While every car accident is the product of a unique set of circumstances, they often fall into the same general categories, which can affect the types of injuries they cause and whether their victims could be owed compensation.
This page discusses some of the most common types of car accidents that give rise to personal injury cases in Denver. Read on to learn more, and don’t hesitate to contact the Olson Law Firm, LLC, to speak with an experienced Denver car accident lawyer at no cost to you. We look forward to meeting you, reviewing your case, and determining whether you may be owed money.
Common Types of Car Accidents in Denver
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, nearly 100,000 auto accidents occurred in the state in just one recent year. The majority of traffic accidents that year were rear-end collisions, T-bone accidents, and sideswipe accidents, but there were thousands of additional types of crashes.
Some common types of car accidents in Denver include:
- Rollover Accidents – Rollover accidents, in which a vehicle overturns onto its side or roof, are particularly dangerous and accounted for nearly one-third of all fatal accidents in the United States in one recent year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- Head-on Collisions – The force of the impact of two vehicles hitting each other head-on is a product of their combined weights and speeds, making it greater than in virtually all other collisions. It often causes severe injuries and even death.
- Hit-and-Run Accidents – Under Colorado law, failing to stay at the scene of an accident that results in property damage or injury is a crime. If the driver is never found, you might be entitled to compensation from the uninsured motorist coverage on your auto policy.
- Rear-End Collisions – Even when a rear-end collision occurs at a low speed, it can still cause severe injuries. Whiplash is common in rear-end crashes and can require extensive physical therapy and chiropractic care.
- Multiple-Vehicle Pileups – Multiple vehicles may be involved when an accident occurs on a busy road. If a driver is distracted or following too closely, they may be unable to avoid a collision if the car in front of them stops abruptly. In some crashes, the first car hit could be pushed into the path of another vehicle, setting the stage for a second collision.
- Side-Impact and Sideswipe Collisions – This type of collision occurs when the side of one vehicle collides with the side of another car traveling adjacent to it, often when one of the vehicles is merging into a lane occupied by the other. A vehicle’s side does not offer as much protection to occupants as the front and rear ends, so injuries from a sideswipe accident can be severe.
- Intersection Accidents – Accidents can happen at intersections because cars pass one another in different directions and at different speeds. If a driver is speeding, distracted, or makes an error, they can collide with another motorist traveling through the intersection.
- Single-Vehicle Crashes – If you were the passenger in a single-vehicle crash, you could be entitled to compensation from the at-fault driver. As a driver in a single-vehicle accident due to poor road maintenance, improper signage, vehicle malfunction, or a dangerous situation you swerved to avoid, you might be entitled to pursue compensation from the party responsible for the road hazard, even if your vehicle was the only one involved.
No two accidents are exactly alike, and determining the cause of an accident often requires the help of an experienced attorney who can use their resources and skills to investigate the crash.
Determining Liability for Auto Accidents in Denver
Determining who is at fault for a car accident can be difficult, but it is necessary when seeking compensation. Generally speaking, anyone whose carelessness, recklessness, or deliberately dangerous behavior contributed to an accident could be held liable for it and responsible for compensating injured parties. For example, if someone is too distracted by a text message to notice the car in front of them has stopped, they would likely be at fault for a subsequent rear-end collision and liable for any injuries suffered as a result.
To determine fault, investigators and insurance adjusters will look at evidence like:
- Photographs of the scene
- Videos of the accident
- Accident reconstructions
- Police reports
- Witness statements
An important thing to understand about car accidents in Colorado is that the state follows a modified comparative negligence system. That means you could still be entitled to compensation even if you were partially at fault for an accident, as long as the other driver was more at fault than you. However, the money you receive will be reduced by an amount equivalent to your share of the responsibility. So, for example, if an accident costs you $100,000 in losses and you are found to have been 30 percent at fault for causing it, you could receive $70,000 in compensation.
Knowing who was at fault is crucial because the insurance company will negotiate a settlement with these negligence laws in mind. The insurer might argue that you were more responsible for the crash to justify offering a lowball settlement. That is why having an experienced lawyer on your side is so critical. An attorney can investigate the crash to determine who is really at fault and to what degree and then negotiate with the insurance company to pursue maximum compensation.
Types of Compensation After a Denver Car Accident
If you were injured in a car accident that someone else caused, you might be entitled to seek compensation for losses, including:
- Current and future medical bills
- Long-term care and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
What Happens Legally After a Denver Car Accident?
Before you take legal action, it may be helpful to understand the steps that an attorney can take to help you pursue money for your injuries. While many people assume that hiring an attorney means they will go to trial, most cases are settled outside the courtroom. Some of the critical responsibilities of your attorney will be:
- Investigating the crash
- Determining liability
- Gathering evidence of your injuries and other losses
- Negotiating with the insurance company
- Filing a lawsuit and going to trial, if necessary
How Can Olson Law Firm Help Me After a Car Accident?
Insurance companies are looking out for their profits and have a vested interest in denying claims and minimizing payouts. Going to court to demand compensation can be complicated, and injured people who try to do so without the help of an experienced lawyer may find themselves at a significant disadvantage.
At the Olson Law Firm, LLC, we have the experience and skills to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and pursue the money you need at trial if necessary. Contact us today online or by phone for a free consultation.