Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer

100+ Years' Experience Representing the Injured in Colorado

Being injured in a car accident in Colorado Springs, is a painful and confusing experience, especially when you are bombarded by expensive medical bills and nonstop calls and emails from insurance adjusters. When this happens, you need a team of advocates on your side who can represent your interests an aggressively pursue the compensation you need.

With more than 100 years of collective experience, our Colorado Springs car accident lawyers at Clawson & Clawson, LLP have the skills and knowledge to guide you through this difficult time. Having represented car accident victims throughout Colorado Springs, Parker and Pueblo for decades, you can count on us to deliver the compassionate service you need.

"5/5 Stars" - Client Review

I have used Michael for my auto accident. I wish Michael and I would have crossed paths many years ago! He is a down-to-earth lawyer, very trustworthy, and affordable! His attention to detail is outstanding and he communicates effectively. Michael is an aggressive lawyer who is knowledgeable in all areas of law he practices. I am very SATISFIED with the outcome of my case and will continue to use Michael. - Rich, Former Client

Crucial Steps After a Car Accident

While there is much emotion and stress immediately after a car accident, it is crucial that you stay calm and follow certain key steps to protect yourself. If you suffered injuries from your collision, it is extremely important that you do your best to cover all of the following issues:

1. Check on all parties involved: Due to the amount of blunt force involved in a car accident, many individuals suffer severe injuries. As long as you don't compromise your own safety, you are obligated to check on the other driver and passengers involved in the accident. Once all parties have been accounted for, alert the police or call 911 if necessary. It is also helpful to move vehicle out of the roadway if damages aren't too severe.
2. Avoid over communicating with the other driver: Once you have checked on the health and safety of the other driver and exchanged the appropriate information, you should avoid any further communication with the other party. You can always engage in polite small talk, but never admit to any wrong or apologize for the accident, as it could be used against you later on. You should always wait to discuss your liability until you have spoken with a personal injury lawyer.
3. Gather as much evidence as possible: Your personal testimony can only go so far, which is why it's important to collect as much information as possible from sources around you. Talk with any witnesses who may have viewed the accident objectively, take as many photographs as possible and make detailed notes of the factors leading up to the accident.
4. Alert your insurance company: Regardless of your liability in the accident, report the incident to your insurance company as soon as possible. The more detail and information you give them supporting your claims, the more willing they will be to work with you during your case.
5. Enlist an attorney: While some accidents can be handled quickly, those involving injuries often take more care and attention. You may meet opposition from the other parties involved, including your own insurance company. An attorney will be able to help you review all the information and evidence involved, building a strong case for your car accident claim.

Why Do You Need an Auto Accident Lawyer?

Many people wonder why they need a car accident attorney if they can just go through their car insurance. While you do not have to retain an attorney for an auto accident claim, doing so can be extremely beneficial. Far too many car accident victims receive settlements that are much lower than they deserve, or could have been achieved help from legal counsel. Additionally, car insurance claims can become highly complex, and having an advocate by your side who can explain and guide you through this situation could make all the difference in your case.

Unfortunately, insurance companies are not on the driver's side and will do whatever it takes to reduce the value of your claim. Our Colorado Springs car accident attorneys can investigate your case and advocate on your behalf so that you receive maximum compensation for any vehicle damage, medical expenses, and even emotional suffering such as PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder).

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help You Get Full Compensation?

Do I need a lawyer for a car accident? As we said before, you technically do not have to have an attorney, but getting full compensation for your damages and losses becomes a lot easier with one. If you have been injured in an auto accident, it is important to get legal help from a car accident attorney who can provide the necessary services to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your losses and damages.

A qualified car accident lawyer will be able to guide you through the process of filing a claim and fighting for justice. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of compensation that are granted to you by Colorado personal injury law, including medical bills, insurance claims, pain and suffering damages, lost wages, property damage costs, punitive damages and more. With their help, you can make sure that your rights are protected throughout the entire process.

Here are just a few of the tasks an auto accident attorney can help you with:

• Investigating the cause of the accident to determine negligence and fault
• Collecting evidence such as photographs, witness testimonies and traffic reports
• Filing a claim with the at-fault party's insurance company
• Negotiating with insurance adjusters to reach an appropriate settlement agreement
• Representing clients in court proceedings if necessary
• Advocating for clients’ rights under Colorado personal injury law
• Helping victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage costs, pain and suffering damages, punitive damages and more
• Protecting individuals from aggressive tactics used by insurance companies or other entities attempting to reduce their liabilities
• Helping individuals find appropriate medical care providers who can provide quality care while they recover from their injuries

What Are the Common Causes of Car Accidents?

