Nobody expects to get into an accident with a truck. However, these kinds of accidents happen all the time. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that approximately 5,000 people died in large truck crashes in 2019 alone. Truck accidents are especially common in places that are located on major national highways, like I-25 that runs through Pueblo. But the fact is, they happen nearly everywhere, including in cities and on two lane highways.
When your life is turned upside down by a truck accident, it’s vital that you consult a legal professional. Fortunately, if you are searching for an excellent Pueblo truck accident lawyer, you have come to the right place. Since 1995, McCormick & Murphy, P.C. has provided sophisticated legal expertise throughout the Front Range. With a focus on personal injury cases, one of our Pueblo truck accident attorneys can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Send us an online message or call (888) 668-1182 today for a free consultation.
Why Do You Need a Pueblo Truck Accident Attorney?
Everyone knows that even normal car accidents can cause expensive property damage, lost wages, and serious and catastrophic injuries. Truck accidents are especially dangerous for several reasons.
For one, the sheer size and weight of large trucks enhance the severity of accidents. For example, a big rig tractor trailer that has a total weight including cargo of 72,000 pounds that rear ends a stationary full size car will result in the same force as though the car had hit a wall at 119 m.p.h.
Second, trucks carry far more hazards than the typical sedan or SUV. They have large blind spots in every direction, whereas most vehicles have just two. Trucks are also loaded with tons of various kinds of materials, often in unsafe or inadequate ways. Combine that with issues like poor part maintenance, inadequate truck driver training, and simple driver exhaustion, and you have a recipe for disaster.
When truck accidents do happen, they can leave the victim with painful, debilitating injuries and emotional effects that follow them for the rest of their lives. Some of these injuries are all too obvious.
Finally, trucking companies frequently have impressive legal teams and insurance adjusters that are happy to intimidate victims into accepting lowball offers. Without a seasoned Pueblo truck accident lawyer to help you understand the law, it’s easy to get steamrolled. That is why it is essential for you to choose an experienced and skilled Pueblo truck accident attorney.
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself After a Truck Accident?
It’s often difficult to think clearly after a truck accident, especially if you or a loved one has been injured. That said, there are several important critical steps that are recommended:
Stay at the Scene of the Accident Until Police Or An Ambulance Arrives
Make sure you get everyone to safety first. In most situations, this means getting to a shoulder or pulling off at the nearest exit. After calling 911, wait for the police or an ambulance.
Exchange Information with All Involved Parties
Once you and your loved ones are safe, if you are physically able to, check on the driver of the truck and any other vehicles. Give them your name, address, vehicle registration number, and driver’s license number. Make sure you also have theirs.
Gather Evidence
If you are physically able to, make sure to do the following:
- Take photos of the vehicles and surrounding roadway;
- Save all dash cam videos;
- Have a friend or family member take photos of any visible injuries you have sustained.
By collecting and storing evidence before it gets lost or destroyed, you can help a Pueblo truck accident attorney defend your rights or press your claim if a lawsuit arises down the road.
What Compensation Could You Be Entitled To?
Multiple kinds of compensation are available for truck accident victims. Like most states, Colorado divides damages into several categories. These categories include economic damages and non-economic damages. Punitive damages, depending on the circumstances, may also be available.
Economic damages can include things like medical bills, property damage, and lost wages.
By contrast, non-economic damages often include losses that you can’t put a price tag on, like pain, suffering, and emotional distress. If you have suffered permanent injuries there is a third category called permanent physical impairment, which is also considered to be an economic loss.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to receive one or more kinds of damages. The amount of compensation you will receive depends on the unique circumstances of your case. That said, picking the right Pueblo truck accident attorney can help you obtain the most compensation possible.
Contact Our Pueblo Truck Accident Lawyers
Surviving a truck accident is traumatic enough on its own. Yet it’s often only the beginning of a longer and more difficult road. For that reason, the last thing you want to do is pick the wrong attorney. Instead, you need to consult a Pueblo truck accident lawyer that has a good track record and ample experience. You also should pick an attorney with an excellent reputation and positive client reviews..
Here at McCormick & Murphy, P.C, we handle all kinds of personal injury claims. Our attorneys collectively have over 50 years of experience trying cases. Additionally, we know how to hold negligent and reckless parties accountable, as our outstanding results show. That’s just one of the many reasons why our clients love our firm.
Giving our clients a fair shot is very important to us, whatever their economic situation. For that reason, we operate on a contingency basis. This means that you’ll only pay us if you win your case. Don’t wait. Contact us online or call (888) 668-1182 today for a free consultation.