

Don't let the insurance companies take advantage of you after a truck accident. Get in touch with our skillful Grand Junction truck accident lawyers to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case. We are committed to fighting for your rights and helping you obtain the compensation you deserve.

You can give us a call at (970) 292-7171 or write to us online any time.

Trucking companies must follow the regulations laid out for them regarding the operation of their vehicles, including following rules related to truck maintenance and weight. Strict rules also apply to how many hours a driver is allowed to operate a truck without rest. If these rules aren’t followed closely, accidents can result. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in the U.S. are driver fatigue and improper cargo loading, for instance.

Some commercial trucking companies attempt to use their seemingly unlimited resources to fight personal injury claims when one of their drivers is involved in an accident. We have the knowledge and the resources to take them on.

Attorney Gary Doehling was on the opposite side of these cases for 25 years, representing insurance companies in personal injury litigation. As a result, he is able to accurately anticipate the legal strategy the trucking company's insurance provider will use as it attempts to minimize the amount of compensation that gets paid to victims.