Q. Do I need a lawyer if I was injured in a collision involving an eighteen wheeler?
A. A person in a wreck with a truck and suffering from minor injuries may not want to hire an attorney. Unfortunately, most cars that are involved in collisions with trucks come out on the losing side, and serious injury or death is common. Early investigation of the case by an attorney (securing witness statements, preserving evidence, even obtaining experts) may make the difference in terms of being able to prove that the trucker was at fault. The injured person may also need assistance in dealing with medical providers (who may be reluctant to provide treatment if there is no health insurance). Remember, no insurance company (whether your own company or that of the trucking company) is going to give you advice on how to protect yourself and how to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries. That advice will have to come from an Colorado Springs trucking accident attorney unless you want to risk representing yourself in a matter which may have lifetime consequences. Consider whether you would really want to operate on yourself or a family member without a medical degree.
Q. How is a trucking case different from normal cases involving two cars?
A. In some ways they are the same, as the same types of damages are available and both involve issues of negligence (whether the driver of the vehicle or truck was using reasonable care). In other ways there are many differences. Trucks which travel in interstate commerce are subject to many federal regulations which do not apply to vehicles. Trucking companies have a responsibility to perform background checks prior to hiring drivers and must periodically evaluate existing employees. Drivers are subject to limits on the number of hours that they can drive (hours of service regulations). Drivers are also subject to testing for drugs and alcohol, both randomly and in the event of a collision. Violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (FMSCR) can provide the basis for establishing fault on the part of the trucking company and its driver. In cases involving severe injuries, experts in the trucking industry may be used as well as accident reconstruction experts.
A. Sarah Christensen is a highly skilled and experienced trial attorney and has successfully handled vehicle claims from smaller injury claims all the way to claims involving serious injuries or death of a loved one.
Please call Colorado Springs Personal Injury Lawyer Sarah Christensen now to talk about your case. She can be reached by phone at 719-634-7770.
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