Overloaded/Overweight Truck Accidents in Thornton
Trucks that are overloaded put the driver and other motorists at risk. These trucks are at a much greater chance of tire blowouts, jackknifing, roll-overs, and many other types of severe collisions.
When a truck is overweight, it is also more challenging to control and stop the vehicle when needed. Most of the severe injuries and fatalities that occur in crashes that involve trucks are the occupants of passenger vehicles. If you were involved in an overloaded/overweight truck accident in Thornton, a knowledgeable attorney could help you pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Compensation in Overweight Truck Wreck Cases
There are two categories of damages a court may award a person in personal injury cases: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to calculable monetary losses, such as medical bills, lost wages.
Non-economic damages are more difficult to calculate and cover non-monetary losses such as pain and suffering. A seasoned attorney could use medical records, pay stubs, witness testimonies, and other evidence to establish an individual’s losses after an overweight truck wreck.
Establishing Liability in an Overloaded/Overweight Truck Collision
When an overloaded or overweight truck causes an accident, the driver, trucking company, or both could be at fault. Drivers are responsible for ensuring their trucks do not surpass the maximum allowable weight and the cargo is secure. There are also regular weigh stations on highways that truck drivers must stop to check their vehicle’s weight.
When drivers operate the truck, regardless of it being over the allowable weight limit, they are liable for collisions that they cause. If the company that employs the trucker plays a part in the cargo load breaking regulation, the injured party can also pursue legal action against them.
An injured party and their attorney will need to prove the following elements to establish liability:
- The at-fault party owed the injured party a duty of care
- The at-fault party failed to provide that duty of care
- The breach of duty of care caused the accident
- The breach resulted in severe injuries and damages
A lawyer with experience handling overweight truck collisions in Thornton could help investigate, analyze, and collect the evidence needed to establish liability.
Do Not Wait to Take Action After an Overloaded Truck Crash
It is crucial to take swift legal action following a truck wreck. Under the Colorado Revised Statute § 13-80-101, an injured party has three years to file a legal action with the civil court after a collision with a commercial truck.
If the injured party misses the deadline, they may lose the opportunity to collect compensation for the damages they sustained. A seasoned attorney can take the lead in filing the necessary paperwork after an overloaded truck accident in Thornton and make sure that all legal deadlines are met.
Schedule a Consultation with an Overloaded/Overweight Truck Accident Attorney Today
Truckers and the companies that employ them must follow safety regulations to keep everyone safe on the roads and highways around them. When they fail to follow the laws and their carelessness results in injuries and damages, you have the right to hold them accountable.
Big businesses and trucking companies have the resources to defend themselves against lawsuits in court. You need experienced legal representation advocating on your behalf and fighting for the justice you deserve. If negligent actions caused your injuries, contact a lawyer specializing in overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Thornton to learn about your legal options.
