Have you been injured in a car wreck in the state of Colorado? You may have legal options. If you or a loved one sustained injuries after an auto accident caused by negligence, you may be able to collect compensation.
If serious injuries occurred during the car accident caused by negligence, you may be eligible to collect maximum compensation. This type of compensation, known legally as ‘damages,’ can be used to pay for any expenses that came as a result of the accident. Damages can include medical bills, vehicle damages, lost wages during the recovery period, and more.
Below, you will find more information about how car accident claims work, what affects them, the benefits of working with a lawyer, and top-rated injury lawyers in Colorado.
What To Know About Colorado Car Accident Claims
There are several different factors that can affect Colorado car accident claims. One of the most important and impactful factors is negligence.
This means that a driver can only be held liable for your car accident injuries if the driver was negligent when the accident happened, and their negligence is what led to the accident and your injuries.
Motorists can be considered negligent in a number of different ways, from driving under the influence to texting and driving to driving when they are too tired to do so.
More major aspects that can influence Colorado car accident cases include the following:
- If the at-fault driver was uninsured
- Whether or not you were insured at the time
- Did you seek medical attention after the accident
- If there was more than one at-fault driver
- If you are experiencing emotional distress as a result of the accident
- If you or the other driver left the scene
- Whether or not you or the other driver experienced any impairment
If you have any questions about the claims process in Colorado, contact the law offices of Florin|Roebig today for a free consultation.
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
There are many frustrating aspects of being involved in a car accident in Colorado or any other state, including the insurance claim-filing process. Filing an insurance claim is notoriously difficult for a reason: your insurance company does not want to pay you what you deserve.
Speaking with a Florin|Roebig attorney about your insurance claim can be very helpful. Our car insurance attorneys are knowledgeable about Colorado insurance laws.
When you or a family member are ready to begin an accident claim, the following are the general steps you should take first:
- Gather evidence for your car accident claim: In this step, you will need to collect videos and pictures of the accident that were taken while on the accident scene.
- Read over your insurance policy: Take a few minutes to get familiar with your insurance policy; many people do not remember what their insurance policy covers.
- Contact the Florin|Roebig law firm for a free evaluation: Even if your case is pretty simple, it still benefits you to have a person who is well-versed in Colorado’s accident laws on your team. This may seem like a simple step, but it is very important.
- Request a copy of the police report: This important documentation of your car accident will enable your insurance provider to decide who was at fault, who was liable, and how much compensation you should receive.
- Call your insurance provider: Once you have gathered all of the evidence, the police report, and have obtained an attorney, it is time to file your insurance claim. Contact your insurance agent to begin the claims process.
Once you have filed your insurance claim, you will likely have an insurance adjuster sent to investigate the accident on behalf of your insurance company. The adjuster will evaluate the damage and injuries, help determine fault and liability, and suggest a settlement amount.
If you feel the adjuster has made a mistake in their evaluation, the other driver does not have proper liability insurance, or if you believe your insurance company is trying to get out of paying you what you are owed, contact Florin|Roebig for help.
Colorado Laws For Car Accident Cases
The United States allows each individual state to set up its laws regarding things like car accidents and personal injury law. This can be a bit confusing for people who may have just moved to Colorado or people who may not be familiar with car accident and personal injury law.
In Colorado, it is important to know that:
- Colorado considers the key points of negligence to be duty, breach, causation, and damages.
- Colorado has a comparative fault system, which means that a car accident victim can recover damages as long as they are found to be less than 50% responsible for the accident.
- Colorado’s statute of limitations on car accident and personal injury claims is three years. This means that you only have three years from the moment the accident occurs to file your claim. It may seem like a lot of time, but it passes very quickly.
- Colorado has a “duty to report accidents to police” law. This requires drivers in vehicle crashes that result in bodily injury or property damage to contact law enforcement and file a report.
- Colorado also has an “Insurance Company Duty of Good Faith” law, which requires Insurance companies to do their best to fulfill insurance policies.
If you believe your insurance company is not acting in good faith, or if you have questions regarding Colorado’s specific traffic accident and personal injury laws, contact the law offices of Florin|Roebig today.
2023 Colorado Car Accident Statistics
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), there were 1,525,948 auto accidents in Colorado in 2023. While the overall number of accidents involving fatalities decreased, there were still a staggering 666 fatal car crashes.
Other important crash facts for the state of Colorado:
- Negligent driving was a major contributing factor in Colorado motor vehicle accidents in 2023.
- There were 38,149 auto accidents involving serious injuries in 2023.
- Aggressive driving behaviors also frequently contributed to car accidents involving bodily injury and fatalities in 2023.
