[08-08-26] Semi-Truck Catches Fire in Deadly Crash on Highway 60

DENVER TRUCK ACCIDENT STATISTICS

A shocking 74% of all fatal passenger auto accidents involve large trucks, proving how powerful and devastating their weight and size can be.

Over the past decade, this has increased with 4,842 large trucks involved in fatal accidents in 2020 (33% more than 2011). These truck accidents caused 4,965 deaths. In the same year, 107,000 large truck accidents resulted in injuries.

The majority of truck accident deaths are the drivers of other vehicles (71%). Truck occupants make up 17%, with pedestrians and bicyclists at 12%.

A total of 4,965 people died in large-truck crashes in 2020. The number of deaths decreased 1% from 2019 but is still up 31% since 2011. The majority of deaths in large-truck crashes are occupants of other vehicles (71%), followed by truck occupants (17%) and pedestrians and bicyclists (12%).

According to the National Safety Council, across the U.S., most fatal accidents occur on non-interstate roadways (73%) compared to interstate (23%). 63% occur in the day, with 37% at night.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states there is a wide range of common causes of truck accidents in Denver. These include:

• Faulty truck brakes – 29%
• Driver speeding or driving too fast for the conditions – 23%
• Driver unfamiliar with the route – 22%
• Roadway problems or damage – 20%
• Driver affected by over-the-counter drugs – 17%
• Driver inadequate surveillance – 14%
• Driver fatigue – 13%
• Driver distraction – 10%
• Driver under work pressure, such as time constraints – 10%
• Illegal maneuvers – 9%
• Driver inattention – 9%
• Truck tire failure or problems – 6%
• Tailgating – 5%
• Driver jackknifing truck – 5%
• Truck cargo shift – 4%
• Driver illness – 3%
• Intoxicated driver – 3%

There can be various parties to blame for these causes, such as the truck driver or other drivers, trucking companies, maintenance providers, truck manufacturers, and government agencies.

The injuries involved are almost always devastating. Common examples include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, lacerations, amputations, scarring and disfigurement, paralysis, broken and fractured bones, degloving and eye injuries.

DENVER TRUCK ACCIDENT FACTS

Colorado’s roads, by nature, are considered far more dangerous than most of the country. The mountains offer challenges to trucks that require slowing techniques that prevent smoking brakes.

The Colorado Department of Transportation has built 13 runaway truck ramps on mountains, mostly on I-70. The most used is on the descent from the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels to Silverthorne.

There have been continuous calls to improve the state’s trucking routes, amongst bigger calls for improved driver standards.

DENVER TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER FOR INJURY VICTIMS AND FATALITIES

Denver Personal Injury Lawyers specialize in truck accidents that have caused life-changing injuries or death.

We have years of experience helping victims and surviving families receive compensation for their suffering. Although nothing can turn back the clock, every victim has the right to receive damages for wrongful death, medical bills, lost wages and other expenses.

With vehicles weighing up to 80,000 lbs., we know that truck accidents are almost always life-changing and catastrophic. Our compassionate Denver truck accident lawyers are here to help.

We tackle insurance companies to ensure they pay out the maximum possible settlement. From gathering evidence and using specialist resources to handling communications and negotiations, we will do everything in our power to help you gain the money to move forward.

We know this is as much a psychological battle as it is a physical one and are here to help all victims, regardless of the cause of the accident.

Call Denver Personal Injury Lawyers at (720) 500-HURT. In addition, you can contact us online to schedule your free no-obligation Denver truck accident case review.