Car Accident Lawyer in Denver, CO

After you get into a car accident, you can experience many problems that prevent you from immediately returning to your normal way of living. You may struggle with back pain, whiplash, fractures, and other injuries that are uncomfortable and distressing. It is not uncommon that you may be struggling with financial problems caused by your serious injuries. When you get into a motor vehicle accident, you likely have to pay for expenses to help you recover from your injury. Speaking to Denver car accident lawyers about your experience can greatly increase your chance of receiving maximum compensation for your auto accident damages when the other driver is at fault. Learn from personal injury attorneys about how car accident claims are handled. Reach out to Mountain States Injury Law LLC for a free consultation.

What are the most common causes of car accidents in Colorado?

Colorado car accidents are mainly caused by driver error, although in some cases, car crashes can happen due to environmental events. According to auto accident attorneys, here are the most common causes of car accidents:

Distracted Driving

When drivers don’t pay attention to the road and are distracted by other things inside their vehicle, this puts them at risk of getting into a fatal Colorado car accident. Distracted driving can happen when the driver is mapping out their destination on their GPS, talking to other passengers in the car, grooming themself, eating or drinking, and other activities. Another major issue is texting and driving, which distracts drivers in several different ways.

Driving While Intoxicated

Drunk driving is not only illegal but also can be the cause of life-threatening crashes. When a driver has a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) over 0.08%, they may make irresponsible decisions while driving. When intoxicated, a driver may be unable to avoid a car crash in time because their cognitive ability is greatly diminished. Even prescription medications can increase the risk of a car crash because some of them can make the driver drowsy.

Speeding

Many drivers speed to get to their destination, which can prevent them from reacting in time to any obstacles or a change in the driving conditions. That is because a car is much harder to control when it is traveling at high speeds. Speeding also reduces a driver’s ability to stop in time. It takes a car two to three times as long to slow down at higher speeds.

Reckless Driving

Serious or fatal injuries can also be caused by reckless driving. Reckless drivers tend to be more aggressive and careless. They cut other drivers off, brake check, tailgate, and perform other reckless activities. These drivers are also more prone to road rage and can cause an accident like a head-on collision when rushing to their destination.

Inexperienced Drivers

Sadly, a large number of traffic deaths are caused by teen drivers. Inexperienced drivers may be unprepared to handle difficult road conditions, unexpected situations, or bad drivers who cut them off in traffic.

Bad Weather

Poor weather conditions are another cause of fatal crashes in Colorado. Icy road conditions, heavy rain, sleet, black ice, and other dangerous weather conditions can cause car wrecks. While many Colorado drivers pay attention to the season and may change their wheels or add additional gear to prepare for winter driving, there is always the chance that a car loses control and causes a car wreck.

Colorado Auto Accident Statistics

Car accidents are dangerous and often result in serious injuries. In 2020, there were 622 fatalities in Colorado. On average, there are 621.4 car accident fatalities per year in the state. That’s a fatality rate of 1.28 individuals per 100 million state drivers. On average, 2,762 individuals are injured in a car accident per year. Out of these injuries, 5.68 serious injuries happen per year. Unfortunately, the rate of fatal crashes increased over a ten-year period and stabilized in 2020.

In 2021, there was a 5.6% reduction in fatal crashes compared to the previous year. However, this is less than the 15.2% reduction in fatal crashes in 2020. There are a high number of car accidents caused by teens. In 2019, about 2,400 teens were killed nationwide. This required 258,000 emergency department treatments due to the injuries caused by car wrecks. About seven teenagers die every day because of car crashes. Male teen drivers are the most at risk and have twice as high a death rate compared to female drivers despite being the same age. The most vulnerable drivers are newly licensed teens. They have a crash rate that is about 1.5 times higher than older drivers.

Why do I need a Denver car accident attorney?

