People in Aspen, Colorado who have been injured in auto accidents might be able to get compensated for their losses by filing a personal injury claim against the liable party.
An experienced personal injury attorney can provide invaluable legal advice and guidance throughout the claims process. This can help you get maximum compensation for your injuries and related damages.
Skilled lawyers handle all communication related to your case, acting as the middleman between you, insurance companies, other lawyers, etc.
Here, you will find valuable information about what to do after a car accident in Colorado, including how to file a claim and what to expect during the claims process.
What To Do After A Car Accident In Aspen, CO
After a motor vehicle accident, it is always good to take some precautionary steps — even if you aren’t sure about filing a personal injury claim.
Step 1: Gather Documents
Documents related to your car accident are necessary for your case, should you file a personal injury claim.
Important documents for your Aspen, CO car accident could include medical bills, a copy of the police report, photos of the crash scene, and other information related to the incident.
Many law offices offer free case evaluations, but lawyers can’t tell you much about the potential validity of your claim unless they have relevant information on hand.
Gathering documents before your free consultation can save you time.
Step 2: Reach Out To An Aspen Car Accident Attorney
Once you’re ready, reach out to a certified personal injury lawyer in the Aspen area. An attorney can assess your situation and tell you whether filing a claim is worth your time.
Step 3: File A Personal Injury Claim
Your lawyer will help you decide whether filing a claim is the right choice. A personal injury claim is a way of demanding that the liable party in your accident compensate you financially for any losses you have suffered from the accident or your injuries.
Usually, in car accident claims, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will be responsible for paying out damages.
Insurance companies are experts at finding ways to pay as little as possible in personal injury cases. This means having an experienced attorney can make a difference in how much you are compensated.
Even if you have only sustained minor injuries, filing a claim might be the right choice.
Step 4: If Necessary, File A Lawsuit
Sometimes, an agreeable settlement amount cannot be reached between the liable party, you, and your lawyers.
In these cases, filing a lawsuit against the liable party might be the best choice.
A personal injury lawsuit can move your claim to court, where both sides will argue their case and a judge will decide on a fair settlement amount.
Experienced practitioners of personal injury law can argue your case and help you get the most out of your lawsuit.
How Does Liability Work In Car Accident Claims In Aspen, CO?
Car accident claims are complicated legal issues, and understanding certain aspects of your claim can go a long way.
Liability is one of the most important terms you will hear related to personal injury cases. The liable party is the party that is legally responsible for compensating you for your losses.
The liable party is not always the same as the at-fault party. For example, a driver might have been negligent and caused an accident, making them the at-fault party.
However, because their insurance coverage includes payments for medical expenses and related damages when they cause an accident, the insurance company is the liable party.
Only when a driver is uninsured or underinsured will they be liable for paying damages.
What Factors Can Influence Your Car Accident Case In Aspen?
It is important to understand all the different factors that can affect your car accident case in Colorado.
Fault
When a driver is at fault, it means that their actions led to an accident occurring. Sometimes, multiple drivers are at fault. Other times, fault is placed on automotive manufacturers, or on the party responsible for maintaining a roadway.
Determining fault isn’t always straightforward, which is one of the many reasons why having an experienced personal injury attorney by your side can be so valuable.
Colorado Laws
Colorado has some unique laws that directly affect car accident cases.
One such law is called the statute of limitations. In Colorado, the statute of limitations is two years, meaning you have two years to begin a personal injury claim after your accident.
If you fail to start your claim in this time window, you will not be able to at any time moving forward.
Another relevant Colorado law is called comparative negligence. This law states that in car accident cases where there are multiple drivers at fault, compensation for damages will be paid according to the percentage of fault a driver had.
This means that even if you were partially at fault in an accident, filing a personal injury claim might be a good idea.
What Damages Can You Claim After A Colorado Car Accident?
Getting in a car accident in Denver, Grand Junction, Aspen, or anywhere else in Colorado can be disruptive to your life.
You should understand how compensation works in personal injury cases and what types of damages can be included on a claim.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages, also called economic damages, directly reimburse people who have been injured in a car accident for any financial impacts the accident has caused.
