Colorado Springs Truck Accident Attorneys

Truck Accident Attorney Colorado Springs

Truck accidents in Colorado Springs can have devastating consequences, leaving victims with severe injuries, mounting medical bills, and emotional trauma. Given the city's bustling roadways and proximity to major highways like I-25 and Highway 24, the risk of such accidents is ever-present. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Colorado Springs, it's crucial to understand your rights and the steps you can take toward recovery.

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At Pribila and Fields, we are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective legal representation to help you navigate the aftermath of a truck accident.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Colorado Springs

Truck accidents in Colorado Springs are often more complex and catastrophic than standard car accidents due to the sheer size, weight, and momentum of commercial vehicles. Understanding the most frequent causes can help accident victims, investigators, and attorneys determine liability and develop strategies to prevent future tragedies.

1. Driver Fatigue

Truck drivers frequently face long hauls with tight deadlines, which can result in inadequate rest and chronic fatigue. Federal regulations limit the number of hours a truck driver can be on the road, but some companies and drivers push those limits to meet quotas or delivery schedules.

In Colorado Springs, driver fatigue is a significant risk factor, especially on heavily trafficked routes like I-25, US-24, and Powers Boulevard.
Fatigue affects cognitive function, slows reaction time, and impairs judgment—leading to late braking, lane drifting, or failure to avoid obstacles.

A fatigued truck driver behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound vehicle poses a serious threat to all road users in Colorado Springs.

2. Distracted Driving

Despite public safety campaigns, distracted driving remains a major cause of truck accidents in Colorado Springs. For long-haul drivers, distractions can be both physical and mental.

Common distractions include texting, using GPS devices, eating, adjusting audio controls, and even engaging with dispatch systems.
The risk is especially high on urban roadways like Academy Boulevard, where truck drivers must navigate stop-and-go traffic, traffic signals, and pedestrian zones.

In a split second, a distracted driver can cause a rear-end collision, sideswipe, or jackknife accident, often with devastating results.

3. Speeding

Speeding significantly increases both the likelihood and severity of a truck accident. Because of their weight and size, commercial trucks require a much longer distance to stop than passenger vehicles. When speeding, drivers reduce their available reaction time and increase their risk of losing control.

On the open stretches of road outside Colorado Springs, speeding might seem harmless, but it becomes lethal when approaching intersections, merging zones, or congested city traffic.
In inclement weather—common during Colorado’s winter months—speeding becomes even more dangerous due to slick or icy road conditions.

Speeding trucks are especially hazardous in downtown Colorado Springs, where narrow streets and heavy traffic demand caution.

4. Improper Loading

Federal and state regulations require that cargo be properly loaded and secured before a truck hits the road. Improperly distributed or unsecured cargo can shift suddenly, destabilizing the vehicle and causing it to roll over, jackknife, or spill cargo onto the road.

In Colorado Springs, improper loading is a key contributor to highway accidents involving commercial vehicles.
Overloaded trucks can suffer from premature brake failure or tire blowouts—both of which dramatically increase the chance of a crash.

Flatbeds and tanker trucks carrying construction materials, chemicals, or livestock through Colorado Springs must be thoroughly checked for balance and security.

5. Mechanical Failures

Mechanical issues such as brake failure, tire blowouts, steering malfunctions, or lighting system defects can result in serious accidents.

Trucking companies are legally required to inspect and maintain their fleets, but corners are sometimes cut to save costs.
In Colorado Springs, where trucks traverse mountain passes and winding roads, even a minor equipment failure can be catastrophic.

These accidents are often preventable and may indicate negligence on the part of the trucking company, maintenance crew, or part manufacturer.

Common Injuries from Truck Accidents

Due to the immense size and force of commercial trucks, accidents often leave victims with life-changing injuries. In Colorado Springs, truck accidents are more likely to cause long-term medical complications compared to standard car collisions. These injuries frequently require hospitalization, surgery, and ongoing rehabilitation.

1. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

A traumatic brain injury occurs when a sudden blow or jolt to the head disrupts normal brain function.

Victims of truck accidents in Colorado Springs may suffer TBIs from hitting their head on a dashboard, window, or the pavement during ejection.
Symptoms include memory loss, impaired cognitive function, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, and even coma.
TBIs can range from mild concussions to permanent brain damage, with extensive financial and emotional costs.

These injuries often require years of therapy and can impact every area of life, from employment to personal relationships.

2. Spinal Cord Injuries

Injuries to the spinal cord are among the most serious outcomes of truck accidents.

Spinal cord trauma may cause partial or total paralysis, depending on the location and severity of the injury.
In Colorado Springs, victims often face limited access to long-term care facilities, making recovery even more challenging.
Spinal injuries can also lead to chronic pain, loss of motor function, and complications such as infections or respiratory issues.