While there are dozens of issues and events that can lead to car accidents, the top three causes of car accidents in America are:

• Speeding
• Drunk driving
• Distracted driving

Thousands of people get behind the wheel after consuming alcoholic beverages on a daily basis. According to the anti-drunk driving group Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), people drive drunk more than 300,000 times each day, but only about 2,800 are arrested. Accidents caused by drunk driving are 100% preventable, but continue to occur due to people's irresponsible behavior. Speeding is another common issue that leads to a majority of car accidents in the United States. It contributes to one third of all car accidents, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Not surprisingly, distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents. Drivers tend to partake in various activities while behind the wheel, including:

• Talking on a cell phone
• Texting
• Eating
• Talking to other passengers
• Applying makeup

While individuals may think it will save them time to partake in such activities while driving, it can cause a serious, and often deadly, car accident. Those who use cell phones and other hand-held devices are four times more likely to get into a car accident than those who strictly pay attention to the road.

Understanding the Car Accident Claims Process

After a damaging traffic collision, you must file a car accident report with the local police department before you leave the scene. It is important to limit your discussion to the law enforcement or medical staff present and never admit any sort of fault or liability. Beyond that, all you really have to do is come talk to us.

With the information you provide and a comprehensive case evaluation, our firm can take it from there. We will speak with the police to learn all of the details of the car accident in order to gather critical evidence that supports your claims. We will also want to communicate with any medical staff that treated you for injuries sustained in the collision to learn how much compensation will be necessary to fully cover your medical expenses. Lastly, we can converse with the insurance providers of the other drivers involved to determine if they have admitted any fault or divulged crucial information, such as the fact that they may have been texting or intoxicated when the car accident occurred.

Proving Liability After a Car Accident

Colorado is a "fault" state for car accidents. This means if another driver caused your crash due to his or her negligence, you can pursue compensation for your injuries and losses by filing a claim with their auto insurance provider. Determining liability is not always easy, however. Since there are at least two sides to the story, fault in a car accident is usually determined based on a compilation of all the facts. This includes an investigation of the scene and the damaged property, collecting eye-witness testimonies and even involving expert witnesses such as accident reconstructionists.

Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties may share fault for your collision, including:

• Other motorists on the road
• The manufacturer of the vehicle (if the crash was caused by a defective auto part)
• Local government agencies (if the crash was caused by a roadway defect)
• Local bars, stores, or restaurants that serve alcohol (if the driver that hit you was intoxicated)

Can I Recover Damages If I Was Partly At Fault For A Car Accident In Colorado?

In Colorado, you can still receive compensation even if you bear partial responsibility for a car accident. Under the state's "modified comparative negligence" rule, you are eligible for compensation as long as you are not found to be more than 50% at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.

If, for instance, you were 20% responsible for an accident and your total losses were $100,000, your compensation would be reduced by 20%, leaving you with an $80,000 recovery. It's crucial to understand that if you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you would not be eligible for any damages.

Due to the challenges of establishing liability and calculating damages, it is vital to consult with a Colorado Springs car accident lawyer at Clawson & Clawson, LLP. Skilled personal injury attorneys can assist you in collecting necessary documentation, negotiating with insurers, and crafting a strong case to secure the maximum compensation. Their expertise in Colorado's comparative negligence laws ensures they can represent your interests effectively.

If you believe you were partially at fault for a car accident, don't hesitate to seek legal advice. A skilled attorney can evaluate your case, explain your rights, and help you navigate the legal process to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Colorado's Car Insurance Requirements

Colorado requires all motorists to carry the following minimum insurance coverage to operate a motor vehicle on the state's roadways:

• $25,000 for bodily injury or death to any one person in an accident;
• $50,000 for bodily injury or death to all persons in any one accident; and
• $15,000 for property damage in any one accident.

Colorado Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Laws

Things get more complicated in situations where one or more drivers involved in a collision do not have insurance.

Colorado law regarding uninsured and underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage changed in January 2008. According to the Colorado Revised Statutes § 10-4-609, all drivers with UM/UIM policies will notice the following major changes:

1. Auto insurance companies can no longer "offset" (reduce) the amount they give you by deducting the amount of liability insurance the at-fault driver has.
2. Auto insurance companies can no longer include "anti-stacking" language in their uninsured motorist policies. This means that people (particularly families) who have multiple auto insurance policies can add UM/UIM coverage to each individual policy.

A majority of Colorado insured drivers are covered by UM and UIM policies, which is extremely beneficial considering one out of every seven drivers on the road does not have auto insurance (national statistic). Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage works by making up the difference between the cost of accident-related expenses and the at-fault driver's insurance coverage.

Say for example you were injured in an auto accident and your medical bills total $35,000. Since the minimum liability coverage required for bodily injury in Colorado is $25,000, the accident victim's UIM policy could make up the difference- $10,000.

At this point you may be wondering if you have UM / UIM coverage. By law, unless you expressly waived your right to this coverage, your auto insurance policy will automatically include this. To learn more, speak directly with a car accident lawyer from our firm. Call (719) 602-5888 today.

Damages Available in Colorado Springs Car Accident Cases

If you have suffered any form of physical or emotional injury as a result of a car accident in Colorado Springs, our attorneys can help you seek the full compensation you are due. The exact value of your case will vary depending on the specific circumstances surrounding your crash, the extent of your injuries, and the level of evidence proving the other driver's liability.

