A car accident can quickly shake up your world and turn it upside down. In an instant, a car accident can leave you with catastrophic or permanent injuries that could impact you for the rest of your life. Car accidents or truck accidents that cause these types of injuries will result in expensive medical bills, which are usually made worse by your being unable to work while you recover. This means you experience lost income while expenses from the incident pile up on top of your monthly bills.
When a car accident is caused by someone else’s negligence, Colorado law allows you to seek compensation through a car accident claim. Unfortunately, many car accident victims learn the hard way that this process isn’t as simple as it may seem.
At the law firm of Ganderton Law LLC, our auto accident lawyers have over 40 years of combined experience in personal injury law. Every Colorado car accident lawyer on our legal team provides personal attention and customized strategies to each car accident case to fight for your maximum compensation. If you have been hurt in an auto accident that someone else caused, contact our Colorado Springs car accident attorneys today for a free consultation.
The Importance of Hiring Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyers After a Car Crash
If you or a loved one were in a motor vehicle accident, you may think you can handle your insurance claim on your own. However, car accident claims aren’t the simple process the insurance company wants you to believe.
It is in their best interest to encourage you to file your accident claim on your own without the assistance of a Colorado Springs car accident lawyer. Colorado uses an at-fault insurance model, which holds the driver who caused the car accident responsible for your injuries and damages. You would not file with your own insurance company unless the at-fault driver is an uninsured driver.
When you speak with an insurance adjuster from the other driver’s insurance company, they might seem concerned and caring. Rest assured that insurance adjusters are just trying to find ways to reduce insurance claims or deny them completely.
The auto insurance company knows something that you do not know – that the modified comparative negligence rule can apply to car accident cases. Under modified comparative negligence, fault may be assigned to all drivers involved in the crash to varying degrees. If they can pin 50% or more of the blame on you, then you will be barred from collecting compensation.
Whether you are denied the compensation you deserve or offered a settlement that is too low to cover all of your damages, it is clear that you need a Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer who can protect the legal rights of victims in auto accident cases. If you have been in a car accident, a Colorado Springs car accident attorney with Ganderton Law LLC can help you in the following ways:
- Thoroughly investigate your car accident
- Gather all related evidence on your behalf
- Hire expert witnesses such as accident reconstruction specialists
- Calculate the full extent of your damages
- Demand and negotiate fair compensation
- Represent you in court if your case goes to trial
Contact our law firm today to speak to a Colorado personal injury lawyer about your legal options.
Most Common Causes of Colorado Springs Auto Accidents
You may be wondering what causes Colorado Springs car accidents. In most cases, it is driver negligence. In car crashes, these causes most frequently cause bodily injury:
Distracted Driving
A distracted driver is more likely to cause a rear end accident because they are not paying attention to the road. In fact, many motorcycle accidents and pedestrian accidents occur due to a driver texting on their cell phone, eating, looking at the GPS, or engaging in some sort of behavior that causes them to take their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and attention off the task of safe driving.
Drunk Driving
If you were in a hit and run accident, there’s a chance that the driver was intoxicated. Even if the other driver didn’t drive away, a car accident involving an intoxicated driver could result in severe injuries.
Reckless Driving
Car accidents caused by reckless drivers usually involve excessive speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, and tailgating. It is only a matter of time before someone who engages in these behaviors causes a collision.
Failing to Obey Traffic Laws
The rules of the road are there to keep everyone safe. You should obey the speed limit, stop at stop signs and red lights, and use caution when changing lanes. A driver’s negligence in obeying these rules can cause major injuries and property damage in car accidents.
Many car accident victims aren’t sure what caused their car accident. When you work with a Colorado Springs car accident lawyer from our law firm, we will investigate and gather every piece of evidence to show that the driver acted negligently and owes you compensation.
Common Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents in Colorado Springs
The car accident injuries you sustain in an automobile accident can range in severity from minor to catastrophic. Even in rear-end collisions—commonly called fender benders—you could suffer painful injuries that require medical treatment.
In car accidents, these are the most commonly suffered injuries:
Brain Injuries
Head injuries that impact the brain can cause trauma that may be mild, moderate, or severe. A mild concussion is an example of a brain injury that will usually result in a full recovery with treatment. However, serious damage may cause an accident victim to fall into a coma.
Back Injuries
You could herniate a disc in a collision, or you could wind up with spinal cord damage, depending on the point of impact and the force of the crash.
Internal Injuries
Injuries that result in internal bleeding and damage to your organs are extremely concerning. These serious injuries require urgent medical care and can become deadly if left untreated. It is vital that victims seek prompt medical attention following car accidents to prevent this injury from worsening.
