With the support of a seasoned Lakewood personal injury lawyer, you can recover the compensation you’re entitled to after suffering an unfortunate motor vehicle accident due to the negligence of others. At Boesen Law, a leading car accident law firm Lakewood residents trust, we’ve been managing injury cases in Colorado for decades. We help victims deal with local laws and regulations, handle insurers and paperwork, and build strong cases to secure rightful compensation.
We are here to do the same for you.
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.
Why You Need an Experienced Lakewood Car Accident Attorney at Boesen Law
Our legal team makes a significant difference in the outcome of the claims they work on. By trusting your case to a skilled accident lawyer at Boesen Law, you get:
- Free in-person consultation: Sit down with an accident attorney to discuss your case, determine your claim’s potential value, and receive advice on the best legal strategies to follow for your specific situation.
- Decades of experience helping the injured: With years of service in Colorado personal injury law, we possess the exact expertise and local court resources necessary to handle your case effectively.
- A boutique firm with big results: Our firm offers a personalized, boutique approach, yet our proven track record demonstrates our ability to secure multi-million dollar settlements.
- Available 24/7 for clients: We’re committed to being available around the clock, ensuring your needs and concerns are addressed promptly by dedicated car accident lawyers.
- No fee unless we win your case: Our contingency fee structure means you only pay if we secure a favorable outcome, eliminating financial risk and aligning our goals with yours for the best possible result.
Choosing Boesen Law means choosing a firm committed to fighting for your rights and ensuring you receive the best possible outcome for your case. You can rest assured our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Types of Lakewood Car Accident Claims We Handle
Crashes in Jefferson County reflect the city’s mix of urban congestion, steep highway grades, and fast-moving thoroughfares. Based on CDOT’s 2024 data and our own case history, the most common crash types across the city include:
- Rear-end collisions: Lakewood contributes a significant share of these crashes given its stop-and-go traffic on corridors like Wadsworth Boulevard and Union Boulevard. These often happen when drivers follow too closely or check their phones. A focused distracted driving accident attorney Lakewood relies on can subpoena cell phone records to prove fault.
- Broadside (T-bone) collisions: These frequently occur at intersections with complex signals like Colfax Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard, where drivers misjudge right-of-way.
- Rollover crashes: Navigating the curves and elevation changes near I-70 or US-6 can lead to devastating loss of vehicle control. Having a dedicated Lakewood rollover accident lawyer ensures the complex physics and road conditions of your crash are properly investigated.
- Rideshare vehicle collisions: With heavy traffic moving to and from the Belmar shopping district and Red Rocks, gig-economy crashes are rising. A knowledgeable Lakewood Uber accident lawyer can navigate the tiered corporate insurance policies involved in these specific cases.
- Commercial and roadwork zone crashes: Construction on major state highways introduces shifting lanes and heavy equipment hazards. Working with a Lakewood construction accident lawyer is vital when dealing with liable municipal contractors or negligent construction crews.
- Drunk driving accidents: When an intoxicated driver causes catastrophic harm, you need a fierce Lakewood drunk driver accident lawyer to pursue maximum damages, which may include punitive measures against the responsible party.
- Uninsured and underinsured crashes: Because many drivers on the road lack adequate insurance coverage, a Lakewood uninsured motorist accident lawyer can investigate your own UM/UIM policy to ensure your recovery is not limited by someone else’s financial irresponsibility.
- Motorcycle collisions: Riders lack the physical protection of enclosed passenger vehicles. A specialized Lakewood motorcycle accident lawyer understands how to calculate damages for the severe road rash and traumatic orthopedic injuries that result from careless drivers.
- Pedestrian impacts: Lakewood’s pedestrian-heavy zones around parks, schools, and commercial centers make pedestrian collisions a real risk. Our dedicated Lakewood pedestrian accident lawyer is highly equipped to protect those injured on foot.
- Defective vehicle parts: Sometimes the manufacturer is at fault for failed brakes, blown tires, or defective airbags. You will need a qualified Lakewood auto defects lawyer to hold large automotive corporations accountable. An experienced auto defects attorney understands how to navigate these highly complex product liability claims.
