What types of vehicles are commonly involved in Denver truck crashes?

Truck crashes are often more damaging and dangerous than typical accidents involving only passenger vehicles. The weight and size of trucks are major factors in the serious nature of truck accidents involving passenger vehicles. In many cases the result is catastrophic with severe property damage, serious injury and possibly even death.

While the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) strives to enforce guidelines for trucking safety, there are still many risks to everyday drivers when sharing the road with trucks. Below is an overview of the types of trucks that might be involved in a truck crash.

Denver Truck Crashes: Types of Trucks Involved

Some of the larger and heavier trucks that may become involved in a traffic accident include the following.

  • Tractor-Trailers – Tractor trailers can become involved in a crash when they are overloaded, hit the brakes suddenly or swerve causing a jackknife incident, driven by a fatigued operator, improperly loaded, or when carrying a load that is improperly secured.
  • Commercial carriers – There are also some smaller motor carriers such as box trucks that transport goods but can become very heavy when loaded or overloaded.
  • Dump trucks and garbage trucks – These can be very heavy and dangerous when involved in a collision with a car or light truck.
  • Hazardous waste carriers – Tractor-trailers and other smaller commercial trucks sometimes are authorized to carry hazardous and/or explosive substances. Typically you will see tanker trucks with hazardous signage on them to indicate the risks of traveling near them. These vehicles pose an exceptional risk when involved in an accident because of the potential for explosion, toxin exposure and fire, especially during a cargo spill.
  • Tow trucks – These are also heavy trucks and pose potential hazards when towing a vehicle as well. Tow truck drivers are responsible for the secure restraint of any vehicle being towed or carried on a flatbed, but drivers should be cautious when following or driving near a tow truck of any type. Allow space between you and the truck in case of any malfunction or driver error.

What do I do if I’ve been involved in a truck accident in Denver?

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, you could be dealing with serious injuries, costly property damage, lost wages and possible disability. If you’ve lost a loved one to a truck accident in Denver, you may be worried about your future and the future of your family, funeral expenses, and lost future wages.

The pain and suffering involved in serious auto accidents can be extensive. You might be wondering what you can do to help alleviate some of the stress you are experiencing and may not know what to do first.

It is important when you are the victim of a truck accident in Denver that you investigate the driver’s work logs (in case the driver was working more hours than legally allowed, causing fatigue) and the state of the truck involved in the accident.

If the truck was overweight or improperly loaded or secured, it could have been the cause of or a contributing factor to your accident. Identify any possible negligence on the part of the driver or the trucking company, or other parties, and seek compensation from any responsible party or parties.

In serious truck accidents in Denver where injuries or serious property damage is involved, seek help from an attorney who familiar with this type of case. D.J. Banovitz helps injured parties understand their rights, investigate the circumstances of their truck accident in Denver and build a case to help them recover the compensation they need to rebuild their lives after a crash. Call today to set up a free consultation of your case at 303-300-5060 or use our contact form to set up a consultation.