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Colorado Springs Truck Lane Change Accident Lawyer

Written by Timothy R. Bussey · Reviewed by Benjamin Wilcox · Last updated 27 September 2026

Key Takeaways

Deadline: 3 years if a motor vehicle was involved (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)); 2 years for most other injury claims (C.R.S. 13-80-102).
Who is liable: Usually the truck driver, because the blind spots are known and the duty is theirs.
If you were partly at fault: damages are reduced by your share and barred entirely at 50% (C.R.S. 13-21-111).
Where it is filed: El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

Who is at fault in a truck blind-spot accident?

Usually the truck driver, because the blind spots are known and the duty is theirs.

A tractor-trailer's "no-zones" — directly in front, directly behind, and along both sides with the right far larger than the left — are taught in commercial licensing, and a driver is required to clear them before changing lanes. "I did not see the car" describes the failure rather than excusing it. Where the mirrors were mis-set or a required device was missing, the carrier's own maintenance records carry it further.

What proves a truck changed lanes into you?

The damage geometry and the electronic record together.

Sideswipe damage angle and paint transfer show which vehicle moved laterally; the truck's electronic logging device, forward-facing and side cameras, and any lane-departure warning system show whether a signal was used and how long before. Many fleets now record continuously and overwrite within days, so the footage exists only if it is demanded quickly.

Were You Hurt in a Colorado Springs Truck Lane Change Accident?

If you have been involved in a Colorado Springs trucking lane change accident, or any type of collision involving a large commercial truck, your best course of action is to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Truck accidents are complex cases involving multiple potentially liable parties and federal regulations. It may be important that your lawyer act quickly to secure key evidence, such as the truck’s black box data, before it is lost. Your best chance of recovering full compensation is to have a Colorado Springs truck accident lawyer by your side.

At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., our personal injury attorneys have extensive experience handling truck accidents and other serious injury cases. Founding attorney Timothy R. Bussey has served in the U.S. Air Force and has taken more than 100 cases to trial before judges, juries, and courts-martial. He is a nationally published author on legal strategies and has been awarded membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Call us at (719) 475-2555 to schedule a free consultation if you or your loved one has been hurt in a trucking accident.

Legal Help for Colorado Springs Truck Accident Victims

Unsafe lane changes are prohibited in Colorado. The law states at CRS § 42-4-1007, “A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.” Trucks that veer out of their lane or change lanes without thoroughly checking their blind spots can cause catastrophic injuries to other motorists.

Truck Accidents in the U.S. and Colorado

In the most recent year for which statistics are available, the number of large trucks involved in injury crashes in the U.S. increased by 6% from 112,000 to 119,000, as reported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). A total of 5,005 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes, representing an increase of 2% over the previous year. In Colorado, 97 large commercial trucks were involved in collisions in which people were killed.

Causes of Truck Accidents

Many factors can contribute to truck accidents in Colorado. In the Large Truck Crash Causation Study Analysis Brief, a critical event is defined as, “The action or event that put the vehicle or vehicles on a course that made the collision unavoidable” by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The three major types of critical events assigned to large trucks involved in accidents were:

Running out of the travel lane, either into another lane or off the road (32%)
Loss of control of the vehicle due to traveling too fast for conditions, vehicle systems failure, cargo shift, poor road conditions, or other reasons (29%)
Colliding with the rear end of another vehicle in the truck’s travel lane (22%)

The top 10 factors contributing to crashes associated with large trucks and their drivers were found to be:

Brake problems
Traffic flow interruption
Prescription drug use
Traveling too fast for conditions
Unfamiliarity with roadway
Roadway problems
Required to stop before a crash
Over-the-counter drug use
Inadequate surveillance
Fatigue

Vehicles That Qualify As Trucks in Colorado

Trucks are classified according to weight. Light duty trucks weigh less than 10,000 lbs. Medium duty trucks can weigh up to 26,000 lbs. Heavy duty trucks fall into two distinct categories. Class 7 trucks, such as garbage collection or livestock transportation vehicles, can weigh from 26,001 to 33,000 lbs. Class 8 trucks, including tractor trailers and 18-wheelers, weigh more than 33,000 lbs. Operating a medium or heavy duty truck requires a commercial driver’s license and compliance with state and federal regulations.