This case-specific knowledge helps maximize recoveries and ensures clients don’t accept low offers because an insurer argues liability is “unclear.” For instance, we recently secured $1,450,000 for a client who was side-struck on Arapahoe Road by a driver traveling 90 mph. The crash totaled their vehicle and left them facing a lengthy recovery with multiple surgeries and infections. Despite the initially bleak medical outlook, the settlement our accident lawyers Lakewood clients trust achieved has allowed the victim to cover significant medical costs and focus on healing, rather than financial stress.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Lakewood
To protect your legal rights and build a strong foundation for your compensation claim, our team recommends you follow these steps after a crash:
- Seek medical attention immediately: Besides protecting your health, visiting a facility like St. Anthony Hospital or an urgent care clinic is crucial to getting an official, time-stamped medical report of your injuries.
- Report the accident to the police: In Colorado, it’s required to call the police after an accident. Officers from the Lakewood Police Department will create an accident report that will serve as vital evidence.
- Document the scene and gather evidence: Take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, and note any relevant details such as weather conditions.
- Obtain contact information from witnesses: Get names and phone numbers from all present witnesses, as they can provide crucial independent testimony to support your case.
- Notify your insurance company: Report the accident promptly to start the claim process, but avoid giving unnecessary details or recorded statements before speaking with a car accident lawyer Lakewood relies on for guidance.
Taking prompt action can maximize your chances to take advantage of all the legal options available to you. We strongly recommend contacting Boesen Law as soon as possible before evidence disappears.
Do’s and Don’ts of Dealing With a Car Accident Case
Knowing how to handle your claim can have a huge impact on the outcome. From the moment the collision occurs, what you say and do can either strengthen or weaken your case.
Do’s
- Do seek medical attention immediately: Whether your injuries are minor or severe, it’s crucial to get evaluated by a medical professional to establish a documented record of trauma.
- Do gather as much evidence as possible: Take photos of the accident scene, your vehicle, the other driver’s vehicle, and any visible injuries. The more information you collect, the better your chances of proving your case.
- Do contact your insurance company: Even if you’re not at fault, report the incident to your insurance company promptly to avoid claim denials based on reporting delays.
- Do consult with a legal professional: A skilled auto accident attorney will guide you through every step of the process, from negotiating with insurance adjusters to gathering local evidence. They will protect your rights and ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Don’ts
- Don’t admit fault: Even if you believe you may have contributed to the crash, never apologize or admit fault at the scene. Liability is determined after a full investigation.
- Don’t settle too quickly: Insurance companies routinely offer fast, lowball settlements to avoid paying full compensation. Never accept a check without first having an auto accident lawyer Lakewood courts respect review the offer.
- Don’t ignore medical advice: If your doctor recommends ongoing physical therapy or follow-up visits, attend every appointment. Gaps in your medical treatment give the insurance company a reason to reduce your compensation.
- Don’t sign anything without consulting a lawyer: Insurance adjusters may try to get you to sign a medical release or settlement agreement that limits your ability to recover future compensation. Always review these documents with your legal counsel first.
Sneaky Tactics Used by Insurance Companies to Devalue Your Claim
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their primary goal is to minimize payouts to protect their bottom line. Without an attorney, you may fall victim to tactics such as:
- Requesting recorded statements: Adjusters will try to get you on the record early, hoping you accidentally say something that implies fault or downplays your injuries.
- Delaying your claim: By stalling the investigation and communication, they hope your mounting medical bills will make you desperate enough to accept a lower settlement.
- Disputing medical treatments: Insurers often argue that your recommended treatments are “unnecessary” or claim your injuries are pre-existing conditions rather than a result of the crash.
- Blaming you for the crash: They will actively look for ways to shift a percentage of the fault onto you to reduce what they owe.
What If You Were Partially At-Fault in a Car Crash in Lakewood?
