Auto Accident Injury in Fort Collins, CO
Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Fort Collins?
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 Fort Collins, CO that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Fort Collins, 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. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, distracted driving and driver inexperience are the primary causes of auto accidents.
Drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol are also a significant factor in causing Fort Collins auto accidents. For accidents involving serious or fatal injuries, the Colorado State Patrol reports that speeding and aggressive driving are frequently involved. Fort Collins averages about 10 fatal auto accidents per year, and Larimer County experiences around 7,000 non-fatal accidents.
What to Do After an Auto Accident
It’s important to be prepared if you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.
Receive Immediate Medical Attention
After an auto accident, the most crucial step is to seek immediate and proper medical attention. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, medical treatment ensures you haven’t sustained internal injuries 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.
Serious accidents in Fort Collins, especially involving injuries or alcohol, should be reported immediately by calling 911. Minor accidents can be reported to the Fort Collins Police Department through their 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 Colorado Department of Transportation reports that auto accidents are a leading cause of death for Fort Collins residents. In addition, more than half of those fatally injured were not wearing seatbelts. In total, the CDC reports that Colorado auto accidents cost around $9 million in medical bills and $934 million in lost work per year. The National Safety Council reports that the average costs per accident range from $12,000 to almost $100,000.
Your potential compensation for an auto accident can often include payment for medical care, or car repair bills. However, there may also be less clear costs like lost wages or loss of quality of life. A Fort Collins attorney can help you recover all of the damages that you are entitled to after an auto accident.
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 Fort Collins
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.
Liability insurance is required for all Fort Collins motorists. Colorado insurance companies use a fault system, so the at-fault driver’s insurance company typically pays the damages. If a lawsuit is filed, Colorado courts apply a modified comparative negligence standard. This means that if you were less than 50% responsible for the accident, you can recover damages. However, your damages will be reduced by the percentage that you were at fault.
Statute of Limitations in Fort Collins
Each state has its 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. Fort Collins drivers have 3 years from the date of the accident to file a claim. After that, most courts will deny the case.
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 Near Fort Collins, 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. We can even help you connect with legal help across Colorado state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an attorney in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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