Denver Car Accident Attorney
A car accident in Denver can have profound effects on your life. You may need immediate medical care for serious injuries, face weeks or months of missed work, and deal with vehicle repairs or replacement if your car was totaled. Many Denver car crash victims also suffer significant emotional distress and trauma, complicating their recovery process.
At Boesen Law, our Denver car accident lawyers understand the severe impact of motor vehicle collisions. Our injury law firm is prepared to assist you whenever you are in need of legal help. With decades of experience, our car collision attorneys have successfully represented injured people in Colorado and supported the families of those who have tragically lost their lives in fatal accidents. We handle a variety of car accident cases, including rear-end collisions, T-bone accidents, head-on crashes, multi-vehicle pileups, and hit-and-run incidents. Our dedicated team is committed to providing the compassionate and effective legal support you need to navigate the aftermath of such traumatic events.
Reach out to our law firm for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation today. Call our personal injury lawyers in the state of Colorado at (303) 999-9999 or contact us online.
What to Do After a Car Collision in Denver
We know that car crashes can be overwhelming and stressful for victims, but taking the right steps immediately afterward can help protect your health and legal rights. Here’s what we recommend you do if you find yourself in this situation:
- Seek medical attention immediately: Even if you don’t feel injured, some injuries might not be immediately apparent. Prompt medical attention ensures that any injuries are documented, which is crucial for your health and any future claims.
- Report the accident to the police: It’s important to have an official police report for legal and insurance purposes. This report serves as an unbiased account of the accident and can be crucial in determining fault. In Colorado, it’s essential to know whether you have to call the police after a car accident to file a car accident claim.
- Obtain contact information from witnesses: Witnesses can provide valuable testimony that may support your version of events. Be sure to gather names, phone numbers, and addresses of anyone who saw the accident.
- Notify your insurance company: Report the accident to your insurer as soon as possible to start the claims process. Provide them with the necessary details, but avoid giving recorded statements until you have legal counsel.
An experienced auto accident attorney at Boesen Law can guide you through the complexities of the legal process, protect your rights, and help you secure the compensation you deserve. At our law firm, we understand the impact a serious car accident can have on your life, and we’re here to help.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident Claim in Denver?
In Colorado, the statute of limitations (or filing deadline) for car accident claims is three years from the date of the accident. This is different from the standard two-year statute of limitations that applies to most personal injury lawsuits.
Also, if the defendant in a car accident case works for a government agency (local, state, federal) and the accident occurred while they were performing their duties for the government then the statute of limitations can be as low as 182 days.
However, it is still important that you take immediate action if you wish to sue the liable party for damages. If you wait too long, and the statute of limitations expires, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case. It is important to note that the three-year statute of limitations does not apply to insurance claims.
In fact, you likely have much less time to file an insurance claim after an accident. Most policies require you to file a claim within a “reasonable” time, which could mean several days or a couple of weeks. Additionally, if your loved one died due to a car accident, you only have two years from the date of their death to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
The sooner you reach out to our Denver car accident lawyers, the sooner we can begin gathering evidence against the at-fault driver, preparing your personal injury claim, and communicating with the insurance company on your behalf. Don’t wait until it’s too late—contact Boesen Law today to discuss your legal rights and options with a member of our law firm team.
What are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries in Denver?
In Denver, as in many other places, car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, varying in severity depending on factors such as the speed of the vehicles involved, the use of seat belts and airbags, and the point of impact. While every accident is unique, there are some common injuries that tend to occur more frequently. Here are some of the most common injuries from car accidents in Denver:
- Whiplash: Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when the head is suddenly and forcefully jerked backward and then forward, causing the soft tissues in the neck to stretch and strain. It is a common injury in rear-end collisions and can cause neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, and contusions, are common in car accidents and can affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments throughout the body. These injuries can cause pain, swelling, bruising, and limited range of motion.
- Back Injuries: Car accidents can cause a variety of back injuries, including herniated discs, spinal cord injuries, and fractures of the vertebrae. These injuries can result in chronic pain, numbness or tingling in the limbs, and in severe cases, paralysis.
