Truck Hitch Failure Accidents

A large truck or tractor-trailer is only as safe as its components. If any element of a big rig fails – including the hitch mechanism that attaches the trailer to the truck – it can cause a devastating Denver truck accident. If you are hurt due to truck hitch failure in Colorado, you have the right to seek financial compensation for your injuries and losses.

What Is Truck Hitch Failure?

A truck hitch failure is when the hitch (the coupling device that enables a large truck to tow a trailer) breaks or fails to work properly, resulting in the loss of the connection between the truck and trailer. This is a critical failure that can cause the trailer to detach from the large truck, where it can roll uncontrollably, spill cargo into the road or collide with others.

Accidents and Injuries Associated With Truck Hitch Failures

Truck hitch failure can result in a runaway trailer, which can strike other vehicles and cause catastrophic multi-vehicle accidents. A detached trailer is a massive, uncontrollable hazard that can strike cars, motorcycles, or bicyclists and pedestrians. A detached trailer may also spill its contents, causing lost load accidents and damage from cargo striking other vehicles. 

Finally, trailer detachment can destabilize the truck, causing additional accidents such as truck rollovers or jackknife accidents. Truck hitch failure accidents can cause severe injuries to those involved, such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and internal injuries.

What Can Cause Truck Hitch Failures?

The hitch is a critical component of a semi-truck with a trailer. If the hitch fails, it creates a dangerous and potentially deadly situation. Multiple parties have a responsibility to ensure the safety of a large truck and its parts. If these parties are negligent, or fail to use proper care, truck hitch failure accidents can occur.

Common reasons for these events include:

• Failure to properly attach the trailer or secure the hitch
• Hitch manufacturing flaws or defects
• Failure to inspect or repair the hitch before towing
• A rusty or damaged hitch
• Failure to use safety chains
• Overloaded truck/overweight trailer
• The truck traveling at an excessive speed
• Stress on the hitch, such as sharp turns
• Faulty truck brakes or brake failure
• Poor road conditions or rough terrain

identifying the cause of hitch failure in your particular truck accident case is one of the first steps you will need to take when determining your legal rights and recovery options. Since Colorado is a fault-based state, you have the right to hold the at-fault person or party financially responsible.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Hitch Failure Accident in Colorado?

One or more parties may have played a role in the truck hitch accident that caused your injuries and losses in Colorado. You may need to hire a truck accident attorney to investigate and identify the defendant(s) for you. You may be eligible for financial compensation from the truck owner/operator, a trucking company, a cargo company or shipper, maintenance crew, a truck driver, the government, or other parties, depending on the circumstances.

How Can a Truck Accident Attorney Help?

A truck hitch failure accident can be an extremely traumatic event that results in life-changing injuries, expensive property damage and ongoing medical costs. If you were recently involved in this type of crash in Colorado, contact a truck accident lawyer near you for free advice about what to do next. If you are eligible for compensation, a lawyer can help you maximize your recovery with smart negotiation strategies. 

To discuss a specific truck hitch failure accident case, request a free consultation at Fang Accident Lawyers today.