You can have a no-obligation consultation with Colorado car accident attorneys to receive the help you need. Car accident victims need an experienced and knowledgeable professional to help them with their personal injury claim. Here are a few of the tasks that you can expect an experienced car accident attorney to do for you:

They Understand Colorado Law

Because Denver car accident attorneys understand Colorado law, they can recognize traffic infractions immediately. You may be unaware of certain aspects of Colorado law that can make someone else responsible because of a rule or regulation you didn’t know about. Denver car accident attorneys can identify the at-fault party before you initiate a car accident claim.

They Perform A Full Investigation

Once you provide information about your damages, contact information of those involved, pictures, or other evidence, your car accident attorney can get to work. They will initiate a thorough investigation to find all the evidence supporting your case. Car collision lawyers can obtain a non-redacted police report, traffic camera footage, drug tests, the other party’s driving records, and any other valuable information about your car accident. Your attorney may employ many approaches and tactics to help you. For example, they may even use accident reconstruction experts to show how the car crash occurred. They will do what it takes to make sure that you receive full compensation by building your personal injury case.

They Negotiate On Your Behalf

Your attorney is a seasoned negotiator who can help you receive a reasonable settlement offer. The insurance company will always offer the lowest possible amount because they are more interested in making a profit than helping you. However, your attorney will make sure that the amount they offer is enough to cover all your damages from the accident. Your attorney will try to get you a settlement that is in the amount that you deserve.

They Calculate Your Damages

Your personal injury law firm has experience in managing auto accident cases, which means that you will receive an accurate calculation of your damages. You will need an auto accident attorney to calculate how much compensation for your damages you should receive. They will work with an insurance company adjuster to calculate your non-economic damages using a multiplier. These are damages that don’t have an inherent monetary value, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, PTSD, and so on. The other party’s insurance company may not include non-economic damages in their settlement offer, only covering your property damage and medical bills despite the fact that non-economic damages make up the bulk of your settlement.

They Provide Advice

Before you decide to file a Denver car accident lawsuit, speak to your car accident lawyer first. Because many car accident victims make common errors on their settlement claims, it is a good idea to speak to an accident lawyer for advice. They can guide you through the process and make sure you don’t make avoidable mistakes. You will most likely file for a settlement claim and undergo a negotiation process. The only reason you would need to file for a lawsuit is if the other party refuses to negotiate or offers a settlement that is too low.

What should I do after a car accident in Denver, Colorado?

After a car accident has occurred, it is time to take action and begin collecting evidence. You don’t want to delay preparing for your personal injury claim because evidence could get lost making your case more difficult for your attorney.

Dial 911

Your first step should be to dial 911 to get paramedics and police on the scene. This is helpful for anyone who was injured in the car crash. Additionally, when the police arrive, they can file an official report documenting what happened at the accident scene. Your attorney can request this police report later on when you file your settlement claim.

Take Pictures Of The Accident Scene

You will need to take pictures of all of the property damage done to your car. Show how extensive the damage is by taking pictures of all sides of your vehicle. You should take pictures of the other vehicles involved in the crash to show how the accident might have occurred. Take pictures of the accident scene as well. Car accident attorneys can review and analyze these pictures and use them as evidence for their clients’ settlement claims.

Call Your Insurance Company

Your insurance company should always know when you’ve been in a car accident and that you weren’t at fault. They may be able to help with your property damage by covering most, if not all, of the bill. Some car insurance companies include medical bills in their policy. You can ask your insurer whether they can help with some of those damages as well.

Get A Medical Checkup

After you’ve been wounded, you should get medical treatment without delay. Don’t wait days, or even weeks, before you see a doctor. You don’t want your injuries to get any worse. Delaying treatment can also give the other party the opportunity to argue that your injuries could have been caused by something other than the car accident. Plus, the bills and expenses associated with your treatment are a vital part of your settlement.

Speak To Your Car Accident Lawyer

Let your car accident attorney know what happened during your free consultation, how you think the other person caused the accident, and how badly you were injured. Your attorney can immediately begin preparing your settlement claim. After you’ve missed work, paid medical bills, struggled with pain and suffering, and dealt with other damages, you can now file a settlement claim. Your attorney will calculate your damages, draft documents, and perform other tasks to help you receive full compensation.

