Colorado Springs Runaway Truck Accident Attorneys
Helping Victims of Runaway Trucks
Life in the mountains can be both beautiful and dangerous. From chilly winters to skiing accidents to rock falls, Colorado isn’t for the faint-hearted. However, there are few accidents in the mountains worse than one involving a runaway truck.
When a truck’s brakes fail on a steep decline, it causes the driver to lose control, slamming into other vehicles in its path, along with the drivers and passengers inside. The result is complete devastation.
As Colorado Springs truck accident attorneys, we at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., have seen time and time again how dangerous runaway trucks are. We have worked with many truck accident victims and seen the devastating impact that these collisions can have. If you have been injured by a runaway truck, or you lost a loved one to one, we may be able to help. To find out your legal options, call us at (719) 475-2555 today.
When the Brakes Fail
Colorado is known for its breathtaking mountains. In fact, most of the state is contained in the Rocky Mountain Range; and many cities, Colorado Springs included, are built among some of the highest peaks in the country. While that makes the state unique, it also creates an issue for semi-trucks that travel through the area.
Tractor-trailers are incredibly heavy, weighing up to 80,000 pounds when loaded. When driving down steep slopes, such as in the mountains, drivers need to downshift to a lower gear, using the brakes consistently, in order to keep control of the truck. If the driver does not do this, then the truck could pick up momentum, until it is going too fast to stop. Sometimes, riding the brakes during mountain routes can cause the brakes to wear out quickly, and, in catastrophic cases, fail completely.
When the brakes on a truck fail, especially in the mountains, the driver loses the ability to slow the truck. On a level highway, a trucker has options, such as putting the truck in neutral and waiting for it to slow down on its own or pulling it off to the side of the road and using the terrain to force it to stop. When going downhill, however, neither of these are truly options. And, due to the truck’s weight, once it reaches a certain speed, nothing short of a thick, concrete wall will stop it. Even while running over and crushing other vehicles, the truck may simply continue to gain speed.
The Dangers of a Runaway Truck
When the brakes of a truck fail during a descent down a mountain, there is little, if anything, that can cause the truck to stop. This is a serious problem for any other vehicles in its path. The average passenger vehicle is dwarfed by a semi-truck. Even larger vehicles, such as minivans, are far too small to stand up to a big rig. For those inside the cars, this means catastrophic injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Deep lacerations
- Organ damage
- Brain injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Loss of limb
- Crush injuries
- Spinal cord damage
That is, if the victims survive at all. Runaway trucks are incredibly dangerous, and those hit by these out-of-control big rigs often die from their injuries. No one should ever lose their life to a runaway truck. Truckers must check their brakes before entering the mountains and should always employ built-in safety systems on the road, such as runaway truck ramps designed to stop a truck before it can cause damage. These ramps dot the roads throughout the Rockies, and there is no excuse not to use them during a runaway truck emergency.
If you have lost a loved one or were injured yourself by a runaway truck, then you have a right to demand compensation from the liable party. But who can be considered at-fault for this kind of accident?
Determining Liability
The victims of runaway trucks deserve compensation to cover their damages, such as medical bills, car repairs, and emotional trauma. However, getting that compensation will require you to file a personal injury claim against the liable party. Determining who is liable requires you to determine what happened and why through an investigation. There are multiple parties that could be found responsible for the crash, such as:
- The truck driver: The driver is ultimately the one responsible for keeping the truck under control, as well as implementing the use of runaway truck ramps during a brake failure. If the driver is drunk, fatigued, distracted, or otherwise negligent, he could allow the truck to gain too much speed to control, thus leading to a runaway truck accident.
- The mechanic: The most common cause for a runaway truck accident is brake failure. The truck’s mechanic is responsible for making sure it is in peak condition before being sent out on the road. If the mechanic fails to notice that the brakes are too worn down for safe use, then he or she could be the one responsible for your injuries.
- The manufacturer: Sometimes auto parts fail. If the manufacturer of the truck’s brakes, or of the entire truck, failed to install properly working brakes, then the manufacturing company may actually be the liable party.
- The shipping company: The trucking company is responsible for making sure its fleet is in safe condition, as well as making sure all drivers are properly trained on how to operate a truck on a steep decline. However, these big corporations will often cut corners to make more money, and it is very possible that the runaway truck accident was brought on by a negligent trucking company.
If you were injured in a runaway truck accident, then you deserve fair and proper compensation. However, you will only get that compensation if your claim is successful. Large companies are quick to deny responsibility and avoid paying out settlements, which means you need the help of a skilled lawyer.
The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., Is Here to Help
Runaway truck accidents are chaotic, traumatic, and violent. Surviving one at all is incredibly lucky. However, that doesn’t mean the journey to recovery won’t be difficult -- physically, emotionally, and financially.
If you have been injured in a runaway truck wreck, then you are within your legal rights to demand compensation, and we want to help you do just that. As skilled Colorado Springs truck accident attorneys, we know how to fight these large trucking companies. To speak with a member of our excellent team, call The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., at (719) 475-2555 today. If you become our client, we will fight for you.
Additional Information
