Colorado Springs Car & Auto Accident Attorney
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Rear-End Car Accident
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Your Local Colorado Springs Auto Accident Lawyers
Why You Need A Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Many car accidents lead to serious injuries and in some cases can result in catastrophic or fatal injuries. These types of injuries require many different experts to properly assess the actual damage that was done, who was at fault and how much the victim should receive from insurance companies. Most insurance companies are going to look for any way possible to pay you the least amount possible, so it is imperative that you have an experienced car accident attorney represent you so that you can receive fair and full compensation.
At Rector Stuzynski LLC, we will collect & preserve evidence to support your case and bring in industry professionals such as financial experts, medical experts, accident investigators and accident reconstruction experts to ensure that we have the best chance possible at winning your case. It is essential not to miss any detail in these auto accident cases, as even the slightest detail could get missed and ruin your case so don’t risk it, call our office today for expert Colorado Springs car accident legal representation.
Common Causes Of Car Accidents
There are many different types of reckless driving that cause accidents across the front range everyday, but below you can find a list of some of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents:
Distracted Driving – Drivers that pay little attention to the road because they are talking to a passenger, changing the music, eating, putting on makeup, etc are a major liability to themselves as well as drivers around them especially with the recent rise in mobile device usage.
Texting While Driving – Texting and driving has become a very common occurrence among Colorado Springs drivers and has led to many serious injuries from the car accidents it causes. Texting or even reading text messages while driving takes you attention off the road and should be avoided at all times.
Reckless Driving – Reckless driving is very dangerous to yourself and other drivers around you. Speeding, weaving in and out of traffic and other forms of negligent driving are not tolerated in Colorado Springs and the offender could face charges for reckless driving as well as being deemed at fault for any motor vehicle accident they may have caused.
Driving While Intoxicated – Drunk driving or even driving while high on marijuana or other drugs is a major problem in Colorado and leads to hundreds of deaths every year and thousands of arrests. Your altered perception when intoxicated can lead to driving errors and even reckless driving behavior.
Speeding – Driving at excessive speeds or over the posted speed limits are the cause of many car accidents and the driver who was speeding will usually be the one to blame in the event of an accident.
Improper Use Of Intersections – Intersections are a very common area for car accidents to happen. Usually this stems from improper turning, turning left in front of oncoming traffic, striking pedestrians in crosswalks, running red lights or stop signs & more. Roundabouts have also led to many car accidents recently as many drivers are still not familiar with their proper use yet.
Drowsy Driving – Driving while you are tired from lack of sleep or even just exhausted from a long day of work is extremely dangerous and has been the cause of many fatal accidents over the years. Pull over right away and get some sleep if you are feeling drowsy while driving.
Defective Auto Parts – Sometimes accidents are caused by faulty parts on your vehicle such as the brakes, tires, electrical problems, motor issues or even transmission failures. These cases can often lead to the mechanic or car manufacturer being at fault in the accident claim.
Bad Road Design – Poor road design, bad signage, dangerous intersections or poor road markings can cause accidents and usually the municipality will be the at fault party in these cases, especially when there have been numerous other recorded accidents in that same area from similar issues.
Road Conditions – Rain, snow and sleet can give even the best drivers a scare sometimes. Snow causes excessively dangerous driving conditions and the number of car accidents goes up dramatically on days with snow packed roads here in Colorado Springs. Rain also makes it very hard to see which is a very common auto accident cause when driving in heavy rain.
What Are The Most Common Auto Accident Injuries?
- Head injuries, concussions and brain injuries
- Spine, neck or back injuries
- Whiplash
- Knee, leg, foot and ankle injuries
- Internal injuries and bleeding
- Bone breaks and fractures
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Permanent disfigurement & scarring
- Catastrophic injuries
- Death
What To Do After A Car Accident
For most minor car accidents, where it is only damage to vehicles, you can simply go through your insurance company to get compensation for the damages to your vehicle. However, when persons involved in the wreck were injured, there are some important steps to take right away to ensure you are able to receive a full compensation package from the liable party.
- Ask all passengers if they have been injured at all
- Call 911 for fast medical assistance
- Take pictures of the entire accident scene including the intersection, vehicle damages, skid marks, etc.
- DO NOT admit fault when speaking to the police or other drivers
- Get personal information and insurance information of the other drivers
- Write down the badge numbers of the police officers investigating the accident
- Get the addresses, names and phone numbers of any eye witnesses
- See a doctor after the accident for medical treatment and a full medical evaluation of any unseen injuries
- Obtain a copy of the police report of the accident as soon as it is available
- Contact our professional car accident attorneys at Rector Stuzynski LLC
Who Is Liable In An Auto Accident?