Types Of Damages From a Car Accident

After you’ve been badly wounded, you may experience many financial problems due to the high cost of your medical bills. Additionally, you might even have to miss work, putting you in an even greater financial deficit. Here are some of the damages that you may struggle with that can be included in your settlement claim:

Medical Bills

Your medical expenses will include any fees caused by your car accident. This means that any treatments, like surgery, imaging and x-ray scans, medical devices such as crutches, and other healthcare requirements can be included in your compensation. Follow-up visits and ongoing costs, such as physical therapy, are fees that can be calculated into your settlement as well.

Lost Income

While you are recovering from your injuries, you may be unable to work because it can be difficult to perform tasks that require full mobility. When you’re in severe pain, you may be forced to take time off from work, resulting in you missing out on your wages. These lost wages can be included in your settlement, in addition to any future lost income you can expect to miss.

Non-Economic Damages

Although non-economic, these damages are also part of your compensation. Non-economic damages refer to the emotional turmoil you experience because of your injuries. They include depression, PTSD, grief, embarrassment, anxiety, and other negative emotions due to your car accident.

Wrongful Death Expenses

It is a sad occurrence when the life of a family member or loved one is lost because of a fatal car accident. In addition to the above expenses, family members or individuals named in the will can claim the following damages on behalf of the deceased:

Funeral And Burial Costs

Funerals are an expensive burden on survivors of a wrongful death victim and can cost thousands of dollars. Survivors have to pay for the burial or cremation fees, burial plot, urn or coffin, funeral service, flowers, and many other expenses.

Loss of Consortium

The spouse of the wrongful death victim will be left without a partner, causing loneliness and isolation. Those damages must also be considered in the settlement.

Loss of Earning Capacity

All of the money the victim would have earned to support their loved ones will be lost. Without that income, the survivors of the victim may struggle financially.

Loss of Guardianship or Mentorship

The wrongful death victim leaves behind a lot of relationships. They may have been a guardian or mentor to younger families who no longer get to benefit from their presence.

Loss of Valuable Services

After their death, the wrongful death victim will be unable to help with household chores. The family or individuals named in the will may need help with babysitting, cleaning, and other activities that are a burden without the deceased to help them.

Loss of Benefits

Benefits that include pension plans, insurance programs, and other services can be compensated for in the settlement as well.

These are just some of the many wrongful death damages that survivors of the victim can claim. Find out from one of our supportive attorneys what else you can include in a wrongful death claim.

How long after an accident can you sue in Colorado?

In Colorado, you can file a lawsuit after a three-year period. In some situations, you can file a claim after the three-year period, such as if you discovered your injuries sometime after the accident occurred. Most likely, you’ll seek a settlement rather than a lawsuit because it is more convenient for all involved parties and requires less time.

Is Colorado A No-Fault State?

Colorado is an at-fault state, which means that after an accident, you can hold the other party liable for your injuries. You can file a claim directly with the other driver’s insurance company. In a no-fault state, you would file a claim with your insurance company and then seek compensation from the other party to reimburse your costs.

How To Obtain An Accident Report In Colorado

Typically, you would visit your state government’s website to obtain a police report. You can request this using an online form or email the Colorado State Patrol to request the document. There is also the option to fax a request or visit in person. You also have to provide payment to the Colorado State Patrol Central Records Unit. You can mail payment to 700 Kipling Street, Lakewood, Colorado, 80215. You can also email your payment to cdps_csprecrods@state.co.us. However, this is a redacted version that lacks a lot of details that may provide additional insight into the accident. Your attorney can obtain a non-redacted version and review the accident report that has all of the details that you need for your case.

The Cost of a Car Accident Lawyer

Your car accident lawyer will be paid using a contingency fee. This means that you won’t have to pay anything until you receive your settlement. Your attorney will be hard at work helping you to obtain compensation after investigating, collecting evidence, building your case, drafting documents, negotiating, and securing a settlement. Once you receive a settlement, your attorney takes a percentage of the total amount. When you go to your free consultation, you can learn about the percentage your lawyer will take if they win your case.