Denver Texting While Driving Truck Accidents

Call (800)-863-5312 to speak with Truck Accident Lawyers in Colorado for Free

An accident can happen in a split second. When drivers take their eyes off the road to send a text, they may weave into the next lane, fail to notice other vehicles, and be unable to swerve and avoid objects that they would have seen if their eyes had remained on the road. Victims and their families may be left with significant medical bills, injuries, and pain and suffering.

The Denver truck accident attorneys at Zinda Law Group have experience representing victims and helping them seek the compensation they may deserve. Call us today at (800)-863-5312 for a free attorney consultation.

TEXTING AND DRIVING STATISTICS

Texting and driving increases the likelihood of being in an accident. Not only is it dangerous, in Colorado, texting and driving is illegal for drivers of all ages. When truck drivers text and drive, the accident can be especially serious because semi-trucks often weigh 20 to 30 times as much as passenger cars, leaving victims with significant damages and injuries. The following statistics illustrate the dangers of texting and driving.

Common Injuries

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, 11,668 people were seriously injured in traffic accidents in 2017. While injuries can range from minor pain to serious and fatal injuries, some of the most common types of injuries from truck accidents include:

Head Injuries

Head injuries can range in severity from minor injuries like whiplash and concussions to serious internal brain and skull damage. Depending on the severity of the accident, a brain injury may require extensive hospitalization, surgery, and rehabilitation. It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you believe you have a head injury.

Cuts and Bruises

The second your car hits another object, the items inside your car can go flying and become projectiles that injure you and your passengers. This could include items such as cell phones, mugs, kids’ toys, pursues, books, or any loose item in your car that can cause injuries. If a windshield breaks, the glass from the windows can cause deep cuts and lacerations and require stitches or more serious medical attention.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Car accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries each year. When a truck hits a car, passengers can suffer from serious back and spinal cord injuries. A damaged or broken spine can have severe effects, including lifelong paralysis and the use of a wheelchair. The continued expense of specialists, loss of income, and pain and suffering that goes along with a spinal cord injury can be lifelong.

Broken Bones

The force generated by a collision is enough to cause serious bone breaks. Drivers behind the wheel of the car may be especially susceptible to broken ribs from the impact of the steering wheel. Broken arms and legs can also occur in serious car accidents.

WHAT TO DO AFTER AN ACCIDENT

After leaving the scene of a trucking accident, you may still feel shaken and overwhelmed about what to do next. The below steps outline what you should do in the days and weeks following your accident.

Monitor Your Health

If you do not receive medical treatment at the scene of the accident, visit your doctor as soon as possible to determine whether you need medical treatment. After you leave the hospital or doctor’s office, be sure to watch for any additional signs or symptoms that occur in the days following the accident. Don’t ignore any signs or symptoms, because you can experience the effects of a truck accident several days after it happens.

Document Your Damage

As soon as possible, be sure to take photos of the damage to your vehicle and any injuries you sustained in the accident. This may include bruises, broken bones, cracked windshields, deployed airbags, and dented or destroyed parts of your car, among other damages.

Obtain the Police Report

If a police officer responded to your accident, he or she will have filled out an accident report. If you were not given a copy at the scene of the accident, call the police department to ask for a copy of the accident report or how to access this report once it becomes available.

Notify Your Insurance Company

After you’ve been in a semi-truck accident in Denver, in which the truck driver was texting while driving, your insurance company needs to be notified. In minor cases without any injuries, you can call your insurance company and notify them yourself. However, if any party is injured, it is best to call an experienced semi-truck accident lawyer first, for a few reasons.

1. You May Not Be Prepared

After an accident, you may still be upset, confused, and traumatized. When an insurance agent speaks with you, they may ask to record the call, hoping to find evidence that an accident was your fault. These recordings can be used in court to hurt your chances of recovering money from the other party. It is always best to have an attorney speak on your behalf when dealing with insurance companies.

2. You May Not Know the Extent of Your Injuries

The effects of a truck accident can be long-lasting and may not appear right away. The ongoing medical treatment that serious injuries require can be unpredictable and expensive. You should not dismiss the idea of going to a doctor or hospital because—immediately after your accident—you just don’t know what the future holds.

Insurance companies want to pay you as little as possible. They may offer you a settlement, or an amount of money that they’ve evaluated the damage to be. However, this may not be the actual value of your case and may be insufficient to cover your expenses, especially with a serious and ongoing injury. Call an experienced Denver truck accident attorney to help ensure you receive a fair settlement.

3. Document Your Expenses

A truck accident can be expensive. It’s important that you keep track of all receipts and paperwork related to your accident. This includes:

  • Chiropractor bills
  • Dental care charges
  • Hospital and doctor bills
  • Physical therapy invoices
  • Receipts for the repair or replacement of your car
  • Documented time taken off from work due to any injuries
  • Receipts for the use of a rental car while yours is being repaired

Faqs

What Compensation Can I Seek After a Truck Accident?

After a truck accident, you may be able to seek compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering. You may also be able to recover the costs for car repairs and rental car expenses while your car is being repaired. If you had to take time off from work due to your injuries, then you may be able to recover the wages you would have earned during that time. It is important that you save all receipts and bills related to your car accident to help you seek the compensation you may be entitled to.

What If I am Partially Responsible for Causing the Accident?

Even if you believe you may be partially at fault for causing the accident with the truck, you may still be entitled to recover money. Colorado follows a modified comparative fault law, meaning that fault can be shared between the parties and you may still be able to recover money if you are found to be partially responsible for causing the accident.

For example, if you were found to be 30% responsible for an accident and the other driver was 70% responsible, you could still recover some money; it would just be reduced proportionately. However, if you are found to be equally at fault or more at fault than the other party, you will be unable to recover any money. Determining fault and recovery can be complicated, but an experienced Denver truck accident attorney may help navigate the process for you.

How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?

If you were injured in a semi-truck accident and want to file a lawsuit, you need to be aware of the time limits, or statutes of limitations, that are in place. In Colorado, you have three years from the date of your accident to file a claim. However, it is best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to help you navigate the filing timeline and help you receive the compensation you may deserve.

contact a denver lawyer who handles texting and driving cases

At Zinda Law Group, our truck accident lawyers in Colorado have helped many victims seek the compensation they deserved after a texting and driving accident. If you or a loved one were the victim of an 18-Wheeler truck accident, then you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and much more.

We believe victims should never have to worry about being able to afford legal representation. That is why we offer 100% free consultations, and why you pay nothing unless we win your case. That’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.

Call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 to receive your free consultation with one of our experienced Denver truck accident attorneys.

Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.