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What Are the Common Causes of Car Accidents?
We help clients who have sustained injuries from many type of crashes or collisions. Some of the most common causes of car accidents include:
- Drunk driving,
- Distracted driving,
- Reckless driving,
- Speeding,
- Failure to yield,
- Illegal turns, and
- Illegal lane departures.
As common as these types of collisions are, accident risks increase as a result of the following factors:
- Roadway obstructions,
- Poorly maintained roads,
- Road construction,
- Inadequate signage or traffic control,
- Debris in the roadway, and
- Obstructed views.
Finally, many Denver accident victims sustain injuries from collisions with semi-trucks, buses, and other types of commercial transportation vehicles.
No matter what the cause of your accident may have been, you deserve justice and fair compensation. Our legal team will investigate the circumstances of your accident to identify all parties that caused or contributed to your damages. We will build a persuasive case and fight to recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact our firm online or call (303) 647-9990 to talk to a skilled Car Accident Lawyer in Denver.
What Common Car Accident Injuries Occur in Denver?
Any accident can result in physical injuries and emotional trauma.
Some of the most common types of motor vehicle injuries we see in the Denver area include:
- Cuts and lacerations,
- Bone fractures,
- Soft tissue injuries,
- Facial injuries,
- Neck and back injuries,
- Concussions, and
- Internal injuries.
Although the above injuries and similar types are serious and may require extensive treatment, you have a chance of making a full recovery with the right resources. The at-fault party must be held accountable for your damages, including your medical expenses.
Some accident victims suffer catastrophic injuries as a result of a car crash. A catastrophic injury is typically either life-threatening or life-changing—potentially both.
Some examples of catastrophic car accident injuries include:
If your collision was caused by another’s negligence, you have the right to pursue compensation no matter what type of injuries you sustained. Denver Trial Lawyers ® will fight to obtain justice for you, holding the at-fault party responsible for any damages you suffered.
What to Do After a Crash in Denver, Colorado
Following a collision in Colorado, it is crucial that you take the proper steps to protect your rights. Insurance companies are notoriously aggressive in defending car accident claims in Colorado.
Some plaintiffs make mistakes early on in the process that cause problems down the road and that damage their ability to bring a strong legal case. Important steps to take after a car crash include:
1. Get Medical Help
Emergency medical needs come first. If you sustained severe injuries, you need immediate medical attention. Further, seemingly mild or moderate injuries should also always be examined by a qualified professional. You will not be able to bring a car accident injury claim in Colorado unless your injuries and medical expenses are documented.
2. Report the Crash
Under Colorado law, motor vehicle accidents must be reported to law enforcement if there was either $1,000 in property damage or there was an injury. If you were hurt due to the negligence of another motorist, it is imperative that you report your accident. The responding officer should write an official crash report.
3. Obtain Evidence
Strong supporting evidence will help you bring a strong legal claim. You should attempt to secure as much evidence as you can. This includes taking pictures of the wreck and getting contact details for witnesses. If you have any questions or concerns about evidence, an experienced Colorado car accident lawyer can help.
4. Call a Skilled Lawyer
Injured victims do not have to go up against the big insurance companies on their own. To protect your rights, it is highly recommended that you work with the insurance company alongside a top-rated legal expert.
We will handle all aspects of your claim, including discussions with insurance adjusters. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
What Not to Do After a Car Accident
Here are key things to avoid:
Don’t Leave the Scene
Leaving the scene—even for a minor accident—can lead to criminal charges. Stay until law enforcement says it’s okay to go.
Don’t Admit Fault
Avoid apologizing or saying anything that sounds like an admission of blame. Fault should be determined by the investigation and evidence, not by statements made under stress.
Don’t Argue with the Other Driver
Stay calm. Confrontations can escalate and may be used against you later.
Don’t Give a Recorded Statement Without Advice
Insurance adjusters may ask for recorded statements. It’s often best to speak with an attorney first.
Don’t Sign Anything You Don’t Understand
Never sign settlement offers, releases, or medical authorizations without fully understanding the consequences.
Don’t Post About the Accident on Social Media
Insurance companies and defense attorneys monitor social media. Even harmless posts can be misinterpreted.
Injured in a car accident? We can provide the legal representation you need. Schedule your free case evaluation by calling Denver Trial Lawyers today at (303) 647-9990!
What Colorado Car Accident Reporting Requirements Must Be Followed?
Our state statutes require you to report car accidents to the proper authorities if the crash caused any amount of property damage. You must also submit a report if it resulted in any injury or death to any involved person.
Under Colorado law, you must contact the local police or sheriff’s department to report an accident even if you believe the resulting damage was minimal. This statute refers to damage to any property, including your own vehicle.
Do I Need a Police Report?
If you were involved in a Colorado car accident, you need to get a copy of the police report. The police report details the facts about the collision and helps to establish fault. Your legal team will use the report to document your case and build your claim for damages.
Reviewing the report also lets you determine whether the information it contains is accurate. The process for obtaining a crash report depends on where the incident took place. The process for obtaining a Loveland report, for example, is different than the procedure necessary for getting a copy of a Denver police report. We can help you retrieve a copy of your report.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
A number of different parties can potentially be held liable for an accident. Our experienced legal team in Denver, Colorado can identify all possible sources of compensation.
