An early estimate of traffic fatalities compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that there has been a 10.5% increase in car crash fatalities from the nearly 39,000 deaths in 2020. Moreover, the IIHS indicates that there were 575 fatal crashes, 622 deaths, and hundreds of more injuries stemming from Colorado crashes.
Behind each of these numbers is a preventable death and a family left to deal with a vehicle accident’s high financial and psychological costs. Colorado Springs auto accident lawyers can help families address their losses and hold the responsible parties liable for the costs of their negligence.
At Gerash Steiner Blanton, P.C., we proudly represent car accident victims and their families in personal injury cases, helping them recover meaningful compensation for everything they’ve been through. We can help you understand your rights and effectively bring a claim against those responsible for your losses. Contact us today.
Leading Causes of Colorado Spring Car Crashes
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), unintentional injury is one of the nation’s leading causes of death for people aged 15-44. The CDC reports that these deaths were predominantly the result of car accidents. Some of the most common causes of Colorado car accidents involve:
- Impaired or Drunk Driving,
- Speeding,
- Distracted driving, and
- Aggressive driving.
These dangerous behaviors can lead to severe injuries and death, especially when occupants are not wearing a seat belt. Further, certain dangerous driving behaviors are more likely to occur under specific circumstances, such as around holiday weekends or late hours on the weekend. Despite widespread public service campaigns and the well-known dangers of these behaviors, accidents continue to occur at alarming rates throughout the country.
Damages After a Colorado Car Accident
A Colorado Springs motor vehicle accident can impose a significant economic and societal toll on anyone living or traveling in the state. The lifetime financial cost to society for each fatality is well over one million dollars, and over 90% of this amount relates to the workplace, household productivity, and legal costs. In addition, property damage and present and future medical costs represent significant losses incurred after an accident.
Car accident injuries can vary in severity and duration; however, the most common injuries after a car wreck include:
- Soft tissue injury,
- Whiplash,
- Broken bones,
- Lacerations,
- Burns,
- Limb loss,
- Traumatic brain injury, and
- Post-traumatic stress disorder.
After a Colorado car accident, injured victims or their families can recover compensatory damages. There are two primary types of compensatory damages.
Economic Damages
These damages refer to the tangible losses a person experienced because of another’s negligence. Examples of economic damages include:
- Emergency and other medical treatment,
- Physical therapy,
- Home health care,
- Medications, and
- Loss of income.
Generally, accident victims can prove economic damages by presenting medical bills, paychecks, and other verifiable documentation of their losses.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages refer to more intangible and abstract losses. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering,
- Mental distress, and
- Loss of the enjoyment of life.
Non-economic damages are very different from economic damages in that there is no way to provide documentation of a victim’s losses. Thus, it is imperative to have an experienced Colorado Springs accident lawyer assist you with identifying the full extent of your damages.
In rare cases, the court may even permit punitive damages. Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages serve to punish the at-fault party for particularly egregious and intentional misconduct. These damages are difficult to secure and require the experience of a skilled Colorado Springs auto accident lawyer.
Proving Liability After a Colorado Car Accident
Those seeking compensation for their injuries and damages after a Colorado car accident should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. These cases require a comprehensive understanding of complex procedural and substantive laws. A misstep at any stage of the case can lead to dismissal and be a complete bar to recovery. Avoiding such devastating errors and successfully getting you the compensation you deserve is an experienced attorney’s job.
To prove liability, the person seeking damages (i.e., plaintiff) bears the burden of proving their case by a preponderance of the evidence. Unlike criminal cases, this civil standard essentially means that the party shows that the fact in dispute is “more likely than not.” Again, your attorney will be familiar with this burden of proof, and they will know how to meet it and win your case.
Importance of Colorado Springs Auto Accident Attorneys
A Colorado Springs auto accident lawyer can assist accident victims in meeting their burden of proof and collecting appropriate compensation for their losses. Attorneys are invaluable during the insurance claims process and settlement negotiations with the at-fault party or their insurance company.
In addition, an attorney can investigate the case, gather evidence, arrange for expert depositions and testimony, compile records, and present a compelling and legally sound case for compensation before a judge or jury.
Comparative Fault in Colorado
In addition to presenting a strong case for compensation, a Colorado Springs accident attorney can help refute defenses the other side may raise. For example, in many cases, the at-fault party will claim that the victim was somehow responsible for the accident. It is especially important to combat these claims because Colorado follows the modified comparative fault approach. Under Colorado’s modified comparative negligence theory of liability, a personal injury victim who is found to be 50% or more at fault will be unable to recover any compensation for their claims.
Have You Been Injured in a Colorado Springs Car Accident?
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in a Colorado Springs car accident, reach out to the dedicated personal injury lawyers at Gerash Steiner Blanton, P.C. Our dedicated team of Colorado Springs car accident lawyers has over a century of combined legal experience. We have the skill, knowledge, and tenacity you need to feel comfortable putting your case in our hands. To learn more and to discuss how we can help, contact us today. You can also reach us through our online contact form. And because we accept all car accident cases on a contingency basis, we will never bill you for our services unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Our experienced legal team handles other types of cases as well, including:
- Personal Injury
- Medical Malpractice
- Criminal Defense
- DUI Defense
- Railroad Accidents
- Estate Planning and Probate
- Fiduciary & Estate Litigation
- Employment Law
- Civil Rights
- Appellate Work