Colorado’s magnificent landscapes and diverse terrain make for beautiful scenery and dangerous driving conditions. As a result, the state’s mountainous regions, steep slopes, and challenging weather conditions also contribute to an increased risk of runaway truck accidents. Today, we will explore the common causes of runaway truck accidents in Colorado and shed light on the legal implications related to injuries resulting from these accidents. And remember, if you have been injured in an accident related to a runaway truck, contact a truck accident attorney to ensure your rights remain protected as you look to claim compensation.

Key Causes of Runaway Trucks in Colorado

• Brake failure on mountainous roads: Colorado’s mountainous regions, with their steep inclines and winding roads, put intense strain on the brakes of large trucks. Brake failure can occur due to factors such as insufficient maintenance, lack of proper adjustment for the terrain, or excessive weight being carried exceeding the brake’s capacity. When brakes fail on these treacherous slopes, trucks can rapidly gain momentum, resulting in catastrophic accidents.
• Insufficient training and fatigue – Truck drivers who navigate through Colorado’s challenging terrain must possess the necessary skills and training to handle the unique hazards posed by mountain roads. Inadequate training and fatigue can significantly impair a driver’s ability to make quick decisions and react appropriately when faced with unexpected situations, leading to loss of control and potential runaway truck accidents.
• Weather conditions – Colorado experiences a variety of weather conditions, ranging from snow and ice in the winter to heavy rain and strong winds throughout the year. These adverse weather conditions can reduce traction on the roads and impact a truck’s ability to brake effectively. Combined with steep slopes, this creates a high risk of runaway truck accidents.

Legal Implications

• Negligence claims – When injuries occur as a result of runaway accidents, negligence claims may be filed against the truck driver, trucking company, or those responsible for vehicle maintenance. Negligence can be established through evidence of improper maintenance, inadequate driver training, or violations of federal and state regulations that pertain to the safe operation of commercial vehicles.
• Compliance with federal and state regulations – Trucking companies must comply with numerous federal and state regulations, such as weight restrictions, regular maintenance and inspection requirements, and driver test rules. Failure to comply with these regulations may create liability on the part of the responsible party if they contributed to the accident.

Contact a Fort Collins Truck Accident Lawyer

Runaway truck accidents can result in serious, even life-threatening injuries. If you have been injured, contact the skilled Larimer County truck accident attorney with Hoggatt Law Office, P.C.. Call 970-225-2190 for a free consultation.

 Truck accidents are very common on the roads of Colorado, and they can occur very suddenly. Many times, drivers of smaller vehicles are left with serious injuries, but they do not know how the truck accident happened. The cause of an accident is not always easily identifiable, and it often requires extensive investigation. An experienced truck accident attorney can initiate this investigation to identify the cause so you can claim the full compensation you deserve. Today, we will look at some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Colorado.

Drowsy Driving

Truck drivers must meet very tight deadlines and to do that, they need to be on the road as much as possible. Federal regulations do outline the hours of service a truck driver can remain on the road, and when they must take breaks. Unfortunately, many drivers ignore these rules in order to meet their deadlines. Other times, the trucking company may actually offer incentives for drivers to ignore the rules. When this happens, truck drivers can become very drowsy on the road and make mistakes that result in an accident.

Impaired Driving

For many, it is unfathomable that anyone would drive while impaired, much less the driver of a commercial truck. Unfortunately, truck drivers often think that drugs or alcohol might actually help them stay awake, which also means they can remain on the road longer and get to their destination on time. Impaired driving is incredibly dangerous and reckless behavior. When truck drivers engage in this behavior, it often causes some of the worst truck accidents.