Fault In Car Accidents
You may have heard the word “fault” mentioned if you have been involved in a car accident. In order to be at fault for an accident, a driver must have caused an error that could be considered negligent on their part (breaching their duty of care to other drivers), such as drunk driving.
The state of Colorado is an at-fault state for auto insurance. This means car accident victims must file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company in the case of a car accident.
When negligence is tied to fault, the at-fault party can be held liable for your injuries. This means their auto insurance may have to compensate you via a claim, or they may have to compensate you directly via a personal injury lawsuit if insurance denies the claim.
In Colorado, all motorists are required to carry liability protection within their insurance policy — this pays for bodily injury, fatalities, and vehicle damages.
However, not every car accident is caused by the driver. Other factors could be involved, such as unpredictable weather conditions, faulty road design, or a vehicle manufacturer error.
Who Is Liable in a Car Accident Personal Injury Claim in Colorado?
The legal jargon can be difficult to understand if you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident. Another important legal term you will likely hear after an accident is liability.
Due to the many factors that affect liability, there may be more than one liable party in a personal injury claim in Colorado. Liability is important for your insurance company when determining settlements.
In most cases, car crashes are caused by driver error. Examples of driver error include failure to yield, tailgating, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and drunk driving. If a driver makes an error that is considered negligent, they could be held liable for any vehicle damage or car accident injuries that occur as a result of the accident.
However, the other driver may not be at fault or liable if external factors, such as faulty road design or slippery roads, caused the accident. For example, if your car had faulty brakes due to a manufacturer design error, the liable party would be the vehicle manufacturer, not the other driver.
If you have questions regarding your accident, a skilled Florin|Roebig personal injury lawyer can help you understand who is liable for your injuries.
Consideration Of Negligence, Degree Of Fault
For people who have not studied law, there are many terms that are involved in the claims process that can be confusing.
Negligence, when talking about personal injury claims, refers to any actions or behaviors that were the reason injury, property damage, or other related consequences occurred.
Distracted driving has become a common cause of accidents on the roads of Colorado over the past few years.
“Colorado has faced a rise in accidents caused by distracted and negligent drives, which is a big concern for all drivers who need to share the road,” explains Chad K. Florin, one of the leading attorneys of Florin|Roebig.
The laws regarding negligence can affect your settlement and whether you are even eligible to file a personal injury claim in the first place.
The following are the most common types of negligence in personal injury claims filed by car crash victims:
- Gross negligence: Refers to the serious disregard for the safety of motorists or for driving laws, which can then result in a collision. Gross negligence generally must have happened in order to file a claim for car accident injuries.
- Comparative negligence: Most states use this type of negligence system. Comparative negligence considers a person’s level of blame for the collision in comparison to the blame of other drivers involved in the collision. Each driver is allocated a percentage of fault, and damages awarded are adjusted accordingly.
- Contributory negligence: In this type of negligence system, you will be unable to file a car accident claim to seek fair compensation if you are found to be even 1% at fault for the accident.
In most cases, fault in car accidents may seem like a clear concept, but it is not always that clear-cut and easy. Auto accidents are rarely the fault of only one driver. Varying degrees of fault are assigned by courts based on a range of various factors.
The following are important points of information regarding fault in general:
- Damages can still be recovered in no-fault states. Despite what most people think, extensive injuries in an auto collision in a no-fault state may still make you eligible to receive payment for your injuries as long as your injuries exceed your personal injury protection (PIP) policy.
- Your level of fault may reduce your settlement. Living in a state that uses a comparative fault system means you will be able to file a claim against the negligent driver; however, your percentage of fault will decrease your settlement amount. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, you will be given a settlement amount of less than 20%.
- Fault may block you from claiming damages. In contributory negligence states, you will not be able to file a personal injury claim if you are found to be at fault at all.
Contact Florin| Roebig’s lawyers today if you have questions about fault, liability, or the different types of damages available to claim. Our team of civil and trial lawyers understands how complicated and confusing the legal process or the claims process can be.
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
Auto accidents in Colorado can have short-term and long-term problems that extend beyond the immediate aftermath of a serious car accident. Medical expenses caused by serious injuries from a car accident, for instance, can take years to pay off.
Additional ways an accident can impact your life include:
- Losing your job
- Losing potential income
- The loss of your transportation
- Loss of independence (such as an injury that requires ongoing assisted care)
- The cost related to pain and suffering
- The development of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Any loss of companionship (such as losing a spouse)
- Needing to make modifications to accommodate your injury, such as widening doorways and adding a ramp if you require a wheelchair after the accident
Due to the impact the accident has had on your life, it is paramount that your settlement reflects and accommodates your needs.
The Florin|Roebig law firm has won millions in case awards for its clients, assisting and compensating them for their car accident injuries to help them rebuild their lives after a major accident.
