Car crashes in Colorado Springs can be painful and confusing for everyone involved — including your family and friends. Not soon after the smoke settles are you hit with medical bills and calls from insurance companies. It’s too overwhelming for you to do alone, so partner with car accident attorneys who care about all of our clients and fight for fair compensation with compassionate legal representation.
After an car crash, it’s only natural to want the experience to be over with as quickly as possible. Undoubtedly, one of the best decisions you can make is to hire a car crash lawyer to help you with the process. Here’s who needs to call us for a free consultation:
The state of Colorado does a great job of reporting on the number of car accidents in the state and what are the biggest reasons why they occur. Here are some of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents:
The Colorado Department of Transportation and the Colorado State Patrol say that speeding is the number one leading cause of traffic accidents and even fatalities. Going at a high rate of speed over the limit reduces your ability to steer safely. If someone in front of you needs to stop quickly, you’ll also have less time to react with your vehicle. Speeding is most common in the summer months, according to authorities, when people are most likely to hit the road for a vacation.
We put this near the top of the list because it’s one of the biggest causes of car accidents in Colorado and across the country. Distractions can include texting or using a phone, eating, applying makeup, interacting with passengers, or anything else that takes a driver’s attention away from the road. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, distracted driving was the third leading cause of traffic crashes in 2021 and continues to grow as the years have passed since then.
These can range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries. Such injuries can occur if an occupant’s head strikes a window, the dashboard, or another object during a collision.
Severe car accidents can result in damage to the spinal cord, potentially leading to partial or complete paralysis. If you’re suffering from severe back pain or a herniated disc after a car accident, this type of injury will significantly impact your quality of life, and you deserve compensation that can help.
Whiplash, an injury to the neck caused by a sudden movement of the head, is common in car accidents, particularly rear-end collisions. It can cause neck pain after an accident, stiffness, and other complications.
Car accidents often lead to soft tissue injuries throughout the body. These include sprains, strains, and tears to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They can occur in any part of the body but are particularly common in the neck and back in car accidents.
When you’re involved in any type of traffic accident, there’s usually great force involved. This is what can lead to internal injuries that can include internal bleeding or damage to organs, which can be life-threatening. Get checked by a doctor as soon as possible and follow up with medical care for delayed injuries after a car accident.
It doesn’t matter who’s at fault; there will likely be broken glass when you’re in a car crash. Shattered glass or metal can cause deep cuts, while abrasions can occur from being thrown against surfaces or airbags. These injuries can cause significant blood loss or scars.
Beyond physical injuries, car accident victims often suffer psychological trauma. They may experience conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression as a result of the accident. These conditions can negatively affect your daily life and overall well-being.
When a car crash is not your fault or in the case of a hit-and-run accident, having a Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer on your side will help ensure you are treated fairly throughout the process. There are so many benefits to partnering with Schofield & Green Law, including:
Never try to take on a car accident case on your own. You want to partner with a personal injury lawyer who’s an expert at the law and knows how to negotiate with insurance companies.
Pedestrian Vs. Vehicle Accident
$4M
Settlement
Pedestrian Vs. Vehicle Accident
$1.125 M
Settlement
Two-Vehicle Car
Accident
$1.2M
Settlement
Rear-End Car
Accident
$581,000
Settlement
When considering hiring a car accident lawyer, many accident victims are concerned with the price. It’s only natural to want to avoid paying unnecessary fees that might increase the financial burden you face as the result of an accident; however, the Colorado Springs personal injury attorneys at Schofield & Green Law work with you on a contingency fee basis.
You won’t have to take on expensive legal bills on top of medical bills, lost wages, and everything else you’re already dealing with because of your car accident. Our auto accident lawyers are committed to creating win-win situations for ourselves and our clients. We collect a small portion of your settlement with full transparency about any costs or fees.
The only way to make sure you’re getting the most money for your car accident settlement is to have a personal injury lawyer working for you. We can’t stress enough how easy it is for insurance companies to reach out to you and offer a settlement that’s simply not enough. You deserve better but don’t know better if you don’t have someone like a car accident injury law firm on your side.