In Colorado, civil courts apply the rule of modified comparative negligence. This means that even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you could still recover compensation, as long as your percentage of fault is less than 50%. However, the amount of compensation you can recover will be reduced by your assigned percentage of fault.
For instance, if a Jefferson County jury finds you to be 30% responsible for the crash, your final compensation will be reduced by 30%. If your total damages were $100,000, you would receive $70,000.
What’s critical here is ensuring that the percentage of fault attributed to you is accurate. Insurance companies will aggressively try to assign as much blame to you as possible to protect their profit margins. This is where skilled Lakewood car accident attorneys come in. Our team will gather evidence, consult with accident reconstruction experts, and build a highly defensible case to reduce your share of fault and maximize your compensation.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Lakewood
Collisions occur for various reasons, but according to the Colorado State Patrol, the majority of local crashes stem from driver negligence. Overall, the most frequent causes include:
- Distracted driving: Phone use, texting, and eating take a driver’s eyes off the busy roads.
- Drunk driving: Driving under the influence significantly impairs judgment, reaction times, and depth perception.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces the driver’s ability to brake for sudden traffic changes on highways like US-6.
- Failure to yield: Ignoring right-of-way rules at busy intersections often results in dangerous broadside collisions.
- Poor road conditions: Unplowed snow, ice, and poorly maintained asphalt can cause drivers to lose control.
- Mechanical failures: Faulty brakes, blown tires, and other vehicle defects turn cars into unpredictable hazards.
What Constitutes Serious Bodily Injury in a Car Accident?
In Colorado, serious bodily injury is legally defined as any injury that involves a substantial risk of death, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any body part or organ.
When serious bodily injuries are involved, there are heightened legal repercussions for the responsible party, which often results in much larger compensation claims. This is because such injuries profoundly disrupt a victim’s life, hindering their capacity to work and diminishing their overall quality of life.
Common Injuries Sustained from Car Accidents
- Fractures and broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Severe whiplash and neck trauma
- Internal injuries, internal bleeding, or organ damage
- Deep lacerations and cuts
- Severe burns from vehicle fires
We have seen how all of these injuries can lead to significant damages, such as astronomical hospital bills, lost income, and severe emotional trauma. Seeking compensation through the civil justice system is vital to cover these costs and support your long-term recovery.
Tragically, some collisions result in fatal injuries. When a family loses a loved one due to another driver’s negligence, a compassionate Lakewood wrongful death lawyer can step in to help surviving family members seek justice. We pursue dedicated claims to cover funeral costs, loss of consortium, and the permanent loss of future earnings.
The Car Accident Claims Process: What to Expect
Understanding the legal timeline can ease your stress while you focus on healing. While every case is unique, the general path to compensation involves:
- Initial Investigation: Our team acts immediately to gather police reports, secure witness statements, and obtain potential dashcam or surveillance footage to establish fault.
- Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement: We wait until your doctors fully understand the long-term prognosis of your injuries. Settling before MMI can leave you paying for future medical treatments out of pocket.
- Sending the Demand Letter: Once your damages are fully calculated, we compile your economic and non-economic losses and send a comprehensive demand to the at-fault party’s insurer.
- Aggressive Negotiation: We go back and forth with the insurance adjusters, leveraging the evidence we’ve built to secure a fair offer.
- Litigation and Trial: If the insurer refuses to negotiate in good faith, we will officially file a lawsuit and represent you fearlessly in Jefferson County civil courts.
Maximizing Compensation for Car Accident Victims
Depending on the specific damages in your case, our team of Lakewood car accidents lawyers is prepared to help you recover diverse types of compensation, including:
- Medical expenses: Encompassing all healthcare costs from the accident, such as emergency room visits, surgical procedures, and future medical care.
- Lost income: Reimbursement for earnings lost due to the inability to work, including both immediate wage loss and long-term earning capacity disruption.
- Pain and suffering: Financial compensation for physical discomfort, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional trauma experienced as a result of the collision.
- Rehabilitation costs: Funds for necessary recovery services, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, and mobility aids.
