If you have been injured in a Colorado Springs car accident caused by another person’s negligence or wrongdoing, you may be entitled to financial compensation. All road users have a duty to avoid causing harm to other road users.
As part of their duty, car owners must maintain and operate their vehicles with due care and carry insurance to cover any damage in case they are involved in an accident. When you are injured in a car accident, dealing with insurance companies can be stressful. The insurance companies will often try to avoid paying your claim or the full value of your claim.
An experienced Colorado Springs car accident attorney can relieve you of the stress of dealing with the insurance companies and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. If you have been injured in a car accident, we can help you get justice.
For more information about how a Colorado car accident lawyer can help you, reach out to Dulin McQuinn Young.
- Our team of Colorado Springs personal injury lawyers has more than 20 years of experience.
- Dulin McQuinn Young firmly believes that there is no greater privilege than advocating for the rights of our clients.
- We have a proven track record in the courtroom and record trial recoveries on behalf of injured clients.
- Our trial results and record recoveries set us apart.
For competent representation in your car accident case, contact the Colorado Springs car accident attorneys at Dulin McQuinn Young. We will help you understand the legal process, file your claim, and protect your interests every step of the way.
Call us today at (303) 246-1111 or click here to schedule your free consultation.
Why You Should Work with a Colorado Springs Car Accident Attorney
Colorado is an at-fault car insurance state. Unlike in no-fault car insurance states where your insurance company covers your losses up to a limit, without having to determine who was at fault, in an at-fault state, a determination of fault is required before the insurance company pays a claim.
When an insurance company receives a claim, they will investigate the accident, and usually, their aim is to limit their liability or avoid the claim altogether. Working with an experienced Colorado Springs accident attorney who understands the insurance companies’ tactics is the best way to protect your claim.
At Dulin McQuinn Young, our experienced car accident lawyers in Colorado Springs will help you in the following ways:
- Investigate the cause of the accident
- Identify the legally responsible parties
- Help you understand the insurance claims process and be by your side through every step
- We will defend your position and fight to get your the most possible compensation
Contact us today for your free consultation.
“If you’re looking for a personal injury law firm, I highly recommend Dulin McQuinn Young.” -B. W.
How Much Compensation Can You Get in a Colorado Springs Car Accident Case?
When you have been injured in a car accident caused by another person’s negligence, you will typically be entitled to compensation for your total damages. Your total damages include the economic and non-economic losses that you suffered as a result of your injury. Economic damages are tangible losses such as past and future medical expenses and lost wages.
Non-economic damages are intangible losses such as pain and suffering, and mental anguish. The amount of compensation you can recover for your car accident injury in Colorado Springs will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of your injuries, the actual value of your claim, and any fault that can be attributed to you.
At Dulin McQuinn Young, our Colorado Springs car accident attorneys will fight vigorously to defend any attempts by the responsible party to shift the blame for the accident on you. Our knowledgeable attorneys have the knowledge and skills to pursue your claim and secure the best possible outcome in your case.
Legal Options for Recovering Financial Compensation After a Car Accident
The legal options available to you after a car accident will depend on who is responsible for your crash, insurance coverage available, and the circumstances surrounding your claim. In most situations, you will file an insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance provider.
In Colorado, all motorists are required to carry minimum liability insurance in the following amounts to pay for the damages they cause through their negligent driving:
- $25,000 for bodily injury to one person
- $50,000 for bodily injury to more than one person
- $15,000 for property damage
If the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient insurance to cover your damages, you may be able to file an uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) claim with your own insurance company. All Colorado auto insurance policies include this coverage unless the insured has rejected it in writing.
If insurance is insufficient to cover your losses, you may have other legal options. There may be other parties who share fault in the case, such as the at-fault driver’s employer if they were working at the time of the accident or a bar that overserved the driver. It may also be possible to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
An experienced attorney can review your particular case and determine the legal options available to you.
What Is the Deadline to File a Car Accident Claim in Colorado?
