Auto Accident Injury in Colorado

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Colorado? 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 CO that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Colorado

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed.

The Colorado Department of Transportation’s 2019 Problem Identification Report paints an alarming picture. In 2017, the most recent year that data is available, there were 118,842 car accidents on roadways in the Centennial State. This number represents a nearly 10% increase in just five years. Regrettably, the Problem Identification Report also documents 648 fatalities and 2,884 serious injuries. Motorcyclists accounted for about 16% of all crash-related fatalities.

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 report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

Section 42-4-1606 of the Colorado Revised Statutes requires drivers to report car accidents to law enforcement if any of the following is true:

• The accident causes an injury
• The accident causes a death
• The accident causes any property damage

You also must call the police if the other driver is not capable of exchanging information. Otherwise, you may file an accident report with the Colorado Department of Revenue. If an officer responds to the crash, though, you likely do not have to take this step unless you receive a request from the Department of Revenue to do so.

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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that medical bills from Colorado car accident injuries and fatalities totaled approximately $9 million in 2018 alone. That year, accident-related work losses were roughly $934 million.

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 CO

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 uses an at-fault system to compensate car accident victims. Pursuant to this system, the at-fault driver or their insurance provider pays damages. Colorado’s modified comparative negligence statute may allow you to file a lawsuit to recover financial damages, as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for your injuries or property damage.

Statute of Limitations in CO

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 some others may give you up to six years. Colorado has a three-year statute of limitations for most car accident claims. If you miss this critical filing deadline, you may be ineligible for financial compensation.

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

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer In Colorado

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 CO!

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