Defective or dangerous trucking equipment is involved in far too many trucking accidents. Many believe it’s an underreported epidemic responsible for a significant number of the trucking accidents that claim more than 3,000 lives and injure more than 75,000 motorists on the nation’s roads each year.
Colorado Trucking Accident Attorney Steve Shanahan understands those at fault in the wake of a serious or fatal trucking accidents may be thousands of miles away from the scene of the accident. In a different state. Or working for a different company. Insured by a different conglomerate.
Filing a claim in the wake of a serious or fatal trucking accident in Fort Collins or elsewhere in Colorado will require a thorough investigation of the maintenance records and physical condition of the truck involved. This may include a truck’s owner or leasing company, as well as those responsible for performing routine and preventive maintenance. In some cases, even a truck’s manufacturer is involved.
Causes of Defective Truck Accidents in Colorado
Common mechanical defects involved in trucking accidents include:
- Faulty brakes
- Bad tires
- Steering problems
- Inadequate maintenance
- Cracked frames
- Fatigue
- Overweight
- Inoperative turn signals/lights
- Windshield/defroster/Wiper issues
In reality, the role faulty equipment plays in trucking accidents often goes unidentified. And when that happens, victims lose the opportunity to collect damages from additional at-fault parties and their insurance companies.
Trucking accidents often lead to very serious or fatal injuries. Properly identifying all of those responsible is critical when it comes to preparing a case for trial or forcing a settlement favorable to those who have been injured.
Colorado Trucking Accidents: Making a Claim
Never is it more important to identify all of those responsible for a serious or fatal trucking accident than when a case involves catastrophic injury or multiple victims. Colorado trucking accident attorneys know 4 out of 5 fatal trucking accidents involve multiple vehicles. Properly staking a claim against all of those responsible – whether driver, trucking company, maintenance company, insurance company or manufacturer – will best position clients to recover deserved damages for pain and suffering, medical bills and lost wages.
Common questions to ask following a trucking accident
- What do the driver’s logs reveal?
- Was the driver talking or texting?
- What do the truck’s maintenance records show?
- When was the truck last serviced?
- How old is the truck?
- Who owns the truck and who performs maintenance?
- What was the truck hauling and who owned the load?
- What does the trucker’s driving record reveal?
- Has the trucking company been previously cited for maintenance or safety violations?
- Are there any manufacturer recalls involving the truck?
- What insurance companies share liability for some part of the accident?
- Was the trucker cited for a moving violation?
- Do drivers of other vehicles involved in the accident share blame?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident in Fort Collins or the surrounding area, you need the experience and dedication of Fort Collins Injury Attorney Steve Shanahan. Consultations are free, and Shanahan isn’t paid unless you win. Justice shouldn’t be left to chance.
Fort Collins Accident Attorney – 970-204-9999 – Free Consultation