With the beautiful mountains of Colorado, come some pretty turbulent driving conditions, especially for the truckers. It wasn’t too long ago a semi truck driver on I-70 in Golden lost control, causing a fiery accident that killed four surrounding drivers and injured several others.
Unfortunately this isn’t the first time an accident involving a truck like this has happened and it undoubtedly won’t be the last.
Today we’d like to tell you about the four leading causes of semi truck accidents and how you can avoid being a victim to one.
All of us are human and we all make mistakes, semi truck drivers are no different, but their driving mistakes can be very severe.
Truck drivers are oftentimes driving while under timeframe pressure, so they are prone to push themselves which allows for sleepiness, lethargy, boredom, hunger, etc. All of these things will contribute to a sub-par driver.
If you see a truck driving erratically, you should avoid it at all costs, even it that means getting off the road altogether. Also, be quick to call the proper authorities so the situation doesn’t turn deadly.
Keeping your distance from a semi truck is always a good idea, even if the driver is driving safely. There are many things that can cause a semi truck accident that you may not be able to see or respond to quickly if you’re driving too closely. For instance:
Be smart and stay focused so you can read and anticipate the truck’s behavior.
Truck drivers are required to ensure their rigs are well maintained and in proper working order at all times. They are supposed to look over their trucks rigorously prior to every shift.
Most trucking companies have their fleet closely evaluated and get continuous reports on their service. However, this can get overlooked and trucks can get pushed through even if they aren’t 100%.
From faulty brake pads to bad windshield wipers to worn tires, all of these things can cause major accidents, even though they may be seen as not that significant. After all, it’s not like there’s a problem with the engine. The smallest details ensuring a rig is safe must be taken into consideration.
Again, if you find yourself driving near a truck, keep your distance and pay attention, as these defective truck components may not be visible to you until it’s too late.
We all know that the weather in Colorado is unpredictable. Not only that, but it may be 60 degrees and sunny near the mesa and 30 degrees and snowing in the mountains. These odd conditions will wreak havoc on the roads.
So, if you’re having trouble getting your Subaru from point A to point B, imagine what the semi truck next to you is going through. Best advice: drive slowly in ice, snow, and rain and when near a truck, use caution. Semis have propensity to skid, hydroplane, and jackknife in bad weather.
When trucks have open cargo areas there is always the possibility that the cargo was loaded improperly or not secured correctly. This may allow for cargo to fall out of or off of the truck.
When you see trucks with open cargo containers, stay back and stay aware, so you can quickly move out of the way should there be any cargo-related problem with the truck. This includes the possibility of cargo falling off the truck and into the road in front of you.
Semi trucks and their drivers share the road with us and we need to be prepared for the realities of what a semi accident can cause. Beyond car and road damage, fatalities are a serious possibility.
For those involved in a semi truck accident, speaking with a personal injury attorney is a smart move. At Hull & Zimmerman we know the trucking regulations and how to investigate these tragic accidents with the depth needed. Call us and let us help. Proudly serving North Denver, Northglenn, Westminster, Thornton, Commerce City, Arvada, and Broomfield.
At Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., we understand the pain and frustration that comes with losing a loved one. While it can never truly compensate you for your loss, damages may help you honor his or her memory while addressing the financial realities of your situation. Contact us today to schedule a pressure free, no obligation consultation, so you can learn what your legal options are.
Our trucking accident lawyers have extensive experience representing injured accident victims in Broomfield, Arvada, Superior, Lafayette, Louisville, Erie, Brighton, Commerce City, Northglenn, Westminster, Thornton, Longmont, and throughout Colorado.
At Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., we are honored to help accident victims in their time of need, and take our responsibility as personal injury lawyers incredibly seriously. We know how important it is for victims to secure the full and fair compensation they need following a serious accident, and that is why we take a hands-on, personalized approach to every case we handle.
awarded to a woman who was a victim of a car crash. The woman was driving the highway when the other driver approaching from the opposite direction lost control of his vehicle, crossed the center line and hit her head on. She suffered multiple broken bones, including her hip, pelvis, leg, and right arm. She missed several years of work as a result of her injuries. Read More
awarded to a woman who was the victim of a t-bone car crash. The client suffered multiple injuries. The most significant of which was a head injury. While she was ultimately able to return to work on a part-time basis, Plaintiff was never able to return to work on a full-time basis. Read More
settlement awarded to a lady who suffered a head injury. She slipped and fell in a slanted parking lot at her place of employment. Evidence demonstrated that the owner of the building had constructed a fence shading the parking lot such that ice was allowed to continuously accumulate during the winter months. Multiple people had fallen on the ice prior to the client’s fall. As a result of her injuries, Plaintiff was forced to take early retirement. Read More
awarded to a man whose vehicle was hit from behind by a semi. The injured party suffered back pain and rotator cuff tears in each shoulder and was forced to retire from his job doing road repair four years earlier. Read More
settlement (policy limits) awarded to a young man who lost his eye when another child shot an arrow into the air. Read More
settlement obtained for a man who was injured in a rear end automobile accident. He suffered a herniated disc in his low back which was not well resolved by surgery forcing him to leave his employment as an apartment maintenance manager. Read More
awarded to a gentleman in association with a workman’s compensation case. He initially sustained a head injury at work when attacked by a patient. Several years later, his condition worsened resulting in his inability to return to work in his usual job. Read More
settlement achieved in a legal malpractice case. The client initially suffered a herniated disc in her neck in association with an automobile accident. The attorney failed to file the lawsuit in a timely manner and the Plaintiff was initially denied her ability to achieve any monies from the original lawsuit. Read More
settlement awarded to a man who was a victim of an automobile accident. Plaintiff was a passenger who was rear-ended by another driver. Following the accident, he suffered a long term back injury. Read More
settlement awarded to a lady who aggravated a pre-existing back condition when she slipped and fell at the entrance to a casino. Read More
awarded to a woman who suffered a rotator cuff tear from an automobile accident. Read More