Colorado Springs Underride Accident Lawyer
We can hold the tractor-trailer driver accountable for your crash
Underride truck accidents can be complicated legal cases. There are often many different factors, evidence and at-fault parties in these types of truck accidents. That’s why it’s important that you have an experienced attorney on your side investigating your crash.
Underride accident attorney Stephen A. Longo can help you every step of the way. He thoroughly understands the state and federal laws that apply to such cases in Colorado Springs. He knows what evidence to look for and how to deal with trucking companies and insurance companies. That’s why he has such a strong track record of success.
We do things differently at The Longo Firm, LLC. You’ll notice the first time you deal with us. When you call our law firm, attorney Longo will personally answer the phone or call your right back. If you ever have a question about your case, you can contact him directly on his personal phone. We work this way because we believe we should be accessible on your terms. Your best interests always come first here.
What is an underride accident?
Underride accidents are a type of tractor-trailer accident in which a smaller vehicle gets trapped underneath a tractor-trailer. In particular, the front of a car is often trapped beneath the rear end of a tractor-trailer.
Such accidents often result in serious injuries. In many cases, fatalities are common as well. Whatever the circumstances of your accident, an attorney can investigate your crash and work with you to demand the money you rightfully deserve.
Why do underride accidents happen?
Underride accidents often occur due to mechanical defects. Tractor-trailers are supposed to have underride guards that prevent smaller vehicles from being trapped underneath the truck. Sometimes, these guards are defective or not there at all.
Other times, these types of accidents occur because the brake lights on the truck are not working properly, resulting in the driver in back crashing into the truck because the driver didn’t realize the truck was slowing down.
These are just some of the reasons why underride accidents occur. Your lawyer can determine the exact cause and build the strongest possible legal case in support of your accident claim.
Who is liable in an underride accident?
Liability is a term that refers to who is legally responsible. When it comes to underride accidents, liability specifically involves who is responsible for paying for all your accident-related expenses, now and in the future.
Determining who is at fault in an underride accident might seem straightforward at first. It was the tractor-trailer driver’s fault, right? Don’t be so sure. These cases can be extremely complicated. That’s because there might be more than one at-fault party.
And even if you have identified all liable parties, you should be prepared for all of them to deny responsibility. That’s because your accident claim is likely worth a lot of money. This is why you should talk with an underride accident lawyer as soon as possible. They can review the details of your case and help you identify all liable parties.
What are my legal options after my crash?
You often have several legal options available after your accident. Such options often include:
- Accept a settlement offer from the at-fault party, which might be the truck driver, the trucking company, the company responsible for maintaining the truck or any one of their insurance companies.
- Ask for more money and negotiate a better settlement offer.
- File a lawsuit or take other legal action, especially if the at-fault party (often the insurance company for the trucking company) acts in bad faith and refuses to negotiate or denies your injury claim.
In each case, it’s important to have a legal team you can trust handling your claim and negotiating on your behalf. Make sure you have a Colorado underride accident lawyer fighting for your rights every step of the way.
Who can I sue for causing my underride accident?
After an underride crash, several different parties may be responsible for paying for your accident. And sometimes, the best way to get that money is to take legal action against them. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, at-fault parties may include:
- The tractor-trailer driver who caused the crash by speeding, driving distracted, or failing to follow traffic laws.
- The trucking company that employed the driver and failed to train or supervise the driver properly.
- The company responsible for loading the trailer, if the load shifted and contributed to the underride accident.
- The manufacturer of the trailer or underride guard if the equipment was defective or not designed safely.
- A maintenance company that failed to inspect or repair the tractor-trailer when safety problems should have been addressed.
Every underride case is different. That’s why a detailed investigation is so important. Liability may fall on one party or several, depending on the circumstances of your crash. Insurance companies will often try to shift blame to avoid paying full compensation. A skilled underride accident lawyer can uncover the facts and pursue every responsible party to protect your legal rights.
Demand the money you deserve. Contact our law firm.
The stakes are high after many underride accidents. Your accident claim could be worth thousands of dollars or significantly more. In most cases, you often only have one opportunity to obtain all the money you will need for past, present and future accident expenses.
We understand the importance and the urgency of your case. As your law firm, we can demand access to maintenance records, inspection records and other important evidence in support of your claim. Many insurance companies and trucking companies agree to cooperate once they see we’re serious about your case. If not, we will not hesitate to file a lawsuit or take other legal action on your behalf.
Get the law firm that’s serious about winning your legal case. Contact us and schedule your free case evaluation right now. Underride accident attorney Longo can review your case, answer any questions you might have and get right to work on your underride accident.