Colorado Springs Truck Rollover Accident Lawyers

Helping Victims of Destructive Trucking Accidents

When you get out onto the road, whether you are going to the grocery store, starting your daily commute, or taking your kid to baseball practice, you assume that you won’t run into any issues. Sadly, when negligent truck drivers are allowed on the street with you, what should be a safe trip can turn into a complete nightmare.

Rollovers are among the most dangerous kinds of truck accidents you can experience. Given the weight of semi-trucks, which can get as heavy as 100,000 pounds, a rollover can completely destroy any other vehicles around them. At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., our legal team understands that you are likely in distress after your accident. The injuries, emotional trauma, and high costs are enough to leave anyone feeling hopeless. But we may be able to alleviate some of your burdens. If your accident was the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation in a truck accident claim. Our skilled Colorado Springs rollover truck accident attorney can provide the expert legal help you need to file a successful claim. To learn how, call our firm at (719) 475-2555. We are waiting to help.

How Rollovers Happen

Rollovers with cars and ATVs are not uncommon. These kinds of accidents can be devastating, but there is nothing as catastrophic as a truck rollover. Big-rig and semi-truck rollovers cause unimaginable damage and can impact multiple lanes of traffic, causing pileup accidents and serious injuries for those unlucky enough to be involved. Sadly, rollovers are rarely just accidents, and the root cause can often be traced back to one or more negligent actions. In our experience working with truck accident victims, some of the most common causes of rollover truck accidents are:

• Improperly loaded cargo
• Driver fatigue
• Auto defects or maintenance issues
• Dangerous speeding
• Taking tight turns too quickly

How ever the rollover accident was caused, chances are that you are experiencing some serious injuries as a result. The sheer size and weight of trucks make them a force to be reckoned with, which means that truck drivers have a responsibility to drive safely and lawfully. If they neglect this duty, the fallout can impact their victims for years to come.

Why Rollovers Are So Dangerous

Rollovers are one of the most dangerous kinds of truck accidents. While an underride accident is deadly, it will only impact the cars directly ahead of, behind, or to the side of the truck. A rollover, on the other hand, can impact multiple lanes of traffic. When a truck rolls over, the trailer, which can weigh tens of thousands of pounds, can careen into the lanes next to the truck, before finally falling over. This means that other drivers on the road could be run over or crushed beneath the trailer. The drivers behind the truck will likely slam on their brakes in order to avoid hitting the vehicles in front of them, possibly causing a pileup accident and leading to even more damage.

On top of that, cargo spills are a serious risk with rollovers. Depending on the cargo being carried, a spill can be catastrophic. A logging truck, for example, could cause heavy logs to spill out on to the road, crushing vehicles and pedestrians nearby. On the other hand, if the truck is carrying dangerous chemicals or gasoline, those nearby could become sick or end up suffering from chemical burns. All in all, truck rollovers are incredibly dangerous accidents and can cause extreme damage. Some common injuries also include:

• Broken and fractured bones
• Brain damage
• Severe burns
• Spinal injuries
• Crush injuries
• Organ damage
• Loss of limb or amputation
• Paralysis and nerve damage
• Internal bleeding
• Lacerations

These kinds of severe injuries are incredibly difficult to recover from. They require time, lengthy periods of rest, extensive medical care, and a great deal of money in order to be properly treated. Sadly, few of us can afford to take a medically necessary break from work, much less a long stay in the hospital, multiple surgeries, or physical therapy sessions. Thankfully, the fact that rollover accidents are most often caused by negligence means that, if you find the responsible party, you may be able to hold them liable and recover damages.

Truck Rollover Liability

As we already stated, rollover accidents are most often caused by negligence. However, the party that is responsible for the accident may change depending on the circumstances of your case. Finding the liable party will require an in-depth investigation, involving interviews, data recovery, and expert analysis. However, in our experience, there are a few common parties that are responsible for rollover accidents.

The driver: Driving a truck is no easy feat. That is why truck drivers should have extensive training before they are allowed behind the wheel. Sadly, inexperienced or improperly trained drivers are still allowed on the road, especially given the current trucker crisis. When truckers are fatigued, inexperienced, or otherwise impaired, it can be easy to take a turn too quickly or not compensate for poor weather, leading to a catastrophic rollover.

The trucking company: Trucking companies are responsible for hiring and training their drivers. If they act negligently in their hiring practices, then they may be liable for the actions of that driver. On top of that, if it is found that the company is pushing drivers to overload their trucks or skip rest periods in order to make more money, then the company should be held responsible.

The loading crew: Properly loading a truck is incredibly important. If a truck is overloaded, then it can make it difficult for the driver to take turns or come to a full stop. If the loading was done lopsided, as in one side of the trailer is far heavier than the other side, that can shift the center of gravity, making a rollover far more likely. In that case, the crew responsible for loading the truck would be the liable party.

The manufacturer/mechanic: Rollovers are also often caused by auto defects, such as a popped tire or broken brake. These defects are generally attributed to the manufacturer of the part or the mechanic assigned to inspect the truck. Thus, either party may be liable for your injuries.

Get the Compensation You Deserve

Of course, finding the liable party is just the beginning. A claim also requires proper documentation, evidence, and lengthy negotiations with the liable party’s insurance provider. This process can be exhausting for the professionals, let alone for someone trying to heal from catastrophic injuries. That is why you should let us do the heavy lifting. If you were injured in a rollover trucking accident, contact a Colorado Springs truck accident attorney at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. by calling (719) 475-2555 today. Our legal team can advocate on your behalf in a settlement negotiation or jury trial.