Boulder County’s roads are notoriously dangerous, with countless serious injuries caused by car crashes every year. If someone else was at fault, you shouldn’t have to suffer because of their mistake. Even if you were partly to blame, Colorado laws may allow you to gain compensation if the other party shared some of the responsibility too.
Our licensed Boulder County car accident lawyers offer free consultations and are well equipped to fight aggressively so you can receive the maximum compensation required for your recovery. Feel free to contact us today.
Colorado Car Accident Statistics
Colorado is home to over 5.7 million people and many of them drive cars, trucks or buses. But sadly, it’s also home to a vast number of car accidents.
In 2020, Colorado state troopers responded to a total of 268 fatal crashes on Colorado roadways. As terrible as this sounds, statistics don’t reveal the true pain and trauma experienced by victims, families and communities.
Here’s a breakdown of car accidents statistics in Colorado:
Total Car Crashes in Colorado
Data from CODOT.gov reveals that car accidents in Colorado have been increasing in recent years.
Statistics
- 2011: 106,321
- 2012: 109,117
- 2013: 108,228
- 2014: 114.752
- 2015: 112,575
- 2016: 121,123
- 2017: 118,842
- 2018: 124,021
- 2019: 120,777
- 2020: 126,014
Injury Causing Collisions in Colorado
Over the past decade or so, Colorado has seen the following number of total injury-related car crashes per year:
Statistics
- 2011: 12,664
- 2012: 12,564
- 2013: 12,324
- 2014: 12,570
- 2015: 12,838
- 2016: 11,786
- 2017: 10,998
- 2018: 11,142
- 2019: 10,668
- 2020: 10,220
Fatal Car Accidents in Colorado
Here are the statistics for car accident deaths across the state over the past decade or so:
Statistics
- 2011: 407
- 2012: 434
- 2013: 431
- 2014: 451
- 2015: 507
- 2016: 558
- 2017: 600
- 2018: 588
- 2019: 545
- 2020: 574
Why Should I Hire a Boulder County Car Accident Lawyer?
While you or your loved one will want to focus on recovering from any injuries, you deserve financial compensation if the accident wasn’t your fault.
But serious or fatal injuries caused by car accidents are very complex to navigate. Firstly, you will need to prove that the other driver was at fault.
Then you’ll be tackling daunting insurance companies who have one motive – to pay out as little as possible. We won’t be bullied into accepting lowball offers. The last thing an insurer wants is to go up in front of a jury against us.
Our experienced and expert Boulder County car accident lawyers are well-equipped to bring you the money you deserve. We’ll gather and preserve all supporting evidence while using professional resources such as accident investigators, reconstruction experts and medical experts.
We’ll then be able to confidently file a claim or lawsuit, with a strong standing in subsequent negotiations or trials.
When You Hire Our Boulder County Car Accident Lawyers, We Will:
- Provide you with expert legal support and guidance.
- Listen to your experience and concerns, treating you as an individual.
- Perform an exhaustive investigation into your accident.
- Gather, analyze and protect relevant evidence – from police reports and witness statements to video footage and medical records.
- Build a case that determines the fault, causes and consequences of your accident.
- Manage all communication with the relevant parties, from lawyers to insurers.
- Consult with accident, injury and financial specialists to determine an accurate and fair evaluation of what your damages are worth.
What Causes Car Accidents in Boulder County, CO?
Many crashes are preventable, with responsible, safe driving standards.
Here’s a rundown of the most common causes of car accidents:
Distracted Drivers
Distracted driving is when a driver fails to keep focus on the road by taking their hands off the wheel or diverting their eyes from the road. Never drive while distracted, sleepy or in an argument.
Careless Driving or Reckless Driving
C.R.S. 42-4-1402 states that a person drives carelessly when they don’t have regard for the width, grade, curves, corners, traffic and use of roads.
Following Too Closely
When Boulder County roads become congested, drivers often struggle to maintain a safe distance between the vehicle in front. However, that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t or can’t be done. Too often, drivers follow too closely to the car in front, which results in avoidable accidents.
Failure to Yield
All drivers must be aware of traffic patterns, laws and traffic signs. When a driver ignores them or misses them, an accident tends to occur. A shocking 14.4% of driver-vehicle action accidents are caused by failing to yield.