Call our Colorado Springs accident lawyers at (719) 475-2555 to schedule a free consultation if you were seriously injured in a trucking accident.

Frequently Asked Questions After a Truck Lane Change Accident in Colorado Springs, CO

Facing the aftermath of a truck lane change accident can be bewildering. To help clarify some common queries that individuals injured in such accidents may have, we’ve compiled this list of frequently asked questions. If you’re in need of legal guidance, our team of Colorado Springs Truck Lane Change Accident Lawyers at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. are here to provide answers and support.

What should I do immediately after a truck lane change accident?

After a truck lane change accident, prioritize your safety and health. Ensure you and others are out of harm’s way, seek medical attention, and contact law enforcement to report the accident. Gathering evidence, like taking photos and getting witness statements, can be helpful.

Do I need to hire an attorney after a truck lane change accident?

While you’re not required to hire an attorney, it’s highly recommended, especially when facing injuries and potential legal complexities. An attorney can help protect your rights, navigate insurance claims, and secure fair compensation for your injuries.

How can an attorney assist me in my case?

A skilled attorney can provide invaluable assistance by investigating the accident, negotiating with insurance companies, filing legal documents, and representing you in court if necessary. They will work to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and lost income.

What if I am approached by the insurance company soon after the accident?

It’s advisable to consult with an attorney before providing any statements to the insurance company. Insurance adjusters may use your statements against you. An attorney can help protect your interests and ensure you don’t inadvertently harm your case.

How long do I have to file a claim after a truck lane change accident in Colorado Springs?

In Colorado, a truck crash claim generally must be filed within three years from the date of the accident (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)); most other personal injury claims have two years. It’s crucial to act promptly to ensure you don’t miss the deadline.

What kind of compensation can I receive for my injuries?

Compensation for truck lane change accident injuries can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. The specific amount will depend on the details of your case.

Is there a cost for an initial consultation with an attorney?

At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., we offer free consultations to assess your case. This initial consultation allows us to understand your situation and provide you with advice on how to proceed.

How long do I have to file this claim in Colorado?

Three years from the crash, because this is a tort action for bodily injury arising out of the use of a motor vehicle under C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n) — a year longer than Colorado's general tort deadline. If a city, county, district or state vehicle or roadway is involved, a far shorter clock governs first: written notice within 182 days under C.R.S. 24-10-109(1), which that statute calls "a jurisdictional prerequisite" whose failure "shall forever bar any such action".

What does a truck lane-change crash claim cost to pursue?

Nothing up front, and nothing at all unless there is a recovery. A truck lane-change crash review is free and the firm is paid a percentage of what it recovers rather than by the hour, so asking costs nothing. Call (719) 475-2555.

What makes a truck lane-change crash different?

The blind spots. A tractor-trailer has no-zones along both sides and directly behind, and a lane change made without clearing them is not an accident of visibility — it is a failure to do the check the driver is trained and required to do.

Where is a truck lane-change claim filed?

In the El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 — the district court serving El Paso County. Most truck claims settle without a court appearance; if one does not, the lawsuit is filed there and must be filed before the deadline runs.

Why does the insurer blame the car?

Because the standard defence is that you were sitting in the blind spot. Being beside a trailer is lawful; not checking before changing lanes is not. Lane-departure and side-camera data usually settles which happened.

How is a lane-change crash proven?

From the truck's own systems — steering input, turn-signal activation and side cameras — read against the damage pattern on both vehicles. Because the proof is electronic and short-lived. Engine and ECM data, hours-of-service logs, dashcam footage and dispatch records run on retention schedules measured in months. A preservation letter sent in the first weeks is often the only reason they still exist.

What Are the Colorado Deadlines and Rules on This Claim?

Which deadline applies depends on how the injury happened, not on what it is called. Colorado gives three years to a claim arising from the use or operation of a motor vehicle and two years to most other injury claims. Missing the deadline normally ends the claim regardless of its merits.

Colorado deadlines and rules that apply to this claim
A claim arising from the use or operation of a motor vehicle	3 years — C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)
Most other personal injury claims	2 years — C.R.S. 13-80-102
If you were partly at fault	Damages reduced by your share, barred at 50% — C.R.S. 13-21-111
Where a Colorado Springs claim is filed	El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Sources and References

Deadlines are cited by section to the Colorado General Assembly’s published 2024 revised statutes. This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is decided on its own facts.