Reckless truck drivers are killing and maiming the people of Colorado almost every day. It is a public safety epidemic which is destroying far too many lives and families in Colorado. Dan Caplis has been a leader in the public effort to fight back against this deadly scourge and to protect the people of Colorado, and America, from reckless truckers.
Dan Caplis and his colleagues have a proven track record of extraordinary results in truck crash cases, including the largest truck crash jury verdict in Colorado history, $26 million dollars.
Dan’s 40 years of experience in truck accident cases allows our clients a tremendous advantage because truck accident cases are particularly complex.
In many truck accident cases, there are multiple layers of insurance and responsible parties that must be uncovered in order to make sure that the victims and survivors of a truck crash are fully compensated.
It takes a lot of knowledge, experience, and determination to make sure that all of those layers are identified and unraveled. Dan and the other truck accident attorneys at Dan Caplis law have proven their tenacious ability to do that, often resulting in millions of additional dollars in compensation for our very deserving clients.
There are also special laws that apply to the trucking industry, and Dan and our team have access to highly credentialed and credible trucking industry experts who assist us in identifying all of the Federal and State regulations that have been violated in each of our catastrophic truck accident cases.
In most truck crash cases there is also extensive electronic evidence that must be preserved, including the “black box” (ECM) from the truck, as well as GPS data, dash cam, and electronically stored hours of service logs. Dan and our truck accident team have on-call highly experienced specialists who are able to rapidly deploy to secure electronically stored evidence, as well as evidence and other information from the crash scene.
According to a 2022 report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 84% of fatal large truck crashes in the nation happened on interstates, freeways, and other major roads. But as the epidemic of untrained, impaired and otherwise reckless commercial vehicle drivers grows, there are more and more innocent people killed on county roads, side streets and even in parking lots.
Dan Caplis and our other truck accident attorneys are available 24/7 to assist the victims of truck accidents. Dan may be reached at any hour by calling 303-770-5551. Dan and his team often personally deploy after hours and on weekends to assist truck accident victims, and to insure that all of the important evidence is preserved.
Common Causes of Denver Fatal Truck Accidents
Fatal trucking accidents can happen for many reasons. However, some of the most common reasons we see include:
- Driving while impaired – under the influence of alcohol or drugs or while drowsy
- Distracted driving
- Speeding or driving too fast for the road or weather conditions
- Reckless behaviors like tailgating
- Taking turns too quickly or sharply
- Overcorrecting
- Defective brakes, tires, or other parts
- Poor road conditions
- Negligent hiring, monitoring, or training
- Unsecured cargo
- Maintenance violations
- Failure to comply with federal hours-of-service regulations
This is only a partial list of fatal truck accidents causes. However, as you can see from this list, more than one party could be liable in a Denver fatal truck accident.
You need the experience and representation of a skillful Denver truck accident lawyer to investigate all potentially liable parties.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Truck Accident in Denver?
In Colorado, only certain people can file a wrongful death claim.
If the deceased was married, had children, or had designated a beneficiary, then:
In the first year after death, a claim may only be brought by the surviving spouse, unless the surviving spouse gives the right to file to the surviving children or chooses to file jointly with them.
If there is no surviving spouse, a wrongful death claim may be brought by the surviving children or designated beneficiary.
After the first year, any of the following may file a wrongful death case:
- The surviving spouse
- The surviving children
- The surviving spouse and children together, or
- The eligible designated beneficiary and the surviving children
If the surviving children bring a wrongful death lawsuit, the surviving spouse and the designated beneficiary have ninety days to join the suit.
If the deceased was unmarried and had no children or designated beneficiary, then the parents may file a wrongful death action.
A new Colorado law (HB 24-1472) gives siblings and their heirs (nieces/nephews) limited rights to file a wrongful death claim.
For cases arising after January 1, 2025, Siblings and their heirs can file a wrongful death claim if the person who was killed does not have a spouse, an heir or a designated beneficiary, or is an unmarried minor without a father or a mother, or is an unmarried adult without a mother, father or descendants, siblings and their heirs the siblings and other heirs of the deceased may be able to file a claim.
Denver wrongful death claims have strict guidelines regarding the deadline to file a lawsuit and who may file. You should speak to a knowledgeable Denver wrongful death attorney to understand these laws and your rights.
Contact Our Denver Fatal Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If Dan Caplis Law takes your case, you can rest assured that we will work tirelessly to protect your rights and customize the strongest possible strategy for your case.
Our firm has a track record of maximizing out-of-court settlements and winning big if we go to trial. Let us fight for you to receive justice and the full compensation you deserve.
Call us at (303) 770-5551 or go to our contact page to schedule a free consultation. We will compassionately listen to you, answer your questions, and explain your options.