Truck Accident Lawyers in Aurora, CO

Truck accident victims tend to suffer severe or even fatal injuries. Often, the only way for victims to cope with the immense financial strain caused by these accidents is to pursue a personal injury lawsuit to recover monetary compensation. At Mintz Law Firm, our Aurora truck accident attorneys are committed to helping people injured by someone’s negligence secure settlements and verdicts that reflect the compensation value our clients need and deserve.

What Is a Commercial Vehicle?

According to Colorado law, a commercial vehicle is defined as any vehicle with the following characteristics:

• A gross vehicle weighing 10,001 pounds or more used in commerce
• A vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver), with the exception of school buses
• Any vehicle that does not have a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 or more pounds (and is owned or operated by a school district) that does not receive remuneration for its use
• Any vehicle designed or equipped to transport other vehicles by towing, pulling, or lifting when used in commerce
• Any vehicle that is used to transport large quantities of hazardous materials that require placarding by regulation

Additionally, any person operating a commercial vehicle must have a commercial driver's license (CDL).

What Makes Truck Accident Claims Different From Car Accident Claims?

While it’s always a bit challenging to recover fair compensation after a car accident, people who are injured in a commercial truck accident often face a more difficult path to compensation. There are various reasons that truck accident claims are more complicated and challenging, including:

Regulations on Commercial Trucks

Commercial trucks are subject to regulations by various agencies. Most companies operating commercial trucks must register their vehicles with the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Safety Administration and the US Department of Transportation. Various state and federal regulations govern who can operate which types of trucks and for what purpose, along with setting a strict driving distance and schedule. Different requirements apply to different operators and trucks based on the type of vehicle and length of travel. 

These regulations exist to protect the public and truck drivers alike. This also means that it’s the responsibility of the driver and the company that employs them to show, through documentation, that they followed the regulations to keep people safe. Identifying violations of the rules, such as driving too far without rest or failing to properly maintain the truck, is essential to truck accident cases. However, retrieving this evidence and navigating the various regulations (state and federal) that impact a claim can be complicated and require a deep understanding of commercial truck laws and personal injury laws.

Damages (Injuries)

All accidents have the potential to cause severe injuries. However, truck accidents, more often than not, cause catastrophic injuries, given the greater mass and sometimes higher speed involved. Furthermore, it’s challenging to grasp the long-term and permanent impacts that these injuries can have on the victim after the accident. 

Victims need to prove the impact of their injuries and fight for compensation that will aid them long into the future. However, it’s challenging to prove the need for long-term compensation without expert testimony and strong evidence, which a skilled lawyer can help you obtain. 

Multiple Defendants

It may seem as if the only person responsible for a truck accident is the driver. However, when it comes to commercial trucks, there is more than one person playing a role in the operation of the truck, including:

• The truck company
• The cargo loaders
• The manufactures
• The maintenance company

It’s possible for both the driver and the company to share liability. Furthermore, it’s possible that more than two parties are liable for the accident. It’s crucial to thoroughly investigate every detail of the accident to ensure that all liable parties are held accountable.

Pushback

Since truck accident cases often involve catastrophic injuries, insurance, and truck companies are often more motivated to avoid accountability. Due to the higher amounts of compensation on the line, they tend to fight harder to protect their profits. In truck accident cases, there are many ways that the truck and insurance companies can make it challenging to recover fair compensation. There tend to be arguments over what kinds of documents the driver and the company can disclose, the duties of the driver or company, the relationship between the driver and the company, and the truck company’s responsibility for the driver’s action. 

The Benefits of Working with a Truck Accident Lawyer

As mentioned above, truck accident claims and lawsuits are often more complex and challenging than a standard personal injury case. Therefore, it’s also more important to have an experienced and knowledgeable Aurora truck accident attorney at your side. Due to the multiple laws, liable parties, and the catastrophic injuries involved in these cases, it’s necessary to have an understanding of the nuances of these accidents. 

An Aurora truck accident attorney is your advocate and resource. They can ensure that you have the best chance of recovering fair compensation regardless of how hard truck and insurance companies try to undervalue your claim and protect their profits.  

Contact a Skilled Truck Accident Lawyer at Mintz Law Firm Today

The aftermath of a truck accident can be traumatic and overwhelming. The Aurora truck accident attorneys at Mintz Law Firm are determined to help our clients through some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Our team will tackle your claim or lawsuit for you and aggressively pursue maximum compensation regardless of the truck and insurance company's tactics. 

We will fight for your right to fair compensation, so you have the time, space, and resources to focus on your recovery. Contact Mintz Law Firm today to work with a firm that prioritizes your needs and best interests. You can call (303) 462-2999 or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation.