Truck Accidents Attorneys in Lakewood CO

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Colorado

Some of the most common causes of truck crash cases include:

• Fatigue. Truckers driving through Lakewood are often on tight schedules, and drowsy driving remains a leading cause of collisions. Fatigued drivers react much like inebriated drivers. They are slower and more prone to mistakes. In severe cases, they can even fall asleep behind the wheel and lose control of the vehicle.
• Speeding on grades. Steep downhill stretches west of Golden have led to runaway truck crashes when brakes fail or drivers misjudge their speed.
• Distraction. A quick glance at a phone or GPS device can be enough to cause a devastating wreck, especially on busy streets like Wadsworth or Colfax.
• Improperly loaded cargo. When freight isn’t secured, trucks can jackknife or tip over, especially on curves or in high winds. In addition, overloaded trucks that exceed safe cargo limits are more likely to experience blown-out tires and other mechanical failure that can lead to accidents.
• Poor maintenance. Worn brakes, bald tires, or neglected inspections put everyone at risk. Harsh winters and mountain driving take a heavy toll on equipment, and it is essential that truck drivers and truck companies maintain their fleets.
• Weather hazards. Snow, ice, and sudden storms are part of life in Colorado. Drivers can be held liable if they fail to slow down in dangerous conditions.

When investigating these accidents, evidence such as driver logs, maintenance records, and on-board electronic data often reveals whether negligence was involved.

Types of Truck Accident Claims We Handle

At Flaxman Law Group, we’ve seen how varied truck accident cases can be, and we tailor our strategy to fit each situation. Some of the most common claims we handle include:

• Rear-end and underride crashes. When a semi strikes the back of a passenger car, the smaller vehicle often takes the brunt of the damage. Underride accidents happen when a car slides under a trailer, often crushing part of the car and leading to life-threatening injuries.
• Jackknife and rollover accidents. On curves like those along C-470 or at highway interchanges, a truck that loses control can jackknife, meaning the trailer comes to a rest at an angle to the cab. Trucks can also overturn. In either case the trucks can strike multiple vehicles in the process.
• Collisions caused by runaway trucks. Colorado’s steep grades present unique hazards. A truck with overheated brakes on I-70 west of Denver can quickly become a runaway, endangering everyone on the road.
• Construction accidents. Construction accidents often involve trucks and other heavy machinery. We can help you determine whether a workers’ compensation claim or personal injury claim is the best path forward.
• Crashes involving unsecured or shifting loads. Improperly loaded cargo can spill onto streets. Incorrectly loaded cargo can also shift during transit, which can shift the center of gravity and make a truck vulnerable to rollovers. In addition, some tankers and trucks carry dangerous cargo which can catch fire when spilled or can cause toxic fumes.
• Multi-vehicle pileups. Because of their size and weight, trucks are often involved in chain-reaction crashes, especially during winter storms on I-70 or U.S. 6.
• Motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle accidents involving trucks are especially devastating because motorcyclists have few protections against an 80,000-pound commercial tractor trailer.
• Fatal truck accidents. Tragically, some collisions cost lives. We have extensive experience helping grieving families through wrongful death claims.

In each case, our role is to uncover what happened, identify responsible parties, and pursue compensation that reflects the full scope of your losses.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Case?

One of the most confusing parts of a truck accident claim is figuring out who is responsible. Unlike a two-car crash, where you typically deal with one other driver and their insurer, truck accidents often involve multiple parties. There may be multiple liable parties, including:

• The truck driver. Sometimes, the driver’s own actions directly cause a crash. In these cases, the driver can be held accountable.
• Trucking companies. Companies are required to hire qualified drivers, maintain their fleets, and enforce safety rules. If a company pressured a driver to skip rest breaks or ignored maintenance issues, it can share responsibility.
• Cargo loaders and shippers. When freight is loaded improperly, the risk of rollovers or spills increases. A shipping company that cut corners in loading may be liable if its actions contributed to your accident.
• Maintenance providers. Some companies outsource brake checks, tire replacements, and other critical maintenance. If that work was done carelessly, a third-party service provider could be at fault.
• Manufacturers of defective parts. Occasionally, a tire blowout or brake failure can be traced to a defective product. In those cases, the parts manufacturer may bear liability.

Because multiple layers of insurance are often involved, insurance companies may point fingers at one another to avoid paying, leaving victims caught in the middle. The team at Flaxman Law Group knows how to fight back and how to seek compensation for you.

Injuries Commonly Sustained in Commercial Vehicle Crashes

Many people injured in Lakewood truck accidents find themselves facing long recoveries and major life adjustments. Some of the most common injuries we see include:

• Spinal cord and back injuries. A crash on I-70 or U.S. 6 can leave victims with herniated discs, nerve damage, or even paralysis from spinal cord injuries.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Concussions and more severe TBIs are common when cars are struck by trucks, because it is common to hit your head against a dashboard or the interior of your car in a collision. Even if your airbag deploys correctly, the violent shaking of a crash can still cause concussions and brain injury.
• Orthopedic injuries. From fractured ribs to crushed limbs and amputations, these injuries can take months to heal and some require life-long adjustments.
• Internal injuries. The force of impact can damage internal organs, which can be fatal if not treated immediately.
• Severe lacerations and burns. Broken glass, twisted metal, or fires caused by spilled fuel can leave victims with lasting scars and disfigurement.
• Emotional trauma. The psychological toll of a truck crash is real. Many survivors deal with anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These struggles deserve the same recognition and treatment as physical injuries.

