Denver Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents are, unfortunately, a part of life, with Denver, Colorado, being no exception. Denver has roads filled with all sorts of vehicles each day, making millions of trips all over the area. At times, it’s busy, the city’s elaborate roadways become congested, and unfortunately, not everyone follows the prescribed traffic and motorist laws, engaging in all sorts of negligent driving.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a car accident, it’s essential to have more than just legal guidance. You need a skilled auto accident attorney committed to advocating for you at every stage of your case. For over sixty years, The Frickey Law Firm has defended the rights of people in Denver after an accident, earning a distinguished reputation for successful outcomes in both verdicts and settlements.
Contact The Frickey Law Firm at 303-237-7373 today to schedule a free evaluation of your car accident claim.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Denver
Various factors come into play and lead to traffic accidents in Denver. Knowing which factors most frequently lead to or cause Denver accidents is paramount.
Traffic Congestion
Denver’s robust growth has led to increased traffic congestion. The heavy traffic can spell out a disaster with slower reaction times and a greater likelihood of rear-end collisions.
Weather Conditions
Yes, Colorado does have an enormous number of gorgeous sunny days, but we still get rain, ice, and snow, which can ignite hazardous driving conditions. Reduced visibility and slick roadway conditions contribute to a higher risk of accidents.
Distracted Driving
With the prevalence of smartphones, distractions while driving have become more prevalent. Distracted driving has be
come one of the foremost causes of accidents in Denver. Inattention, reading or answering a text message, and tending to backseat issues all take priority off the road and lead to decreased safety for everyone on the road. We see many rear-end and side-impact crashes resulting from distracted drivers.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that drivers are 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident if they are texting and driving. The NHTSA also reports that texting takes a driver’s eyes off the road for almost five seconds per text. If you are driving 55 miles per hour, that equates to driving the length of a football field blindfolded.
Speeding
Some drivers exceed speed limits, endangering themselves and others. Speeding also narrows the opportunity to react safely to traffic and other vehicles on the road. Speeding accidents are usually more severe, cause more damage, and even result in tragic fatalities.
Impaired Drivers
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs remains a significant concern. Drivers incapacitated by substances are more likely to cause accidents due to their compromised judgments, blurred vision, poor coordination, and slowed and sloppy reactions to hazards on the road. The result can be loss of life and monstrous wrecks.
Road Design and Maintenance
Some roads are poorly designed or inadequately maintained, which can pose serious risks. Uneven surfaces, potholes, or insufficient signage contribute to accidents.
Reckless Driving
Aggressive and irresponsible conduct on the road, such as tailgating and weaving in and out of traffic, is considered reckless driving. Extreme versions often fall under what is known as “r
oad rage.” Drivers who engage in these behaviors jeopardize the lives of all on the road, not only the driver. The impact of these careless actions is an increase in collisions and severity.
Ignoring Traffic Signals
Violating traffic signals and laws directly threatens drivers and intersection safety, including the well-being of pedestrians and cyclists. T-bone collisions, side impact wrecks, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents can result from running red lights, ignoring stop signs, and failing to yield.
Inexperienced Drivers
Novice drivers may need more skills to handle demanding situations. Forgetting to signal when changing lanes, abrupt movements in congested traffic, or inability to maintain the appropriate speed can confuse and even endanger other drivers. The risk of an accident is usually higher for inexperienced drivers, especially when conditions are adverse.
Vehicle Defects
When present or occurring on the road, mechanical failures or defects lead to collisions. Malfunctions like brake failure can be a recipe for catastrophe.
Comprehending these factors is the foundation of addressing and mitigating the risks associated with Denver collisions.
Types of Accidents
As diverse as the causes of car accidents in Colorado are the forms these accidents take, with some of the most common types of accidents being rear-end collisions, rollover accidents, head-on collisions, and fatal accidents.
