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Semi-Trucks, Colorado Chain Laws, and Injury Accidents
Although Denver typically does not see as much snow as other nearby areas, the city’s annual snowfall averages 57 inches. The Colorado Department of Transportation implements chain laws during inclement weather to reduce the risk of auto collisions, with special requirements for larger vehicles, including tractor-trailers.
If a truck caused an accident that injured you, a determined Colorado personal injury attorney can help you collect the compensation you deserve.
Large Vehicle Chain Laws in Colorado
Semis carrying goods need to deliver them regardless of road conditions. These enormous trucks can cause severe injuries in ideal conditions, but snowy and icy roads compound the danger. Colorado recently updated chain laws for larger commercial vehicles, requiring all drivers to carry chains or alternative traction devices for four drive tires from September 1 until May 31 when driving in the state. For some roads, these vehicles must utilize ATDs or chains regardless of weather conditions.
Officer Death: Impaired Driving May Have Been a Factor
Three Golden, CO police officers responded to an accident on Highway 58 in early November. They were walking through and investigating the scene when a driver reportedly suspected of being under the influence struck two of the officers, killing one immediately and seriously injuring another. This tragic event reminds us that Colorado law requires drivers to move over when approaching stopped emergency vehicles and highlights the dangers of drunk driving and pedestrian accidents.
Whether you are a pedestrian, cyclist, motorist, or passenger, if a drunk driver causes an accident that injures you, you may be eligible for compensation. A skilled Denver lawyer from The Gold Law Firm can advocate for you to get as much as you deserve.
Why Are Head-On Collisions So Deadly?
In a recent El Paso County, CO crash, a pickup truck heading west crossed into oncoming eastbound traffic. The resulting head-on collision killed one driver and seriously injured the other. Head-on crashes typically produce severe injuries, but have you ever wondered why?
Understanding the deadly nature of these car accidents may help you avoid them. If you are injured in a head-on collision, you can rely on a trusted lawyer from The Gold Law Firm to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Why Do Head-On Crashes Produce Severe Injuries?
Suppose two cars are traveling in opposite directions on a two-lane road at 55 mph. If one of those cars hits the other vehicle in a head-on crash, the impact force is doubled and is like a 110-mph crash into a stationary object. Even at lower speeds, the combined impact force can cause catastrophic injuries.
Does Denver’s High Altitude Contribute to Truck Crashes?
Denver’s altitude takes getting used to. For those of us living in the mile-high city, our bodies are used to lower oxygen levels. Truckers who drive to or through the state may experience various altitude-related effects, and their trucks may also be affected.
How can altitude impair drivers? Why does it matter what caused your truck collision? If you are injured in a truck accident, you may be eligible for compensation, and the dedicated attorneys at The Gold Law Firm can help.
What Do High Altitudes Affect Drivers and Vehicles?
When you think of reasons for truck accidents, you probably do not consider the effects of altitude. At Denver’s altitude of one mile above sea level, the body’s oxygen consumption ability drops by 10 percent. The unacclimated can experience altitude sickness that may have symptoms including:
What Are Non-Economic Damages in Personal Injury Cases?
A new Colorado law is set to go into effect in January 2025. Among other things, this bill increases caps on non-economic damages in personal injury cases. The statute also includes a stipulation that these caps must be adjusted for inflation on January 1, 2028, and every two years afterward.
It is vitally important that Colorado attorneys understand how these changes may affect claims. At The Gold Law Firm, we want you to be informed, as well. This is a perfect opportunity to review what non-economic damages are, along with other basics in personal injury law.
What Is a Personal Injury Claim?
