Colorado Springs Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer You Can Trust

We can handle your claim or file a wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf

The death of a loved one can be upsetting under any circumstances, but when a family member dies in a truck accident, knowing what to do next can be confusing. There are so many legal issues that need to be considered. Even knowing where to start can be overwhelming. That’s why we want to help.

Attorney Stephen A. Longo and his dedicated legal team at The Longo Firm, LLC in Colorado Springs have years of experience dealing with complicated cases. We’re familiar with the rules and regulations governing these types of truck accidents. We know what evidence to look for and how to build the strongest possible case. You can truly count on us in a crisis.

What are common causes of fatal truck accidents?

Fatal accidents caused by truck drivers often occur because the driver was behaving in a particularly reckless or negligent manner. Specific reasons why include:

Speeding, especially in cases involving fatal highway truck accidents.
Aggressive driving, whether it’s tailgating, changing lanes without signaling or weaving in and out of traffic.
Distracted driving, including texting while driving, even though it’s against the law to do so for commercial truck drivers nationwide.
Falling asleep at the wheel, especially in cases involving long-haul truckers not taking a break and falling asleep.
Impaired driving, whether it’s being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
Poorly maintained trucks, especially in cases involving defective brakes or tire blowouts.

Whatever the cause of your fatal accident, it’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side conducting an independent investigation in search of evidence to support your accident claim.

How do investigators determine the cause of a fatal crash?

Local, state and federal investigators (including the National Transportation Safety Board) often investigate fatal truck accidents. They’re often looking for key pieces of evidence that show that the truck driver acted in a reckless or negligent manner. Such evidence may include:

Accident debris at the crash site, including the severity of the damage, the location of the damage on the vehicles and skid marks (or absence of skid marks) on the road.
Inspection records for the truck, especially if the truck was not properly maintained.
The trucking company’s hiring records, especially if the trucking company hired a driver with a history of reckless or negligent driving.
Statements from witnesses who saw the accident.
Expert opinions from accident reconstruction experts.
Hours of Service (HOS) logs, which show that the truck driver did not take a mandatory brake or worked longer than the number of hours allowed under federal law.
Data from the truck’s black box recorder, also known as an electronic control module (ECM) or event data recorder (EDR). This device records the speed of the truck at the time of the crash, if the brakes were applied and when the driver last took a break.

This is just some of the information investigators look for after a fatal accident. Your lawyer can review this information and conduct an in-depth and independent investigation in search of important evidence many people sometimes overlook.

Who can sue for damages?

Many states only allow certain family members to take legal action after a fatal accident. In Colorado, for example, only the following family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit or take other legal action after a fatal truck accident:

The victim’s husband or wife.
The victim’s son or daughter.
The victim’s parents if the deceased person did not have a spouse or children.
The victim’s estate in many circumstances.

It’s also important to remember that family members only have a limited amount of time to take legal action. In Colorado, for example, the deadline to file a lawsuit or take other legal action is three years from the date of the accident. That might seem like a long time, but it’s important to understand that trucking companies only have keep certain information – including Hours of Service (HOS) logs and the truck’s black box data – for a few months. After that, they can legally destroy information.

Don’t miss out on your opportunity for justice. Talk to an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.

Who can I file a lawsuit against?

If a truck driver caused your loved one’s fatal accident, you can often take legal action against the at-fault party in pursuit of damages, the legal term for financial compensation. The at-fault party is often one or more of the following people or companies:

The truck driver who caused the accident.
The trucking company the driver works for.
The company or person that owns the truck’s cab.
The company that owns the trailer in the case of a tractor-trailer accident.
The company that loaded the truck.
The company responsible for maintaining the truck.
The company that manufactured the truck.
All these companies’ insurance companies in certain circumstances.

In each case, each company often has at least one lawyer working for them and defending their actions. That’s why it’s critical that you have an attorney on your side looking out for your best interests.

How much is my accident claim worth?

The financial impact of a fatal accident can be staggering. It’s not just the expenses that have already accumulated after your accident. It’s the future anticipated expenses and economic impact of losing a loved one. This includes:

Medical care related to your loved one’s accident.
Repairing or replacing your loved one’s vehicle.
Funeral costs and expenses.
Lost future income your loved one would have earned if they had survived the accident.
Pain and suffering in certain circumstances.

The value of your claim can easily add up to thousands of dollars or significantly more. Your case is about more than just money, though. It’s about holding the truck driver or whoever was at fault responsible for their actions. Experienced lawyers understand this and will do everything they can to help you stand up for your rights.

Demand justice after your accident. Contact our law firm.

Experience matters when it comes to choosing a law firm to represent your family after a fatal truck accident. That’s why many people choose The Longo Firm, LLC. In case after case, we consistently obtain sizable settlements and verdicts for families. Case results matter here.

We also have a well-earned reputation for treating people with respect. You’ll notice the difference the first time you contact us. When you call, attorney Longo will answer the phone or call you right back. If you ever have a question about your case, you can call him directly on his personal phone. We work this way because we believe we should be accessible on your terms. That’s why clients regularly give us great reviews, which you can find on our testimonials page.

Get the law firm that puts your family’s best interests first. Schedule your free case evaluation with The Longo Firm, LLC today. We’re here for you when you need us most.