Colorado Springs Truck Accident Lawyer Who Fights For You
We handle commercial truck accident claims involving 18-wheelers
Truck accidents caused by commercial truck drivers can be complicated legal cases. Different state and federal laws often apply. More than one party may be responsible for your accident. In addition, each party might have one or several lawyers focused on one, single goal – paying you as little money as possible or nothing at all.
Case Result: $3,850,000 recovery for head injury in truck accident
That’s not right. That’s why we want to work with you. When you have The Longo Firm, LLC on your side, you can take an aggressive approach right from the start. Colorado Springs truck accident attorney Stephen A. Longo and his talented legal team have years of experience fighting for the rights of injury victims and their families. In case after case, we consistently obtain sizable settlements and verdicts. In one truck accident case, we secured $3.85 million in a case involving a head injury. Instead of insurance companies or trucking companies telling you what to do, you can set the agenda. You are in charge.
“Stephen Longo is a personal injury lawyer who truly puts his clients first! From the moment I reached out, I felt supported and understood. Dealing with the insurance companies and medical care providers and bills is very daunting. He took the time to listen and explain the whole process. He was honest and transparent about the potential outcomes and costs. Throughout the process he was always available to answer questions and provide updates. I felt like I had someone in my corner fighting for my rights, not just a lawyer handling the paperwork. I cannot recommend Stephen Longo and his firm highly enough!”
- Nicole S.
Average Google Rating: 4.9/5 stars, 89 reviews
We’re not like other law firms. Attorney Longo personally answers his phone or calls clients right back. If you need to reach us at any time, you can call attorney Longo directly on his phone. We believe in being accessible on your terms. You have enough to worry about after a bad truck accident. We want you to be confident you chose the right law firm. We want to earn your trust.
FAQs about Colorado truck accidents
- What are common truck accident injuries?
- What are common causes of truck accidents?
- Who investigates truck accidents?
- Who determines who is at fault?
- Do different laws apply to truck accidents?
- Who’s responsible for paying for my accident expenses?
- How much is my claim worth?
- Who can I sue after my accident?
- Should I file a lawsuit?
- Where can I file a lawsuit?
- Is there a deadline for taking legal action?
- Should I accept a settlement offer?
- Can I ask for more money?
- How can a lawyer help me?
What are common truck accident injuries?
Truck accident injuries are often very serious since large commercial trucks weigh significantly more than most passenger vehicles. As a result, serious head injuries and spinal cord injuries are common. So are broken bones, internal injuries and lacerations. Fatalities also often occur. Whatever type of injury you’re dealing with due to a truck accident, make sure you get the medical care you need right away. Then, talk to an experienced attorney to learn more about the legal options available to you.
What are common causes of truck accidents?
Accidents caused by truck drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) happen for many different reasons. In particular, accidents often occur because the driver was doing something they should not have been doing behind the wheel, including:
Texting while driving, even though it’s against federal law for drivers with a CDL to text and drive at the same time.- Looking up directions or talking to a dispatcher while driving.
- Eating while driving or engaging in other forms of distracted driving.
- Not taking a mandatory rest break as outlined in federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.
- Falling asleep at the wheel, especially in cases involving long-haul truckers driving cross-country.
- Speeding truck drivers who often cause serious, high-speed highway accidents.
- Inexperienced truck drivers who do not know how to safely operate a truck, resulting in a serious accident.
- Poorly maintained trucks that cause a crash due to a mechanical problem, including a tire blowout or a collision due to defective brakes.
Truck accidents happen for many reasons. Make sure you know exactly why your accident happened and what options are available to you. Talk to a lawyer who knows how to deal with complicated legal cases right away.
Who investigates truck accidents?
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, several different local, state or federal agencies may be involved in the initial investigation of your accident. These agencies often include:
- The local police department with jurisdiction over where your accident took place.
- Colorado State Patrol, especially in cases involving highway truck accidents.
- National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), particularly if your accident was serious or resulted in a fatality.
While one or more of these agencies are investigating your accident, the insurance companies for everyone involved will also likely conduct their own independent investigation. That’s because they are interested in determining who was at fault. This is because many states, including Colorado, have a fault-based insurance system. That means the at-fault party is responsible for financially compensating all injury victims.