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What To Do After A Car Accident in Colorado
If you or someone you love has been in a car accident, you may feel overwhelmed by the aftermath. There are often many questions that need to be answered and a lot of paperwork that has to be completed quickly.
The following are the basic but necessary steps you should take if you have been in an auto accident in Colorado:
Seek Medical Care
The very first thing you need to do after being in any kind of accident is to make sure that you and your passengers are physically okay. If the accident is bad, an ambulance will usually be dispatched to the scene to check over the accident victims.
Even in mild to moderate accidents, whiplash and other deep-tissue injuries can occur. It is important that if you are not checked out at the scene of the accident, you have a follow-up appointment with your general practitioner within the next two to three days.
Exchange Contact Information
After an accident, it is important for both drivers to give each other their contact information to help with insurance claims and the police report.
Information to gather includes:
- Names
- Phone numbers
- Driver’s license numbers
- License plate numbers
- Driver’s insurance information
It is also important to note that if any of the drivers do not have insurance, this can affect the personal injury claim. You will need to give your insurance information to the other driver also so that they can begin their claim process as well.
Contact the Police
Anyone involved in a car accident should contact the police, even if it is not a serious accident, in order to have an official report. If the accident is not severe, you can call the non-emergency number of your local police department.
The police officer who is sent to the scene of the accident will investigate the scene, talk to all drivers, interview any witnesses, and write up an official report detailing what happened. This report will be very helpful when pursuing a personal injury claim.
Collect Photos and Videos
Once you have determined that you are physically okay and that you are now out of harm’s way, it is important to collect as much evidence from the accident scene as possible while you are there. You can do this by taking photos and videos of the following:
- The cars involved
- License plates
- Injuries
- Anything that contributed to the accident (such as bushes that can block your view)
- Statements from witnesses can be recorded on your phone
- You can record your own statement
These details can be very helpful when it comes to building your car accident claim or your personal injury lawsuit. Contact Florin|Roebig today when you are ready to begin the claims process in Colorado.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Once you have made sure you are okay, you have gathered evidence of the accident, and you have exchanged information with the other driver, it is time to call your insurance provider and file a claim.
Your insurance provider will need your insurance policy information, your contact information, and information about your car. They will ask you to go over the accident and ask detailed questions, and then they will contact the other insurance company themselves so you do not have to.
Hire a Florin|Roebig Colorado Car Accident Attorney
The most important step after an auto accident in Colorado is to contact a personal injury attorney who is knowledgeable about Colorado laws and has expertise in car accidents. The good news is that Florin|Roebig is available and ready to offer you a free consultation.
During this consultation, an attorney will review the details of your case and explain your options. If you choose to hire a Florin|Roebig attorney, you will learn that they work on a contingency basis, which means you will not have to pay attorney’s fees if they do not win your case.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
There are a number of different ways that hiring a personal injury attorney from Florin|Roebig can help you get the settlement you deserve for your accident. The Florin|Roebig attorneys provide free consultations to discuss your car accident case and how they can help.
“I am a triple board-certified trial attorney and one of the founding partners at Florin|Roebig, and my specialized training and extensive courtroom experience are your key advantages for securing a higher settlement or trial victory. My expertise has been critical in navigating complex car accident cases in Colorado, where a deep understanding of local laws is essential. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you need an attorney who not only knows the law but also has a proven track record of successfully outmaneuvering major insurers to ensure you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve.”
Tommy Roebig, triple board-certified civil trial attorney.
The following are the advantages of hiring a Florin|Roebig attorney for your car accident case:
Car Accident Case Experience
If you are not an attorney, it can be beneficial to have an attorney’s specialized knowledge when filing a car accident claim. When a law firm has been in business in Colorado for a long time, it will have developed a crucial understanding of the laws regarding car accidents.
With more than four decades of experience handling car accident claims, the auto accident attorneys of Florin|Roebig are more than prepared to handle cases in Colorado.
A Strong Personal Injury Claim
Attorneys who are great at their jobs will know the types of information and evidence that will strengthen your personal injury claim, increasing your odds of collecting the settlement you rightfully deserve.
Hiring a personal injury attorney who specializes in car accident claims will be an incredibly important asset to you and your personal injury claim. While it may seem daunting, hiring a Florin|Roebig car accident attorney is easy, and we will help you along the way.
Negotiating A Fair Settlement
If you are struggling to get your rightful settlement from your insurance company, you are not alone. Many car accident victims have found out the unfortunate truth about insurance companies: they will do whatever they can to make sure they do not have to pay your claim.
Our Florin|Roebig attorneys are no strangers to these vile tactics taken by insurance companies across America, and they are not afraid to go head-to-head with them to make sure you are rightfully compensated.
