In recent years, the need for truck drivers has significantly increased. While good for the trucking industry, the increase has led to many less experienced truck drivers operating commercial trucks on the highways and streets in Colorado Springs and throughout the state.
There is no question that experience is a critical point in whether a driver can operate a commercial truck safely. Semi-trucks, tractor trailers, 18-wheelers, and big rigs – these vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 lbs. when fully loaded. They require a long distance to come to a complete stop, and any driver error can lead to a disaster, with innocent people sustaining serious or fatal injuries.
Driver Experience: Research Reveals the Truth.
A study conducted by Virginia Tech indicated that both age and driving experience play essential roles in driver safety, with experience revealed as the crucial point in driver safety. Drivers with less than one year of experience had higher crash rates, no matter their age. The first year a truck driver is on the road, operating a commercial vehicle, has proven to be the most dangerous for other drivers and passengers.
Truck Accidents in Colorado
Several well-traveled truck routes are through Colorado, including I-25, which passes through Colorado Springs, to areas east of the Rocky Mountains, including Denver, Pueblo, Fort Collins, and Greeley. The numbers of truck accidents in the state reflect several safety concerns, including the experience of the driver, and Colorado’s harsh weather conditions.
Many drivers, even though they have attended and completed truck operation training classes, are unfamiliar with how to manage a heavily-loaded semi when the roadway is icy, wet, or snowy. They may be operating a truck at the posted speed limit, which is too fast when weather conditions are dangerous. The numbers of truck accidents in Colorado, as issued by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveal that 20 fatal truck accidents occurred in the most recently reported year, with 103 people suffering fatal injuries.
Types of Truck Accidents and Inexperienced Drivers
An inexperienced driver can be responsible for accidents of various types, including:
- Jackknife accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Unsafe lane changes
- Underrides
- Head-on collisions
- Side impact crashes
- Cargo-related crashes
- Weather-related accidents
Driving skills and experience matter. An inexperienced truck driver may drive in a negligent manner, including:
- Drunk or drug intoxicated driving
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
- Unsafe merging
- Fatigued driving
Injuries and Wrongful Death Truck Accident Cases
A commercial truck accident most often causes harm to other drivers and their passengers. The injuries sustained are frequently life-changing or fatal, and many innocent people lose their lives simply by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The first step in seeking justice and fair compensation is to connect with an attorney to manage the case – a lawyer with a reputation for excellence in personal injury law.
The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., and You.
Our legal team is committed to helping the injured seek justice and fair compensation. If your family has lost a loved one, a wrongful death claim or lawsuit can be filed. The first steps are identifying all liable parties, including the driver, trucking firm, or another party, and gathering and preserving all evidence to support the case. A full evaluation of the medical condition will be needed, and at our firm, we have access to medical experts, financial experts, and the range of professional resources required in truck accident cases.
Contact us today if you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident in Colorado at (719) 475-2555 for a free initial consultation.