3 Most Frequent Causes of Truck Accidents in Denver
Denver is a really big city. It’s called the Mile-High City because it’s exactly one mile above sea level. It has mountains nearby and big flat plains too. A lot of people live there; there are over 700,000 in the city and more than three million in the metro area.
Because it’s big, there are tons of roads and highways and lots of trucks carrying stuff all the time. Some of those trucks are really huge, like 80,000 pounds huge. That’s like 20 or 30 cars stacked together. When a crash happens with one of these trucks, people can get hurt badly, cars get smashed, and sometimes, people even die.
Because of all this, having someone like a Denver truck accident lawyer can be really important if something happens.
However, before anyone even thinks about lawyers, it’s important to understand why accidents happen so much in Denver.
The 3 Most Frequent Causes of Truck Accidents in Denver
Truck accidents can happen for lots of reasons, but there are three that happen the most.
1. Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers sometimes drive forever. Like, hours and hours without stopping, even when their bodies are screaming at them to rest. There are rules that say they have to take breaks, but lots of times they just…don’t. Maybe someone wants the delivery done fast. Maybe they think they can’t stop. Either way, it’s risky.
When drivers are really, really tired, they don’t think straight. Their hands can shake. Their eyes feel heavy, like lids made of bricks. Mistakes happen that look tiny but can turn into huge problems. Sometimes they even nod off for a second. Just a second. But trucks are so heavy. A little microsleep and bam, it can turn into a crash that’s awful because trucks don’t stop like cars.
Being tired isn’t just feeling sleepy. It messes with how they see things. They might miss a stop sign. Or not notice a car right next to them. And in Denver, it’s even worse. Roads are long and twisty, and mountains make everything harder. Hills go up and down, and if a tired driver is going downhill, brakes can fail. Trucks can run away. That’s terrifying. Everyone around is at risk.
2. Distracted Driving
Trucks are huge, and if the driver isn’t paying attention, accidents happen fast. Drivers can get distracted by phones, GPS systems, eating, drinking, or even looking at paperwork.
Just like when kids aren’t paying attention while crossing the street, trucks that aren’t focused can hit cars, crash into guardrails, or flip over.
Distracted driving is especially dangerous in Denver. The roads almost always have lots of traffic, and a distracted truck can easily cause a chain reaction crash with many vehicles.
Even a tiny distraction can turn into a really big problem because trucks are so heavy and cannot stop quickly.
3. Impaired or Reckless Driving
Even though truck drivers have rules about alcohol, drugs, and medications, some still drive while impaired. Alcohol, illegal drugs, some prescription drugs, or even over-the-counter medicines that make them sleepy can mess up their driving.
Impaired driving slows reaction times, makes judgment worse, and can lead to swerving, running red lights, or crashing into things.
Sometimes the drivers don’t even give enough space to other cars driving alongside them, or they might even try to switch lanes too fast. The really irresponsible ones tend to ignore the twisty curves in the mountains. All of that makes accidents happen way more.
Key Takeaways
- Trucks in Denver are huge, bigger than most cars, and when they crash, it can be really bad.
- Drivers sometimes get really tired because they drive for hours, even uphill or on long flat roads.
- Even a little nap while driving can be super dangerous.
- Drivers can also get distracted. They might look at their phones, eat snacks, or check the GPS while driving.
- Some drivers are worse. They might be driving too fast, drinking, using drugs, or just being reckless.
- All of these things make truck accidents happen a lot.