Over $500 Million in Verdicts & Settlements
Why You Shouldn't Handle Your Car Accident Claim On Your Own
“I have people tell me all the time, ‘I’ve been dealing with this insurance company for 20 years and they’ve always treated me great.’ And I say, ‘Have you ever made a claim?’ and they say, ‘no.’ Well, ok, so the person who has been taking your money has been treating you great. Not surprising. Wait till you go to the claims department. You’re not dealing with the sales person anymore.”
Jason Jordan
Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyers
Car accidents are common on Colorado Springs roads and can lead to severe, life-altering consequences. From mounting medical bills to lost wages to emotional anguish and anxiety, these collisions can result in serious damages — and under Colorado law, you may be able to claim compensation for these losses through a lawsuit or insurance claim.
Proving a car accident claim can be difficult, but Jordan Law’s Colorado Springs car accident attorneys are here to help. With 20 years of experience and a strong record of success, we have the skills and knowledge necessary to represent your case.
How Our Colorado Springs Car Accident Attorneys Can Help
- Thorough Accident Investigations: We collect evidence, interview witnesses, and review police reports to build a strong case.
- Handling Insurance Companies: We negotiate directly with insurance adjusters to ensure you get a fair settlement.
- Court Representation: If needed, our car accident attorneys in Colorado Springs will confidently represent you in court.
- Ongoing Support: From start to finish, we’re here to answer your questions and provide personalized support.
What Is a Car Accident Case?
A car accident case involves seeking compensation for injuries and losses caused by another driver’s negligence. Common damages include medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Success requires proving that someone else’s careless behavior caused the crash.
How to Get Compensation for a Car Accident in Colorado Springs
- Report the Crash: Contact the police to file an official report.
- Seek Medical Care: Always get checked by a doctor, even if injuries seem minor.
- Gather Evidence: Take photos, collect witness information, and document your injuries.
- Speak to a Lawyer: Call a Colorado Springs car accident attorney immediately to safeguard your claim.
Understanding Negligence in Car Accident Cases
Negligence happens when someone fails to act responsibly, causing harm. Here are the legal elements:
- Duty: Drivers must follow traffic laws and drive safely.
- Breach: The other driver broke this duty by being careless or reckless, like speeding or texting.
- Causation: Their actions caused your accident and injuries.
- Damages: You suffered physical, emotional, or financial losses.
Colorado uses a comparative negligence rule. If you’re less than 50% at fault, you can recover damages. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Determining Liability in Colorado Springs Car Accidents
Liability depends on who caused the accident. Responsible parties may include:
- A negligent driver
- A company, if the crash involved a commercial vehicle
- A car manufacturer, if a defective part contributed to the accident
Your car accident lawsuit or insurance claim allows you to collect damages for the emotional, physical, and financial consequences you endure as a result of the collision. You can collect two main types of damages in your case: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages include the tangible, out of pocket expenses you endure, including:
- Past and future medical bills
- Medications
- Property damage and vehicle repairs
- Physical therapy
- Lost Wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Disability accommodations
On the other hand, non-economic damages involve your physical and mental pain and suffering. The following types of non-economic damages may be claimed in your case:
- Mental anguish
- Chronic pain
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of quality of life
- Depression and anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Speak to your Denver car accident attorney (that’s us!) as soon as possible to determine which damages you may qualify for. This may include an estimated amount of your compensation.
Where Can Compensation Come From?
- The at-fault driver’s insurance
- Your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Third parties, like employers or vehicle manufacturers
Colorado’s Fault Insurance System
Colorado, like many states, operates on a traditional fault-based system when it comes to car accidents. This means the driver responsible for an accident must pay for the damages that the other victims suffer.
To uphold this financial responsibility, all drivers in the state must carry the following minimum amounts of car insurance coverage.
- $15,000 in property damage liability per accident
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person per accident
- $50,000 for total injury or death liability per accident
You can purchase higher amounts of coverage if you choose. You can also purchase additional coverage to cover your best interests in the case of an unexpected collision, such as underinsured/uninsured motorist protection.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Colorado Springs
- Call 911 and stay at the scene.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers.
- Photograph the scene, vehicles, and any visible injuries.
- Get a medical evaluation as soon as possible.
- Contact an experienced Colorado Springs car accident lawyer for guidance.
Why Hire Jordan Law for Your Car Accident Case?
Jordan Law has a proven track record of helping car accident victims in Colorado Springs recover maximum compensation. Our team knows Colorado car accident laws and fights tirelessly to protect our clients’ rights.
What Does It Cost To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer?
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us unless we win your case. This ensures that quality legal help is accessible to everyone.
Frequently Asked Car Accident Questions
What Are the Most Common Causes of Auto Accidents?
The majority of car accidents are caused by human error. Here are the leading causes of car accidents:
- Distracted driving – the #1 cause of motor vehicle crashes in the United States!
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Drunk driving
- Driving in poor weather conditions
What are the Most Common Injuries in Car Accidents?