Insurance companies know that the average accident victim just wants the situation to go away quickly, even if that means taking less compensation. Your accident attorney in Colorado Springs will continue to fight for every cent you deserve, and make sure the insurance companies compensate you reasonably, based on the specific facts of your case. Not only are we well versed in all the legal loopholes that insurance companies often use against you, but we also have strong relationships with virtually all major insurance companies so that we can get to a fair settlement quickly.
How long you have to file a lawsuit depends on the statute of limitations or deadline date. The general statute of limitations for car accident claims in Colorado is three (3) years from the date of the accident. This three-year window applies to lawsuits seeking to recover damages for bodily injury, property damage, and emotional distress resulting from the accident.
It’s crucial to note that this three-year timeframe generally begins from the accident date. However, in some instances, depending on the facts of your situation, your statute of limitations could be shorter or longer. Given these complexities, it’s important to consult with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
If you fail to file a lawsuit within this three-year window, you’ll typically lose your right to do so. There are, however, exceptions to this rule. For instance, if the injured person was a minor or mentally incompetent at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations may be extended. Similarly, if the defendant leaves the state of Colorado after the accident but before a lawsuit can be initiated, the period of their absence may not count toward the three-year limit.
In Colorado, all drivers are legally required to carry auto insurance to help cover costs in the event of an accident. This rule is designed to protect both the policyholder and other drivers, pedestrians, or property that could be affected during an accident.
The minimum coverage requirements under Colorado law are as follows:
In addition to these requirements, Colorado law also requires insurers to offer MedPay (Medical Payments Coverage), although drivers can opt out of it in writing. MedPay covers necessary and reasonable medical or funeral expenses from an auto accident and works regardless of who is at fault.
The minimum amount offered is usually $5,000. Colorado drivers should also know the state’s “fault” system. Under this system, the person who caused the accident (and their insurer) is responsible for the damages and injuries.
In the state of Colorado, there are specific requirements for reporting a car accident designed to ensure proper documentation and accountability for road incidents.
If a car accident results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000, Colorado law stipulates that the incident must be reported to the Colorado Department of Revenue within 10 days. This reporting is usually done by filing a crash report form, also known as a DR 2447 form, with the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Division of Motor Vehicles. This form will ask for details about the accident, including the vehicles and people involved, the location and time of the incident, the nature of the injuries or damage, and a diagram of how the accident occurred.
Additionally, any accident that results in injury, death, or significant property damage must be reported immediately to local law enforcement. This can be the local police department, the county sheriff, or the Colorado State Patrol if the accident occurs on a highway or interstate. Immediate reporting to law enforcement is crucial as it allows for an accurate and timely investigation of the scene, collection of evidence, and recording of statements from witnesses and parties involved.
In accidents involving unattended property where the owner cannot be identified or located, drivers are required to leave a note with their name, contact information, and an explanation of the accident and then report the accident to law enforcement.
These reporting requirements help ensure that all parties are held accountable and that an accurate record of the accident exists for insurance and potential legal proceedings. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in penalties, including fines and potential suspension of driving privileges. It may also negatively affect any insurance claims or lawsuits arising from the accident.
You’ll want to speak with a car injury lawyer about your car accident as soon as possible. Schofield & Green Law offers a free case evaluation for all potential clients. You can set up a time to meet with us that works for your schedule. We can do a video conference if your accident has left you or someone in your family unable to move easily or ride in a motor vehicle.
We’re so sorry to hear that you were in a car crash. Here’s what to do after a car accident:
At Schofield & Green Law, our Colorado Springs accident attorneys understand the immense challenges and stress you may face following a car accident. Your focus should be on recovery and healing, not navigating the complexities of legal procedures and insurance claims. As experts in personal injury law, allow our dedicated and experienced Colorado Springs car accident lawyers to fight for your rights and secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
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