Will I Get Compensation From the Trucking Company After a Semi-Truck Accident?

 Posted on September 10, 2026 in Truck Accidents

In many semi-truck accident cases, the driver is not the only one who bears responsibility. The trucking company may also share liability. The compensation you can recover after a commercial truck accident depends on the facts of your case.

If you were injured in a crash involving a commercial truck in 2026, a Denver, CO truck accident attorney can help you find out who actually owes you compensation.

Who Can Be Held Responsible After a Colorado Truck Accident?

If the driver of the truck was an employee acting within the scope of their job, the trucking company may be held responsible for the driver's negligence. This is known as vicarious liability. Even when a driver works as an independent contractor for the trucking company, the company itself can still be liable if it contributed to the accident.

What Makes a Trucking Company Liable for an Accident in Colorado?

Trucking companies have their own legal duties separate from decisions and mistakes by the driver. For example, companies are responsible for hiring qualified drivers for their trucks. A company can be held responsible if it hired a driver with a poor safety record. It can also be liable if it failed to train or supervise its drivers properly.

Interstate trucking companies have to follow federal safety rules in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. These rules cover issues like how many hours a driver can be on the road. They also set how often a truck needs inspection and what qualifications a driver needs before driving. Pushing drivers to violate federal hours-of-service limits is a common issue that contributes to accidents. So is failing to do proper maintenance on the truck. Company records like driver logs and inspection reports often become important evidence once a claim is filed.

How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Colorado?

Colorado generally gives you three years from the date of a motor vehicle accident to file a personal injury claim. This deadline can come up faster than expected. Waiting too long can also make it harder to preserve key evidence. A truck's onboard data or dashcam footage, for example, may only be kept for a certain amount of time. A lawyer can send a preservation letter asking the trucking company to keep this evidence.

Does Colorado Law Reduce What You Can Recover If You Were Partly at Fault for a Truck Accident?

Under Colorado Revised Statutes Section 13-21-111, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you're found 50 percent or more at fault, Colorado law bars you from recovering anything. An insurer for the trucking company may try to shift blame onto you for exactly this reason. Having an attorney review your case can help prevent the insurance company from unfairly blaming you for a greater portion of the accident.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Colorado Truck Accident?

Depending on your injuries, you may be able to recover the cost of medical care you have already received along with care you will need in the future. Lost income is often recoverable if your injuries kept you from working. You can also typically seek property damage and compensation for pain and suffering.

Truck accidents often cause more serious injuries than typical car accidents. A commercial truck's size alone often means more serious injuries. Recovery times can be longer, and medical bills can be higher than after a crash between two passenger vehicles.

To help protect your claim early, take the following steps:

• Get medical attention right away, even if you feel fine at first

• Get a copy of the police report and the truck's DOT number

• Photograph the vehicles, the scene, and your injuries

• Get contact information from witnesses and note any surveillance cameras that may have recorded the accident

Avoid giving a recorded statement to the trucking company's insurance company before speaking with a lawyer. Even if the insurer pressures you for an immediate response, you are typically entitled to get legal help first.

Call a Denver, CO Truck Accident Attorney Today

Trucking accidents can be very serious and often require investigation into company records and shared liability. Our firm can help you navigate these complex cases. The Gold Law Firm has recovered over $100 million in verdicts and settlements for injured clients across Colorado.

Call our Denver, CO personal injury lawyers at 303-694-4653 to schedule a free consultation about your case.