How Your Lawyer Will Investigate a Truck Accident in Colorado Springs
Truck accidents are among the most devastating traffic collisions on Colorado roads. Due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles, these crashes often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
For truck accident victims and their families, one of the most important decisions you can make is choosing a lawyer who knows how to thoroughly investigate truck accidents.
Timothy Bussey is an experienced Colorado Springs truck accident lawyer. At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., we’ve built a solid reputation for handling serious injury cases with precision and care.
In this article, we break down how an attorney approaches a truck accident investigation, and why this process is key to holding the right parties accountable and maximizing your compensation.
Why Truck Accident Investigations So Complicated
Truck accidents differ from ordinary car crashes in several critical ways:
- Multiple parties may be legally responsible
- Commercial trucks are subject to federal and state regulations
- Trucks often carry electronic monitoring devices that record key evidence
- Trucking companies and insurers move quickly to protect their interests
This complexity means the quality of your lawyer’s investigation can determine the outcome of your case.
Securing and Preserving Evidence at the Crash Scene
The first priority in any commercial truck crash investigation is to secure time-sensitive evidence from the scene. This may include:
- Photos of skid marks, vehicle positions, and road debris
- Dashcam or surveillance footage
- Witness statements
- Police reports and accident diagrams
- Weather and lighting conditions at the time of the crash
Trucking companies often have rapid-response teams who arrive on-site immediately after a collision to begin building their defense. Your attorney must act quickly to preserve evidence before it disappears or is altered.
At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., we send spoliation letters, which is a legal notice warning trucking companies not to tamper with or destroy evidence during the critical early stages of an
Preserving and Analyzing Black Box Evidence
Most commercial trucks are equipped with an Event Data Recorder (EDR), commonly referred to as the truck’s black box. The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. knows how to interpret black box information.
This device captures crucial crash-related data, including:
- Vehicle speed
- Brake application
- Sudden deceleration
- Steering angle
- Cruise control status
- GPS location
A truck’s EDR can reveal whether the driver was speeding, braking too late, or failing to take evasive action. It’s one of the most powerful tools available during a truck accident liability investigation.
Reviewing Driver Logs and Hours of Service Compliance
Commercial drivers are required to maintain Hours of Service (HOS) logs that record their hours behind the wheel, rest breaks, and off-duty periods. These records are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Failure to take required rest breaks is major cause of truck driver fatigue, which can be deadly.
As part of our investigation, we will review:
- HOS logs
- ELD data
- Dispatch records
- Toll and fuel receipts
Discrepancies or falsified logs can indicate FMCSA violations in Colorado, which strengthen your claim and establish negligence.
If a driver was behind the wheel longer than allowed, or if their employer pressured them to meet unsafe delivery deadlines, your attorney can use that evidence to prove fault.
Identifying Liable Parties
One of the most important aspects of a truck accident investigation is identifying liable parties. In many typical crashes, more than one party is held liable. This may include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- A third-party maintenance contractor
- A cargo loading company
- The manufacturer of a defective part
- Another motorist who contributed to the crash
Truck Maintenance and Inspection Records
Commercial trucks must undergo regular maintenance and safety checks. Poorly maintained brakes, bald tires, or malfunctioning lights can easily contribute to a serious accident.
Your attorney will request and review:
- Routine maintenance logs
- Pre-trip and post-trip inspection reports
- Repair invoices
- Manufacturer recalls and service bulletins
If the truck failed inspection or had known mechanical issues, liability may fall on the trucking company or a third-party maintenance provider
Negligent Hiring and Inadequate Supervision
Trucking must hire safe drivers and provide the necessary supervision to eliminate preventable accidents. This requires them to administer:
- Background checks on drivers
- Regular drug and alcohol screenings
- Training and safety programs
- Proper supervision and discipline
If the company hired an unqualified or reckless driver, or if they looked the other way when safety rules were broken, they can be held directly accountable under a claim of negligent hiring, retention, or supervision.
Consulting Accident Reconstruction and Industry Experts
Truck accidents often require specialized forensic analysis. We work with highly trained experts in fields such as:
- Accident reconstruction: Experts use crash scene evidence, vehicle data, and physics to determine how the collision occurred.
- Truck safety compliance: Industry professionals assess whether FMCSA regulations were followed.
- Mechanical engineering: Engineers evaluate failed vehicle parts and maintenance issues.
- Medical experts: Physicians and life care planners document the extent of injuries and long-term costs.
These experts are valuable for building a strong case, and they can also be key witnesses at trial, helping juries understand the technical details of your claim.
Maximize Compensation
Ultimately, the goal of any truck accident investigation is to prove liability and recover full compensation for your losses.
This may include:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Emotional trauma
- Property damage
- Wrongful death benefits (in fatal crashes)
Experience Matters in Colorado Springs Truck Accident Cases
At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., we bring decades of legal experience and trial success to every case. We’ve handled complex injury claims involving catastrophic injuries, FMCSA violations, and multi-party liability.
We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, and insurance companies know we won’t back down from a fight. That’s how we’ve recovered millions for our clients.
Timothy R. Bussey has been recognized by Super Lawyers in Colorado for over 14 consecutive years based on peer reviews and independent research. He has also received the Martindale-Hubbell Gold Client Champion Award for client satisfaction.
Speak With an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer in Colorado Springs
At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., we provide aggressive representation backed by in-depth investigations and courtroom experience. Call (719) 475-2555 to speak with a proven Colorado Springs truck accident attorney in a free consultation today.
