At Colorado Car Accident Lawyers, we understand the challenges you face after a car accident. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing personalized legal strategies to help you secure the compensation you deserve. With a strong track record of successful outcomes, we handle negotiations with insurance companies and opposing counsel, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
A car accident can cause more than just vehicle damage; it can leave lasting physical and emotional injuries. From soft tissue injuries to traumatic brain injuries, the effects are often serious and sometimes permanent. In Colorado, understanding the most common car accident injuries and the steps needed for proper medical treatment is critical for recovery and legal protection.
In this blog, we cover common car accident injuries, recovery steps, and how an experienced Denver car accident attorney can help protect your rights.
Why Injuries After a Car Crash Can Be Deceptive
Injuries from a motor vehicle crash are not always obvious at first. Some of the most serious car accident injuries may take hours or days to show symptoms.
Hidden Injuries Are Common
After a car accident, adrenaline can mask pain. This delay can cause car accident victims to underestimate the severity of their condition. Soft tissue injuries, internal injuries, and even traumatic brain injuries may go unnoticed without proper medical evaluation. Ignoring early signs can lead to further injury, longer recovery times, and higher medical expenses.
Delayed Symptoms Can Signal Serious Problems
Some serious injuries, like internal bleeding, brain injury, or spinal cord injuries, develop symptoms slowly. Headaches, abdominal pain, dizziness, or confusion may seem minor but could point to life-threatening conditions. These signs demand immediate medical attention from qualified car accident doctors.
Medical Documentation Protects Your Health and Claim
Prompt medical treatment helps identify hidden injuries and supports a strong legal claim. If a person waits too long, insurance companies may argue the injuries were not caused by the car crash. Accurate documentation from the start is key for both recovery and compensation.
Always Seek a Full Medical Evaluation
Even if you feel fine after a car wreck, get checked by a doctor. Only a professional can diagnose soft tissue damage, head injuries, or spinal issues that may worsen without treatment. Early care can prevent chronic pain, reduce long-term impact, and protect your legal rights.
Most Common Car Accident Injuries in Colorado
Car accidents in Colorado often result in a range of injuries, varying in severity. Recognizing these injuries is essential for timely medical treatment and legal action.
Whiplash
Whiplash occurs when the head is suddenly jerked forward and backward, straining the neck muscles and ligaments. This injury is prevalent in rear-end collisions and can lead to neck pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Even low-speed crashes can cause whiplash, making it one of the most common car accident injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries result from a sudden jolt or blow to the head, causing the brain to collide with the skull. Symptoms can range from mild concussions to severe cognitive impairments. TBIs are particularly concerning due to their potential long-term effects on memory, behavior, and overall brain function.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the spinal cord can lead to partial or complete paralysis, depending on the injury’s location and severity. These injuries often result from high-impact collisions and can have life-altering consequences, affecting mobility and sensation.
Broken Bones
The force exerted during a car crash can cause fractures in various parts of the body, including arms, legs, ribs, and hips. Broken bones can be painful and may require surgical intervention, followed by extended periods of rehabilitation.
Internal Injuries
Blunt trauma from car accidents can lead to internal bleeding and damage to organs such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys. These injuries are particularly dangerous because they may not be immediately apparent, emphasizing the need for prompt medical evaluation after an accident.
Knee and Joint Injuries
The sudden impact of a collision can cause occupants’ knees to strike the dashboard, leading to ligament tears like ACL or MCL injuries. Such injuries can impair mobility and often necessitate surgery and physical therapy for recovery.
Cuts and Lacerations
Broken glass, metal fragments, and other debris during a crash can cause cuts and lacerations. While some may be superficial, deeper wounds can lead to significant blood loss and require stitches or other medical interventions.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Not all injuries from car accidents are physical. Experiencing a traumatic event like a severe collision can lead to psychological conditions such as PTSD, characterized by flashbacks, anxiety, and depression. Addressing mental health is crucial for a comprehensive recovery process.
Colorado Laws that Impact Injury Claims
In Colorado, several state laws affect how car accident victims can recover compensation for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash.
Comparative Fault Rule
Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule under C.R.S. § 13-21-111. This means a car accident victim can still recover damages if they are less than 50% at fault. However, the amount of compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned. For example, if you are found 20% at fault, your recovery will be reduced by 20%. If your fault is 50% or more, you cannot recover damages.
Statute of Limitations
Under C.R.S. § 13-80-101, injured persons have three years from the date of the motor vehicle accident to file a personal injury claim. This deadline applies to most accident injuries, including soft tissue injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and internal injuries. Failing to file within this period can result in losing your right to compensation.
Required Auto Insurance Coverage
Colorado law requires all drivers to carry minimum insurance coverage under C.R.S. § 42-7-103. The minimum liability coverage includes:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death to one person
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death to all persons
- $15,000 for property damage
These limits often fall short in serious or severe accidents. Accident victims with severe injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, chronic pain, or permanent brain damage, may need to pursue claims beyond insurance limits through a personal injury lawsuit.
Pain and Suffering Damages
Colorado limits the amount of non-economic damages, including chronic pain, emotional distress, and post traumatic stress disorder, in most personal injury claims. As of recent updates, the cap is roughly $613,760, or up to $1,227,530 with clear and convincing evidence, per C.R.S. § 13-21-102.5. These limits do not apply in cases involving permanent physical impairment.
Importance of Medical Documentation
Colorado law requires proof that injuries were caused by the car accident. Medical treatment, timely emergency medical attention, and clear records from car accident doctors help establish this link. Gaps in care or missing documentation can weaken a case, even with serious injuries like back injuries, knee injuries, or internal bleeding.
Medical Treatment and Recovery Process
The recovery process after a car accident depends on the type and severity of the injuries sustained. Timely and proper medical treatment can reduce long-term damage and improve outcomes for car accident victims.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
After any motor vehicle accident, get checked by a doctor, even if symptoms seem minor. Injuries like internal bleeding, brain injury, or soft tissue damage may not show signs right away. Immediate medical care helps detect these issues early and creates a medical record that supports any future injury claim.
Follow-Up Care and Diagnosis
Injuries such as whiplash injury, spinal cord injuries, or knee injuries often require follow-up visits. Diagnostic tests like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans can reveal hidden injuries. Car accident doctors may refer patients to specialists depending on the nature of the trauma, including neurologists, orthopedists, or physical therapists.
Physical Therapy and Pain Management
Many accident injuries result in chronic pain or reduced mobility. Physical therapy plays a key role in recovery, especially for back injuries, neck pain, and joint damage. Some patients may need long-term pain management through medication, injections, or other treatments to relieve pain and support healing.
Track Medical Expenses and Progress
Keep detailed records of all medical treatment, prescriptions, therapy sessions, and mileage to appointments. This documentation helps prove the impact of the injury and supports claims for medical expenses, lost wages, and future care needs. It also helps track progress in the healing process.
Avoid Further Injury During Recovery
Injured persons should follow all medical advice to avoid setbacks. Ignoring care instructions or returning to normal activity too soon can worsen serious injuries and delay recovery. Use braces, mobility aids, or support devices if prescribed, and attend all follow-up appointments.
Injured in a Car Accident? Contact Colorado Car Accident Lawyers Today!
If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident, taking action quickly can make a big difference in your recovery and your legal case. Our team at Colorado Car Accident Lawyers is ready to help you understand your rights, connect you with trusted medical care, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact us at 864-313-2487 for a free consultation today!