This is why it’s important that you have a lawyer working for you investigating your accident, as well. If you don’t, you might not be part of the conversation about how your accident happened and who was at fault. As a result, you might not get the money you deserve if investigators determine you somehow caused your crash.
Your truck accident lawyer in Colorado Springs can review critical pieces of evidence related to your accident, including Hours of Service (HOS) logs and data from the truck’s black box, also known as an electronic control module (ECM) or event data recorder (EDR). This device records the speed the truck was going at the time of the collision, when the truck driver last took a break and if the driver applied the brakes before the crash.
Who determines who is at fault?
While state and federal agencies investigate truck accidents, determining exactly who was at fault in the crash is often largely left up to the insurance companies representing injury victims or the companies involved. That’s because many states, including Colorado, have a fault-based insurance system. This means the at-fault party is responsible for compensating injury victims. In many cases, the at-fault party is the insurance company for the at-fault driver or the trucking company they work for. This is why it’s critical that you have an attorney on your side, especially if there’s some debate about exactly who was at fault. Your lawyer can be part of these conversations and make sure your right to request compensation for your accident is respected.
Do different laws apply to truck accidents?
Yes. In addition to local and state traffic laws, there are many federal rules and regulations that apply to commercial truck accidents and crashes involved drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Many of these federal laws are known collectively as Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which are part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)’s regulations. Make sure you hire a lawyer familiar with all the state and federal laws that apply to your crash.
Who’s responsible for paying for my accident expenses?
Under a fault-based insurance system, anyone found to be at fault is ultimately responsible for financially compensating all injury victims. In the case of a truck accident claim, this sometimes means you can seek compensation from one or more at-fault parties, including:
- The truck driver who caused your accident.
- The trucking company the truck driver works for, particularly if the trucking company hired a driver who was not properly licensed, had a history of causing similar accidents or was negligent in some other way.
- The company that loaded the truck, especially in the case of 18-wheeler accidents caused by the contents of the truck shifting, resulting in a rollover or jackknife accident.
- The company that manufactured the products inside the truck, especially if such products were not packaged properly and shifted while in transit, causing the truck to overturn.
- The insurance company representing the at-fault party.
These are just some of the companies that may be ultimately responsible for compensating you for your accident-related expenses. This is why it’s so important to have an attorney on your side who can thoroughly investigate your crash and determine who was at fault.
How much is my claim worth?
There’s no set dollar amount when it comes to commercial truck accident claims. Some might be worth thousands of dollars. Others can be worth significantly more. The bottom line is you should be compensated for all your accident-related expenses.
This might sound simple, but there’s often a lot of debate about the total value of an accident claim. Insurance companies for the at-fault party often try to make a case that your claim is worth far less than its true value. They do so by often only taking into account short-term expenses.
Experienced attorneys think long-term. They know that accident-related expenses often add up over time. Your lawyer can gather evidence in support of your claim and explain why you should receive more money for your accident.
Who can I sue after my accident?
Like many motor vehicle accidents, you can often file a lawsuit or take other legal action against the at-fault party responsible for your truck accident. What’s different about commercial truck accident claims is there might be more than one at-fault party. This includes the truck driver, the trucking company the driver works for and any other companies responsible for your crash. In addition, each one of these companies often has an insurance company and an attorney handling their case. This is why it’s important that you have your own lawyer exploring your best available legal options.
Should I file a lawsuit?
Sometimes, the best way to get the money you deserve for your accident-related expenses is to file a lawsuit. This is especially true if the insurance company for the at-fault party refuses to negotiate and will not increase its initial settlement offer. Other times, insurance companies take an even more aggressive approach and deny your claim altogether.
If you decide to file a lawsuit, keep in mind that you can often chose where to file your suit. In the case of an accident caused by a commercial truck driver, your choices often include:
- The court that has jurisdiction over where your accident took place.
- The court that has jurisdiction over where the truck driver lives.
- The court that has jurisdiction over where you live.
- The court that has jurisdiction over where the trucking company is located.