These damages include compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage, among others.
General Damages
General damages, or non-economic damages, are less straightforward than compensatory damages. These damages include emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of relationships.
This is where having a personal injury lawyer pays off. Your attorney will be an expert at demonstrating how an accident has impacted you and why you should be compensated for such impacts.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases, a court might try to punish a negligent party for their actions by awarding extra damages to the accident victim.
You cannot seek punitive damages, but if the at-fault party’s actions were particularly egregious, a court might decide to award you this type of compensation.
Our Featured Case Results
Common Causes Of Car Accidents
Car accidents can occur for a number of reasons, and you never know when an accident might occur.
Common causes of car accidents include:
- Reckless driving: Reckless driving includes speeding, tailgating, swerving in and out of traffic, and other highly dangerous driving behaviors that can cause an accident.
- Dangerous road conditions: Bad weather can cause roads to be slick, potholes and other obstacles, and even improper signage can lead to car crashes.
- Driver impairment: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is extremely dangerous and is responsible for a large percentage of car crashes in Colorado.
- Driver error: Many mistakes that drivers make can lead to a crash, including failure to put on a turn signal, driving outside of marked lines, and other errors.
Types Of Car Accidents In Aspen, CO
Car crashes can occur in several different ways. Depending on the type of accident, serious injuries might be more or less likely.
Some common types of car accidents include:
- Broadside collisions: These crashes happen when someone runs head-on into the side of your car. These are also called T-bone collisions.
- Sideswipe collisions: These crashes occur when another car swipes your car from the side, sometimes causing a spinout.
- Multiple vehicle accidents: This term refers to any accident involving two or more vehicles.
- Head-on collisions: When two cars collide at their fronts, this is called a head-on collision. These collisions have high rates of deaths and serious injuries.
- Hit-and-run accidents: These occur when someone hits another car, person, animal, or property and then flees the scene.
- Rear-end collisions: These occur when someone hits the rear of your vehicle. Usually, when you are rear-ended, you are not at fault.
What Types Of Injuries Can Lead To A Claim?
Car accident injuries can range from minor scrapes and bruises to catastrophic injuries and death.
Because of the nature of car safety mechanisms and other factors, some car crash injuries occur more often than others.
Some of the most common car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Chest and shoulder injuries
- Head injuries including concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Soft tissue injuries
- Burn injuries
- Fatality (wrongful death)
Car Accident Rates In Aspen, CO
Aspen is located in Pitkin County, deep in the rocky mountains of Colorado. This area, which includes ski towns like Basalt and Snowmass Village, is known for its heavy snows in winter and hazardous road conditions.
Some other car accident statistics for Aspen and the state as a whole include:
- Three people died in car accidents in Pitkin County in 2019.
- Nine people were seriously injured in car accidents in Pitkin County in 2019.
- All three people who died in accidents in Pitkin County in 2019 were involved in speeding-related accidents.
Top-Rated Aspen Car Accident Lawyers Near You
Are you in search of a personal injury lawyer in the Aspen area with a specialty in the practice area of car accident cases?
The attorneys at Florin|Roebig have decades of experience practicing personal injury law. We are proud to be serving Aspen, and we are ready to help you with your case today.
Florin|Roebig has won over $1 billion in settlements for our clients over the years. We are backed by numerous awards and recognitions, including a recent selection to The Best Lawyers in America list.
Our team of esteemed personal injury lawyers includes:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Chase P. Florin, B.C.S.
- Parker Y. Florin, LL.M.
- Taylor D. Roebig
- John J. Hart
- Lawrence J. Najem, O.C.
- Nollys R. Solarte, O.C.
- Andrew M. Leone, O.C.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Get In Touch With Experienced Car Accident Lawyers In Aspen Today
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accident, you might benefit from taking legal action.
Seeking damages from the liable party is made easy with help from a competent, experienced personal injury attorney.
People residing in the mountains of Colorado, from Aspen to Carbondale to Glenwood Springs, can rely on the attorneys at Florin|Roebig for sound legal advice for personal injury claims.
Contact our offices today to learn more about our services or to schedule your free initial consultation.
