Denver Car Accident Attorney
Car accidents can be life-changing, leaving victims with physical injuries, emotional distress, and financial burdens. If you have been injured in a crash, you need a dedicated Denver car accident lawyer to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. At Colorado Car Accident Lawyers, we are committed to helping accident victims in Denver, CO, navigate the complex legal process and recover from their losses.
Navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with insurance companies and medical expenses. You should not have to go through this challenging time alone. Reach out to Colorado Car Accident Lawyers today for a free consultation.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Denver
If you have been in a car accident in Denver, taking the right steps immediately after the crash can help protect your rights and strengthen your personal injury claim.
Ensure Safety and Call the Police
First, ensure your safety and the safety of others involved. If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location. Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone needs medical assistance.
Report the accident to the police. Colorado law requires that accidents resulting in injury, death, or significant property damage be reported to law enforcement. A police report can serve as an essential piece of evidence when filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit.
Exchange Information
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. This includes names, phone numbers, addresses, driver’s license numbers, vehicle details, and insurance policy numbers. Avoid discussing fault or apologizing, as any statements you make could be used against you later.
Collect Evidence at the Scene
It’s important to document the accident scene by taking pictures and videos of the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. If there are any witnesses, get their names and contact information, as their statements may support your claim.
Seek Medical Care
Seek medical attention even if you feel fine. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, may not be immediately apparent but could worsen over time. A doctor’s evaluation will not only protect your health but also provide medical records that can support your case.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Notify your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. Avoid admitting fault or making any statements that could be used against you.
If you’re unsure how to communicate with the insurance adjuster, it’s best to speak with a Denver car accident lawyer first. Legal professionals can handle these conversations, ensuring you don’t say anything that might jeopardize your claim.
Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer
An experienced Denver car accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company for the maximum settlement and represent you in court if necessary.
Proving Fault for a Denver Auto Accident
Colorado follows an at-fault system for car accidents, meaning the driver who is responsible for causing the crash is liable for the damages. Unlike no-fault states, where each driver’s insurance covers their injuries. In Colorado, accident victims must file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company to seek compensation.
To prove fault in a Denver car accident case, you must establish that the other driver was negligent. This typically involves demonstrating the following elements:
- Legal Responsibility: Every driver should drive safely and follow traffic laws.
- Careless or Reckless Behavior: The at-fault driver was careless or reckless. Examples include speeding, running a red light, or driving while distracted.
- Causation: The at-fault driver’s actions caused the accident.
- Damages: The victim suffered losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
Evidence is key to proving fault in a car accident claim. Useful evidence may include police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, accident scene photos, and expert testimony from accident reconstruction specialists. Insurance companies will often try to dispute liability.
Having an experienced Denver car accident lawyer on your side can be essential to proving your case and securing the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Denver, CO
Some of the leading causes of auto accidents in Colorado include:
- Speeding: Exceeding speed limits is a major factor in Denver car accidents, reducing reaction time and increasing crash severity.
- Distracted Driving: Texting, talking on the phone, or using in-car technology diverts attention from the road, leading to dangerous collisions.
- Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time, making DUI a leading cause of serious accidents.
- Aggressive Driving: Tailgating, weaving through traffic, and road rage behaviors contribute to dangerous situations and crashes.
- Unsafe Lane Changes: Failing to check blind spots or signal properly can cause sideswipe accidents and roadway confusion.
- Tailgating: Following too closely reduces stopping distance, leading to rear-end crashes, especially in heavy traffic or bad weather.
- Driving While Tired: Fatigue impairs a driver’s ability to focus, react quickly, and make sound decisions, increasing accident risk.
- Running Red Lights and Stop Signs: Ignoring traffic signals often results in dangerous T-bone or pedestrian-related crashes.
Compensation for Denver Car Crash Victims
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Denver, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses.
Medical Bills
One of the most significant expenses after a crash is medical bills. These costs include emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any ongoing treatment needed for recovery. A successful claim can help you recover money for current and future medical expenses.