Neck Injuries
Whiplash injuries and soft tissue injuries are quite common for those who have been crashed into from the rear but these injuries can happen in any type of car accident.
Catastrophic Injuries
Even worse than serious injuries are injuries that are catastrophic in nature. Your life will be completely altered from this moment and you will likely require ongoing medical care.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Not all the injuries in a car accident will be physical. Emotional distress can take its toll, causing you to feel anxious, depressed, and fearful. It will require extensive treatment to help you work through the emotional trauma of your car accident.
Whether you have physical or emotional injury, which often go hand-in-hand, you should not be stuck footing the bill for your injuries. Talk to a Colorado Springs car accident attorney from our law firm today to learn more about the next steps.
Determining a Driver’s Liability in a Colorado Springs Car Accident
When car accidents occur, an investigation must be conducted to determine liability. The negligent driver will be responsible for your economic and non-economic damages, such as your property damage, medical bills, lost wages, future medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
In order to prove negligence to hold the at-fault party liable and get the compensation you deserve, it is strongly advised that you obtain legal representation. The legal process of motor vehicle accidents can quickly become complex ordeals. When you file a car accident lawsuit, you need a Colorado Springs car accident lawyer who will have the resources to help you with everything from filing insurance claims to representing you in court.
With a car accident lawyer, you will have someone that can gather evidence on your behalf, allowing you to recover from your injuries. A car accident is a painful and confusing experience for an injured person, and often in the first moments on the accident scene, you may not be capable of gathering any evidence.
At Ganderton Law, LLC, a Colorado Springs car accident lawyer will use photos from the accident, cell phone records, surveillance footage, witness testimonies, police reports, and black box data to prove who is at fault in your car accident. When you work with a Colorado Springs personal injury attorney from our legal team, you do not have to worry about paying anything upfront for our services. We charge on a contingency fee basis, allowing you to focus on your physical recovery rather than the legal fees, which you will only pay if we obtain a settlement or winning verdict in your case.
What Steps Does a Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer Recommend Taking After a Car Accident?
No matter what kind of motor vehicle wreck you experienced, there are steps you should take to protect your legal rights.
Contact the Colorado Springs Police Department
At the scene of the accident, call 911 to summon police officers. They will file a police report that details their findings. This report will be used by your car accident lawyer as evidence in your case. Calling the police also alerts first responders to come and treat your injuries.
Get Medical Care
Even if you do not think you are hurt, you should not avoid seeing a doctor. When your injuries are severe, you will likely be taken to the hospital. However, injuries that aren’t as urgent will still need to be treated. Hidden injuries, such as internal bleeding or trauma to the brain, may not have visible symptoms and can worsen significantly. It is in your best interests to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
The medical costs you incur can be listed as part of your medical expenses in your lawsuit. If you require ongoing medical care, future medical expenses will also be calculated in your damages.
Obtain Evidence
When another driver in Colorado Springs causes your accident due to their negligence, you will need proof to avoid being fully or partially blamed for your injuries. You can take photos and videos with your phone, but if you are too injured to take this step, a Colorado Springs accident lawyer can take over.
Don’t Accept the First Offer from the Other Driver’s Auto Insurance
Whether you have whiplash or an even more serious injury, it may be tempting to take the first offer from the insurer. We strongly advise against this without having a Colorado Springs attorney determine if it is fair.
The insurer hopes that you will sign away your right to pursue legal recourse by signing the release for this check. Most victims are elated to get a check offered to them right away because they haven’t thought of all the expenses they have already incurred or the ones they will have in the future.
If you have been seriously injured, the offer they provide is not going to cover your future costs for ongoing medical care. It likely won’t be sufficient to recover the income you lost while being unable to work. It certainly won’t cover any of the mental anguish you have endured because of the careless driver.
Contact a Colorado Springs Accident Attorney
When you are in an accident in Colorado Springs, it is essential to get strong representation to help you with your case. A Colorado Springs pedestrian accident lawyer or car accident lawyer can take over the process on your behalf.
At Ganderton Law, LLC, we represent victims who have sustained injuries in all types of motor vehicle accidents in Colorado Springs. We understand how frightening and traumatic this experience is and will provide personal attention to help you cope with the aftermath. Our skills in this area of the law allow us to successfully fight for the legal rights of our clients.
In these situations, you need a strong advocate who will not let insurance companies take advantage of you. Contact us today to set up a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys to discuss your case.
