Semi-Truck Accident Statistics in Colorado
A serious semi-truck accident can lead to overwhelming medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term rehabilitation. Holding the responsible party accountable will help ease the financial burden and ensure you receive the compensation needed for recovery.
This article breaks down the leading causes of truck accidents, the legal options available to those injured due to negligence, and how a Colorado truck accident lawyer at Boesen Law can help you seek compensation.
General Overview of Semi-Truck Accidents in Colorado
According to CDOT’s 2024 crash data, Colorado recorded a total of 4,715 accidents involving medium and heavy trucks, each with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of over 10,001 pounds.
These incidents led to 88 fatalities and left 1,153 individuals injured. Notably, there were no reported semi-truck accidents in construction zones during this period.
Most Affected Areas: Counties and Cities with the Highest Truck Accidents
Certain regions in Colorado experience a higher frequency of semi-truck accidents, often due to factors like dense traffic, major highways, and bustling economic activities.
Top 10 Counties with the Most Semi-Truck Accidents
- El Paso: 678 accidents
- Adams: 592 accidents
- Denver: 550 accidents
- Arapahoe: 501 accidents
- Jefferson: 443 accidents
- Weld: 413 accidents
- Douglas: 289 accidents
- Larimer: 272 accidents
- Boulder: 254 accidents
- Pueblo: 233 accidents
Top 10 Cities with the Most Semi-Truck Accidents
- Colorado Springs: 645 accidents
- Denver: 550 accidents
- Aurora: 467 accidents
- Thornton: 252 accidents
- Westminster: 240 accidents
- Fort Collins: 235 accidents
- Lakewood: 228 accidents
- Pueblo: 227 accidents
- Greeley: 206 accidents
- Arvada: 196 accidents
Urban centers like Denver and Colorado Springs are particularly susceptible to trucking accidents: the convergence of high traffic volumes, major trucking routes, and bustling economic activities contributes to elevated accident rates in these areas.
Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents in Colorado
If a semi-truck accident in Colorado occurs due to human error or negligence, you may have grounds to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Common contributing factors include:
Top 10 Human Contributing Factors
- Careless driving: 1,077 accidents
- Lane violation: 803 accidents
- No contributing action observed: 599 accidents
- Following too closely: 370 accidents
- Failed to yield right-of-way: 334 accidents
- Exceeded safe speed for conditions: 267 accidents
- Aggressive driving: 156 accidents
- Improper backing: 139 accidents
- Driving while distracted: 128 accidents
- Fell asleep or fatigued: 96 accidents
Driver negligence is a leading factor in semi-truck accidents, with behaviors like speeding, unsafe lane changes, and distracted driving increasing the likelihood of serious crashes. At Boesen Law, we can help you gather strong evidence and build a solid case to hold the at-fault party accountable and pursue full compensation for your losses.
Most Common Types of Semi-Truck Crashes
- Front-to-rear collision: 2,432 accidents
- Front-to-side collision: 1,031 accidents
- Sideswipe – same direction: 642 accidents
- Parked motor vehicle collision: 298 accidents
- Fixed object collision (e.g., guardrail, pole, etc.): 212 accidents
Where Do Most Semi-Truck Accidents Occur?
The vast majority of semi-truck accidents in Colorado happen on the roadway, often due to driver negligence, speeding, or distraction. When a truck veers off the road or crosses into oncoming traffic, the risk of catastrophic injuries increases.
Most Common Accident Locations
- On roadway: 3,975 accidents
- Ran off right side: 451 accidents
- Ran off left side: 176 accidents
- Crossed center median into opposing lanes: 53 accidents
- Center median/island: 44 accidents
Impairment and Other Risk Factors in Semi-Truck Accidents
Impaired driving, whether due to alcohol, marijuana, or other substances, poses a severe threat to road safety:
- Alcohol involvement: 89 cases where alcohol was suspected
- Marijuana involvement: 32 cases where marijuana use was suspected
- Other drug influence: 21 cases where other drugs were suspected
- Hit and run incidents: 107 cases involved a hit-and-run driver
Federal trucking regulations and compliance set clear safety standards, and violations of these rules can strengthen a victim’s case. A truck accident lawyer from Boesen Law can investigate the crash, identify liable parties, and help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Legal Options After a Semi-Truck Accident in Colorado
To pursue legal action after a semi-truck accident, you must prove liability, which requires identifying who was responsible for the crash. Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties may be at fault, including:
- The trucking company can be liable for negligent hiring, inadequate driver training, or failing to maintain vehicles.
- The truck driver may be responsible for reckless driving, fatigue, or violating federal trucking regulations.
- Cargo loaders can be at fault for improperly securing or overloading cargo.
- Truck manufacturers may be held accountable if defective parts, faulty brakes, or other mechanical failures contribute to a crash.
- Maintenance providers can be responsible for failing to properly inspect or repair critical truck components.
After a semi-truck accident in Colorado, we can help you build a strong case and file an insurance claim against the at-fault driver. If the insurance company fails to offer a fair settlement, we can take your case to court and pursue a personal injury lawsuit.
For families who’ve lost a loved one in a fatal truck accident, a wrongful death claim can provide compensation for funeral costs and other financial burdens. However, claims are subject to strict deadlines determining how long after a truck accident you can claim for injuries, so it’s crucial to act promptly.
How We Help – Contact a Colorado Truck Accident Lawyer for Legal Support
Knowing when to hire a lawyer for a truck accident can significantly impact your case. The sooner you seek legal representation, the easier it is to preserve crucial evidence, collect witness statements, and build a strong claim for maximum compensation.
At Boesen Law, we have decades of experience handling truck accident cases in Colorado, helping victims understand their rights after an accident and securing hundreds of millions in compensation. With no upfront costs and a contingency fee structure, you won’t pay anything unless we win your case.
During a free consultation, we’ll help you develop a strategy to recover full and fair compensation. A lawyer from our team can evaluate your case, determine the full extent of your damages, and identify all responsible parties. Contact us today to get started
