Injured in a Truck Accident?
Contact an Attorney at Garvin Injury Law Today
Were you injured in a truck accident in Steamboat Springs, Colorado? You may be entitled to compensation, possibly through the trucking company itself as well as its insurer. The Steamboat Springs personal injury lawyers with Garvin Injury Law are here to help you recover maximum money damages.
Our personal injury law firm has over 50 years of experience and has won tens of millions of dollars for our clients so far.
Give us a call today to get started with your case and schedule a free consultation at (239) 277-0005.
How Garvin Injury Law Can Help After a Truck Accident in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Truck accident claims are usually much more involved than a normal car accident case. One of the primary reasons for this is that these cases can be worth a lot of money, so they are also fiercely contested by the at-fault party. An experienced Steamboat Springs personal injury lawyer with our legal team can set you up for success and ensure you aren’t taken advantage of as your case moves forward.
When you hire Garvin Injury Law, we will:
- Launch a full investigation into the cause of the crash
- Send spoliation letters to prevent the trucking company from destroying evidence
- Work with accident reconstruction experts to establish how the collision occurred
- Identify every liable party, from the driver to the carrier to third-party maintenance providers
- Calculate the full scope of your damages with help from medical and financial professionals
- Handle all negotiations with the insurance companies involved
- File a lawsuit and prepare for trial if the insurer refuses to make a fair offer
Contact us today to set up your free case review. Especially if you were in an accident because of a truck’s large blindspot, our motorcycle accident lawyers in Steamboat Springs, CO, work on contingency, so you only pay us attorney’s fees if we win compensation for you.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident in Steamboat Springs?
Truck accidents often involve more than just the driver who caused the wreck. Colorado law allows you to bring claims against multiple parties in the chain of responsibility, and identifying all of them is critical to maximizing your recovery.
Potentially liable parties in a truck accident case may include:
- The truck driver who caused the collision
- The trucking company that employed the driver
- A third-party maintenance company responsible for keeping the truck in safe condition
- The company that loaded or secured the cargo
- A parts manufacturer if a defective component contributed to the crash
- A broker that arranged the shipment
- Insurance companies for these parties
Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, trucking companies can be held liable for the negligent acts of their drivers when those drivers are acting within the scope of their employment.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs sits along U.S. Highway 40 and is surrounded by steep mountain passes and unpredictable weather. These conditions make commercial trucking especially dangerous in the area.
Some of the most frequent causes of truck accidents in and around Steamboat Springs include:
- Fatigued driving from exceeding federal hours of service limits
- Speeding on steep grades and mountain roads
- Brake failure from deferred maintenance
- Distracted driving from cell phone use
- Improperly loaded cargo causing rollovers
- Failure to use proper gear on downhill grades
- Driving too fast for the weather conditions, including snow and ice
- Violations of FMCSA safety regulations
If a federal safety violation contributes to an accident, Colorado’s negligence per se doctrine under C.R.S. Section 13-21-111 can allow that violation to serve as direct evidence of negligence. This can simplify the process of proving that the defendant was at fault.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Truck Accident in Colorado?
The types of compensation available in a truck accident claim include both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages for your financial losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages for the personal impact of the injury, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and trauma
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
In cases involving especially egregious conduct, such as a trucking company knowingly allowing an unqualified driver to operate a commercial vehicle, punitive damages may also be on the table.
What if I Am Being Blamed for My Steamboat Springs Truck Accident?
Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence law with a 50% bar to recovery. Under this rule, you can still recover compensation as long as you are found to be less than 50% at fault for the accident. If your share of the blame reaches 50% or more, you are barred from collecting any damages.
Your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury awards you $500,000 but finds you were 20% responsible, your recovery would be reduced to $400,000.
Our truck accident attorneys in Steamboat Springs know how to push back on tactics designed to pin the blame on you and keep the focus on the carrier’s negligence.
How Long Do I Have To File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Colorado?
For motor vehicle negligence cases in Colorado, including truck accidents, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident under C.R.S. Section 13-80-101. If you do not file your lawsuit within that window, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case.
If your claim involves a government-owned vehicle or a government entity, the timeline is much shorter. You must file a notice of claim within 182 days of the accident under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act. Missing that notice deadline can bar your claim entirely, regardless of how compelling your case may be otherwise.
Reaching out to our personal injury attorneys as soon as you can is strongly recommended so that you can ensure your claim is filed on time.
Contact Our Experienced Steamboat Springs Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
A truck accident in the Steamboat Springs area can leave you with life-changing injuries on top of debilitating financial expenses. Garvin Injury Law has the resources needed to take on the trucking company and maximize the compensation you ultimately recover.
Reach out to our Steamboat Springs truck accident lawyers today for a free consultation at (239) 277-0005 or by reaching out online.
We’re ready to get to work on your behalf as soon as you give us the go-ahead.