Auto Accident Injury in Colorado Springs, CO

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Colorado Springs? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Colorado Springs, CO that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Colorado Springs, Colorado

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered severe injuries in motor vehicle accidents, and an estimated 38,000 were killed. Forty-one of those deaths occurred in Colorado Springs in 2019. This number is a slight dip from 2018 when the city set a record with 48 traffic deaths and 823 injury-causing traffic accidents. To help reduce traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries, the state of Colorado Department of Transportation started a Slow Down Colorado Springs campaign that has led to increased citations and additional red-light cameras at the most dangerous intersections.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked-for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police reports. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

For minor traffic accidents, the Colorado Springs Police Department recommends filing a cold report. You can file this report either online or by filling out the traffic accident form. The Colorado Springs Police Department state, though, that the form should be filed with the Colorado State Patrol. If you witness a traffic incident, you can also fill out the traffic complaint form online. Whether you’ve filed the report online or a report was made after calling the police, you can request a copy for $7.50 through the police department’s website.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number, and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

The state of Colorado estimates that traffic deaths cost victims around $943 million in 2018. $9 million came from medical costs, while the remaining amount came from work loss costs. While Colorado has the highest total population when compared to other states in the region, the total cost of traffic deaths is still around three times higher than Utah, the second most populous state.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Colorado

Liability Laws for Colorado Springs

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process. 

Colorado’s liability laws make it an at-fault state. Sometimes referred to as a tort state, this means that the police and insurance companies use their collected evidence to determine who is at fault for the accident. Fault can be split, though, with the person who is at least 50% at fault liable for damages.

Statute of Limitations in Colorado Springs

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while others may give you up to six years. Colorado state law allows those who were in a traffic accident to make a civil claim within three years of the date of the incident.

This is why consulting with an attorney immediately after your car crash is important. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Colorado Springs, CO

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Colorado!