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 Compensation Can You Expect in a Car Accident Claim?

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

Wages lost
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

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.

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.

Fort Collins Car Accident Lawyer