When you hire an attorney, you can delegate the stressful burden of negotiating with your insurance company to your attorney so that you do not have to deal with it yourself. You can trust your Florin|Roebig attorney to take care of you.
Client Success Stories
Our clients are important to us, and we take their experience working with us very seriously. There are many reasons why Florin|Roebig was voted the best law firm in 2024 by The U.S. News & World Report, but our attention to our clients and dedication to their cases are among the top.
Our client’s testimonials speak for themselves:
“If you want a Law Firm & their staff to treat you and your case issues as an individual and NOT JUST A CASE FOR A PERCENTAGE……FLORIAN & ROEBIG is the PERFECT LAW FIRM. They truly care and you are treated with respect matched with true concern. If I ever need them again there will be NO HESITATION. Lawyers at its finest!!!!”
Rosemarie Gurley | 5 years ago
“They are the best law firm they WORD is THERE bond im GLAD TO SAY I WON MY CASE THANKS TO FLORIN IT WENT IN MY FAVOR”
Practical Advice for After a Car Accident
If you or a loved one has been involved in an auto accident, navigating the aftermath can understandably be a confusing and overwhelming time. Below are a few practical steps to keep in mind when being involved in a car crash:
- Seek medical care as soon as possible: An ambulance will likely take serious injuries to the emergency room. Emergency medical technicians may also examine you at the accident scene and then release you with instructions to get a follow-up from your general practitioner. It is important to get this follow-up because some injuries take time to show symptoms.
- Collect evidence immediately: Gather evidence of the accident, including taking pictures and videos of the cars, your injuries, and other relevant details. You can also record witness statements on your phone.
- Contact your insurance company: Before you call your insurance agent, ensure you have what you need nearby. These important items include your insurance policy information, medical records, medical expenses, auto repair estimates, and the other driver’s contact information.
- Protect your legal rights: It is important that you do not willingly take the blame for the accident because this could seriously affect your settlement. Contact a Florin|Roebig attorney to help you through this process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The following are the most frequently asked questions by those who have been involved in an auto accident in Colorado.
How much time do I have to file a personal injury claim after a car accident in Colorado?
In the state of Colorado, you have three years from the date the accident occurs to file your personal injury claim. It is important that you keep track of this deadline because it cannot be moved or postponed. If you miss the deadline, you will likely have your claim case dismissed.
Do I lose the right to sue for damages if I was partially at fault for the crash?
Fortunately, the answer is not a straightforward “no.” Thankfully, Colorado has a modified comparative negligence system, so as long as you are less than 50% responsible for the accident, you are free to pursue legal action for damages.
Do I really need to work with a lawyer to accept a settlement offer?
While you do not legally need a lawyer in order to file a claim and accept a settlement offer, it is incredibly beneficial to at least have a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney. Even though you can do it yourself, you should not have to bear that burden alone.
How much does a personal injury attorney cost?
The cost of a personal injury attorney will depend on how they are requesting to be paid. If they are working on an hourly basis, the cost of hiring an attorney can be expensive. However, there are many personal injury attorneys who work on a contingency fee basis, where you pay nothing upfront.
The lawyers of Florin|Roebig always work on a contingency fee basis, so if we do not win your case, you do not have to pay us.
How long does the car accident claim process take in Colorado?
Car accident claims can be settled in a matter of weeks or can take months and even years to be settled. This depends on the complexity of your accident case, your evidence, and whether or not your insurance company is acting fairly and in good faith, as they are legally bound to do.
How to Get Help from Florin|Roebig Attorneys
Once you have decided to hire a personal injury attorney, finding one you can trust and depend on is vital. Although there are many law offices in Colorado, Florin|Roebig is the most qualified and accessible law firm.
If you are interested in seeking legal advice from our legal team, you can contact our offices to schedule an appointment.
- You can submit a request for more information at Florin|Roebig.com,
- Florin|Roebig Denver car accident lawyers: Our main Colorado location is in Denver. However, we serve all of Colorado, including Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, and other locations across the state.
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Our personal injury lawyers are voted number one because our lawyers are committed to your personal injury case. Our team of lawyers will do whatever we can to assist you, which always begins with a free case review and consultation.
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Florin|Roebig: Top-Rated Denver Car Accident Attorney
If you or someone you love is ready to file a car accident claim, contact the Florin|Roebig law firm to connect with a Denver auto accident lawyer today. We understand how frustrating and exhausting the claims process can be, and we want to help.
Our lawyers at Florin|Roebig work on a contingency fee basis, so there’s no financial obligation unless we help you secure a settlement offer.
If you or your family member are not located in Denver, we can also provide a free consultation to start your case from anywhere in the state. If this is something that interests you, call our helpline now to learn more.