Aggressive Driving
It should come as no surprise that driving aggressively causes accidents. Cutting lanes, slamming brakes, speeding or pushing other vehicles can result in large accidents and injuries.
Speeding
Speeding is recorded far too often in Boulder County. People push their luck with both the law and other people’s lives. Of course, there is no luck in reality and devastating accidents occur.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Drunk driving-related crashes are easy to prove liability over. The law is black and white, but it’s still abused. 9.9% of human factor-related accidents are caused by drunk driving.
Lane Violation
Despite being entirely avoidable, passing other vehicles improperly causes a lot of accidents.
Who Is Responsible For My Boulder County Car Accident and Injuries?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Our Boulder County car accident lawyers can review your case and determine who is liable for your injuries.
At-Fault State
Colorado is an ‘at-fault’ state. That means the driver who caused the accident is liable for the costs of the accident, which will be paid for by their insurer.
Comparable Fault Laws
In Colorado, we have comparative fault or comparative negligence laws. These laws mean each case is analyzed to see if there is a share of the responsibility.
Can I Receive Compensation if I Share Some Responsibility for a Car Accident in Boulder County?
To recover damages in a lawsuit or personal injury claim, you must be deemed less than 50% responsible for the accident. The amount of financial compensation you receive is reduced by your percentage of fault. This is determined by:
- The police report
- Testimonies from eyewitnesses.
- Photos and video evidence of the incident
- If necessary, a full accident reconstruction may be performed to determine the fault.
Proving Liability
As mentioned, you’ll need to prove the accident occurred because of someone else’s negligence. You must have evidence that:
- The defendant owed you a legal duty of care
- The defendant breached that legal duty of care
- That breach directly resulted in your injuries
Our Boulder County car accident lawyers will work tirelessly to prove the party who caused your injuries is found at fault, giving you the best chance at receiving the compensation you deserve.
With strong relationships with accident specialists, medical specialists, financial experts and more, we can gather evidence that conveys – what happened, how it happened, the damages you’ve suffered and how much it’s cost you.
Common Liable Parties for Boulder County Car Accidents
In some cases, there may be more than one party at fault. Our Boulder County car accident attorneys often deal with cases involving:
- Bicyclists
- Bus drivers
- Cab companies
- Employers of negligent parties
- Government agencies
- Lyft and Uber drivers
- Motorcyclists
- Other drivers
- Passengers in your car
- Pedestrians
- RTD bus drivers
- Taxi companies
- Taxi drivers
- The driver of your car
- Transit companies
- Truck drivers
- Trucking companies
Do I Need a Police Report for a Boulder County Car Accident?
You should always contact the police regardless of the seriousness of the accident. But, if you did not, it is not fatal to your claim. If you have been involved in a car accident in Boulder County and contacted the police, you should get a copy of the police’s accident report.
The police report will detail facts about the crash and can be vital in establishing fault. You’ll also be able to review the report so you can check if the information is accurate. Our Boulder County car accident lawyers can also retrieve a copy.
What Happens if the Other Driver Was Uninsured or Underinsured in Boulder County?
Colorado laws require that motor vehicle owners have a minimum amount of insurance for accidents, but some people let their policy lapse or are uninsured or underinsured.
16.3% of drivers in Colorado are uninsured, ranking Colorado 13th in the U.S. for states with the highest number of uninsured drivers.
Being the victim of an uninsured or underinsured driver’s accident makes things complicated. In most cases, you will need to make a personal injury claim with your own insurance company. If this has happened to you, you should:
- Get the other driver’s information, such as their name, any insurance information, license plate numbers and driver’s license information.
- Collect evidence. Take photographs of the accident scene and of any injuries you have sustained. These can be crucial – such as food in the other driver’s passenger seat, which could suggest driver distraction.
- Give the police your side of the story and never admit fault.
- Receive immediate medical attention and retain the records.
- Contact a Boulder County car accident lawyer to review your situation and provide advice.
- Call your insurance company to set up a claim, but do not discuss your injuries without a lawyer present.