In an auto collision, the following parties may be liable:
- Other drivers on the road
- Commercial trucking company
- Vehicle manufacturer or product manufacturers
- Governmental unit or entities involved with road design or road maintenance
How Do You Determine Liability After an Auto Accident?
Colorado is a fault-based state. To hold another party legally liable for your injuries, you must prove that your accident occurred because of their careless or reckless conduct. Injured victims need representation by someone who understands how to prove liability.
At our law firm, we will do everything possible to win your case—whether by a successful settlement or victory in court. We have a combined 175 years of experience as auto accident attorneys and bring our substantial resources to every lawsuit.
We have relationships with medical illustrators, nurse practitioners, consulting physicians, and technology associates to clearly present every case—what happened, how it happened, what injuries were caused, and how your life has been changed.
Comparative Fault Laws in Colorado
Colorado adheres to comparative fault or comparative negligence laws. This allows victims to recover damages from an at-fault party. However, if the victim was partially at fault for the accident, the victim’s recovery must be reduced accordingly.
If the victim is determined to have been 50% responsible or more, they have no legal standing to recover compensation. This law makes Colorado a modified comparative negligence state.
What Compensation Is Available to Injured Victims?
Dealing with the aftermath of a major collision can be deeply challenging. You may have medical bills piling up and you may have been forced to miss time at work. Under Colorado law, injured victims have a right to seek financial relief for their economic and noneconomic losses.
Sadly, the big insurance companies that handle these claims are not interested in offering claimants the fair compensation that they need to move forward with their life. At Denver Trial Lawyers ®, our Colorado car accident attorneys know how to hold defendants and insurers accountable.
We will maximize your settlement or personal injury verdict and make sure your medical expenses are paid for.
You may be able to recover money damages for the following:
- Emergency medical costs;
- Other medical bills;
- Rehabilitative treatment;
- Lost wages and diminished earning potential;
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress;
- Disfigurement;
- Long-term disability;
- Permanent physical impairments; and
- Wrongful death of a family member.
What Colorado Auto Accident and Insurance Laws Do You Need to Know About?
You can find most of Colorado’s car accident laws in Title 42, Article 4 of the Colorado Revised Statutes.
Understanding these state laws is important because they affect you if you have an accident and can also impact your ability to recover damages or the potential value of your settlement.
Car Insurance Requirements
Per state law, these are the Colorado mandatory insurance requirements:
- $25,000 bodily injury or death to any single person in an accident,
- $50,000 bodily injury or death to all persons involved in a collision, and
- $15,000 property damage for any single accident.
It is important to note that the mandatory insurance requirements cover a driver’s liability only. If you are at fault in a crash, liability insurance does not provide any coverage for your injuries or any damage to your vehicle.
The statutes also outline the Colorado optional insurance coverages:
- Uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)
- Comprehensive (comp) and collision, and
- Medical payments (med pay).
Although the statutes list these coverages as optional, they can provide critical financial relief if you are involved in a single-car accident or a collision with an uninsured driver. In such a scenario, you may need to pursue a claim with your own insurance company to recover damages.
Colorado Statutes of Limitation
Under Colorado law (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101), plaintiffs generally have three years to bring most motor vehicle injury claims. This is in contrast to most other personal injury cases in Colorado, which are subject to a two-year statute of limitations.
If you do not bring your claim before the deadline runs out, then your case will likely be dismissed. To protect your rights, please reach out to our law firm as soon as possible after your crash.
Schedule your free case consultation today.
How to File a Denver Car Accident Lawsuit
If you were injured in an accident, you must act quickly to protect your legal rights to pursue compensation.
In most cases, you do not have to file a lawsuit immediately. Attorneys typically start by filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. After investigating the collision and documenting your case, your attorney will submit a demand to the insurer. At that point, your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company to obtain a fair settlement offer.
In many cases, however, the insurance company may not make a satisfactory offer. If this occurs, your lawyer will advise you about moving forward with a civil lawsuit.
At our law firm, we will not hesitate to move forward with a lawsuit if necessary. Our Denver car accident lawyers have extensive litigation experience. We do not believe you should have to settle for less than you deserve for your injuries and other damages. If it means fighting the insurance company in court, then we will do exactly that.
Why Choose Us?
The personal injury claims process is complicated. You need a skilled auto accident attorney in Denver, CO who is prepared to give your case the full attention that it deserves. If you are looking for a law firm with the experience to challenge and defeat large insurance companies and corporations—our firm is for you.
At Denver Trial Lawyers ®, we understand that filing a legal claim—even if it is a righteous claim—can be intimidating. Do not let fears about the insurance industry or the legal system stop you from obtaining fair compensation for your injuries.
We will:
- Offer a free, comprehensive initial consultation;
- Answer important questions about your case;
- Investigate the car accident;
- Carefully assemble all relevant evidence;
- Put forward the resources needed to build a strong claim;
- Work directly with relevant experts;
- Handle negotiations with the insurance company; and
- Take your car accident injury claim to court.
In many cases, car accident claims are settled outside of litigation. We will work diligently to get you and your family a full settlement offer.
At the same time, our firm is made up of a team of trial-tested Denver lawyers. If the defendant or their insurance company will not offer a full and fair settlement, we are always able to file a lawsuit.