Who is at fault in an auto accident depends on many different factors in Colorado Springs and we are known as an “at-fault” state. To file a lawsuit you must be less than 50% responsible for the accident and any compensation you receive will be reflected based on how much of the accident was actually your fault. Some of the factors for determining the fault of the accident are as follows:
- The police report of the investigation of the motor vehicle collision
- Photos of the involved vehicles, the accident scene, skid marks and other details
- Eyewitness testimonies of what occurred during the accident
When fault is unclear or uncertain, accident reconstruction specialists are brought in to virtually recreate the collision and determine who was at fault.
Protect Yourself From Accidents With Uninsured Drivers
It’s a sad fact of life, but car accidents with uninsured drivers happen every day. Insurance rates can be expensive, and when times are tough, some drivers will make the wrong decision, counting on their assumed driving skills and/or luck to keep them out of harm’s way.
Being involved in an accident with one of these drivers can be very scary. Many questions may be running through your head like: Who will pay my medical bills? Who will pay for my car? I can’t work – will pay my lost wages?
Colorado does not require that drivers carry ‘uninsured motorist’ coverage; however, this coverage is a must. People drive irresponsibly and without insurance every day which can cause problems for the accident victim.
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you and your passengers in a situation where an uninsured driver is involved in an accident with you; essentially, your insurance company “steps in the shoes” of the driver that was at-fault and evaluates your claim for the same kind of damages you would have recovered from the at-fault party’s insurance, had they been insured.
This coverage gives you peace of mind that you and your family members and passengers are protected. This coverage will help cover your losses, and help you get your life back on track.
What Type Of Damages Can You Claim In An Auto Accident Lawsuit?
We take our auto accident cases very seriously at Rector Stuzynski LLC and provide every client with a thorough investigation of their case and a professionally put together lawsuit that is backed by hard evidence. In some cases, we are able to settle without a lawsuit, but in other cases, our experienced trial attorneys will go to court and fight the liable party and insurance company to get you the maximum compensation for your injuries and financial issues sustained from the accident.
You are entitled to a few different types of damage compensation when involved in an accident, such as economic damages, non-economic damages and punitive damages(sometimes).
Economic damages account for expenses with an actual number like medical bills, lost income from work, property damage repairs, lost earning capacity and more.
Non-economic damages may include personal losses such as pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, mental anguish, emotional stress and more.
Punitive damages are available in certain cases where the liable party acted willfully and wantonly and is administered as a punishment for their actions that caused harm to another person.
How Should I Handle A Rear End Accident?
A rear-end accident is one in which a driver hits another person from behind. Typically these types of accidents occur because people do not leave enough distance from the car in front of them, and they are distracted by something, or someone in the vehicle, or even by texting on their phones.
When a rear-end accident occurs, the driver of the rear vehicle is considered negligent in most cases. While it may seem like a fairly minor type of accident, rear-end collisions can result in serious spine injuries , with long term consequences. That’s why it’s important to call a Colorado Springs rear-end accident lawyer immediately after contacting the police and your insurance company.
These accidents can be extremely dangerous because in most rear-end accidents, the driver of the vehicle is unaware the accident is going to occur and it comes as a complete surprise. These types of accidents can lead to serious neck injuries, whiplash injuries , head injuries and even concussions because the driver’s head can be snapped back and forth, and if the driver’s head is turned when impact occurs this can be even more significant. Symptoms can occur immediately or sometimes take several days. Never under estimate your condition – even low speed accidents can result in serious injuries. Adrenaline can mask pain so that you are not aware of pain and injuries for some time following an auto accident.
If you or a loved one have had the unfortunate situation of being in a rear-end accident be sure to seek medical care, especially if you are experiencing headaches or pain in your neck or back. These types of injuries have the potential to be serious and can be permanent if not properly treated.
What To Do After A Hit And Run Accident?
Victims of hit and run accidents face a complex hurdle, especially if the accident is severe in nature. When a person who is responsible for causing an accident fleas the scene insurance companies can be disinclined to pay for injuries and damages until a determination that the responsible party cannot be located. In such a case, it is important to contact an experienced Colorado Springs hit and run accident lawyer.
