Helping Fight Trucking Companies with Negligent Semi-Truck Drivers
Colby, KS Truck Accident Lawyer
Colby Truck Accident Lawyer Helping Fight Trucking Companies with Negligent Semi-Truck Drivers to Get Financial Compensation for Injury Victims.
Our Colby truck accident lawyers fight trucking companies with negligent semi-truck drivers by getting financial compensation for truck injury victims that have had a truck accident involving a car, pickup, van or motorcycle. Our trucking injury attorneys have been helping truck accident victims for four decades since 1983.
📋 Colby Truck Accident Guide
Truck Accident Lawyers Group (TALG) is associated with Bull Attorneys®. Our semi-truck lawyers help get financial compensation for many different types of damages:
• Noneconomic damages
Pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement and other noneconomic losses.
• Economic damages
Past and future medical bills, wage loss, and future wage and economic losses.
• Vocational retraining
When you cannot continue in your normal job.
• Wrongful death damages
Loss of society, companionship, comfort and protection, loss of marital care, loss of parental care and funeral expenses.
• Survival claims
When your loved one suffered conscious pain and suffering after their truck accident prior to their death.
We help you get the maximum financial compensation for severe injuries. We know how to prove that the truck driver was negligent while simultaneously proving the trucking company negligently hired an unsafe driver.
The 2021 Kansas Traffic Crash Book reported that Colby had 46 motor vehicle crashes with 11 injuries. Thomas County had 182 motor vehicle crashes with 50 injuries and 3 deaths.
Colby and Thomas County Kansas are in a rural agricultural area where semi-trucks and grain trucks frequently travel between farms and grain elevators making the area dangerous to smaller motor vehicles. Several east-west and north-south interstate highways and trucking routes run through Colby and Thomas County. Frontier Ag and Cornerstone Ag are larger grain elevators in the county which draw substantial grain truck and tractor-trailer traffic.
Our experienced Colby personal injury trucking attorneys study the FMCSR which are federal regulations designed to minimize traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths. We use the CSA BASICs to prove the motor carrier has an unsafe safety compliance record. Trucking attorneys must understand state and federal regulations that apply to each particular type of semi-truck.
Colby truck accident attorneys use a proprietary system that has a unique method for developing truck crashes that enables truck accident victims to get the maximum financial compensation. We use a team approach of trucking attorneys, case managers and legal assistants working together to gather critical evidence. Our method of questioning witnesses and trucking management helps build a better case.
It is free to call us and we work for free until you win. Our results on semi-truck injury cases are impressive. You need to hire a truck accident attorney the moment your accident happens because the insurance company begins their investigation as soon as an hour after a truck crash.
Our knowledge of truck driver school teaching methods is one of our weapons we use to fight the trucking company. Many smaller motor carriers and farming operations fail to have safety plans to prevent injuries from truck accidents. The lack of a safety preventability program causes needless injuries and deaths.
To get immediate help call TALG for a free consultation at 785-708-0800. You can write to us on our contact page.
What are The Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Colby, Kansas?
The dangerous roads and intersections in Colby and Thomas County are:
• I-70 Interstate highway
I-70 runs east west and travels through Colby and Thomas County connecting with other state and federal highways which brings heavy semi-truck traffic.
• US-24 highway
US-24 is an east-west highway that is slightly north of Colby and has dangerous intersections of US-83 and K-25.
• US-83 highway
US-83 highway is a heavily traveled north-south route for truckers and cattle haulers.
• Old 40 Highway and K-25
Old 40 highway and K-25 intersect to the south of Colby and also intersects with US-83 to the south in Oakley, Kansas, both of which are heavily traveled trucking routes.
• West 8th Street
West 8th Street provides access to a large grain elevator where frequent grain trucks run back and forth daily making the area dangerous for cars and pickups.
• County Road Q
County Road Q has significant farm grain truck and semi-truck activity because of the Cornerstone Ag terminal.
• US-25 and West 4th Street
US-25 intersects with West 4th Street in the center of Colby making this a high traffic location for tractor-trailer traffic and car crashes.
• US-25 intersection with West Horton Avenue
US-25 intersects with West Horton Avenue in south Colby where a number of truck stops bring semi-trucks looking for fuel and food.
