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(303) 798-8546
We share the roads with many other vehicles, and we each put trust in the drivers around us to practice care and attention. When a driver fails to practice this care, it can have serious, even deadly, consequences. These risks are even higher when the vehicle in question is a commercial truck.
Blind-spot truck accidents in Denver pose serious risks to drivers and their passengers, and you could seek legal compensation for the damages caused by a wreck. Our personal injury attorneys have the experience and skill needed to secure a favorable outcome.
While all drivers have a responsibility to act with caution, truck drivers have a higher expectation to drive with safety in mind. This is because they are driving extremely large, heavy vehicles with limited visibility. In fact, the visibility is so limited that the trucks have designated “blind spots.” Named for the lack of visibility when another vehicle is in these spaces, the traditional blind spots are directly behind or in front of the truck and to the sides.
The right side of the vehicle is especially prone to visibility issues because the driver cannot see a large stretch of the roadway directly to their right. If a driver enters one of these spaces, they are at a higher risk of a blind-spot truck collision in Denver. When a truck driver speeds up suddenly or switches lanes without properly checking for clearance, the resulting accident can cause serious damage.
These risks can be especially exacerbated in congested urban areas like Denver, and they are more likely to occur when a driver is distracted (such as by a phone or logging device) or is exhausted from driving for long hours.
Most commercial trucks in Denver are governed by federal regulations, and there are multiple regulations that could come into play in a personal injury lawsuit following a blind-spot truck crash. For example, Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations § 392.14 requires extreme caution during hazardous conditions, which can include weather-related events common to the Denver region. If conditions are bad enough, truck drivers are supposed to cease operations until they improve, and failure to do so can lead to collisions.
Meanwhile, Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations § 383.111 outlines the required knowledge a truck driver must have to safely operate the vehicle. This explicitly includes the importance of a proper visual search and the use of mirrors to alleviate blind spot conditions.
When a driver fails to adhere to these safe operating requirements, they put themselves and others on the road at risk. These failures to operate within the duty of care can be used as evidence of negligence, leaving the driver at fault for the resulting accident.
A lawyer could serve many roles during a personal injury lawsuit following a blind-spot truck accident. They could help determine whether a lawsuit is appropriate by investigating the collision and determining fault. This may include gathering witness statements, evaluating forensic evidence (like skid marks and damage to the vehicles), and getting any recorded data from the vehicles themselves (such as speedometer readings and dashcam video).
Using that evidence, a lawyer could negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company for a fair settlement that takes into account the full range of losses. These may include medical expenses, vehicle repair costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Blind-spot truck accidents in Denver can leave you with serious losses, and we are here to help. Call our office today to get started.