A person who leaves the scene of an accident does so for a reason. Typically we see that these types of irresponsible individuals leave the scene because they are intoxicated, uninsured or possibly have a warrant out for their arrest in another matter.
If you are involved in a hit and run accident the first thing you should do is call the police so that a proper investigation can be done and properly documented. Take notes regarding as much information as you can remember from the other driver including the vehicle color, make and model, along with any other characteristics you can identify from the driver. Make sure you identify any witnesses as they may have more information regarding the hit and run driver. The second important thing you should do is get evaluated by a doctor.
You should notify your insurance carrier of the accident. Uninsured motorist coverage on your policy will cover you for injuries suffered as a result of a hit and run accident. Third, you should contact an attorney who can help you through this process, and who will fight to maximize the recovery you are entitled to.
Chain Reaction Auto Accidents In Colorado Springs
Chain reaction accidents are unfortunately common on Colorado roads, especially during inclement weather. When one accident causes multiple accidents, however, it can be difficult to determine who was to blame for the accident and subsequent injuries. Further complicating things, in chain-reaction accidents, there are often multiple parties responsible for various aspects of the accident The rules of the road come into play when figuring out fault. All drivers are required to keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of them. This means they are responsible for being able to stop in time, even if the roads are icy. A driver who rear-ends another vehicle will likely be responsible for that damage. Unless, however, a driver is pushed into another vehicle. This is where liability gets complicated.
Establishing fault is tricky in chain-reaction accidents and often requires a thorough investigation. Complicating the situation even more is that you may bear some responsibility for the accident as well. An experienced Colorado Springs car accident lawyer can review all aspects of the accident to determine exactly who is to blame for the crash and for your injuries. To do this your lawyer will need review evidence, such as skid marks, eyewitness accounts, police reports, and vehicle damage. If necessary, an accident reconstructionist may be employed.
What Is Your Accident Claim Worth?
Every car or auto accident case is different so we can’t put a number on it without digging deep into the details, but most minor accident settlement are around $15,000 when there aren’t major injuries. When there are injuries involved with extensive medical bills, lifelong injuries or catastrophic injuries, the dollar amount go up quite a bit. Let’s say your car was totalled because of another negligent driver and you have some back and neck injuries. The cost to replace the car could be tens of thousands of dollars, but the medical bills for current treatment and any treatment after the fact will also need to be covered in the settlement.
Also, remember that lost wages, emotional distress, injuries that will last your entire life as well as pain and suffering need to also be included when asking for a settlement amount. Most of the time a settlement will not be reached until all medical costs have been accrued so there can be an accurate amount of funds to cover all costs associated with the injuries.
Can I File An Insurance Claim Without A Police Report?
Yes you can! Policyholders have the right to compensation even if you didn’t file a police report. In most situations though, you will want to get a police report done so you have a non-biased third party account of what happened at the scene. The police report will also help the insurance companies determine who was at fault so that you can get compensation for your injuries.
It is also very common for people to be in shock after an accident and not realize they are injured right away. Things like whiplash, neck and back pain are very common in car accidents and sometimes take days or weeks for the injured party to notice. When you do notice an injury, it is best to get medically checked right away so that the liable party cannot blame those injuries on some other event. The sooner you have documentation of your injuries, the better, so make sure to contact an attorney if you have any questions about what to do as soon as possible.
How Can I Pay For Medical Bills?
Since most cases can’t be settled until all medical treatments have been performed for accurate settlement payments, you may be wondering how you are going to pay for your medical bills before you get your settlement. In most cases, we will look to your car insurance policy to see if it covers medical costs for yourself, as many policies do have this type of coverage. In some situations, you may not have this coverage so we then look at your health insurance coverage to see if you are eligible to have the bills paid for by that.
If none of your insurance covers the costs of treatment from your accident, then we will speak to your medical professionals and try to work out a pay later type of deal with them that is called a medical lien. This means that they will agree to perform treatment for you without upfront payment and will allow payment once the settlement funds have been disbursed. At the end of the day, you can be sure that our attorneys are ready to fight to help you every step of the way so you can get back to life as usual as quickly as possible.
How Much Do Car Accident Lawyers Charge?
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Areas We Serve
We serve clients injured in car & auto accidents anywhere throughout the state of Colorado, but we focus on residents of these areas: Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Fountain, Briargate, Monument, Black Forest, Pueblo, Canon City, Larkspur, Security-Widefield, Peyton, Falcon, Calhan, Castle Rock, Teller County, El Paso County, Elbert County, Park County, Douglas County and beyond.
