Being a victim in a vehicle crash is a scary ordeal. Even if no significant injuries occur, it may still be a highly stressful and upsetting experience. When fatalities or significant injuries occur, the lives of everyone involved in a vehicle accident are forever altered.
The Colorado Department of Transportation reports that 57 lives were lost in traffic accidents in Denver last 2018. The Denver Accident Map discovered that there were 55 DUI-related automobile accidents in the month of May 2018, and that Wednesdays seemed to be the riskiest day for car accidents in Denver during the same month.
If you’ve been in a vehicle crash in the Centennial State, you could benefit from having an ally who fights for your rights while you restore your life back to normal. For a period of time that might range from weeks to months to years, you could be unable to return to work, leaving you unable to meet your regular monthly financial obligations. You may not be able to afford the care you need after sustaining injuries in a vehicle accident in Denver. The Denver vehicle accident attorneys can handle the paperwork on your behalf while you focus on getting better.
After a Car Accident in Denver, What Should I Do?
You could be hurt physically and/or emotionally traumatized after a vehicle crash. In the aftermath of a vehicle accident in Denver, the adrenaline rush you had at the moment might leave you feeling weak and unsteady, but being prepared with a plan of action can help tremendously. Here’s what to do after a vehicle crash in Denver:
- Don’t hesitate to dial 911, even if it seems like the collision wasn’t too serious, and regardless of what the other motorist says, you should never ignore a police request for information.
- See that everyone who is hurt receives prompt medical attention.
- If you have a camera on hand, snap some photos of the wreckage, license plates, and the surrounding area.
- The testimonies of any witnesses to your automobile crash should be recorded; they may prove to be priceless pieces of evidence in the case.
- Get in touch with your insurance provider, but don’t go into too much detail.
- Never take the blame.
- You should keep a detailed record of your vehicle accident, including receipts for any and all medical care you received as a result of your injuries.
- If you’ve been injured in a car crash in Colorado, it’s in your best interest to retain the services of a Denver auto accident attorney as quickly as possible.
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Determining Who's at Fault
Colorado is now a “fault” insurance state. This implies that in most cases, only the negligent, reckless, or purposefully bad party will be responsible for making reparations. The advice of most insurance companies after an auto accident is to never acknowledge culpability. This is due to the fact that motorists are often not in a position to determine liability in an accident. Instead, we should let the insurance companies, attorneys, and courts sort out the nitty-gritty of these liability issues. After an accident, it is recommended that you contact your insurance carrier at once. Consult a lawyer in Denver if you are uninsured.
Lawful Repercussions of An Accident
As was alluded to above, a negligent motorist may be held financially responsible for the damages they cause.
Collect Your Due Payment
If the accident wasn’t your fault, you might receive compensation for your losses and injuries. Having a personal injury attorney’s advice is often useful in such cases.
Prosecution of Crime
An accident involving a vehicle may be investigated by law enforcement on occasion due to suspicions of criminal behavior. This is the situation in Colorado if the authorities have reason to believe the motorist was DUI, racing, or driving recklessly. It is also a felony to flee the scene of an accident without first exchanging information with other parties involved and rendering assistance. You should seek the advice of a lawyer experienced in criminal law in such circumstances.
Statutes Relating to Motor Vehicle Crashes in Colorado
There are two provisions under Colorado law that are applicable in the event of an automobile crash. One is the need that all drivers carry liability coverage. Every motorist operating a motor vehicle in the state of Colorado must maintain liability insurance at least equal to the minimum levels mandated by the state. For an accident the insured motorist causes, the state of Colorado mandates that they have liability insurance with limits of $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 per accident, and $15,000 per incident for property damage. While underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage is not mandated by the state, it is strongly suggested. This type of insurance kicks in if an accident is caused by a driver who does not have insurance, or who has just the legally required amount of coverage.
The second rule of vehicle accidents that all motorists need to remember is that incidents must be reported. Any automobile accident in Colorado that causes death, injury, or property damage must be reported to the police. There may be legal repercussions if you do not immediately report an accident to the authorities.
What exactly is the time restriction that a claim must be submitted within?