Another important issue to keep in mind – you often only have a limited amount of time to take legal action. This is why it’s critical that you talk to a lawyer as soon as possible to learn more about your legal options.
Where can I file a lawsuit?
In the case of accidents caused by commercial truck drivers, you often have a choice concerning where to file your lawsuit or take other legal action. Your choices often include:
- The court that has jurisdiction over the town or city where your accident took place.
- The court that has jurisdiction over the town or city where you live.
- The court that has jurisdiction over the town or city where the truck driver lives.
- The court that has jurisdiction over the town or city where the trucking company is located if applicable.
Certain courts may be more welcoming towards lawsuits filed in connection with a truck accident. An experienced lawyer can investigate this matter and help you decide where to file your lawsuit or take other legal action.
Is there a deadline for taking legal action?
Yes. In many cases, you only have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit or take other legal action in response to a truck accident. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. Each state has its own unique deadlines. In Colorado, for example, injury victims often only have three years from the date of their truck accident to file a lawsuit. Your lawyer can verify the statute of limitations that apply to your case and make sure you meet the deadlines for taking decisive legal action.
Should I accept a settlement offer?
The insurance company for the at-fault party might make a settlement offer soon after your accident. Carefully consider such offers. If you agree to accept it, you often cannot ask for any additional money in the future, even if your accident expenses turn out to be significantly higher several months or years later.
The reality is many initial settlement offers only take into consideration short-term expenses. As a result, you would be responsible for paying for any future expenses related to your accident. Your lawyer can review any settlement offers you receive and help you decide whether or not you should accept such an offer.
Can I ask for more money?
Yes. You have the right to ask for more money and can often negotiate a better settlement offer. Insurance companies might disagree and claim their first offer is their only offer. Experienced lawyers know that many insurance companies are willing to negotiate in most cases. That’s why it’s critical that you have an attorney your side who knows how to negotiate effectively with insurance companies.
How can a lawyer help me?
There are so many different ways a lawyer can help you after your truck accident. Most important, your attorney can make sure your best interests get the focus and attention they rightfully deserve. The Longo Firm, LLC understands what’s at stake and will work tirelessly on your behalf to demand the compensation you deserve for your accident. To us, your case is about more than just money. It’s about holding truck drivers and corporations accountable for their actions. It’s about making sure your voice is heard loud and clear. We’re here for you when you need us most. You can count on The Longo Firm, LLC in a crisis.
Why should I hire a truck accident attorney at The Longo Firm, LLC?
We realize you have many choices when it comes to selecting the law firm to represent you after your truck accident. That’s why we welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and to work tirelessly on your behalf.
We believe we’re the right law firm to represent you for many different reasons, including:
- Our attention to detail when investigating truck accident claims.
- Our experience dealing with trucking companies in such situations.
- Our in-depth knowledge of state and federal trucking laws, including Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, a collection of federal laws governing commercial truck drivers.
- Our ability to analyze accident reports and inspection records.
- Our network of experts we frequently consult with in such complex cases.
- Our exceptional negotiating skills when dealing with insurance companies and trucking companies.
- Our fearless courtroom tactics if you decide to file a lawsuit and take your case to trial.
- Our outstanding track record of success in obtaining sizable settlements and verdicts.
- Our personal commitment to serve your legal needs on your terms.
Your case is about more than just money. It’s about making sure you receive the attention you deserve after your accident. It’s about earning your trust and your respect. It’s about holding whoever caused your crash accountable for their actions. It’s about justice.
Demand justice after your truck accident. Contact our law firm.
Don’t underestimate the complexity of your truck accident. The sooner we can start working with you, the stronger your case will likely be. We know what needs to be done and we’re prepared to work tirelessly for you. That’s why we’re the law firm people routinely choose after a serious truck accident in Colorado. Read our testimonials. See our case results. You can count on us in a crisis.
Take a stand after your accident. Contact our law firm and schedule your free case evaluation at our office in Colorado Springs. Truck accident lawyer Stephen Longo and his legal team work on a contingency fee basis. That means you only pay us if we secure a financial settlement or verdict for you. It’s that simple.
The Longo Firm – here for you when you need us most.