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What Causes Most 18-wheeler Accidents?
Lack of driver training. Truck drivers lacking training in defensive driving skills and in understanding the FMCSR increases the chance of an 18-wheeler accident.
• Negligent hiring
Negligent hiring of truck drivers who possess a CDL is a major cause of large truck crashes. The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) and DOT have cautioned motor carriers that possession of a commercial driver's license (CDL) alone does mean that a truck driver is qualified to drive an 18-wheeler.
• Negligent training
Negligent training happens when motor carriers and employers do not use a safety orientation with a classroom setting and comprehensive testing of the new hire followed by a thorough road test in an 18-wheeler.
• Negligent supervision
Negligent supervision occurs when employers and motor carriers make their drivers continue to drive when out of legal hours to continue driving or make them drive in bad weather and high wind conditions.
• Poorly maintained 18-wheelers
18-wheelers that are not inspected frequently and which are poorly maintained lead to truck crashes because the 18-wheeler will not brake and stop appropriately.
• Drunk driving and Substance Abuse
Truck drivers who have over .04 alcohol concentration in their blood are driving illegally. The use of illegal and prescription substances contributes to driver error and 18-wheeler accidents.
• Speeding
According to the FMCSA 7.3 percent of truck crashes causing fatalities are due to speeding.
• Distracted driving
Distracted driving leads to more 18-wheeler accidents than any other driver error because it takes their concentration off of the task of driving.
There are other causes of 18-wheeler accidents. To review the Top 20 Causes of 18-wheeler accidents, click here.
Do I need a lawyer for a an 18-wheeler accident in Colby, Kansas?
Yes, you need a Colby truck accident attorney after any car crash with an 18-wheeler. There are many reasons why:
• 18-wheeler accidents cause severe injury and death
The insurance carrier will investigate the accident within an hour of the crash and be at the scene with their lawyers, insurance adjusters and investigators to shift blame away from them. As a trucking injury victim, you need an experienced 18-wheeler truck accident attorney immediately after your accident.
• Knowledge of federal regulations is essential
To proper legal representation in 18-wheeler cases and the common lawyer usually does not have sufficient knowledge of federal and state regulations apply to 18-wheelers.
• An 18-wheeler truck crash attorney will protect you
By investigating, filing insurance claims, taking statements of witnesses and help you find the best medical doctors.
• 18-wheeler trucking lawyers who are known to the insurance carriers
Who regularly insure motor carriers, recognize which plaintiff's personal injury lawyers are skilled in winning 18-wheeler accident cases. They also recognize when you hire a lawyer lacking experience in suing the trucking industry.
• Unrepresented truck injury victims will be taken advantage of
By the insurance adjuster.
• Trucking attorneys handling 18-wheeler crashes
Have an arsenal of experts, investigators and medical doctors who all help prove liability and establish how much money you are entitled to.
What Injuries Commonly Happen from 18-wheeler Accidents?
18-wheeler accidents cause massive damage to cars, pickups and smaller motor vehicle because of the disparity in the size and weight of the 18-wheelers which can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds.
Common Injuries which happen from 18-wheeler accidents are:
Whiplash, strains and sprains
Injury to the neck and back is common in car crashes with tractor-trailers because the human body is thrown back and forth and causes damages to the lordotic curve in the spine and strains and sprains tendons, ligaments and muscles.
Broken Bones
Broken bones can occur upon impact from striking objects in the car including side windows, windshields, dashes and steering wheels.
Concussions and Head Injuries
Concussions and head injuries can happen easily when you have rear end collisions or front-end collisions because the brain is thrown back and forth hitting the inside of the skull which can damage axons in the brain which are small nerves.
Spinal Cord injuries
Spinal cord injuries often arise from severe bone fractures to the spine with require surgery to stabilize you while healing and many require rigid neck and back braces be worn for months following your accident.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) occur frequently due to the great force and impact that an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer causes when it strikes your vehicle causing your brain to be thrown about where you can hit windows, windshields, steering wheels and other objects in your vehicle.