Accidents happen every day, potentially causing injuries and fatalities. A personal injury claim allows injured victims to obtain different kinds of compensation, called damages. These claims are usually based on proving negligence, which is a legal term meaning failing to act like a reasonable person would in the same situation. Many kinds of accidents fall under the personal injury umbrella, including:
Hours of Service Violations in Colorado Truck Accidents
America is extremely large, but we can be all the way on the West Coast and enjoy goods from the East Coast and vice versa. Additionally, people living deep in the heart of the country can receive things that are imported from other parts of the world and brought here via sea ports. All of this is possible thanks to the trucking industry. The benefits of transporting goods by truck are plain to see. However, the damage that can occur when a truck is involved in a collision can be devastating. There are many possible causes for truck accidents, and sometimes no one is to blame. However, truck companies sometimes encourage their drivers to neglect safety regulations, and this can have fatal consequences. One issue that is often a focus of truck accident investigations is hours of service violations. If you were injured in a truck accident and you suspect this type of violation was involved, speak with a skilled Denver, CO personal injury attorney who can review your case and explain your options.
Injured in a Pedestrian Accident? Here’s What to Know
When a car crashes into another car, it can cause tremendous car damage and injuries to any people involved. The impact from the car can make the other car jerk forward; windows can shatter, the airbag can be engaged, and the body of the car can be destroyed. Imagine all that impact on a person instead of a car. When a pedestrian is walking on a sidewalk minding their own business, and a car crashes into them, it can be a traumatic experience. The pedestrian will likely have a long recovery process to go through and will likely need to stay in a hospital, rehab center, or at home for a while, meaning they cannot go back to work to earn their salary. If a loved one was hurt in a pedestrian accident, speak with an experienced Denver, CO personal injury lawyer to understand your options for compensation.
Common Injuries from Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents are becoming increasingly common. So far in 2024, the number of people who died in Colorado from being hit by cars accounted for one-quarter of all traffic-related fatalities in the state. The Colorado Department of Transportation has been trying to increase awareness of how prevalent pedestrian accidents are by implementing programs like the Left Behind Campaign.
My Lyft Driver Crashed While Texting. Can I Sue Lyft?
The popularity of ridesharing has grown fast over the last decade. Companies like Uber and Lyft offer billions of rides worldwide each year, driven by millions of drivers. In 2022, Lyft reported having over 20 million active users and more than 45 million riders just in the United States.
But with more rides comes more accidents. Ridesharing companies have been responsible for a more than 3% increase in car accidents. In 2021, Uber and Lyft drivers were involved in 1,098 crashes in Boston alone.
This increase in rideshare accidents has sparked a flurry of legal questions, such as:
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Are rideshare companies responsible for their drivers?
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Is the rideshare company held accountable in a car accident, or is the driver?
How to Tell if You Were Hit by a Drunk or High Driver
The police are specially trained to spot the signs that a driver is drunk or under the influence of drugs. Drunk and drugged drivers are responsible for a disproportionate share of motor vehicle accidents in Colorado. Although many states have now legalized recreational cannabis use, our state was the first and remains a tourist destination to this day. If you are injured in a car accident caused by an intoxicated driver, being able to prove that the at-fault driver was under the influence can make recovering compensation much easier. A drunk driver can be considered automatically negligent because he was breaking the law. However, it can be challenging even for a trained police officer to determine whether someone is under the influence without using chemical tests. If you suspect that the driver who hit you was intoxicated, notify the police immediately - then call a Denver, CO car accident lawyer.
Catastrophic Injuries After a Denver Car Accident
Catastrophic injuries are injuries that permanently alter what types of activities you can do and cause permanent damage to your body. These injuries can be completely disabling or force you to change your career path. People who have suffered a catastrophic injury may no longer be able to play their favorite sports or enjoy their hobbies, like hiking or rock climbing. Most will need to take a lot of time off from school or work as they adjust to life with a new disability. Motor vehicle crashes, like car or truck accidents, are one of the main causes of catastrophic injuries. Most accidents happen because a driver is careless. If you have experienced a catastrophic injury, it is important to reach out to a skilled Denver, CO personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Colorado’s statute of limitations gives you a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit.
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