Truck vs. Car: Who’s Liable in Mixed Vehicle Accidents in Colorado?
Crashes involving trucks and passenger cars can be very complicated. The size and weight differences between the vehicles alone could turn a collision into a devastating wreck. And these crashes often lead to serious injuries or fatalities.
When it comes to determining who is liable in a truck vs. car collision in Colorado, many accident victims find themselves overwhelmed by confusing laws, unsavory insurance company tactics, and finger-pointing between multiple parties.
If you’ve been involved in a mixed-vehicle crash, you’ll want to have a better understanding of how these liability laws can affect your case. A Colorado Springs truck accident lawyer at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., can help you make sense of these high-stakes situations with speed, clarity, and legal precision.
Why Mixed Vehicle Crashes Are More Complicated
The stakes are high in a truck vs. car accident in Colorado. Semi-trucks, big rigs, and other commercial vehicles operate under state and federal trucking regulations, and these accidents raise serious legal questions due to the following:
- Larger insurance policies (often over $1 million)
- Severe physical injuries or fatalities
- Complex accident reconstruction requirements
- More parties involved (driver, employer, manufacturer, cargo loaders)
How Liability Is Assessed in a Truck vs. Car Accident
Liability in Colorado motor vehicle accidents is based on fault. But determining fault in a truck crash isn’t always straightforward. Here are the most important factors involved.
Negligence of the Truck Driver
Commercial truck drivers are held to a higher duty of care due to the destructive potential of their vehicles. Any of the following behaviors may contribute to a trucker’s liability:
- DUI
- Speeding
- Failure to yield
- Driving while fatigued
- Violating FMCSA Hours of Service rules
- Distracted driving
- Followed other vehicles too closely
In mixed vehicle crashes, courts and insurance companies will scrutinize the actions of both drivers and others on the road to determine who was careless or reckless.
Commercial Vehicle Liability
Often, the trucking company itself may share liability. This is especially true if the company:
- Failed to properly train or vet the driver
- Did not maintain the vehicle
- Forced the driver to violate federal hours limits or safety regulations
- Knew about prior violations but ignored them
Liability may also extend to:
- Maintenance contractors
- Cargo loaders
- Other drivers involved in the crash
- Manufacturers of defective components
An experienced trucking accident litigation attorney can investigate each angle and uncover hidden sources of negligence.
Colorado’s Comparative Negligence Laws
Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this system, each party involved in a crash is assigned a percentage of fault. If you are less than 50% at fault, you may still recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Example:
- You’re awarded $100,000 for injuries.
- You’re found to be 20% at fault.
- Your total compensation will be $80,000.
This rule plays a major role in truck vs. car accident cases in Colorado, where liability is often disputed, and both parties may share some blame.
Evidence Used to Prove Fault
Determining liability in a mixed-vehicle crash often requires a deep dive into technical and circumstantial evidence. Our firm works with industry experts to gather and interpret the following:
- Police reports
- Dashcam or surveillance video
- Driver logs and black box data
- Witness statements
- Truck inspection and maintenance records
- Photographs of the scene
- Toxicology reports (for drugs or alcohol)
Reasons to Choose The Bussey Law Firm, P.C.
Trucking companies have extensive resources, legal teams, and insurers working to minimize their liability. If you go up against them alone, you risk being unfairly blamed or accepting a low settlement.
The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., has spent decades representing injury victims across Colorado Springs, and we’re nationally recognized for our litigation work in high-stakes trucking cases.
We’ve used several effective strategies to take on the big trucking companies and win:
- Launching an immediate investigation to preserve time-sensitive evidence
- Handling all communications with insurers and opposing attorneys
- Enlisting accident reconstructionists and trucking safety experts
- Investigating FMCSA regulation violations
- Filing civil lawsuits when insurers refuse fair settlements
Common Injuries in Truck vs. Car Accidents
Due to the vast size disparity between semi-trucks and passenger vehicles, injuries in mixed-vehicle crashes are often catastrophic. These may include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Broken bones and internal bleeding
- Amputations
- Disfigurement
- Psychological trauma (PTSD)
Victims could require long-term care, multiple surgeries, and extensive rehabilitation. However, insurance companies might try to downplay these injuries to save money.
Our legal team will seek full compensation for your damages, including future treatment needs and reduced quality of life.
What to Do After a Truck vs. Car Accident in Colorado
Here are the steps you should take immediately after a crash:
- Call 911 and request medical attention.
- Do not admit fault, even if you believe you made a mistake.
- Document the scene with photos, license plates, company names, and visible damage.
- Collect contact info from witnesses, if possible.
- Get a medical exam, even if you feel fine.
- Contact a truck accident attorney before speaking with the trucking company’s insurance adjuster.
Talk to an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer in Colorado Springs
Truck crashes are life-altering events. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck vs. car accident in Colorado, The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., understands the toll it can take—and we take action.
Our law firm has been getting justice for accident victims in Colorado Springs for over. Firm founder Timothy Bussey is recognized among the Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers in Colorado and was featured in Colorado Springs Magazine as a Top Attorney.
We’re here to protect your future, and we don’t get paid unless you win. Call (719) 475-2555 today to schedule a free consultation.
