We know that no settlement can ever replace what you’ve lost or fix the pain you’re feeling. However, surviving families deserve compensation for their expenses and suffering.
Our compassionate and experienced Denver motor vehicle collision death attorneys provide free consultations and will fight aggressively on your behalf through a wrongful death claim.
What Are Wrongful Death Claims?
When someone dies in an auto accident that wasn’t their fault, the surviving family can file a wrongful death claim.
Wrongful death lawsuits are a type of civil action that give surviving families the chance to recover compensation for their suffering and damages.
Car accidents are almost always caused due to somebody else’s error. It could be another driver, a car manufacturer or those responsible for maintaining the roads.
Wrongful death cases are not criminal cases. They don’t determine whether someone should go to jail. Instead, the claim pursues the responsible party for financial damages to compensate the surviving families.
Why Hire a Denver Motor Vehicle Collision Death Attorney?
We know that when someone dies in horrific circumstances like an auto accident, their family needs space to grieve. You may also be feeling angry. The thought of legal paperwork and daunting insurance companies can be overwhelming.
Our Denver motor vehicle collision death attorneys take care of that for you by fighting on your behalf.
Equipped with specialist resources, legal expertise and impressive experience, our lawyers can navigate these complex cases – protecting you from low-ball offers, manipulation and outright denial.
While no settlement can ever replace what you’ve lost, you are absolutely entitled to compensation and we will do everything we can to get the maximum fee possible.
Number of Fatal Auto Accidents in Denver:
The Colorado Department of Transportation reports:
- 2011: 407
- 2012: 434
- 2013: 431
- 2014: 451
- 2015: 507
- 2016: 558
- 2017: 600
- 2018: 588
- 2019: 545
- 2020: 574
Who Can Make a Motor Vehicle Collision Death Claim in Denver?
In Colorado, wrongful death claims can be filed by the following people, by order of priority:
- In the first year following death – only a surviving spouse may file.
- In the second year – the surviving spouse or any surviving children may file.
- If there is no surviving spouse or children – Surviving parents may file.
- The personal representative of the deceased – May file a ‘survival action’ to recover damages in the estate.
If you are unsure on what to do next or whether you’re eligible, feel free to contact our Denver motor vehicle collision death attorneys.
Types of Motor Vehicle Collision Deaths:
Car Accident Deaths
With over 220 reported car accidents in Denver every day, auto accidents are the most common cause of motor vehicle collision deaths.
Drivers are usually to blame due to distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving and failing to yield. They can result in catastrophic accidents involving pile-ups, fires and pedestrians.
If a loved one has died in an accident involving a car, contact our Denver car accident lawyers. The responsible party and the insurer may be liable for your damages.
Bus Accident Deaths
Denver roads feature various types of buses such as RTD buses, school buses and tour buses.
These accidents can be extremely dangerous due to the weight involved and often a lack of seatbelts.
We welcome you to contact our Denver bus accident attorneys for a free consultation. A bus driver, bus company or government agency may be liable for your damages.
Electric Scooter Accident Deaths
Electric scooters are rapidly becoming some of the most dangerous modes of transport. Many riders neglect the rules of the road, while some car drivers fail to notice scooters nearby. In the past, the manufacturers have also been held responsible for deaths.
If someone close to you has been killed in a scooter accident, you can contact our Denver electric scooter accident attorneys. Various parties may be liable, such as the scooter operator, the manufacturer or other motorists.
Motorcycle Accident Deaths
In 2020, 137 motorcyclists died in Colorado. The lack of protection makes riders extremely vulnerable in collisions. Illegal turns, drunk driving, road conditions and distracted driving are the most common causes.
Please contact our Denver motorcycle accident lawyers if someone close to you has died in a motorcycle-related accident.
Pedestrian Accident Deaths
With an average of 385 pedestrian accidents in Denver every year, insurance companies are all too familiar with handling these cases. Much like car accidents, distracted driving, drunk drivers and speeding are often to blame. However, crosswalk problems and road conditions may also leave the CDOT liable.
Please feel free to contact our Denver pedestrian accident attorneys for a free consultation today.
Trucking Accidents
Most truck accidents result in fatalities due to the sheer power and size of the vehicles.
If someone close to you has been killed in a trucking-related accident, our Denver truck accident attorneys can help you file a wrongful death claim.
Liability in Denver Motor Vehicle Collision Deaths
Wrongful death claims require that the plaintiff (you) show that another party’s negligence or intent caused the deaths.
Colorado Statute § 13-21-202 states that proving this will make the at-fault party liable for damages.
Proving Negligence
To prove someone was negligent in a wrongful death claim, our Denver motor vehicle collision death attorneys must provide evidence that shows:
- The defendant owed a duty to the victim.
- The defendant breached that duty.
- The breach caused the victim’s injury or death.
For example, if your loved one was killed in a car accident and the other driver was speeding, then we will provide evidence that shows the driver breached the speed limit.
We collect and protect crucial evidence and, if necessary, use specialists to show the link between the other party’s error and your loved one’s death.
Damages You Could Win for a Motor Vehicle Collision Death
Surviving families can receive economic and non-economic damages. Although it is impossible to put a figure on a life, our Denver motor vehicle collision death attorneys will work tirelessly to receive the maximum possible compensation fee.
Economic Damages
- Medical costs
- Funeral and burial costs
- Missed and lost wages
- Future earnings your loved one would have likely earnt
- Financial benefits as a result of the death
- Work wages and future earnings the deceased would have been likely to earn if they had lived.
- Financial benefits lost as a result of the death
- Childcare costs
- Transportation costs
Non-Economic Damages
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
- Loss of Consortium
- Loss of Companionship or Parent
- Pain and Suffering
- Depression
- PTSD
- Mental Anguish
- Scarring / Disfigurement
- Long-Term Disability
- Potential Punitive Damages
- Property Damage
- Wrongful Death
Punitive Damages
You may also be able to pursue punitive damages. These additional forms of compensation are designed to punish the liable party if they were guilty of extreme wrongdoing, reckless or violent behavior.
Be Cautious of Early Settlement Offers
You should never accept an offer from an insurance company without first speaking to a Denver motor vehicle collision death attorney.
Insurance companies are known for offering low-ball, undervalued figures that are insulting to surviving families.
Even if the offer sounds good, you may be unaware of the damages involved in wrongful death cases.
By speaking to our Denver motor vehicle collision death attorneys, we can help you receive the maximum possible payment.
Contact a Motor Vehicle Collision Death Attorney in Denver, CO
Free Consultations
If someone close to you has died in an auto accident in Denver, contact our Denver motor vehicle collision attorneys as soon as possible.
With a combination of a proven track record, impressive financial resources, esteemed legal reputation and a compassionate approach, we believe there is no better team than Denver Personal Injury Lawyers.
