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A deadly truck crash in Denver claimed the lives of four people and sent at least 10 others to the hospital with injuries. The accident happened on a highway near Denver and involved multiple vehicles in a fiery inferno that erupted immediately following the crash. The crash ultimately involved at least 28 vehicles and four semi-trucks. According to eyewitness accounts, the truck, driven by a 23-year-old Texas man, plowed into traffic on the highway. The truck crash was so severe that the vehicles caught fire, engulfing many of them in thick flames.
The truck driver was taken into custody and bond was set at $400,000. He will likely face vehicular manslaughter charges. The charges are pending an investigation that is being completed with help from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The driver, who suffered only minor injuries in the crash, stated that the brakes on the truck failed, causing the accident.
Truck accidents are generally more complex than accidents that involve only passenger vehicles. The investigation into who is liable will likely focus on what happened immediately before, during, and after the crash. The safety and mechanical records of the vehicle will need to be reviewed as will the electronic data regarding the driver. There are typically various factors at play that may cause or contribute to an accident.
Factors are generally categorized into three main areas including human error, mechanical failure, and road conditions. While not part of the official investigation, some Commercial Drivers License (CDL) instructors have expressed concern over the speed the truck was traveling and the experience of the truck driver. The truck driver was relatively new to the job and did not have experience with Colorado’s terrain.
Specifically, the CDL instructors were concerned about the navigation of the steep grades and sharp turns. The truck driver should have been able to control the vehicle by barely touching the brakes and they should not get hot. The speed at which the truck was traveling shows that the driver may not have been properly trained for driving on such steep inclines.
Following a truck accident, you should always call the police. The police will investigate the accident and gather information and witness accounts. If you are hurt. you should always go to the emergency room, even if you do not think your injuries are major. Injuries can worsen over time. Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer in Texas as soon as possible. Your attorney will take charge of your case and work on your behalf to help you get the compensation you are owed.
You may be owed money for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages, among other damages.
If you were hurt in a truck accident, do not delay. Contact our experienced Houston truck accident legal team to discuss the details of your case in a free initial consultation.
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