- Property damage: Financial coverage for repairing or replacing your vehicle and other personal property destroyed in the crash.
Drawing on our extensive local experience and successful trial track record, we provide a realistic valuation of your claim. During your consultation, our lawyers will listen to your story, analyze similar precedents from our case results, and discuss the specific monetary compensation you are legally entitled to.
Attorney Jon Boesen notes:
“People often wonder what their car accident claim might be worth. In Colorado, settlements can vary widely – from tens of thousands for soft-tissue injuries up to several million for life-changing harm like paralysis or brain injuries. At Boesen Law, we’ve secured as much as $4 million for motor vehicle accident victims. The key is thorough documentation – medical bills, wage losses, and the long-term impact on your life. The sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better your chances of knowing the real value of your case and avoiding low offers from insurers.”
When to Involve a Lakewood Car Accident Lawyer
Many victims are unsure about exactly when they should seek legal representation. While it’s tempting to think that minor fender-benders can be resolved quickly with a simple insurance call, the reality is that personal injury cases often turn highly complex. This complexity arises from insurance bad faith tactics, unforeseen medical complications, or aggressive disputes about liability.
You should involve a professional immediately if:
- You suffered any serious injuries: Even injuries that seem minor at first, like neck stiffness, can lead to long-term chronic pain and mounting medical bills. A legal advocate ensures your future treatments are fully covered.
- The accident involved significant property damage: High repair costs often lead to delays and disputes with insurance companies.
- There’s a dispute about fault: Insurers will point fingers to protect their bottom line. A thorough investigation is needed to assess comparative fault accurately.
- The insurance company is offering a low settlement: Insurance corporations are businesses designed to pay out as little as possible. If you’re offered a settlement that doesn’t cover your basic needs, your legal counsel will negotiate fiercely for your rightful payout.
- The accident involves commercial entities: Crashes involving delivery trucks, city buses, or rideshare vehicles involve overlapping regulations and massive corporate insurance policies.
Consulting with a legal advocate early in the process gives you the advantage of having someone preserve vital evidence from day one.
Statute of Limitations
In Colorado, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is three years from the date of the motor vehicle accident. This means that if you don’t file your civil claim in the appropriate court within three years, you permanently lose your right to seek financial compensation.
However, there are critical exceptions to this general rule:
- Government-owned vehicles: If your accident involved a government vehicle, such as a city snowplow, RTD bus, or municipal utility truck, strict rules apply. You must file a formal notice of claim within just 180 days of the accident. Missing this accelerated deadline can bar you from recovering any compensation.
- Minors and incapacitated individuals: If the injured party is under the age of 18 or is mentally incapacitated by the crash, the statute of limitations clock may be paused or extended.
Failing to file within the statutory deadline will result in your case being immediately dismissed, no matter how strong your evidence is. That’s why it’s important to act quickly. Our legal staff is ready to ensure all local court deadlines are met and your case is filed properly and on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to go to court for my car accident claim?
No, the vast majority of car accident claims are settled out of court through negotiation. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, our trial-tested attorneys are fully prepared to present your case before a judge and jury.
How much does it cost to hire a Lakewood car accident lawyer?
At Boesen Law, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means your initial consultation is completely free, and you pay zero out-of-pocket costs. We only get paid a percentage of your settlement if we win your case.
What if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance?
If the other driver is uninsured, we can file a claim against your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage. This ensures your medical bills and damages are still covered without directly raising your monthly insurance rates for an accident that wasn’t your fault.
Why Choose Our Lakewood Car Accident Lawyers? We Have Decades of Experience Helping the Injured
Choosing Boesen Law means partnering with a formidable legal team with a proven track record of success in handling severe injury cases across Jefferson County. Our local expertise, unyielding dedication, and commitment to client satisfaction set us apart from other firms in Colorado.
When searching for accident lawyers Lakewood families trust after a traumatic event, look no further for the expert legal representation you need. With no upfront costs and a strict contingency fee structure, you can pursue your claim confidently, knowing your financial interests are fully aligned with ours. Contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation initial consultation.
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.
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