It is crucial for every driver in Denver to know the risks they face on the road every day. While accidents can happen virtually anywhere for a number of reasons, there are a few roads and intersections in the Denver area that statistically carry a greater risk of accidents. If you have recently been injured in a car accident, a Denver car accident lawyer is your most valuable asset as you seek compensation for your damages.
Danger Spots in the Denver Area
Whether you live and work in Denver or are just visiting the area temporarily, it is important to know the areas that have the highest accident rates. You may not be able to avoid these areas entirely, but using extra caution can potentially reduce your risk of experiencing an accident. According to recent accident reports from various sources, a few of the intersections that report higher accident rates in the Denver area include:
- 20th Street at the intersections of Market Street and Blake Street.
- East Martin Luther King Boulevard at the intersections of Central Park Boulevard and North Quebec Street.
- East Colfax Avenue at the intersections of Downing Street and North Lincoln Street.
- West Colfax Avenue at the intersections of Speer Boulevard and Kalamath Street.
These are just a few examples of high-risk intersections in the Denver area. When accidents happen in busy urban areas, the most common causes include distracted driving, speeding, and moving violations. However, they may also happen because of illegal misconduct like driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol.
Driving defensively and attentively can help you reduce your risk of causing an accident and facing liability for the resulting damages. However, you cannot always anticipate how other drivers might behave on the road, so it is crucial to know how to prove liability for any accident you experience in the Denver area.
Recovering From a Car Accident in Denver
Colorado upholds the fault rule for vehicle accidents, meaning the party responsible for causing the accident is liable for all resulting damages. Before you can claim any compensation for the damages you suffered, you must prove how those damages occurred and identify the party responsible for causing them.
Your attorney can help you gather the evidence needed to prove fault for your accident, which may include a combination of physical and digital evidence as well as testimony from witnesses who saw the accident happen firsthand. After proving fault, you can file an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver and seek as much compensation as their insurance policy provides.
If the at-fault driver does not have insurance, or if their insurance does not fully cover your damages, you must file a personal injury claim to recover the remainder. Under Colorado’s personal injury statutes, the plaintiff has the right to seek full compensation for any and all economic damages the defendant inflicted, including vehicle repair costs, medical bills, and lost income. They can also claim projected future damages like lost earning potential.
The majority of the personal injury claims filed in Colorado each year are not litigated in court and are instead resolved in private negotiations that produce a settlement. This settlement process generally takes a fraction of the time that litigation usually requires and allows everyone involved to have more influence over the final outcome of the case as long as they are willing to negotiate and compromise.
FAQs
Q: How Do I Prove Fault for an Accident at an Intersection?
A: If you were hit by another driver at an intersection in Denver, one of the most important aspects of your case will be proving who had the right-of-way when the accident happened. An experienced attorney can help you obtain traffic camera recordings and statements from witnesses who saw the accident happen in real time.
Q: What Happens if I Share Fault for a Car Accident in Denver?
A: Colorado enforces the modified comparative fault rule for vehicle accidents in which multiple parties share fault for the resulting damages. If a plaintiff is found partially liable, they will lose a percentage of their case award equal to their percentage of fault as long as they are less than 50% at fault. If they are 50% or more at fault, they cannot claim compensation from any other party.
Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Car Accident in Denver?
A: If you can prove that another driver is directly responsible for causing your recent accident, they are liable for the full scope of economic damages you suffered, such as vehicle repair costs, medical bills, and lost wages. You also have the right to claim pain and suffering compensation up to the limit enforced by state law. Your recovery may require an auto insurance claim as well as a personal injury suit.
Q: Do I Need to Hire an Attorney to File a Personal Injury Claim in Colorado?
A: You technically have the right to file a personal injury case without hiring legal counsel, but this is very risky for several reasons. You could make procedural mistakes that jeopardize your claim, or you could accept a smaller settlement than an attorney could have obtained on your behalf. Hiring an attorney significantly improves your chance of success with your case and the chance of maximizing your recovery.
Q: What Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney in Denver?
A: The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal accepts personal injury clients’ payments as a contingency fee. With a contingency agreement, your attorney takes a percentage of your final case award as their fee instead of charging upfront or ongoing attorneys’ fees. Additionally, they will only take this fee if and when they win your case. This prevents the client from paying more in legal fees than they win in compensation for their damages.
The right attorney is an invaluable asset after any vehicle accident in Denver. When you choose the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal to represent you, we will do everything possible to maximize your recovery in the shortest possible timeframe. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an attorney you can trust.