Victims may face years of follow-up care, therapy, and lost wages. That’s why it’s critical to have an attorney who not only calculates immediate expenses but also considers future needs.

How Our Lakewood Truck Accident Attorneys Build Strong Cases

After a truck accident, many people feel like they’re starting from scratch: no car, growing medical bills, and constant calls from insurance adjusters. At Flaxman Law Group, our role is to build the strongest possible case on your behalf. Here’s how we do it:

• Thorough investigations. We gather black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and witness statements to uncover the full story.
• Identifying all responsible parties. Our attorneys track down every responsible party to maximize your potential recovery.
• Leveraging insider knowledge of insurance companies. Because we once worked inside the insurance industry, we know how adjusters evaluate claims and the tactics they use to minimize payouts. We can anticipate their moves and counter their strategies.
• Working with local experts. We collaborate with accident reconstruction specialists, expert witnesses, medical professionals, private investigators, and other professionals. These experts help us explain to a jury or to insurers exactly why your crash happened.

Our approach is straightforward: gather the strongest evidence, build a compelling case, and fight for compensation that reflects the true impact of the crash on your life.

What To Do After a Truck Accident In Lakewood

While every situation is unique, there are some steps that can help protect your health and your legal rights:

1. Get medical care immediately. Even if you feel “okay,” the force of a truck collision can cause internal injuries or concussions that aren’t obvious right away. Visit a doctor or emergency room at Saint Anthony Hospital or another nearby medical center as soon as possible.
2. Report the accident. If police responded to the scene, they should have created an official crash report. Make sure to get a copy as evidence.
3. Gather what information you can. If your injuries allow it at the scene, collect the truck driver’s license, insurance, and employer information, as well as contact details for any witnesses. Take photos of everything you can, including the scene, any injuries, and your car. If you weren’t able to, don’t worry. We can often obtain this information later.
4. Avoid talking to insurance adjusters without advice. It’s common to get a call within days from the trucking company’s insurer, asking for a statement or offering a quick settlement. Their goal is to pay as little as possible. Before you speak with them, call us. We can handle communications, so you don’t accidentally say something that weakens your claim.
5. Keep track of everything. Keep detailed notes of medical visits, time missed from work, and daily struggles caused by your injuries. Keep a folder with receipts and documentation related to your claim and be sure to keep attending doctor’s appointments. A claim is an ongoing process, and you need to work with your doctors to heal and to maintain documentation of your injuries and limitations.
6. Contact an experienced attorney early. Truck companies move quickly after a wreck, and the sooner you have your own attorney, the sooner evidence can be preserved, and your side of the story protected.

At Flaxman Law Group, we make these steps easy. A consultation with us is free, and we only get paid if we recover money for you. From the first call, you’ll speak directly with an attorney who understands what you’re going through.

Compensation Available to Truck Accident Victims

Many people in Lakewood find themselves unable to return to work after a collision, struggling with long-term injuries, and dealing with emotional trauma. The law allows you to seek compensation for these losses, and a strong claim can make a real difference in your ability to rebuild.

Here are some of the damages that may be available in a truck accident case:

• Medical expenses. This includes emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, and future medical needs. Truck accident injuries often require long-term treatment, and we make sure those costs are factored into your claim.
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity. If you’ve missed weeks of work recovering from your crash, you can pursue compensation for that lost income. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your job or from working at all in the future, you can also seek damages for reduced earning capacity.
• Property damage. Your car may have been totaled, or you may be stuck paying for a rental. We help clients resolve property damage claims and get back on the road, often at no extra charge.
• Pain and suffering. Truck crashes often cause lasting pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. Colorado law allows victims to pursue damages for these struggles.
• Loss of consortium and support. When serious injuries affect family relationships or deprive loved ones of companionship and support, additional damages may be available.
• Wrongful death damages. If you lost a loved one in a truck accident, compensation may include funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the immeasurable loss of companionship. While no money can make up for the loss, these claims can provide stability during an incredibly difficult time.
• Punitive damages. In rare cases, where an at-fault party’s actions were especially neglectful or malicious, a court may award punitive damages (also known as exemplary damages) to punish and deter the at-fault party.

At Flaxman Law Group, our goal is to secure a result that reflects the full scope of what you’ve been through. With nearly $1 billion recovered for clients, we’ve proven we can deliver results on par with the largest firms, without sacrificing the personal care that sets us apart. We have helped plaintiffs secure workers’ compensation benefits, generous settlements, and court wins.