
Injured by a Delivery Truck Driver?
Modern logistics offers remarkable convenience, yet it can also lead to the need for a delivery truck accident lawyer. With same-day delivery, hot meals within the hour, and groceries placed at your doorstep, it is amazing how well these services typically work and how often consumers use them.
But the risk associated with these conveniences is not talked about enough. Each year, there are thousands of truck accidents throughout Colorado that result in devastating injuries and tragic deaths.
These accidents are often caused by driver negligence. However, it can be difficult to determine who should be held liable for damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and, in the most devastating scenarios, wrongful death damages.
If you have been in a Denver delivery truck crash, Burg Simpson is here to help. We are Good Lawyers. Changing Lives.® We know how to build successful claims and pursue maximum compensation on behalf of our clients.
To schedule your FREE and confidential case evaluation, call us today at 303-792-5595. Our delivery truck accident lawyers serve clients in Denver, Englewood, and throughout Colorado.
Who Is Responsible in a Delivery Truck Accident?
Determining who is responsible for a delivery truck crash often requires a thorough investigation. This is due, in large part, to the fact that there are several parties who could be fully or partially liable for an accident.
These parties include:
- The delivery driver: The driver could be personally liable if their negligence (e.g., speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence) caused the accident.
- The delivery company (employer): Companies can be held responsible when their policies or shortcuts contribute to a crash, such as rushing drivers, skimping on training, ignoring maintenance, or pushing schedules that make safe driving unrealistic.
- Vehicle maintenance companies: If the delivery company outsources repairs and maintenance of their fleet, and the company responsible fails to properly ensure the safety of the vehicles, they could also be held liable.
- Third-party carriers: Many large companies outsource some of their delivery services. If that carrier then acts negligently, hiring drivers with a poor track record or failing to provide proper training, among other things, they could be responsible for resulting accidents and injuries.
- Government entities: If the at-fault driver works for a public agency, such as USPS, then an injured accident victim may need to file a claim against the government.
How your claim is best handled depends entirely on which party or parties should be held responsible for damages. Therefore, establishing liability is one of the first and most critical steps for recovering compensation after an accident.
Due to the complexity of these cases, however, we recommend working with a qualified delivery truck accident lawyer who can complete a thorough investigation on your behalf.
Common Causes of Delivery Truck Wrecks
While there are different parties to look at when establishing liability, most truck accidents are caused by driver error, including:
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence
This type of behavior is dangerous enough when it comes to passenger vehicles; when you consider the additional size and weight of many delivery vehicles, the risk of serious injury and death can increase exponentially.
While it can be easy to place all of the blame on the driver, it is always important to consider other factors that could have led to the accident. The more thorough we can be in our investigation, the better chance we have to recover the full amount of compensation you deserve for your damages.
What Compensation Can You Pursue?
Damages generally fall into two categories: economic and non-economic.
- Economic damages refer to financial losses, including medical expenses, out-of-pocket expenses, and lost wages.
- Non-economic damages refer to the emotional and psychological impact of your injuries, such as pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
There are a few additional things to keep in mind when calculating compensation:
- You should always consider long-term damages, not just immediate or short-term damages. For example, if you are going to require long-term therapy or treatment, you should include the cost of that treatment in your compensation demands.
- If you are found partially responsible for the accident, you may still be able to recover compensation under Colorado’s modified comparative negligence rule, provided you are less than 50% at fault.
- If the accident resulted in the loss of someone you love, eligible family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support and benefits, and loss of companionship and guidance. A related survival action may also recover your loved one’s final medical bills and lost earnings between their injury and passing.
- If your case goes to trial, you may also recover punitive damages, which a court orders in addition to other damages as a means of punishing “malice or willful and wanton conduct.”
Ultimately, the most important thing is to make sure you are fully accounting for all of your damages so that you can pursue the maximum compensation the law allows. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a delivery truck crash, contact a delivery truck accident attorney in Denver to help you get the justice you deserve.
What to Do If You Are Injured by a Delivery Truck
After being injured by a delivery truck, the steps you take next can greatly impact not just your health and well-being but also your injury claim.
For example, not seeking immediate medical attention can make your injury worse, to be sure, but it can also make it seem less serious. This means that insurance adjusters are likely to point to this delay as evidence that you do not deserve as much compensation as you may claim.
We recommend these key steps following a crash:
- Call the police to report the accident
- Gather evidence, including video, photographs, and eyewitness accounts and contact information
- Exchange information with all other drivers involved
- Seek immediate medical attention and follow through with your treatment plan
An experienced attorney can also provide critical support as you navigate the aftermath. We suggest speaking with a Denver delivery truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.
How a Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
Investigating an accident and preparing a successful claim is often a hefty project that benefits from experience and legal knowledge.
Some of the ways a lawyer will help include:
- Gathering additional evidence, such as driver logs, maintenance schedules, and more
- Navigating complex federal and state regulations that govern commercial vehicles
- Handling communications and negotiations with the insurance company to ensure you are not a victim of their manipulative tactics
- Securing expert witnesses who can help with accident reconstruction, mechanical examinations, and more
- Filing a lawsuit and taking your case to court, if necessary
While the goal should always be to reach a fair settlement with the insurers, there are times when the best course of action is to file a lawsuit. It may take longer to resolve, but it could be the best way to recover the compensation you deserve if the insurer refuses to provide a fair settlement offer.
Injured in a Delivery Truck Accident in Denver? Burg Simpson Can Help
At Burg Simpson, we understand the frustration, anger, and uncertainty you may feel after a delivery truck crash. We also understand what it takes to achieve the justice you deserve and what recovering maximum compensation will mean for you, your family, and your future.
Our firm has recovered over $2 billion in compensation for our clients. We know what it takes to win and have the local know-how and national resources to do just that. You can count on us to provide the legal support and guidance you need during this difficult time.
To schedule your FREE case evaluation with a Denver delivery truck accident lawyer at Burg Simpson, call 303-792-5595 or contact us online.