Colorado Truck Accident Attorneys

In 2006, 385,000 large trucks were involved in traffic crashes in the United States, 4,732 in fatal crashes. A total of 4,995 people were killed - 12 percent of all the traffic fatalities reported in 2006 - and an additional 106,000 were injured in those crashes.

Because of the high damages involved and complex issues regarding federal regulations and determination of fault, a truck accident in Colorado is best handled by experienced Colorado lawyers such as those at Chalat Hatten & Koupal PC. We offer over 75 years of combined litigation experience and a record of success in obtaining compensation for victims of tractor trailer and large commercial truck accidents throughout the state.

Though large trucks accounted for only 4% of all registered vehicles and 7% of total vehicle miles traveled nationally, in Colorado, large trucks were involved in over 10% of all fatal crashes in 2006. This is not surprising when one considers that a loaded semi-truck may weigh up to 40 tons - no match for a passenger vehicle. The immense energy at impact often causes horrific injuries or death to pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.

The causes of trucking accidents may include conduct by the truck driver, vehicle defects or shoddy maintenance, or negligence on the part of the trucking company in hiring or training. Chalat Hatten & Koupal conducts a thorough investigation of the accident to determine who may be liable. We frequently bring action on behalf of clients against both the driver of the tractor trailer and the company employing the driver, and we know how to successfully assert claims against commercial insurance policy holders.

For extensive information on truck accident cases in Colorado, contact a lawyer at our office or visit our Truck Accident website.

High Speed Tractor Trailer Crash Causes Traumatic Brain Injury

A tractor trailer traveling at 75 mph rear-ended our client's vehicle on I-76 at about 11:30 p.m. Our client was driving a 24-foot rental truck with an auto transport rig in tow. The top recommended speed for client's rig and tow was 45 mph. The tractor trailer driver alleged that he did not see the tail lights of the truck or of the auto tow. The force of the collision pushed the client's truck and trailer off of the highway, across the median, across oncoming traffic and into a field. The tractor of the semi came to rest on our client's driver's compartment. Emergency personnel removed our client through the passenger door and transported him to the emergency room.

Our client sustained a traumatic brain injury. We filed the case in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. The defendant claimed that our client was at fault for driving too slow (45 mph) and for not having tail lights. We subpoenaed the driver's NTSB log book and determined that the driver had made double entries on the days prior to the collision.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration establishes national regulations for maximum driving time and on-duty time for drivers of commercial tractor trailers. From the driver's bills of lading and cargo records, we proved that he had driven many more hours in the two days prior to the accident than he noted in his driving log - and many more than federal law permitted - supporting our claim that the driver's fatigue caused the accident.

The insurer for the trucking company paid a confidential amount to settle the case before trial.

Failure to Yield Causes Grandmother's Death

On a clear and sunny afternoon, Mrs. Sandra McClellan was driving her 1992 Jeep Cherokee northbound on Colorado 287 in Boulder County, Colorado. At approximately the same time, Mr. John Pennie was driving a 1999 Ford F-550 utility truck southbound on Colorado 287. Mr. Pennie was driving the utility truck as part of his duties as an employee of Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO.)

Mr. Pennie attempted to make a left hand turn onto eastbound Colorado 52 directly into Mrs. McClellan's path of travel, without yielding the right of way to Mrs. McClellan, and collided into Mrs. McClellan's vehicle. Mrs. McClellan was trapped inside her vehicle after the impact. Paramedics responded to the scene, extracted her from the vehicle, and airlifted her to a local trauma hospital.

Mrs. McClellan's left side was crushed in the accident, resulting in coma and blindness in one eye. Despite repeated surgeries, she ultimately died of her injuries after almost two months in the hospital. Mrs. McClellan was 60, a mother and grandmother, and an employee of 14 years at Call Connect where she worked as a physician-referral counselor.

Howard McClellan, her husband of 25 years, pursued a wrongful death claim against Mr. Pennie and YESCO. The actual damages in the case were about $1.2M. The claim was settled for a confidential amount.

Contact a lawyer at Chalat Hatten & Koupal PC today to schedule a consultation with a member of our experienced legal team.

"Past results are no guarantee of future results."