The financial burden of such injuries is staggering, often exceeding hundreds of thousands of dollars per year in medical expenses alone.

3. Broken Bones and Fractures

High-impact collisions with trucks frequently result in broken bones, especially in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.

Compound fractures, where the bone breaks through the skin, are common in Colorado Springs accidents involving high-speed crashes or vehicle rollovers.
These injuries typically require surgical intervention, hardware installation (pins, plates, rods), and months of physical therapy.

For active individuals or those with physically demanding jobs, these injuries can result in long-term disability.

4. Internal Injuries

Internal trauma may not be immediately visible but is just as dangerous.

Blunt force from a truck crash can rupture organs such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys.
Victims in Colorado Springs often need emergency surgeries and critical care to stop internal bleeding and prevent organ failure.

Left untreated, internal injuries can become fatal within hours, making immediate medical evaluation critical even when symptoms seem mild.

5. Lacerations and Burns

Sharp metal, shattered glass, and hazardous cargo can cause deep cuts or chemical burns during a truck crash.

These wounds may require stitches, skin grafts, or reconstructive surgery.
Burns are particularly common in Colorado Springs when fuel tanks rupture or trucks carrying flammable materials ignite.

Severe lacerations and burns can leave permanent disfigurement, impacting a victim’s self-esteem and mental health.

Our attorneys offer legal representation to injured truck accident victims in Colorado Springs and across the state of Colorado. We also offer our expertise in many other areas of personal injury law, such as:

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Colorado Springs Truck Accident?

Determining who is legally responsible for a truck accident in Colorado Springs is often far more complicated than in standard car accidents. Multiple parties may be involved in the chain of events that led to the collision, and identifying each one is essential for securing the compensation you deserve. An experienced truck accident attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to determine where negligence occurred and who can be held accountable.

Here are the parties that may be held liable in a Colorado Springs truck accident:

1. Truck Drivers

Truck drivers are often the first party considered in any trucking accident. They may be held personally liable if their actions contributed to the crash.

Common driver-related causes include fatigue (often due to hours-of-service violations), distracted driving (such as texting or eating), driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or reckless driving (speeding, tailgating, or unsafe lane changes).
In Colorado Springs, where traffic congestion and inclement weather create added challenges, driver error is a frequent factor in crashes.

Even when a driver is following directions from their employer, they can still be held responsible for negligent behavior behind the wheel.

Trucking Collision Injury Claims

Personal injury and wrongful death claims involving tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles are among the most complex cases a Colorado Springs law firm can handle for a host of reasons:

Trucking companies use a range of tactics to limit their liability, including hiring drivers as independent contractors, leasing trucks and trailers, contracting an outside vendor for maintenance, and using limited liability corporations and other legal tactics to reduce their exposure to personal injury and wrongful death claims.
Commercial insurers are the nation’s wealthiest and most powerful insurance companies and have extensive experience in fighting claims, as well as nearly unlimited resources, including some of the nation’s largest and most experienced legal defense firms.
Commercial trucking companies and their drivers are governed by both state and federal law, including hours of service rules and other regulations administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Your chosen Colorado Springs trucking accident lawyer must have significant experience in both areas of law.
Very serious and fatal injuries typically result. Your truck accident lawyer must have access to leading medical professionals fully capable of determining the extent of your injuries, as well as the likelihood of future medical complications and the long-term financial consequences of your collision, including disabilities and/or reduced quality of life.

2. Trucking Companies

Employers are typically held responsible for their employees’ actions under a legal theory known as respondeat superior. However, trucking companies can also be directly liable if their own negligence contributed to the accident.

Common failures include negligent hiring (e.g., employing drivers with a record of violations), inadequate driver training, failure to maintain trucks, or encouraging drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines that promote unsafe practices.
In Colorado Springs, companies that route drivers through busy corridors like I-25, US-24, and Powers Boulevard must ensure their fleets are roadworthy and their drivers are well-prepared.

Trucking companies often have large insurance policies, making them a primary source for compensation in serious injury or wrongful death cases.

3. Cargo Loaders and Shipping Companies

In some cases, third-party cargo loading companies may be responsible for improper loading, overloading, or failing to properly secure cargo.

Uneven or unsecured loads can cause the truck to shift suddenly, making it unstable and harder to control—especially on steep roads like those near the Front Range or Monument Hill.
This is particularly relevant for trucks transporting construction equipment, hazardous materials, or livestock through the Colorado Springs area.

These companies can be held liable if improper loading practices contributed to the accident.

4. Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers

Sometimes, accidents are caused by defective parts such as faulty brakes, tires, steering systems, or engine components.

If the failure of a part directly contributed to the accident, the manufacturer or distributor of the defective component may be held strictly liable under product liability laws.
In Colorado Springs, where trucks often travel over mountainous terrain, defective brakes or gearboxes can cause fatal downhill crashes.