Your insurer will then likely review your car insurance policy and let you know if you’re covered for uninsured drivers.
Your insurer may offer a low-ball settlement, which will likely not be enough. You deserve the maximum payout for your suffering – from medical bills to loss of earnings.
By contacting our Boulder County car accident lawyers, you can gain the support of legal experts who won’t give in to bullying from insurers and make sure that you don’t lose out because of an uninsured driver. Most importantly, we give common sense advice about when to settle and when to keep fighting.
What Damages Could I Receive for a Car Crash in Boulder County?
Our Boulder County car accident attorneys can help you win compensation for the following damages:
Economic Damages
- Medical Expenses (past and future, since the date of the accident)
- Rehabilitation Costs
- Treatment Costs
- Lost Wages
- Loss of Future Earnings
- In-Home Care Expenses
- Medical Equipment Costs
- Transportation Expenses
Non-Economic Damages
Not every impact on your life will have a clear financial value. You may be experiencing severe physical pain, depression or a limited lifestyle following your injuries. These damages can still be awarded financial compensation. They include:
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
- Loss of Consortium
- Depression
- PTSD
- Pain and Suffering
- Mental Anguish
- Scarring / Disfigurement
- Permanent Impairment
- Long-Term Disability
- Potential Punitive Damages
- Property Damage
- Wrongful Death
What Are Punitive Damages?
Some car crashes may call for punishment to the defendant, particularly in cases where they’ve acted recklessly. This most often applies to racing cases or DUI accidents.
The guilty party may have to pay punitive damages if ordered by the court.
How Much Compensation Could I Receive Following a Boulder County Car Accident?
There is no simple answer to this question, which is why an experienced lawyer will help. We can help you understand whether you’re being offered a low-ball sum, or if you’re being treated fairly.
As Boulder County car accident lawyers, we see many victims who underestimate the impact an accident has had on their life. Remember, at a minimum, you deserve to be made whole to get your life back on track.
The best way to determine how much compensation you are entitled is to contact our Boulder County car accident attorneys. We will use our expertise and resources, such as medical and financial experts, to review your case exhaustively.
However, the following questions may provide a clearer understanding:
- What injuries have you suffered? How serious are they?
- What medical bills have been incurred?
- What future medical bills will be incurred?
- Will you require rehabilitation or therapy to make a full recovery?
- How much will these cost?
- Have you missed work?
- Will you be unable to return to work? For how long?
- Will your injury affect your income or ability to do your job?
- In what ways has the accident impacted your daily life?
- What activities can you no longer do?
- Have your injuries caused paralyzation, scars or disfigurement?
- How have you been affected emotionally or mentally?
- How has this affected your work, relationships and enjoyment of life?
- How was your vehicle or property damaged?
- What other expenses have arisen from the accident, such as transportation, insurance co-pays, medication expenses, etc.
Types of Boulder County Car Accidents We Handle:
Our Boulder County car accident lawyers regularly help victims involved in accidents such as:
- Amazon Delivery Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Dangerous Roadways
- Delivery Driver Accidents
- Distracted Driving Accidents
- Drunk Driving Accidents
- Food Delivery Accidents
- Frontal Collisions
- Government Delivery Vehicle Accidents
- Highway Crashes
- Hit and Run Accidents
- Intersection Accidents
- Interstate crashes
- Limousine Accidents
- Lyft Accidents
- Multiple Vehicle crashes
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Rear-End Collisions
- Red and Yellow Light Accidents
- Ridesharing Car Accidents
- Rollover Accidents
- Seat Belt Injury
- Sideswipes
- Single-vehicle Crashes
- Speeding Accidents
- T-Bone Accidents
- Taxicab Accidents
- Trucking Injuries
- Uber Car Accidents
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists
- Wrongful Deaths
If you’ve been involved in any type of motor vehicle accident, feel free to contact our compassionate Boulder County car accident lawyers to get started on receiving the money you deserve.
Types of Car Accident Injuries We Fight to Recover Compensation For:
Our Boulder County car accident lawyers regularly handle cases on behalf of our clients who suffered:
- Amputation
- Back, shoulder, and neck injury
- Brain Injury
- Burn Injury
- Burns
- Catastrophic injury
- Chest injury
- Crushing injury
- Degloving
- Eye injury
- Fractures and broken bones
- Head injury, including concussion
- Paralysis
- Scarring & Disfigurement
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
What if A Loved One Has Died in a Boulder County Car Accident?
