Auto Accident Lawyers in Denver
When you get into a car accident, you can benefit from the services of an auto accident lawyer in Denver. The insurance company is often the one trying to minimize your claims, and they may argue that you are not covered by your policy. If you are not represented, the insurance company might also try to offer you a lowball settlement after the fact. A car accident lawyer in Denver can help you understand your rights and fight against the insurance company to get the compensation you deserve.
Distracted driving is a serious problem in Denver
The number of Colorado motorists engaged in distracted driving is alarming. Distracted drivers are the number one cause of automobile accidents, injuring themselves, passengers, and other drivers. While many drivers choose to be on the phone while driving, the worst form of this distraction is texting while driving. Distracted drivers are also the most common age group to engage in this dangerous behavior. Denver is no exception, with at least 42 incidents of distracted driving occurring each day.
Although there is no statewide law against distracted driving, Colorado does prohibit texting and talking on cell phones while driving. Teenagers and adults are not allowed to use their cellphones while driving, so the penalties for these offenses are severe. Colorado drivers who are caught texting while driving face fines of $100 and a seven-day suspension of their license. The fine is even more severe if the driver is found guilty of a second offense.
A recent study from the Colorado State Patrol shows that drivers in Colorado spend an average of 8.43 percent of their driving time glancing at their phone. Distracted driving increases the risk of a car crash by about 20 percent. Colorado drivers also admit to talking on the phone with passengers. In Colorado, it is illegal to text and drive, and almost one-third of drivers admit to doing so. If you have a teenager in your car, you may want to consider implementing a law that requires you to look at the law regarding distracted driving.
No-fault system prevents auto accident lawyers from recovering from at-fault driver
While Colorado has a no-fault system, this doesn’t mean you cannot recover compensation from the at-fault driver. If the other driver was at fault, you must file a claim with their insurance company to recover your compensation. Unfortunately, in many cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will exaggerate your percentage of blame in order to minimize their financial responsibility. In these cases, you’ll need an auto accident lawyer to make sure your case is handled fairly.
The first step after an accident is to check vehicles to make sure they are not occupied by injured parties. If possible, wait for emergency personnel to arrive. Remember, tempers can flare when discussing emergency situations, so be sure to check both vehicles to ensure that no one is trapped in a car. Any information that is shared between the drivers may be relayed to the police and used as evidence of who is at fault in the accident. This is why a simple “I’m sorry” should never be construed as an admission of fault.
Although Colorado was once a no-fault state, the laws have since changed to a fault-based insurance system. Colorado’s at-fault insurance laws hold the driver at fault for the crash’s damages. If you were at fault, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit in order to recover the compensation you deserve. Because Colorado’s insurance system is based on fault, insurance companies try to avoid paying you their full claim value.
Economic damages
The economic damages you can receive from auto accident attorneys in Denver are those expenses you can attribute to the accident. These include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, there are other damages that you can receive, as well. Some examples of noneconomic damages include loss of consortium, pain and suffering, and lost enjoyment of life. A Denver car accident lawyer can help you understand these and other damages. Let’s examine some common examples.
In Colorado, a person may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages. The former is awarded to cover the costs of medical expenses and loss of consortium, while the latter is paid to punish the defendant for a specific action, usually involving reckless driving or excessive speeding. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are designed to punish the offending party for their behavior and to deter future bad behavior.
While the latter type of damage is usually more difficult to prove, non-economic damages include mental and emotional losses that you suffer as a result of the accident. For example, you can claim compensation for depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as for the cost of living, care, and other services. A Denver car accident lawyer can help you calculate these damages and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.