While most personal injury cases in Colorado have a two-year statute of limitations, claims involving the operation of a motor vehicle have a three-year statute of limitations. This means that you must file your personal injury lawsuit within three years of the accident date to preserve your legal right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.
If you miss this deadline without taking legal action, you can forfeit your right to recover compensation through the civil court system. Protect your legal rights by contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer today.
Will I Get Compensation if I am at Fault in a Colorado Springs Car Accident?
Colorado is an at-fault state. It operates under fault-based laws, meaning that the driver found at fault for the accident is responsible for covering the damages they cause. Typically, this is handled by filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s liability insurance provider.
If you are partially at fault for the accident that caused your injury, you may still be eligible to recover some compensation. Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence approach, which means that you can still get compensation for your injury as long as the percentage of fault attributable to you is less than 50%. In such cases, your recoverable damages will be reduced by the percentage of fault apportioned to you.
How Do I Prove the Other Driver Was At Fault?
For you to recover compensation after a car crash, you will have to show the other driver was at fault, you and your lawyer will need to prove liability. Most car accidents are based on the legal concept of negligence, which has four elements:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care – You must show the other driver had a specific legal duty. All drivers are required to follow traffic laws and take action to avoid collisions with others.
- The other driver breached the duty of care – You must show the other driver violated their duty of care by doing something wrong, such as speeding, or not doing something, such as failing to yield the right-of-way.
- The other driver’s breach caused the accident – You must connect the driver’s breach of duty and the accident. You must be able to show the breach directly caused the accident and not some other cause.
- You suffered damages as a result of the accident – You must demonstrate you have specific losses stemming from the car accident for which a court or insurance company can compensate you, such as medical costs, property repairs, or lost wages.
Our experienced car accident lawyers can conduct a thorough investigation to help prove negligence, which may include:
- Returning to the accident scene
- Collecting evidence
- Reviewing police reports
- Interviewing witnesses
- Hiring accident reconstruction experts who use scientific data to show how the accident occurred
Evidence that can help establish the four legal elements of your car accident claim may include:
- Duty – Traffic laws, rules of the road, and other legal doctrines
- Breach of duty – Video footage from traffic cameras, dash cams, and surveillance cameras, photos of the accident scene, and the location and damage to the vehicles
- Causation – Witness statements, photos, and videos, skid marks and other physical evidence, testimony from accident reconstruction experts
- Damages – Medical bills, pay stubs, letters from employers indicating your lost wages and benefits, receipts, pain journal entries, and invoices from body shops
Contact our personal injury law firm today to discuss your case in a confidential setting.
Most Dangerous Intersections in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Serious car accidents can occur anywhere in Colorado Springs, but recent statistics show that these motor vehicle crashes occur at certain locations more often than others. Factors such as busy intersections, heavy traffic volume, challenging sight lines, poor traffic control signals, and heavy pedestrian traffic can increase the likelihood of a crash.
Some of the most dangerous intersections in Colorado Springs, CO include the following:
- South Academy Boulevard and Woodman Road
- Garden of the Gods Road and Union Boulevard
- Tejon Street and Colorado Avenue
- I-25/W. Cimarron Street
- I-25/S. Nevada Avenue and S. Tejon Street
- I-25/E. Woodmen Road
- I-25/W. Garden of the Gods Road
- I-25/N. Nevada Avenue, S. Rockrimmon
- I-25/Uintah Street
- I-25/W. Filmore Street
- I-25/S. Circle Drive
- I-25/USHY 24 Bypass
- I-25/W. Filmore Street
- Powers Boulevard/Barnes Rd.
- Powers Boulevard/Dublin Boulevard
- Powers Boulevard/Stetson Hills Boulevard
- Powers Boulevard/N. Carefree Circle
- Powers Boulevard/Galley Road
- Academy Boulevard/Galley Road
- Academy Boulevard/E. Platte Avenue
- Academy Boulevard/N. Carefree Circle
- Academy Boulevard/Airport Road
- Austin Bluffs Parkway/N. Academy Boulevard
If you were injured at any of these locations or anywhere else in Colorado Springs in a car accident, reach out to Dulin McQuinn Young today for legal representation.
