What Is A Fatal Truck Accident In Denver?

The severity of a collision increases when the crash involves a large commercial truck. The size and weight of a big rig are too much for the average car to withstand. If your loved one tragically dies in a fatal trucking accident in Denver, it is important for your family to understand its legal rights. With help from an experienced Denver wrongful death attorney, you can seek justice and fair financial compensation.

Fatal Trucking Accident Statistics

Every year, thousands of serious and fatal trucking accidents occur in the United States. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in 2021, 5,700 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes. This was an 18 percent increase from 2020. In Colorado in 2021, 103 fatal accidents involved large trucks, making up 10.1 percent of all fatal traffic accidents that year.

Why Do Deadly Truck Accidents in Denver Happen?

Fatal trucking accidents are almost always preventable. They occur most often due to driver error and human negligence. Negligence in a legal context means failing to use or act with ordinary care based on the circumstances.

Examples of negligence that are often behind deadly truck accidents in Denver are:

• Truck driver error
• Driver fatigue
• Drunk or drugged driving
• Speeding
• Improper braking techniques
• Following too closely
• Making unsafe lane changes
• Reckless driving
• Violated safety standards
• Poor truck maintenance
• Equipment failures
• Lost cargo loads

If an investigation finds that a fatal truck accident was caused by a negligent truck driver or trucking company, that person or party can be held accountable for taking someone’s life with a wrongful death claim.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in Colorado?

According to state law (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-201), when someone dies due to another person’s negligence, unskillfulness or criminal intent, a wrongful death cause of action can be brought against the party or parties responsible.

In Colorado, the right to file a wrongful death claim is given to only the surviving spouse in the first year after the victim’s death. If no spouse exists, the decedent’s children or designated beneficiary can file a claim. After one year, the decedent’s surviving spouse and/or children or beneficiary may file.

Financial Compensation Available for a Fatal Trucking Accident in Denver

A successful wrongful death claim can hold a trucking company or another party responsible for causing your loved one’s death. It can also result in financial compensation for your family’s losses, such as:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Medical expenses
• Property damage
• Lost wages and inheritance
• Loss of consortium
• Pain, suffering, grief and emotional distress

While no amount of money will ever be equal to your loved one’s life, a fair settlement or judgment award granted by a jury can make it easier to move forward by providing the compensation you deserve.

How an Attorney Can Help You

If you lose a loved one in a fatal trucking accident in Denver, consult with a truck accident attorney located in Denver, Colorado about the possibility of filing a claim or lawsuit. A lawyer can investigate the deadly crash, gather evidence and handle claims paperwork on your family’s behalf. An attorney knows how to negotiate with insurance companies to reach a fair settlement. If necessary, your lawyer can take your fatal trucking accident case to trial in Denver County.

Request a free consultation regarding a fatal trucking accident in Denver today by calling The Fang Law Firm at (720) 379-6363.