- Head Injuries: Head injuries are a serious concern in car accidents, particularly if the head strikes the steering wheel, dashboard, or other hard surfaces. Head injuries can range from concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) to skull fractures and lacerations. Symptoms may include headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and changes in mood or behavior.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: Car accidents can cause fractures and broken bones in any part of the body, including the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis. Fractures may require surgery, immobilization with casts or braces, and rehabilitation to regain strength and mobility.
- Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma from a car accident can cause internal injuries such as organ damage, internal bleeding, and bruising of the internal organs. These injuries may not be immediately apparent and can worsen over time if left untreated.
- Psychological Injuries: In addition to physical injuries, car accidents can also result in psychological injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. These injuries may require counseling or therapy to address the emotional impact of the accident.
Is Colorado a No-Fault Car Insurance State?
Since 2003, Colorado has not been a no-fault car insurance state. This means that drivers can no longer turn to their no-fault insurance after an accident and receive financial compensation for specific damages through their personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments (MedPay).
Instead, injured accident victims must typically bring claims against the other person or party’s insurance provider to receive compensation for their:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- And other damages
This means that, if you were involved in a car accident with someone else, you will have to prove that they were at least partly at fault for the crash. Under Colorado’s rule of modified comparative negligence, you can file a car accident claim for damages if you were partly at fault as long as you were less at fault than the other party.
However, if you are found to share some of the blame, your total recovery will be reduced by your at-fault percentage. So, for example, if the insurance adjuster finds you 25% at fault for the car accident, you would only be able to recover up to 75% of the total amount you are seeking in damages.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident?
The exact type of compensation you can recover, as well as the overall value of your case, depends on several things, including the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical care, your degree of fault (if any), and more.
That being said, many car accident victims are entitled to compensation for the following damages:
Economic Damages
Economic damages related to car accidents in Colorado are typically quantifiable financial losses incurred as a result of the accident. These damages may include:
- Medical Expenses: This includes all costs associated with medical treatment for injuries sustained in the accident, such as hospital bills, surgery costs, medication expenses, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages: If the accident caused you to miss work due to injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for the income you would have earned during that time. This also includes any future lost earning capacity if your injuries result in long-term or permanent disability that affects your ability to work.
- Property Damage: Economic damages cover the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other property damaged in the accident, such as personal belongings or items inside the vehicle.
- Transportation Expenses: If you incurred expenses for alternative transportation while your vehicle was being repaired or if you needed transportation to medical appointments, those costs may be included as economic damages.
- Home Modifications: In cases of severe injuries that require modifications to your home to accommodate disabilities or medical equipment, the costs of these modifications may also be considered economic damages.
- Assistive Devices: If you require assistive devices such as wheelchairs, prosthetics, or other medical equipment as a result of the accident, the costs of purchasing or renting these devices may be included in economic damages.
- Funeral and Burial Expenses: In the tragic event of a fatal car accident, economic damages may cover the costs associated with funeral arrangements, burial or cremation, and related expenses.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are typically more difficult to quantify compared to economic damages because they are more subjective and may vary depending on individual circumstances, but they can still lead to compensation after an accident. These can include the following:
- Pain and Suffering: This encompasses the physical pain and discomfort experienced as a result of the injuries sustained in the accident. It also includes emotional distress, mental anguish, and the overall impact of the injuries on the victim’s quality of life.
- Emotional Distress: Non-economic damages may include compensation for the emotional distress and psychological trauma caused by the accident, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), and other mental health issues resulting from the traumatic event.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the injuries significantly impact the victim’s ability to participate in activities and hobbies they enjoyed before the accident, they may be entitled to compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life.
- Loss of Consortium: This refers to the loss of companionship, care, and support suffered by the victim’s spouse or family members as a result of the injuries. It may include the loss of intimacy, and affection, and the inability to engage in familial relationships as before the accident.
- Disfigurement and Scarring: If the injuries result in permanent disfigurement, scarring, or other visible impairments that affect the victim’s appearance and self-esteem, they may be entitled to compensation for the physical and emotional consequences of these changes.