Identifying a manufacturing defect often requires input from expert engineers and accident reconstruction professionals.

5. Maintenance Providers

Many trucking companies outsource vehicle maintenance to third-party service providers. If a maintenance crew fails to inspect or repair the vehicle properly, they could be held responsible for the crash.

Examples include failing to replace worn-out brake pads, ignoring bald tires, or neglecting to fix fluid leaks.
In the Colorado Springs region, where trucks must remain reliable in both hot summers and icy winters, negligent maintenance can be a significant risk factor.

These providers may be liable for accidents caused by their oversight or shoddy workmanship.

How Can an Attorney Help After a Colorado Springs Truck Accident?

Handling the aftermath of a truck accident in Colorado Springs is an overwhelming task, especially when you’re dealing with painful injuries, insurance pressure, and confusion about your legal options. Hiring a skilled Colorado Springs truck accident attorney is one of the most important decisions you can make during this time. An experienced lawyer can protect your rights, level the playing field against powerful insurance companies, and help you pursue full and fair compensation.

Here’s how a Colorado Springs truck accident attorney can support your case:

1. Conducting a Thorough Investigation

Truck accident cases often require in-depth investigations that go far beyond a standard police report.

Your attorney will gather all relevant evidence, including black box data (electronic logging devices), maintenance records, driver logs, cell phone records, dash cam footage, and eyewitness statements.
In Colorado Springs, truck accidents frequently occur on highways and steep mountain routes—so your legal team may also conduct accident reconstructions to understand exactly what happened and why.

These investigations are crucial for proving fault and establishing the full extent of liability.

2. Identifying All Liable Parties

Because multiple entities can be responsible for a truck accident, it’s vital to identify every potential source of liability.

Your lawyer will analyze the relationship between the driver, trucking company, shipping contractors, manufacturers, and maintenance providers to determine who can be held accountable.
In Colorado Springs, many trucking companies operate across state lines, and a thorough legal approach ensures all responsible parties—even out-of-state defendants—are pursued.

This multi-defendant strategy often leads to better settlement outcomes and increases your chances of full recovery.

3. Handling Insurance Companies and Negotiating Settlements

Trucking companies and their insurers are known to aggressively defend claims and offer quick, lowball settlements in hopes of minimizing payouts.

Your attorney will communicate directly with all insurance adjusters, shielding you from manipulative tactics.
They will also calculate the true value of your claim, which includes not just medical bills and lost wages, but also pain and suffering, long-term care costs, and emotional trauma.

In Colorado Springs, having an attorney familiar with local courts and insurance defense tactics can make a meaningful difference in how your case is resolved.

4. Preparing and Representing You in Court

If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer will be ready to file a lawsuit and take your case to trial.

This includes preparing all legal documents, participating in discovery, presenting expert testimony, and advocating for your rights before a judge or jury.
A strong trial presence can also pressure the defense into offering a better settlement before the case ever reaches court.

Colorado Springs truck accident victims often face lifelong consequences, and a courtroom-ready attorney ensures those consequences are fully acknowledged and compensated.

5. Ensuring You Meet All Legal Deadlines and Requirements

Colorado law imposes a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from vehicle accidents. Your attorney will ensure you meet all deadlines, properly file legal paperwork, and avoid any procedural errors that could jeopardize your case.

Local attorneys in Colorado Springs understand state-specific requirements, such as compliance with the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure and relevant transportation regulations.
They will also help you gather and preserve key documents, like medical records and employment documentation, which are essential to proving your damages.

A skilled truck accident attorney in Colorado Springs not only fights for your legal rights but also provides peace of mind during a physically and emotionally difficult time. If you've been hurt in a crash involving a commercial truck, legal representation is your best ally for holding negligent parties accountable and securing the future you deserve.

Why Choose Pribila and Fields PC

At Pribila and Fields, our Colorado Springs truck accident attorneys have more than 40 years of combined experience handling complex personal injury and wrongful death litigation. While some firms may handle such cases in addition to focusing on other areas of the law, our exclusive focus is on fighting for the rights of the injured.

At Pribila and Fields PC, we pride ourselves on being a different kind of law firm. We are your partner in Colorado Springs, rooted in this community and dedicated to serving the legal needs of our neighbors. It is our mission to get results that are in our client’s best interests. Simply put, we will fight for what is fair for you, and for the compensation that you deserve.

Too often, finding a law firm with the extensive experience that is vital to prevailing in these types of cases means forfeiting tailored representation and a personal relationship with your truck accident attorney to a huge firm that will treat you as just another claim number. Instead, Pribila and Fields combines our extensive experience and resources with the firm’s founding commitment to never forget that behind each case is a family counting on us to help them during one of the most challenging times of their lives. You will speak directly with the truck accident attorney handling your case.