According to the NHTSA, over 3 million Americans are hurt in auto accidents every year. Injuries may vary on impact, there are common injuries that victims experience in car accidents:
- Whiplash
- Fractures and broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Brain injuries
- Burns
Also, keep in mind that car accident injuries depend on different factors. For instance, whether the passengers were wearing seat belts. Also the direction of the impact of the car. Other examples are deployment of airbags, and the speed of the car(s). Therefore contacting our Denver car accident lawyer is important in evaluating if you have a case.
How Does One File a Colorado Injury Claim?
Colorado is a fault auto insurance state. This means that the person who is responsible for your car accident must pay for your damages as well. Usually, these funds come out of his or her car insurance policy.
There are three main options to file a car accident claim:
- You can file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s policy.
- Filing an insurance claim with your own policy, if you have the appropriate coverage.
- You can also file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court.
In most car accident claims, you will file a claim with the insurance company. Next, you proceed to the lawsuit stage if your claim is unsuccessful. However, your attorney may examine your case and advise you to proceed directly to the lawsuit process.
To file a Denver personal injury lawsuit, your attorney will begin by performing a preliminary investigation into your claim. Next, they will complete the paperwork necessary to file your claim. Additionally, they will inform the at-fault party of your intent to sue. After you file, you will enter the discovery process where you will exchange evidence with the at-fault party. Next, you may enter into negotiations for your settlement.
You may receive a settlement at this stage. If negotiations are unsuccessful, your case will move to the courtroom. Finally, a judge and jury will decide whether or not you should receive a settlement. This is where the settlement amount is determined.
What is Colorado’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents?
Three years is the short answer. The statute of limitations is a law that limits that time frame an injured party can file a lawsuit. If a lawsuit is not filed within the time frame, the lawsuit will most likely be dismissed. According to Colorado law, the statute of limitations for car accidents is three years.
How Often do Drunk Driving Accidents Occur?
Every year, hundreds of Colorado citizens end up in the hospital after drunk drivers collide with them. Accidents involving an impaired party are often more serious than other crashes. This is because drunk drivers tend to make poor decisions like speeding or running red lights.
Drunk drivers have no right to get behind the wheel. They deserve to face justice after causing serious injuries or deaths.
However, drugged driving is also a significant issue in Colorado
Especially after the legalization of marijuana. In 2016, one-third of all traffic-accident fatalities (196 deaths) involved an impaired driver. More than 17% of driving under the influence (DUI) arrests in the state involved marijuana impairment.
After an accident with an impaired driver, stay calm and call the police. The government can prosecute the driver for criminal charges. You can bring a civil claim in pursuit of monetary damages. The car accident lawyers at Jordan Law can use their years of experience handling DUI accidents in Denver to your benefit.
What are Colorado's Car Accident Statistics?
The data about Colorado and Denver’s car accident statistics can help put your crash into perspective. Here are a few recent numbers:
- +11%. The percentage of increase in the number of traffic-related fatalities in Colorado from 2014 to 2016.
- 3,668. How many fatal and injury crashes there were throughout Colorado in 2017.
- There were 45 fatal accidents in Denver, CO in 2017. These accidents took 46 lives. Of these accidents, 20 crashes and 20 deaths involved impaired drivers.
Every year, thousands of people go to hospitals in Colorado for car accident-related injuries. Some never get the chance to walk back out of those doors.
Our Denver car accident lawyers are dedicated to bringing negligent and reckless drivers to justice. We help clients achieve justice and compensation through hard-hitting litigation.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident?
The moments after a car accident can be disorienting. This is also the time that the evidence is freshest. This is where you can begin to build the foundations of a strong claim. If you can move around safely and without causing additional injury, take the following steps to collect evidence for your case:
- Call 911 to bring law enforcement to the scene and create an accident report. Collect the responding officer’s information so you can find this crucial piece of evidence later.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Also save all documentation you receive during your medical visits.
- Photograph the scene and the damages. This includes areas around the crash, your injuries, and all vehicles involved in the accident.
- Exchange information with the other drivers. Contact details, insurance information, and driver’s license.
- Do not make any claims about your injuries or your role in the accident. Do not speak to an insurance adjuster until you contact a Denver car accident attorney.
In addition, you should always speak to your car accident attorney before speaking to an insurance adjuster!
Remember, it is not in the company’s best interest to provide you with the maximum possible settlement.
Therefore, making a premature statement can hurt your case. Contact a Denver personal injury lawyer from Jordan Law as soon as possible to discuss how to approach these conversations!
Where Can You Find Legal Help After Your Car Accident?
When it comes to improving your odds of significant recovery, choosing the right car accident attorney will make a big difference. Your claim is unique, and you need to find the best Denver car accident lawyer for your needs. That’s where we come in!
Even if you have reason to believe you are partially at fault, don’t assume you lose your right to recovery. Our Denver car accident lawyers can help you navigate through Colorado’s complex legal system, and find many ways you could still be eligible.
What Damages Can You Collect in a Car Accident Claim?
You are eligible for two main types of damages following a car accident: economic and non-economic. Economic damages refer to the out-of-pocket losses you experience after an accident, including medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, involve emotional damage such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of quality of life.
You may also qualify for punitive damages, depending on the facts of your case. Courts award punitive damages to punish at-fault drivers rather than compensate you for your losses. You must prove that the at-fault driver acted in a way that was fraudulent, malicious, or an example of willful and wanton conduct.