- Loss of Reputation: In cases where the injuries cause harm to the victim’s reputation or standing in the community, non-economic damages may be awarded to compensate for the damage to their personal or professional reputation.
- Loss of Consortium: If the injuries lead to the loss of consortium, which refers to the loss of companionship, affection, and support from a spouse or partner, the affected individual may be entitled to non-economic damages.
Punitive Damages
In Colorado, punitive damages are a type of compensation awarded in certain personal injury cases to punish the defendant for particularly egregious conduct and to deter similar behavior in the future. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, which aim to compensate the victim for their losses, punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant and send a message that certain behavior will not be tolerated.
Essentially, punitive damages serve as a means of holding wrongdoers accountable for their actions and discouraging reckless or malicious behavior.
Below are some punitive damage examples in Colorado:
- Purpose: The primary purpose of punitive damages is to punish the defendant for their conduct and to deter others from engaging in similar behavior. They are not intended to compensate the victim for their injuries but rather to serve a broader societal interest in deterring wrongful conduct.
- Standard of Proof: In Colorado, punitive damages may be awarded only if the plaintiff can prove by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant’s conduct was willful and wanton or reckless. This is a higher standard of proof than the preponderance of the evidence standard typically used in civil cases.
- Types of Cases: Punitive damages are typically awarded in cases involving intentional misconduct, fraud, malice, or reckless disregard for the safety of others. They are less commonly awarded in cases of ordinary negligence.
- Allocation of Punitive Damages: In cases where punitive damages are awarded, they are typically paid by the defendant rather than by the defendant’s insurance company. However, in some cases, insurance policies may cover them if the conduct that led to the award is covered under the policy.
Car Accident Statistics in Denver
Denver is the 19th most populated city in America and is unfortunately home to thousands of car accidents every year. According to the Denver Regional Council of Governments, almost 68% of all crashes in Denver occur between two or more vehicles, 17% involve stationary objects, over 7% involve a vehicle that is parked, and over 1% involve a pedestrian.
The Colorado Department of Transportation states that more than 85% of all traffic accidents in Denver are preventable. One in every five 16-year-olds were involved in a crash, and car accidents are the leading cause of death for those aged 15-20 according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
62% of all car accidents involving a fatality were male, and younger male drivers between 15 and 34 years of age are shown to be disproportionately involved in fatal crashes. Following too closely accounts for 18% of all crashes, and careless driving accounts for 38% of all car accidents in the Denver area, both of which are preventable.
How Can A Denver Car Accident Lawyer Help You?
If you were to get injured in a Denver car accident, you would want to call an auto accident lawyer immediately. This is due to the different ways an attorney can help you protect your rights and get the financial compensation you need after a car crash. An experienced car accident lawyer, like Jon Boesen, is a valuable resource for victims of car accidents and their families. Jon will provide several services that the injured may find difficult or impossible to do themselves, as well as get the results other law firms cannot get.
These services include:
- Analyzing the facts of your case and determining who was responsible for the accident
- Investigating all aspects of a car crash including police reports, witness statements, photographs, and other evidence
- Negotiating with the insurance company to get you fair compensation
- Representing you in court or at trial if necessary
- Filing paperwork needed to open a claim or lawsuit
- Gathering medical records and bills related to the treatment of injuries suffered during the accident
- Calculating economic losses such as lost wages, benefits, cost of future care, etc.
- Estimating non-economic damages such as pain and suffering caused by physical harm resulting from your auto wreck
- Determining whether punitive damages can be collected for intentional actions that lead to personal injury or death after a vehicle collision
- Working with experts like economists who can testify about future income loss due to disability caused by an automobile crash
An experienced attorney can also help with filing claims against negligent drivers who cause crashes, provide legal advice, help navigate the complex insurance system, and work to ensure that those injured in a crash receive the financial compensation they deserve. With the right car accident attorney by your side, you can rest assured knowing that your rights will be protected throughout every stage of the process.
Our Denver auto accident lawyers can help you understand your legal rights and options, and guide you through the process of filing a claim or lawsuit. We offer free consultations to discuss your case and advise you as to whether or not it is appropriate for us to take on your case. We are here for our clients every step of the way during this difficult time.