In legal parlance, a “statute of limitations” is a statutory provision that establishes a time limit during which a claim may be brought against a person that has been negligent. In the state of Colorado, the amount of time you have to file a claim following an injury sustained in a car crash is limited to three years from the date of the accident. It is usually advisable to begin your claim as soon as possible after an accident so that important evidence is not lost, even if this may seem like a long time. The reason for this is to ensure that your claim is processed as quickly as possible.
What if I was partially to blame for the accident that I got into?
Because Colorado follows the principle of comparative negligence in its legal system, even if you were partly to blame for the accident that caused your injuries, you may still be able to get compensation for those injuries as long as you were not more than 50 percent liable. After then, the percentage of the loss that is attributable to you will be deducted from the amount that you are awarded. For instance, if you are awarded $100,000 but it is determined that you are responsible for 25% of the incident, you would eventually only receive $75,000. Insurance adjusters are the ones responsible for determining fault, however, liability may also be decided by a judge in specific cases.
What factors should I consider before deciding whether or not to accept an insurance settlement?
If you have outstanding medical bills, you may be tempted to accept any settlement offer given to you by your insurance company since they want to resolve claims as fast as possible. Before agreeing to a settlement of any kind, we strongly advise you to first consult with our Denver attorneys about the merits of your claim for injuries sustained in a vehicle accident. Each and every circumstance is unique. In the majority of cases, we will be able to assist you in recovering more financial compensation for your injury than what your insurance company first gives.
Confidently submit your personal injury claim
Working through a personal injury claim on your own can be difficult, but having an attorney’s assistance can make a world of difference. Your lawyer will assist you in determining the accountable party and drafting the initial complaint. In addition, your lawyer will be able to assist you in fulfilling all the local court’s procedural requirements, such as submitting the necessary paperwork on time and preparing the necessary evidence to support your claim.
A plaintiff can seek full compensation for all losses they sustained due to the defendant’s actions under Colorado’s personal injury legislation. Your auto insurance claim may help pay for some of your medical bills and the cost of repairs, but if the accident was very serious, your insurance isn’t likely to cover the full extent of the damage to your vehicle and other property. You may be entitled to compensation for the following if you file a personal injury claim with the aid of a car accident attorney in Denver:
- Medical costs. All necessary medical care will be covered, including the price of continuing care for severe injuries. Hospitalization and emergency transportation charges, as well as the cost of any necessary continued treatment, are all eligible for reimbursement.
- Damage to property. It’s possible that if your car was totaled in the collision, the at-fault driver’s insurance won’t cover the whole cost of replacing it. If there is property damage beyond what insurance will cover, your lawyer can help you pursue financial restitution.
- Income loss. Injuries sustained in the accident might make it impossible for you to return to work for a while. In order to maximize your compensation, your lawyer will include any lost wages in your claim. If you are permanently disabled and unable to return to work, your attorney can also assist you to get compensation for your lost earning potential.
- Pain and suffering. An injured plaintiff in Colorado can file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent party and seek monetary damages for bodily and emotional distress. When a plaintiff suffers lasting impairment as a result of a defendant’s acts, there is no limit on non-economic damages in Colorado.
When you have a qualified legal team on your side following a vehicle accident, you may be able to collect much more money than you anticipated. Consequently, speaking with an attorney about your options following a vehicle crash should be among your first priorities.
What a Car Accident Lawyer Can Do for You
You might be unsure about what to do or where to go if you have been hurt due to the carelessness of another motorist. Finding balance and normalcy in your life again can be challenging when your financial stability is in jeopardy and your future is unknown. You undoubtedly have a lot of inquiries, including questions regarding your medical care, lost earnings, insurance companies, and a long list of other topics. Who can you rely on to support you through this trying time? Denver personal injury lawyers at Hunt & Associates have a wealth of knowledge and can help you through the complexity of a vehicle accident in Denver by providing answers to your inquiries. We will do our utmost to help you get the money and support you and your family deserve because we are aware that vehicle accidents in Denver may have a profound impact on your life. For a Denver automobile accident consultation, get in touch with us immediately.
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