Money won in a car accident settlement can be used to pay for dozens of items, including:

• Past, present, and future medical bills
• Any necessary surgeries
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Rehabilitation
• Car repair or replacement costs
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Wrongful death (if a loved one passed as a result of the crash)

Special Damages vs. General Damages

Generally speaking, any damages that can be quantified in a monetary amount can be claimed in a car accident insurance claim. The damages in an insurance claim are usually divided into two categories. The first category is known as the category of special damages. These are expenses and losses that have directly resulted from the car accident. Any money that was lost due to the incident is included in this category. This applies to emergency medical response costs, medical treatment, cost of surgery, cost of prescription medication and the predicted future costs of treatment and care.

Furthermore, this also includes any money that is lost by the inability to work for earnings. Many car accident injury victims are unable to work for a period of time or even permanently due to their injuries. This lost income can also be added to the special damages in the claim. The other type of damages is known as general damages. These are not necessarily financial losses but can be compensated with financial awards. For example, a victim can claim damages for the experience of past, current or future pain and suffering, for the loss of enjoyment of life due to catastrophic or permanent injuries and the loss of independency due to a permanent disability. While money cannot take these difficulties away, it is an attempt to compensate the victim in a practical manner.

Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits in Colorado

It is important to know that your time to take legal action after a car accident is limited. Under Colorado Revised Statutes section 13-80-101, all lawsuits related to car accidents, whether they be for personal injury, property damage, or both, must be filed within three years of the date of the accident. If someone tragically dies as a result of a collision, the victim's family has two years from the date of death to pursue a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.

If you try to file a car accident lawsuit after the applicable filing deadline has passed, your case will most likely be dismissed and you will lose your ability to recover compensation. This is why it is crucial to get an attorney involved as soon as possible after your collision to guard your rights and protect yourself against potentially costly pitfalls. The more time you give your attorney to build a strong case on your behalf, the better your chances are of having a successful outcome.

It is important to note that these deadlines only apply to car accident lawsuits, not insurance claims. Most auto insurance policies require you to file a claim or at least notify your insurer that you were involved in a collision "promptly" or "within a reasonable time", which can be as little as a few days or a few weeks at most. Failure to notify your insurer can result in a denial of coverage or even termination of your policy.

How Long Does It Take To Settle A Car Accident Case?

The timeline to resolve a car accident lawsuit in Colorado hinges on factors like injury severity, case complexity, and insurer cooperation, typically spanning several months to over a year. Consulting adept Colorado Springs car wreck attorneys can expedite the process. They are backed by years of experience and know how to adeptly manage court proceedings and negotiations to swiftly secure rightful compensation.

Auto Accident Statistics at a Glance

Every year, it is estimated that between 2 and 3 million Americans are injured in a motor vehicle accident. According to NHTSA data released in December 2020, there were an estimated 2.74 million roadway injuries in the United States in 2019 alone. That is separate from the more than 36,000 car accident fatalities that occurred this same year. Statistics like these prove to show that as common as car accidents are, their potential to cause damage and injury should never be underestimated.

According to these figures, an injury-causing car accident is likely to occur every 14 seconds on average. Each one of these accidents involves its own victims, unique difficulties and a separate set of damages. The costs of car accidents can increase exponentially when injuries are involved as the victims now face the cost of medical expenses and the loss of wages on top of the property damage to their vehicle.

Nearly 10 million people are involved in car accidents on an annual basis, and almost all of them could have been prevented. According to the Centers for Disease Control, car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States.

As for Colorado, The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) records more than 25,000 car accidents in the state every year. Not all accidents are investigated by the CSP; most are investigated independently.

The statistics compiled from the 30% of car accidents the CSP does investigate indicated that the most common causes of accidents are:

• Exceeding a safe speed - accounts for over 5,000 accidents annually
• Inattentive to driving or "distracted driving"- accounts for over 4,000 accidents annually
• Animal caused- accounts for over 3,000 accidents annually
• Lane violations- accounts for over 2,000 accidents annually
• Following too closely or "tailgating"- accounts for over 2,000 accidents annually
• Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI)- accounts for over 1,000 accidents annually and the highest number of traffic fatalities in the state, about 70 annually.

El Paso County has one of the highest car accident rates in the entire state of Colorado. According to data from the CSP, there are more than 2,000 car accidents in El Paso County annually, coming in only second to Jefferson County. No matter what the cause or type of accident you were involved in, we encourage you to seek legal counsel from our law firm as soon as possible.

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Colorado Springs

If you were injured in an auto accident because of a negligent or careless driver, or your accident was caused because of an outside factor such as a mechanical defect or road defect, contact a car crash attorney at Clawson & Clawson, LLP. Our injury lawyers have secured millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients, and we can fight to ensure that you get what you deserve. Initial consultations are free! We have locations in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Parker.

Call Clawson & Clawson, LLP today at (719) 602-5888 for more information about passenger rights and how you can recover damages as the passenger of a vehicle involved in a car accident.

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