Why Hire Boesen Law As Your Car Accident Lawyer in Denver
Boesen Law wants to turn every client that we work with into someone who lets other people know the kind of job that we did for them and that we’ll do the same for someone who’s in a situation where they need a personal injury attorney.
We always try to meet potential clients in person to understand better who they are, what they have been through, and how we can help. However, we can also discuss your car accident case over the phone at no cost if you are unable to make it into our office.
Denver’s High-Risk Intersections for Car Accidents
The Denver Police Department periodically releases an updated list of the most dangerous intersections. As of 2022, the list included:
-
Colorado Blvd and E Colfax Avenue: 44 motor vehicle accidents between January 1 and December 31, 2021.
-
W Mississippi Ave and S Santa Fe Dr: 33 MVAs in the same time period
-
W Mississippi Ave and S Platte River Dr: 32 MVAs in 2022
-
N Tower Rd and E 56th Ave: 31 accidents
Be sure to use extra caution at these intersections.
Common Types of Car Accidents in Denver
Car accidents in Denver can arise from many circumstances, each with its own set of challenges and implications. Here are the most common causes of accidents we see in our clients’ claims:
- Rear-end collisions: Often caused by sudden stops or following too closely. These accidents can cause whiplash and other significant injuries.
- Side-impact crashes: Typically happen at intersections when a driver fails to yield or runs a red light, leading to serious injuries due to the minimal protection on the sides of vehicles.
- Head-on collisions: Among the most dangerous types of accidents, usually caused by wrong-way driving or veering into oncoming traffic.
- Multi-vehicle pile-ups: Common on highways and can involve multiple cars, leading to complex insurance claims and severe injuries.
- Hit-and-run accidents: These occur when a driver leaves the scene without providing contact information or assisting the injured, complicating the process of securing compensation.
- Rollover accidents: Often involve high-profile vehicles like SUVs and trucks, and can result in severe injuries or fatalities due to the vehicle overturning.
No matter who was at fault, our team of lawyers is ready to listen to your story, build a strong case on your behalf, and claim the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Denver
One of the key elements of determining liability for a car accident is identifying the cause of the crash. By analyzing how the accident occurred, one can reasonably determine who caused it and, therefore, who is liable for the victim’s damages.
The most common causes of car accidents include:
- Speeding
- Aggressive/reckless driving
- Distracted driving, including texting
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Following too closely/tailgating
- Making unsafe or illegal turns
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Unlawful passing
- Road rage
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Violating traffic laws
- Stopping suddenly causing a rear-end collision
- Driving erratically
- Unsafe merging or lane changes
- Cutting off other drivers
- Fatigued driving
One thing most car accidents have in common is the element of negligence. When other people are careless or reckless, they can cause serious accidents that may result in catastrophic injury or wrongful death.
These individuals should be held accountable. Our Denver car accident attorneys can help you take legal action against the liable party and seek the full, fair compensation you are owed.
We Offer No Legal Fees Unless We Win
Many people are understandably concerned about the cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer. After all, when you are already dealing with expensive medical bills and lost income, paying for an attorney can seem like just another expense.
However, at Boesen Law, we offer our legal services on a contingency fee basis. This means that our attorneys’ fees are contingent on them winning your case. In other words, you pay nothing upfront or out-of-pocket when you work with our firm, and our attorneys only collect legal fees if they recover a settlement or verdict for you.
We encourage you to reach out to our legal team today to learn more. Our multilingual staff can assist you in English, Russian or Spanish, and we offer same-day appointments by request.
If you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle collision, the most important thing you can do is call us as soon as you can. If you know someone that’s been involved in a motor vehicle collision, push them to give us a phone call as soon as possible. When we can talk with you early in a potential case or a claim during our initial consultation, it’s going to make a difference. What you don’t know will hurt you in these kinds of claims, and so we want to make sure that we educate you, and inform you so that you make good decisions.
Our Law Office
5675 DTC Blvd., Suite 250, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Phone: 303-999-9999
Reach out to our law firm for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation today. Call our personal injury lawyers in the state of Colorado at (303) 999-9999 or contact us online.
