Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer
People who have been in an auto accident in Colorado Springs may be eligible for compensation for any damages related to injuries or property damage from the accident. (Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer)
Auto Accident Lawyer Colorado Springs
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in the Colorado Springs area, filing a personal injury claim can help you recover from your losses.
Although it is legal in Colorado to file a claim without a personal injury attorney, most people opt to hire an experienced attorney because the process can be complicated and taxing to take on alone.
Skilled lawyers can help car accident victims get compensation after the accident. Insurance companies and other liable parties will not be able to take advantage of you if you have an experienced attorney.
Find out what you should do after a car accident in the Colorado Springs area, what laws and details may affect your case, and where to find the best legal representation.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Colorado Springs, CO
Even if you are unsure whether you want to file a personal injury claim after a motor vehicle accident, there are some steps to take so that you can be prepared for any scenario.
Step 1: Gather Documents
After a car accident, it is important to gather all documents related to the accident, your injuries, and your finances.
Medical bills, police reports, insurance information for yourself and the other driver involved, photos of the accident scene, and eyewitnesses are all good evidence.
Gathering these documents before a free case assessment with a lawyer will give you a better understanding of how strong your case is and whether or not you should proceed with a claim.
Step 2: Contact a Colorado Springs Car Accident Attorney
A personal injury lawyer can help you get fair compensation for the damages related to your accident.
A lawyer will handle all communications related to your case, and they will help you fight your case in court if the case doesn’t settle and you need to file a lawsuit.
File a personal injury claim, if appropriate
An attorney will help you determine whether filing a personal injury claim is the right thing to do. Personal injury claims allow people injured in accidents to seek compensation for all expenses and damages incurred due to the accident.
Typically, your claim will be filed against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The insurance company will be asked to pay you for your loss.
Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company or other liable party until a reasonable settlement amount is agreed upon.
Car accident claims are not only applicable for grievous injuries. Minor injuries and emotional distress can also be compensated during the claims process.
Step 4: File a Lawsuit, If Necessary
Although rare, a settlement amount cannot be agreed upon between you, your lawyers, and the liable party.
In these instances, a personal injury lawsuit can transfer your case to the court system, where a judge will hear the case and rule on the amount of compensation to be paid.
If your case goes to court, it will be helpful to have an experienced auto accident attorney.
How does liability work in car accident claims in Colorado Springs, CO?
When a party is liable in a car accident, they are legally responsible for paying compensation for the damages caused to those injured in the accident.
It is important to understand that liability and fault are different. If the driver is at fault for the accident, it means they caused it.
However, the at-fault driver likely has auto insurance that covers them in situations where they are at fault.
The insurance companies responsible for the accident will be asked to pay for damages related to medical expenses, property damage, emotional distress, and any other loss suffered by the claimant.
Other potentially liable parties may be the driver himself (if he is uninsured or the damage exceeds insurance coverage), an auto manufacturer, or the party responsible for road maintenance.
What Factors May Affect Your Car Accident Case in Colorado Springs?
Many different factors can affect your injury claim after a car accident. Colorado has unique laws that an experienced practitioner of personal injury law can navigate easily. (Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer)
Fault, Liability, and Negligence
If you file a personal injury claim, you need to understand three terms: our fault, liability, and negligence.
Fault refers to the party who caused the accident. Usually, the motorist is responsible for a car accident.
But sometimes, another party, such as the vehicle manufacturer, may be at fault. Other times, the blame is split among several motorists involved in the accident.
Negligence means that the party causing the accident did so because they acted in a way that they knew, or should have known, could cause harm to others. Examples of driver negligence include distracted driving, drunken driving, or reckless driving.
Negligence must exist to pursue a personal injury claim. The negligence of one of the parties must have caused the accident and resulted in the injuries so that a claim can be filed against them.
Liability refers to the party responsible for paying any damages following a personal injury claim. In car accidents, this is usually an insurance company. (Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer)
Colorado law
In Colorado, certain laws may affect your injury claim after a car accident.
The main law in Colorado that differs from many other states is comparative negligence.
This law states that if multiple parties are at fault in an accident, including the person making the personal injury claim, the payment amount will be reduced according to their level of fault.