If someone close to you has died in a fatal car accident in Boulder County, their family may be entitled to compensation for their suffering. Our Boulder County car accident lawyers can help prepare and file a Wrongful Death claim.
We understand this must be an extremely tough time. Feel free to contact our compassionate attorneys for a free consultation.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Boulder County?
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Boulder County, there are some important steps you must take. These are critical for both your health and the strength of any personal injury claim or lawsuit you later make:
Remain at the Accident Scene
By law, you must remain at the scene of any car accident that has caused damage, injury or death. Fleeing could see you accused of hit and run.
Move to a Safe Location
Move to a safe location so that another accident doesn’t occur.
Call the Police
A police officer should quickly arrive and perform a short investigation before completing an accident report. The details in this report could be critical in your personal injury claim. Our Boulder County car accident lawyers can work to acquire a copy of the report later.
Seek Medical Attention
If you need urgent medical care, get it; you don’t need to wait for the police to arrive. Otherwise, you can go to the hospital or a doctor after the police have arrived. The sooner your injuries are attended to, the better chances of recovery you have. Retain all records of doctors’ notes and medical bills.
Never Admit Fault or Apologize
Kind-hearted people may immediately admit fault or apologize for the accident. While others may also think they’re to blame, when in reality they’re not.
Never accept blame or accept responsibility at any point – from speaking to the other driver or police to insurance companies. The evidence will be analyzed later and we can then determine what really happened.
Never Accept Early Settlement Offers
It might seem like the easy option to accept the first offer an insurance adjuster provides. But in reality, they’re only offering that to either push you into a low-ball offer, or to pressure you into saying something incriminating. It is very common for an insurance company to offer you something to make you go away. Often, it is before you even know how seriously you are hurt.
You deserve the full amount of compensation for your damages. You can first speak to a Boulder County car accident lawyer who will determine how much your case is worth, before negotiating with insurance companies.
Keep All Evidence You Have
Gather and retain all medical bills, doctors notes and photos. They will be vital in your claim and can’t go missing. Your attorney will help gather further evidence.
Visit a Doctor if Pains Arise
Not every injury is obvious on the day, or even the week of the accident. Whiplash, traumatic brain injuries and other types of injuries can arise slowly. If you notice anything unusual or suffer unusual pains or discomfort, then visit a doctor as soon as possible.
Direct All Communication to Your Boulder County Car Accident Lawyer
Our Boulder County car accident lawyers will handle all phone calls, emails, letters and discussions with other parties – from insurance companies to police and specialists. We will then fight aggressively on your behalf to maximize your recovery.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Boulder County Car Accident Lawyer?
Our Boulder County Personal Injury Lawyers work on contingency, which means you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. We pay the upfront costs associated with your case and assume all risks. We only get paid a pre-agreed-upon percentage of your net award.
This arrangement is widely considered the best route when choosing an attorney, as we’re committed to winning the maximum payment. This allows you to choose the best car accident attorney around and level the playing field for you. This fee arrangement is unlike most other attorneys, who may get paid upfront and lose interest fast.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim or Lawsuit in Boulder County?
Colorado’s Statute of Limitations limits the time you have to file a personal injury claim to two years from the date of injury. However, for motor vehicle incidents, you are provided an extra year (three in total). (§13-80-102 and §13-80-101).
That may seem like you have a lot of time, but delaying the initiation of the process can prevent you from gathering and protecting crucial evidence. The first few days after an accident are the most important. We advise you to contact a Boulder County car accident attorney immediately.
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Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Boulder County, CO
Free Consultations
If you’ve been involved or injured in a car accident in Boulder County, CO, then contact our licensed Boulder County car accident attorneys for a free consultation as soon as possible. Within a few minutes, we believe that you will understand that you can trust us.
With a combination of a proven track record, impressive financial resources, esteemed legal reputation and a compassionate approach, we believe there is no better Denver personal injury attorney team than us.