Lost Wages
You can recover money for lost wages if your injuries cause you to miss work. If the accident caused permanent disability or long-term impairment, compensation can also cover your reduced ability to earn income in the future.
Property Damage
You can seek reimbursement for property damage to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal belongings damaged in the crash.
Pain and Suffering
Victims of car accidents often experience pain and suffering, which includes physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and reduced quality of life. While difficult to quantify, these losses are just as real as medical bills and lost wages.
A car accident claim can include financial compensation for chronic pain, PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Punitive Damages
In cases involving severe negligence, such as drunk driving, victims may also be awarded punitive damages. These are designed to punish the at-fault party and discourage similar behavior in the future.
How a Denver Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Dealing with insurance companies and legal matters after an accident can be incredibly stressful, especially when you’re trying to recover. A Denver car accident lawyer can make the process much easier by handling all legal aspects of your case.
Gathering Evidence
One of the most critical roles of an attorney is gathering evidence to build a strong case. This includes obtaining police reports, medical records, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and expert testimonies to establish liability and prove the extent of your injuries.
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
An experienced lawyer can also negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Insurance adjusters often try to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether. Having a skilled attorney on your side ensures that you are not taken advantage of and that you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Representing You in a Lawsuit
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your attorney can represent you in a lawsuit, taking your case to court if necessary.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can cause a variety of serious injuries.
- Whiplash: Caused by sudden back-and-forth movement of the neck, whiplash leads to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
- Back Injuries: Herniated discs, muscle strains, and spinal fractures can result from the impact of a collision, causing chronic pain and mobility issues.
- Broken Bones: The force of a crash can cause fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, or other bones, sometimes requiring surgery and long recovery periods.
- Burn Injuries: Fires, explosions, or contact with hot surfaces in a crash can cause severe burns, leading to scarring and long-term medical treatment.
- Concussions: A blow to the head during a collision can cause a concussion, leading to dizziness, headaches, confusion, and memory problems.
- Knee Injuries: Direct impact on the dashboard or sudden twisting can cause ligament tears, fractures, or dislocations, requiring surgery or rehabilitation.
- Loss of Limb/Amputation: Severe crashes can result in traumatic amputations or require surgical removal of a damaged limb, significantly affecting a victim’s life.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can lead to partial or complete paralysis, affecting mobility and requiring lifelong medical care.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Severe head trauma can cause long-term cognitive impairment, memory loss, personality changes, and physical disabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does a Denver Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Many accident victims hesitate to seek legal help because they’re worried about the cost. Our Denver car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay any upfront fees, we only get paid if we win your case.
The fee is a percentage of the final settlement or court award, so there is no financial risk in seeking legal representation.
What Is the Deadline for Car Accident Claims in Colorado?
If you have been injured in a car accident in Colorado, you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims related to car accidents in Colorado is three years from the accident date.
You can lose the right to seek compensation if you miss the deadline. Waiting to seek legal help can make it harder to build a strong case since evidence can disappear and witnesses’ memories can fade. You should contact a Denver car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
What If You Are Partially at Fault for a Car Accident?
Colorado follows a comparative negligence rule in car accident cases. Even if you are partially at fault for the accident, you may still be eligible to recover compensation. However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.
For example, if you are 20% at fault and your total damages are $100,000, you could recover $80,000 (your total damages minus 20%). However, if you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you will not be eligible to recover compensation under Colorado law.
Insurance companies often try to shift more blame onto accident victims to reduce payouts. It’s crucial to have a Denver car accident lawyer advocating for you. An experienced attorney can gather evidence, challenge unfair fault determinations, and work to maximize the compensation you receive.
Contact Us Today For a Free Case Review
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Denver, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Our dedicated team at Colorado Car Accident Lawyers is ready to assist you. We understand the challenges you face and are committed to guiding you through every step of the legal process.
Contact us for a free consultation; simply call 864-313-2487 or complete our online form.