Paralysis
Paralysis arises from fractured bones and severed nerves. This can lead to quadriplegia and tetraplegia which is close to complete paralysis or only lower body level paralysis. All these conditions change your life forever and result in substantial medical bills that sometimes exceed one million dollars.
Amputations
Amputations occur when a limb is ripped off or you develop cuts and abrasions which become infected and develop into gangrene where the doctors slowly debride you by removing sections of your limb at a time to prevent gangrene and sepsis from leading to death.
Wrongful death
Semi-truck accidents annually kill thousands of drivers and passengers. In 2021, 5,788 people were killed in trucking crashes which was a 17 percent increase from 2020 according to CrashStats NHTSA
What are Driver Qualification Standards?
Motor carriers, trucking companies and delivery companies should follow minimum hiring standards to ensure that the drivers they hire have a commercial driver's license (CDL). This includes performing background checks on new hires, properly training them in the safe operation of the types of trucks or motor vehicles they drive for the company and monitoring maximum hours-of-service rules.
Driver qualification standards require that the hiring employer ensure the drivers are medically qualified to drive and are not using alcohol or other illegal substances.
Part 391 of the FMCSR requires that CMV drivers meet the minimum requirements in Part 391.
Part 391.11 of the FMCSR requires that the driver must:
- • Be at least 21 years of age.
- • Speak and read English satisfactorily.
- • Understand traffic signals.
- • Be able to respond to official questions.
- • Be able to make legible entries in reports and records.
- • Be able to drive safely.
- • Be physically qualified to perform the duties of the job.
- • Have only one CDL.
- • Pass a driver's road tests on safe driving skills.
Who is Liable for an 18-wheeler Accident?
Truck accidents make the truck driver and employer of the truck driver liable when they have an 18-wheeler accident. This is because a trucking company or other employer of a truck or delivery driver operating an 18-wheeler is typically vicariously liable for the negligence of their truck driver when driving in the course and scope of employment.
Other parties can be at fault for an 18-wheeler accident including:
• Dispatch service companies
Who help monitor hours-of-service for truck drivers.
• Leasing entities
That least 18-wheelers to unsafe motor carriers.
• Parent companies
Of the transportation company that has the main contract with a shipper.
• Loading companies
Improperly load trailers attached to 18-wheelers which causes them to shift or rollover due to weight transfer and overloading.
• Brokers and shippers
Who negligently select unsafe truck drivers and motor carriers.
• Outside maintenance companies
Who negligently repair and maintain 18-wheelers.
• Manufacturers
Of tires, braking systems and other mechanical parts of 18-wheelers.
How Do I Find the Best Big Rig Lawyer in Colby, Kansas?
To find the best big rig accident lawyer in Colby, Kansas you need to find a trained personal injury lawyer with these qualities:
Settlement History Results
Ask the big rig accident attorney about actual settlements for big rig truck accidents. The lawyer should be able to recite several million dollar plus settlements and provide general facts about each case.
Courtroom experience
Inquire about deposition and trial history of the lawyer.
Knowledge of federal regulations
Ask the big rig lawyer to explain the FMCSR and the purpose of the CSA BASICs to you. Knowledge of these regulatory safety systems is mandatory for a big rig lawyer.
Familiar with Kansas rules, regulations and statutes related to big rigs and large trucks
Ask the big rig attorney what legal rules and laws apply to big rig accidents in Kansas to determine their familiarity and knowledge of the law related to big rig crashes.
Client online reviews
Look at online reviews for satisfied clients to see if past clients gave the law firm 5-star reviews.
Library of books and training manuals for the trucking industry
Ask the big rig lawyer to allow you to see their trucking industry books. This should include copies of the FMCSR, Driver training manuals, CDL Manuals, Fleet safety manuals, JJ Keller & Company manuals for the trucking industry and other authoritative books and manuals regularly used by motor carriers.
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FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions about truck accident claims and legal procedures.
Locations We Serve
With physical offices in Kansas and Texas, the Truck Accident Lawyers Group is ready to represent injured people who have had a motor vehicle and truck accident anywhere in the United States. Make sure you hire an experienced truck accident lawyer who understands the safety rules under the FMCSR.
Not all lawyers are licensed in all states.