When Do I Need an Aurora Auto Accident Attorney?
Navigating the aftermath of a car crash can be overwhelming and leave you with many questions:
- How do I file a car accident claim?
- Should I consult a car accident attorney in Aurora CO?
- Which law firm can I trust?
- What are the costs associated with hiring an attorney?
In cases where another driver’s negligence has caused your injuries, it is crucial to discuss your situation with a qualified Aurora car accident attorney. Various scenarios may benefit from legal expertise, especially if:
- Your injuries are serious or permanent and significantly affect your life.
- You are temporarily or permanently unable to work.
- You require ongoing medical treatment.
- You’re unsure about the process of filing a claim for your injuries.
- You’re wondering if you’re entitled to additional compensation beyond what the insurer is offering.
- You are concerned about your legal rights and getting fair compensation.
- The incident involved a commercial vehicle.
- There is uncertainty about who is at fault.
- The insurance company is pressuring you to accept a quick settlement.
It’s always wise to seek a professional legal opinion from our experienced attorneys, regardless of the apparent severity of your injuries. At our firm, we work on a contingency basis, which means that our help-from the initial free consultation to all legal representation-is provided at no upfront cost. You only pay if we obtain a favorable settlement or win your case at trial.
What Steps Should I Follow After a Car Accident?
The actions you take after a car crash are crucial to the potential compensation you may receive. It’s important to stay calm and follow these steps:
- If possible, move to a safe location.
- Call 911 if you are injured.
- Always seek immediate medical attention, even for seemingly minor injuries, as some problems, such as internal injuries, may not be immediately apparent.
- Collect insurance information, driver information, license plate numbers, and contact information.
- Get contact information for any witnesses.
- Give the police factual information without admitting fault.
- Obtain a police accident report number.
- Document the accident scene with photographs, including all vehicles involved, the accident scene, any property damage, and visible injuries.
- Check for surveillance cameras that may have captured the incident.
- Contact a personal injury attorney.
If you choose legal representation, your attorney will obtain the accident report. Otherwise, you may need to obtain it yourself by filling out the necessary forms. Most importantly, keep all documentation of lost wages, medical bills, and other relevant expenses related to your injuries. When in doubt, keep all records and let your attorney determine their relevance.
How Do I Obtain Compensation for My Damages?
There are several potential sources of financial compensation for your damages. Colorado law requires all drivers to carry minimum insurance coverage. Initially, your primary source of compensation should be your own insurance. Next, the other driver’s insurance may provide compensation.
In addition, other parties deemed at fault, such as an employer of a commercial driver, may also provide avenues for compensation. By securing a free consultation with our skilled Aurora car accident attorneys, we will carefully evaluate all possible sources to ensure you receive the comprehensive compensation you deserve.
How Can Comparative Negligence Affect My Compensation?
Colorado’s comparative negligence law, outlined in CRS 13-21-111, allows you to seek compensation even if you are partially responsible for the accident. This law requires an evaluation to determine each party’s degree of negligence. The amount of compensation you are entitled to is adjusted based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20 percent at fault, your total compensation will be reduced by the same percentage. This proportional adjustment ensures that compensation is fair and reflects your actual responsibility in the incident.
How Often Do Car Accidents Occur in Aurora?
According to statistics from the Colorado Department of Transportation, there were over 94,000 total vehicle crashes in the state in the most recent reporting year. Tragically, approximately 680 people died in these incidents in 2023, including a variety of road users such as 122 pedestrians, 20 bicyclists, 128 motorcyclists or scooter riders, 112 vehicle passengers, and nearly 300 drivers. Accurate data for Aurora alone is difficult to obtain, as reports typically detail crashes by county rather than by individual cities.
What Are Some Common Causes of Car Accidents in Aurora?
The reasons behind car accidents in Aurora vary widely, but common causes include:
- Adverse driving conditions due to weather such as fog, rain, snow, and ice.
- Distracted driving, especially texting while driving.
- Fatigue, which can cause drivers to fall asleep at the wheel.
- Impairment due to alcohol or drugs.
- Failure to maintain a safe following distance.
- Failure to yield the right of way, improper turns, and failure to obey traffic signals such as red lights or stop signs.
- Vehicle defects or unsafe conditions.
- Aggressive driving, including incidents of road rage.
- Erratic lane changes and failure to leave enough room before merging.
- Failure to check blind spots when changing lanes.
Common Car Accident Injuries
The range of injuries resulting from car accidents is extensive and can affect almost any part of the body. Due to the intense forces involved, the human body often struggles to withstand the impact of a crash.
Common injuries we see frequently include:
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue damage
- Joint dislocations and muscle strains
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Lacerations
- Burn injuries
- Head and brain trauma
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Organ damage
- Amputations
- Permanent disabilities
- Scarring and disfigurement
These injuries can be life-altering, requiring extensive medical intervention and significantly impacting the quality of life and mobility of victims.
Colorado Car Accident Laws
Navigating Colorado’s car accident laws can be daunting for injured victims, especially amidst concerns about physical recovery. At Galperin & Associates, our knowledgeable attorneys are well-versed in the nuances of Colorado’s legal landscape, including:
- Colorado is not a no-fault state, but an at-fault state, which means the party responsible for causing the accident is liable for damages. The injured party must prove fault in order to recover damages.
- Even if you contributed to the accident, Colorado’s modified comparative negligence rule allows for compensation as long as your percentage of fault is less than the combined fault of the other parties involved.
- Immediate reporting of any car accident resulting in injury, death or significant property damage is required by Colorado law. This will help support your insurance claim by providing a police report.
- The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in Colorado is three years. It is important to file within this timeframe to avoid losing your right to sue. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence, interview witnesses, and obtain police reports in a timely manner to strengthen your case.
Understanding these laws can profoundly affect the outcome of your case, and our firm is equipped to guide you through every step of the process.
How Much Will My Car Accident Case Be Worth?
Estimating the value of a car accident claim is complex because it depends on several factors specific to each case. These factors include the severity of your injuries, the circumstances of the accident, and your overall recovery. It can be especially difficult to determine the full extent of your losses before your treatment is complete.
Potential recoveries may include:
- Medical expenses, both present and future
- Wages lost during recovery
- Future lost earnings due to permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
An experienced car accident attorney in Aurora CO can critically assess your situation and gather evidence to quantify the losses you’ve suffered. They will advocate for a fair settlement to ensure that your needs are fully addressed. Contact Galperin & Associates to explore what compensation you may be entitled to from your personal injury claim.
How Can Our Aurora Law Firm Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve?
At Galperin & Associates, our dedicated team has a long history of helping Aurora auto accident victims successfully pursue the compensation they deserve. We handle all interactions with insurance companies, relieving you of this burden so you can focus on your recovery.
Our approach to car accident claims includes a thorough investigation before we present a settlement proposal to the at-fault party’s insurance company. Often, we can negotiate a fair settlement without going to trial. However, if the insurance company resists a fair settlement, we are prepared to vigorously represent your interests in court. Our Aurora car accident lawyers will be at your side throughout the entire process, with no upfront fees. We are not paid until we secure a settlement or win your case at trial.