What to Do After a Colorado Springs Car Accident
The moment you are involved in a car crash, you must start thinking of what you need to protect your claim for damages. The actions you take in the aftermath of a car crash can determine whether you are able to recover compensation for your injury. After a car accident, there are several actions you should take:
- If the car accident happened in an area with moving traffic, it is advisable to move your vehicle away from the traffic to a secure and safe place if it is safe to do so.
- Call the police and make a police report. If the police report to the scene, they will take a report there. If not, you can file an accident report online in Colorado.
- If you or anyone involved in the car accident sustains injuries, it is important to promptly seek medical attention. Even if there are no visible injuries, it is advisable to obtain an evaluation from a healthcare professional as internal injuries may be present.
- Get the name, driver’s license, insurance information, car license and registration details, and contact information for all the drivers involved in the accident.
- Get the names and contact information of any possible witnesses at the scene of the accident.
- Document the accident with pictures and videos. It’s important to capture photographic evidence of the vehicle damage, any property damage, the surrounding environment, and any injuries.
- Keep records of every expenditure you make related to the accident and your personal injuries.
- Contact a Colorado Springs car accident lawyer as soon as you can.
How Much Do Car Accident Lawyers Cost?
Our Colorado Springs car accident lawyers work these cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not have to pay any attorney fees upfront. Instead, payment for our legal services is contingent or conditioned upon our ability to obtain compensation in your case. If we can’t recover compensation, you don’t owe us for our time.
If we do recover compensation for your claim – either through a settlement with the insurance company or an award in court – we receive a percentage of the financial recovery we made on your behalf. This percentage is included in your written retainer agreement.
At Dulin McQuinn Young, we regularly work with car accident victims. We know the impact these accidents can have on people. You might already be struggling with unexpected medical bills, missed work, and pain and suffering. We don’t want you to worry about being able to afford our services. That’s why we offer our services on a contingency fee basis; you can pay us when you can afford to.
We also offer free consultations so you can learn about your legal rights and options at no cost to you. We want you to focus on healing without worrying about attorney fees while your case progresses.
Common Injuries Associated with Car Accidents in Colorado Springs
The severity of your injuries in a car accident will depend on the specific circumstances. The driver’s speed, other cars on the road, environmental elements, and road conditions can all contribute to a crash and the resulting injuries. Some injuries commonly associated with car accidents include:
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones and lacerations
- Severe burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Sprains
Car accidents can also cause psychological harm. These accidents can be traumatizing, leading to psychological conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression. An experienced car accident lawyer can ensure you receive prompt medical treatment so all your injuries are properly diagnosed. We can gather medical records to establish the full extent of your injuries and fight to recover fair compensation for them.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Colorado Springs
When you hire one of our experienced attorneys, one of the first things we do is investigate your case to determine how the accident happened, the factors that contributed to it, and who is responsible for it. Most car accidents are due to driver error. Common causes of car accidents in Colorado Springs include:
- Distracted driving or inattention
- Impaired driving
- Fatigued driving
- Mistakes caused by inexperienced driving
- Speeding
- Making unsafe turns or passes
- Violating traffic laws
- Following too closely
- Collisions with semi-trucks
Other factors can contribute to accidents besides driver error, including negligently maintaining a vehicle or defective auto parts. Defective roadways can also play a part. An experienced attorney from our firm can investigate your accident and determine who was at fault.
Get Help From a Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you have suffered an injury in a car accident or lost a loved one as a result of another person’s negligence, we can help you. Take action today and contact Dulin McQuinn Young today to schedule your free consultation with one of our Colorado Springs car accident attorneys.
Call us today at (303) 246-1111.