If you have been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation if the accident was caused by another person’s negligence or recklessness. All drivers have a duty to maintain and operate their vehicles with due care to avoid causing harm to other road users. Owners of vehicles are also required to have insurance to cover any injury or damage to property that may involve their vehicles. Being in a collision with an insured vehicle is no guarantee that your claim will be paid out with no issues. Dealing with insurance companies can be complex, but you do not have to deal with it yourself.
An experienced Fort Collins personal injury attorney can assist you by taking on the responsibility of dealing with insurance companies and fighting to ensure you receive the rightful compensation you deserve. If you have been injured in a car accident, you have rights and we can help you. For more information about how a car accident attorney in Fort Collins can help you, reach out to Dulin McQuinn Young.
- Our firm was built by trial lawyers who embody the will to win. We believe there is no greater honor than fighting for people who can’t fight for themselves.
- We have a proven track record in the courtroom and record trial recoveries on behalf of injured clients.
- We have been fighting for our client’s rights for over 20 years.
- We are recognized for our trial results and record recoveries.
At Dulin McQuinn Young we will fight to get you the full and fair compensation that you deserve. You deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you have capable legal representation fighting for you. Let our Fort Collins car accident lawyers help you. Call (303) 246-1111 today to schedule your free consultation.
Common Injuries Associated with Fort Collins Car Accidents
Car accidents can result in very serious, catastrophic injuries. Your injuries may leave you unable to work or even return to the same type of work that you did before the accident. Some injuries associated with car accidents include:
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones and lacerations
- Severe burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Sprains
What to Do After a Car Accident in Fort Collins
The steps you take after you have been involved in a car accident can have a great impact on your claim and your experience with the insurance companies. After a car accident, these are some things you should do:
- If the accident occurred in moving traffic and it is safe to do so, you should move your vehicle away from traffic to a safe place.
- Get the name, driver’s license, insurance information, car license and registration details, and contact information for all the drivers involved in the accident.
- If you or any person involved in the accident is injured, seek prompt medical attention. Even if you do have no visible injuries, it is advisable that you get an evaluation from a medical professional as you may have internal injuries.
- 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.
- Get the names and contact information of any possible witnesses at the scene of the accident.
- Keep records of every expenditure you make related to the accident and your injuries.
- Document the accident with pictures and videos. You want photographic evidence of the damage to the vehicles, other property damage, the surrounding environment, and injuries.
- Contact a Fort Collins car accident attorney as soon as you can.
When Should I File a Claim for a Fort Collins Car Accident?
If you have been injured in a car accident, you have a limited time within which to file a claim. To allow a fair process for both parties in a claim, the law limits the time that certain cases may be filed against a defendant. The rationale for such time limits is to allow the defendant time to get the best evidence possible for his defense. While the statute of limitation aims to protect defendants, it is also to your advantage to file your claim as quickly as possible. When your lawyer is not under the pressure of exhausting the statute of limitation in your case, she can conduct a thorough investigation and gather compelling evidence to support your claim.
In Colorado, the statute of limitation for personal injury claims that arise out of the use or operation of a motor vehicle is three years. That means if you were injured in a car or truck accident, for instance, you must file your claim within three years after the date of the accident in which you were injured.
Will I Get Compensation If I Was at Fault For the Car Accident?
You may be afraid to seek compensation for your injury because you feel that you might have contributed in some way to the accident that caused your injury. Having some fault does not bar you from seeking compensation. In Colorado, the legal system applies a modified comparative negligence approach, which allows you to seek compensation for your injury as long as your portion of fault is less than 50%. In these situations, your recoverable damages will be proportionally reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned to you.
How Much Compensation Will I Get for My Car Accident Injury in Fort Collins?
The amount of compensation you get will depend on the severity of your injuries, the value of actual damages you suffered, and sufficient evidence to prove the value of your claim. Damages for which you may be entitled to compensation include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Property damage
- Past and future lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
When you are represented by Dulin McQuinn Young, you know that we will fight to get the best outcome possible in your case.
Colorado Car Insurance Laws
All drivers in Colorado are required to maintain minimum amounts of liability insurance, which covers damages they cause to others. The required liability insurance minimums are:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death to one person
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death to more than one person
- $15,000 for property damage
You file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to seek compensation for your medical bills, property damage, and other financial and non-economic losses.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Fort Collins
Most car accidents are caused by driver error. Leading causes of car accidents in Fort Collins, Colorado include:
- Speeding – Drivers may speed or engage in other forms of risky driving, which can put other motorists at risk and increase the likelihood of collisions.
- Distracted driving – Cell phones, other electronic devices, and other distractions can take a driver’s mind off the task of driving, hands off the steering wheel, and eyes off the roadway. Distracted drivers are more likely to cause collisions because they do not notice hazards until it is too late.
- Violating traffic rules – Drivers may disobey traffic laws, causing crashes in the process. They may run red lights or stop signs, fail to yield, follow too closely, or otherwise break the law.
- Impaired driving – Driving requires a lot of cognitive and manual control. When drivers are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, these abilities may be impaired, increasing the likelihood of collisions.
- Tired driving – Fatigued Drivers may exhibit signs similar to those of impaired drivers. They may have delayed judgment and reactions that make crashes more likely.
Car accidents can also happen for other reasons, including poor road or weather conditions, improper road maintenance, mechanical failure, or product defects. An experienced Fort Collins car accident lawyer can review the circumstances of your case and identify all parties who bear fault for your accident.
How Do I Prove Fault in a Car Accident?
Because Colorado is an at-fault state for car accidents, the party responsible for causing the accident is responsible for paying for the damages they caused. However, to recover compensation through an insurance claim you will need to prove the other driver is at fault. Evidence that might help prove fault include:
- Accident reports
- Eyewitness statements
- Pictures and video footage of the accident
- Medical records
- Reports from accident reconstruction experts
An experienced lawyer can identify the evidence necessary to establish and strengthen your claim.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Fort Collins Car Accident Lawyer?
Some accident victims fail to hire a personal injury lawyer because they think they cannot afford legal services. They try to handle their claim on their own, only to find the insurance company unrightfully denying their claim or trying to minimize its value. At Dulin McQuinn Young, we provide high quality legal representation on a contingency-fee basis. We only get paid if we recover compensation on your behalf. Our fee is a percentage of what we recover for you and is outlined in our retainer agreement.
Contact a Fort Collins Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you have suffered injury or lost a loved one in a car accident caused by another person’s negligence, the Fort Collins car accident attorneys at Dulin McQuinn Young can help you get the compensation you are entitled to. Our goal is to defend your rights and get you the best outcome possible in your case. Your initial consultation is free so take action and contact us today at (303) 246-1111.