Understanding Truck Accidents on I-25 & I-70: A Guide to Your Legal Rights

What Are the Differences Between Truck vs Car Accident Cases?

Car and truck accidents on I-70​ can result in severe and even life-altering injuries, but truck accidents tend to yield higher and more complex damages simply because of the nature of these types of accidents. 

Car accidents involving two passenger vehicles are also much simpler to navigate than accidents involving commercial trucks. 

Some other key differences include:

• Liability differences: In a car accident, liability is generally limited to the at-fault driver, but can also extend to other third parties, like the city if they’ve failed to maintain the roadways. Truck accidents however, might have several liable parties involved. This might include the driver, the trucking company, any third-party maintenance companies, and even the school where a driver was trained.
• Truck-specific regulations and compliance (FMCSA): Truck drivers typically have additional federal and state regulations they must follow as well. For example, there are truck specific regulations and compliance requirements under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. We will dive deeper into this in a moment.
• Severity of injuries and damages: The severity of injuries in a truck accident tends to be more severe and complex than in most passenger vehicle accidents.
• Insurance issues: There are also different insurance regulations involving truck accidents as opposed to the straightforward insurance process involved in passenger vehicle car accidents.

Proving Liability Against Truck Drivers

Because of the nature of truck accidents, there are a variety of avenues you’ll want to go down to establish and prove liability against a truck driver. These are avenues that necessarily won’t exist with passenger vehicle car accidents. Let’s take a look at different ways liability can be proven in accidents involving commercial trucks.

What Are FMCSA Regulations for Truck Drivers, and Why Does It Matter?

Operating as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the FMCSA regulates how truck drivers must operate commercial trucks on our roadways. 

Some of these guidelines include:

• 11-hour driving limit: Truck drivers have an 11-hour driving limit after 10 consecutive hours of not driving.
• 14-hour duty time limit: After 10 hours off duty, there is a 14-hour on-duty time limit where the driver cannot operate a truck beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty.
• Required breaks: After the 8th consecutive hour of driving, drivers must take a 30-minute break.
• Weekly work limits: There is a 60/70 hour limit, which does not allow drivers to be on duty for 60 hours in seven consecutive days or 70 hours in eight consecutive days.
• Proper licensing: Drivers must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) that is in good standing.
• Vehicle safety: Their vehicle must be regularly and properly inspected and maintained to ensure safe operating conditions.
• Cargo securement guidelines: Guidelines on cargo securement dictate how cargo should be secured, as well as what type of tie-downs are used, depending on the weight and the nature of the cargo.

Black Box Data

Black Box data is an essential tool that can capture the state of a truck before and during an accident. Found in most commercial trucks, Black Box data includes information like how fast the truck was driving, brake application, whether seat belts were fastened, and other mechanical information, like engine RPM, clutch engagement, and even throttle position.

This data is critical because it allows victims to have tangible evidence that shows whether a driver was engaging in negligent actions like excessive speeding or aggressive driving during an accident.

Where Do Most Truck Accidents Happen?

Most truck accidents happen in cities around the highways. Interstate 25 to Interstate 70 is a long stretch of road that cuts through eastern Kansas all the way to Colorado. 

While truck accidents can happen on the stretch of the interstate, unfortunately, many accidents happen in cities around the highways, with some of the most popular cities for truck accidents to occur on these roadways being Denver, Aurora, and Colorado Springs. 

Difficult terrain, steep mountain passes, and busy metro areas are just some of the contributing factors for truck accidents. Construction plans are currently in the works to make I-70 safer.

Evidence Collected in Truck Accident Cases

Various types of evidence can be collected in truck accident cases. The type of evidence collected depends on where your car accident happened, and the nature of the car accident. 

Generally, however, pieces of evidence in a truck accident case might include:

• Driver related evidence: This might include information about the truck driver, such as their driver’s license qualification and current standing, past driving history, cell phone records, and any drug or alcohol tests.
• Company and carrier evidence: Evidence might be collected from the trucking company and might include their past records, safety policies, and evidence related to dispatch and communication.
• Vehicle and maintenance records: These records can be used as evidence because they paint a clearer picture of the vehicle’s safety. Evidence might include maintenance and repair records, pre- and post-trip inspection reports, records related to the cargo securement, and even information about tire tread and air pressure.
• The scene of the accident: Photographs, witness statements, roadway environments, and the police report are all pieces of information that will be collected at the scene of the accident.
• Medical injury evidence: Evidence related to a victim’s medical injuries, including invoices, photographs, and even expert medical testimony, will be used to paint a picture of the accident.

All of these pieces of evidence matter because they help the insurance company, judge, or jury get a clearer image of what unfolded during the accident and where negligence potentially lies.

How Can A Colorado Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?

The nature of truck accidents is very complex, and to help you navigate the process with peace of mind and legal expertise, you can schedule your free case evaluation with some of the truck accident lawyers in Colorado. With several locations throughout Colorado, we make it easy to speak with a local attorney. 

Most importantly, our law firm is the only firm in the region that offers a dedicated Victim’s Advocate team. Our Victim’s Advocate team is made up of professionals in the community who provide support and guidance as you move through recovery. Their support can include linking you to resources in the community, serving as a liaison between you, the prosecutor’s office, and other parties, and ensuring there’s a full investigation into your case. 

Learn more about our Victim’s Advocate team, and how our firm can help you fight for the rights you may be entitled to when you reach out to schedule your free case evaluation.

Visit Our Office Locations Across Colorado

Serving Clients Nationwide

Related Truck Accidents Resources