Blind Spot Truck Accidents in Colorado Springs
When driving alongside a commercial truck on Interstate 25, Powers Boulevard, or Briargate Parkway, you probably wonder whether the driver can see you due to the massive size of their vehicle; usually, they cannot. Although there are steps you can take to minimize your chances of getting hurt in an accident with a semi, you must still depend on the truck driver’s skill, training, and common sense.
Although truckers are known to be hardworking, safe drivers, they are human and make mistakes. When a big rig operator fails to notice you and crashes into your vehicle, our dedicated truck wreck attorney can help you file a claim for your injuries. Call us today to learn how we could help after a blind spot truck accident in Colorado Springs.
What Are Blind Spots on Tractor-Trailers?
Blind spots are no-zones, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The areas outside a trucker’s field of view cause one out of three truck wrecks.
The FMCSA cites that the length and height of tractor-trailers are why truckers experience blind spots. Commercial rigs with one trailer measure 70 to 80 feet long and can reach 100 feet if another trailer is attached. The length of the trailers represents truckers’ blind spots.
After a blind spot truck crash, a seasoned attorney in Colorado Springs could determine whether the injured motorist is entitled to compensation from the negligent trucker or the trucking company that owns the rig.
Recovering Compensation After a Truck Crash
Accident lawsuits revolve around the theory of negligence, meaning the plaintiff’s attorney must prove the truck driver failed to check their blind spot properly, causing a crash and injuring the motorist. In this case, the trucker’s actions must fall below those of a responsible driver. Negligent truckers may be speeding, drinking, or distracted, ignoring the blind spots they know are there, causing catastrophic accidents to innocent motorists.
Injured motorists are entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, long-lasting pain, disfigurement, mental anguish, or emotional distress. A lawyer in Colorado Springs will investigate a blind spot tractor-trailer wreck and help build a solid case seeking compensation on the injured driver’s behalf.
Minimum Liability Insurance for Trucking Companies
After a blind spot semi-truck crash, a plaintiff could pursue compensation from the trucking company that employs the driver who hit them. According to the US Code of Federal Regulations § 387.9, these companies must carry liability insurance that considers the devastating nature when such large and heavy vehicles plow into other motorists.
Interstate trucking companies must purchase at least $750,000 in liability insurance and up to $5 million when their employees transport hazardous cargo. When the plaintiff incurs injury-related expenses that exceed a policy’s coverage, a legal representative in Colorado Springs could initiate a lawsuit asking the jury for an appropriate financial award.
Statute of Limitations
Colorado Revised Statutes 13-80-101 sets a time limit for an injured party to file a negligence lawsuit against a truck driver or trucking company responsible for an accident. Plaintiffs have three years after the accident to file, with limited exceptions.
Our Attorneys in Colorado Springs Can Help File a Claim for a Blind Spot Truck Accident
As hard as you try to stay away from no-zones, you cannot. Sharing the road with commercial truckers is worrisome—especially knowing they cannot always see you. Although most truckers are responsible drivers, they could engage in careless or reckless acts, causing significant collisions.
A run-in with a large semi-truck is devastating, causing some of the most severe injuries imaginable. You deserve compensation from the at-fault trucker and their employer; our lawyers are dedicated to seeing you get it. Call our law firm to schedule a consultation about your options after a blind spot truck accident in Colorado Springs.