Another law in Colorado called the statute of limitations states that after an accident, you have up to two years to file a personal injury claim. If you don’t file a claim by this time, you won’t be able to in the future. (Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer)
What Damages Can You Be Reimbursed for After a Colorado Car Accident?
A car accident and the resulting injuries can affect your life in many ways. The damages you seek in a personal injury claim will depend on the effects of your injuries.
Four main types of damages can be sought in Colorado personal injury cases: compensatory, general, and punitive. (Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer)
Compensatory Damages
The point of compensatory damages is to pay any costs related to the accident. Property damage, medical expenses, and lost wages and benefits (due to being unable to work following the injury) will generally be compensated for by these damages. (Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer)
Normal Loss
General damages are non-economic damages intended to compensate accident victims for the less obvious effects on their lives that stemmed from the accident.
These damages aim to compensate accident victims for emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of relationships, and other effects on the overall quality of life.
Personal injury lawyers specialize in clearly demonstrating how the accident affected your life so that you can be compensated fairly. (Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer)
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages cannot be sought in a personal injury claim.
Instead, they are imposed by the court in rare cases to punish the negligent party and prevent them from doing the same thing again. (Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer)
Common Causes of Car Accidents
The causes of car accidents in Colorado Springs vary widely. Accidents are usually caused by one or more reckless drivers on the road. Common causes of car accidents include:
Reckless Driving: Tailgating, speeding, and other aggressive driving behavior are often considered reckless and can lead to accidents.
Dangerous road conditions: Slippery roads can cause accidents due to bad weather, poor visibility, improper signage, or improperly maintained roadways.
Driver impairment: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI) is dangerous and is responsible for far too many vehicle collisions,
Driver Error: A driver can make endless mistakes on the road, including failing to signal a turn, failing to yield or stop, etc. (Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer)
Common Types of Car Accidents in Colorado Springs, CO
Not all car accidents are the same. There are many types of collisions, and the type of accident can play a role in whether or not you are at fault.
People involved in motorcycle and truck accidents can also seek compensation through a personal injury claim in Colorado. Some common types of car accidents include:
Broadside Collisions: Also called T-bone collisions, these crashes happen when someone hits the broad side of your car.
Sideswipe Collision: This occurs when another car swipes your car from the side, often from behind.
Multiple Vehicle Accidents occur when two or more cars are involved in an accident.
Frontal collision of two vehicles. These accidents are often fatal because they happen at high speeds.
A hit-and-run accident occurs when a person is hit by a vehicle or other object and then flees the scene.
Rear-end collision: This happens when someone hits the rear of your vehicle. (Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer)
What types of injuries can give rise to a claim?
Any injury sustained in a car accident, whether minor or serious, can give rise to a personal injury claim. More serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment are more likely to result in higher settlement amounts.
Some injuries are more common than others in car accidents. Some of the most common injuries seen in car accidents include:
- Head injuries, including concussion and traumatic brain injury
- Sprain
- chest and shoulder injuries
- broken bones
- neck injuries
- back injuries
- soft tissue injuries
- internal organ damage
- burn wounds
- spinal cord injuries
- scars and deformities
- fatality (wrongful death)
Car Accident Rates in Colorado Springs, CO
El Paso County, of which Colorado Springs is the primary metropolitan area, had the second-highest number of fatal crashes in 2021, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Some other car accident statistics for Colorado Springs and the entire state including:
Car crashes in El Paso County will result in 281 serious injuries in 2021.
In 2021, 13 people died in impaired driving accidents in El Paso County.
More than half of the people who died in car accidents in Colorado were not wearing seat belts.
People under the influence of alcohol are responsible for about one-third of all car accidents in Colorado. (Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer)
Top Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer Near You
For anyone looking for a car accident attorney in Colorado Springs, Denver, or elsewhere in Colorado, Florin, look no further than the legal team at Roebig.
Our team of experienced solicitors has an excellent track record of helping claimants obtain the maximum compensation from their injury claims.
With over $1 billion awarded to our clients in settlement resolutions, we have decades of experience helping people get the compensation they deserve after accidents.
Our team has received numerous awards and been named to several notable lists over the years, including a recent selection on America’s Best Lawyers list.
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