We place a high value on clear communication and make it our priority that you are kept in the loop through all the stages of your case. We are ready to go to trial if your situation calls for it or settle the matter out of court if that solution is a better choice for your unique situation. Let our qualified, friendly team of truck accident attorneys bring you the legal counsel and peace of mind that you need while fighting for the compensation that you deserve during this difficult time.

Pribila and Fields represents clients in personal injury and wrongful death litigation in Colorado Springs, El Paso County and the surrounding areas, including Security-Widefield, City of Fountain, Cimarron Hills, Fort Carson, Black Forest, Woodmoor, City of Woodland Park, Stratmoor, Air Force Academy, Gleneagle, Town of Monument, City of Manitou Springs, Town of Palmer Lake, Cascade-Chipita Park, City of Cripple Creek, and Ellicott.

If you have been injured in an accident, contact the Colorado Springs truck accident lawyers at Pribila and Fields PC for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call (719) 888-3720.

Contact Pribila and Fields Today for Legal Assistance After a Truck Accident

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Colorado Springs, don't face the challenges alone. At Pribila and Fields, we are committed to providing personalized legal support to help you recover physically, emotionally, and financially. Our experienced attorneys will work diligently to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Call us today at (719) 888-3720 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation. Let us help you navigate the legal process and move forward with confidence.

Truck Accident Lawyer FAQ

How can a Colorado Springs truck accident attorney help me?

A truck accident attorney in Colorado Springs will provide specialized legal assistance in your case. We understand the complexities of truck accidents, including state and federal regulations, and will investigate your case thoroughly. Our experience with insurance companies and knowledge of local laws ensure that we can effectively represent your interests, aiming for the best possible outcome.

What compensation can I expect from a truck accident claim in Colorado Springs?

Compensation in a truck accident claim can vary but generally includes medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. As truck accident attorneys in Colorado Springs, we can evaluate your case and help you understand the compensation you might be entitled to, considering the specific details of your accident and the impact on your life.

What is “black box” or ELD data in a truck crash case, and how can it help prove fault?

Modern commercial trucks record driver hours and supporting documents electronically, and carriers must retain records of duty status and ELD data for about six months. These logs can show whether a driver exceeded hours, skipped required breaks, or violated duty rules. Your attorney can use preserved ELD data, backup copies, and supporting documents to cross-check timelines and challenge incomplete paper records. Prompt preservation requests help ensure this time-sensitive data is not overwritten during normal retention cycles. The data can be combined with maintenance records, bills of lading, GPS, and phone data to build a full picture of negligence. FMCSA guidance outlines ELD retention and supporting document rules that make this evidence especially powerful in litigation.

How do federal Hours-of-Service rules factor into liability after a Colorado Springs truck collision?

Hours-of-Service rules limit how long a driver may drive and work before resting, which helps prevent fatigue-related crashes. Violations can support negligence arguments by showing the driver or carrier ignored safety regulations. Evidence such as ELD logs, fuel receipts, and dispatch records can show whether breaks and off-duty periods were taken as required. Rule summaries and driver guides explain the duty limits, break rules, and exceptions that may apply. Your lawyer can compare actual driving patterns against these regulatory limits to identify violations. Proving HOS noncompliance can strengthen your claim for compensation by linking fatigue to unsafe operation.

What steps help ensure critical trucking records are preserved right after a crash?

Ask an attorney to send preservation notices quickly so the carrier keeps ELD data, supporting documents, and maintenance files. Carriers must maintain RODS, ELD data, and certain supporting documents for six months, so early notice reduces the risk of routine deletion. Your legal team can also seek copies of bills of lading, inspection reports, and repair logs. When necessary, they may request court orders to prevent alteration or destruction of evidence. You should preserve your vehicle, photos, medical records, and any dashcam footage to match against carrier data. FMCSA’s retention guidance makes clear what records carriers should keep and for how long.

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Colorado Springs?

The statute of limitations for filing a truck accident lawsuit in Colorado Springs is an important consideration. Generally, you have a limited time from the date of the accident to file a claim. We advise contacting a truck accident lawyer promptly to ensure you meet all legal deadlines and preserve your rights to compensation.

Additional Information in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - Comprehensive information about regulations and safety guidelines for commercial vehicles in the United States.

Truck Driver Safety Tips: Comprehensive guide providing practical tips for truck drivers to ensure safety on the road. It covers important aspects such as defensive driving, blind spot awareness, and emergency preparedness.

Truck Accident Statistics: Detailed data analysis of large truck crash fatalities, highlighting the vulnerability of passenger vehicle occupants and factors contributing to truck crashes.

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Colorado Springs Truck Accident Lawyer