While rear-end collisions don’t always cause substantial vehicle damage, these common accidents often result in bodily injury. In fact, rear-end accident collisions are a leading cause of injury in Colorado and throughout the country.
Rear-end collisions can occur in a variety of ways, such as:
- Drivers not adapting to weather conditions such as icy or wet roads
- Distracted drivers who are texting, e-mailing, or talking on a cell phone
- Drivers who are speeding
- Drivers who are tailgating or driving too close to other vehicles
Rollover accidents are incredibly dangerous and often fatal. The physical injuries sustained in rollovers can lead to life-altering injuries, mounting medical costs, and time away from your job.
Vehicles that have higher centers of gravity, such as SUVs, minivans and pickup trucks, are more susceptible to rollovers if involved in a single-car crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA).
Common causes of rollover accidents include:
- Tripped rollover: This can occur when a vehicle with a higher center of gravity strikes something low, like a curb or pothole. NHSTA data shows that 95% of single-vehicle rollovers are tripped.
- Top-heavy vehicles: While 25% of rollover accidents involve sedans, SUVs account for more than half.
- Overloaded vehicles: When significant weight is added to a vehicle, the center of gravity is raised and the likelihood of a rollover is increased.
- Negligent drivers: Driving at high speeds or making quick lane changes and sharp turns can cause a rollover crash.
Finally, the most tragic type of car accident is a fatal accident. The sudden loss of a loved one in a fatal car wreck is one of the most devastating losses a person can experience. Tragically, car accidents are a leading cause of death in the United States, responsible for nearly 40,000 lost lives every year, according to the NHTSA.
There is simply no monetary award that can replace someone you love. However, compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit can help you and your family stay financially afloat during this heart wrenching time.
Damages for wrongful death can include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Related medical bills
- Loss of the victim’s future income and benefits
- Loss of care, protection and companionship
- General damages
- Punitive damages
Wrongful death car accident cases are not meant to erase the pain and justified anger that come naturally when a loved one is needlessly torn from you because of someone’s negligence. They are intended to prevent your emotional devastation from being compounded by financial struggles. Additionally, a motor vehicle accident case will make the defendant accountable for the suffering endured by you and your family.
Is Colorado a Fault or No-Fault State?
If you have been in a car crash in Denver, understanding the legal aspects is critical. Colorado is a fault state. More specifically, Colorado operates under a modified comparative fault system, determining liability based on each party’s percentage of fault. You must proactively file a claim if you have been in an accident, whether the other driver was entirely liable or partially responsible. Proving liability can be complex and seem daunting, but a skilled Denver car accident lawyer on your side specializing in Denver car accidents can take the legal headache away. Further, procrastination can result in serious debt from the expenses you incurred from the accident if the clock to file a claim or suit runs out. There’s a three-year deadline to file a car accident lawsuit in Denver, with some exceptions for accidents involving government-owned vehicles.
Factors Influencing Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
As technology has evolved, the emergence of driverless cars presents a new set of challenges and considerations on Denver’s roads. Driverless cars, also known as autonomous vehicles, operate without human intervention in controlling the vehicle. They rely on advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, and intricate algorithms to perceive their environment and make decisions, aiming to maneuver around Denver’s dynamic roads and respond to traffic conditions. In light of these advancements and the potential for increased complexity on Denver’s roads, consulting a knowledgeable Denver car accident attorney becomes crucial to navigate any legal issues arising from injury-causing accidents.
Despite technological savviness, driverless cars are not immune to accidents. Several factors contribute to the complexities of navigating Denver’s streets autonomously. Autonomous cars heavily depend on their sensors, cameras, and radar systems to see and understand their surroundings. Unfavorable weather conditions, such as rain and snow, may compromise the effectiveness of these sensors, leading to misinterpretation of the environment. Human-tech interactions play another role. The transition between human-driven and autonomous vehicles introduces a phase where both types of cars share the road, and it’s an adjustment period. Algorithms guiding autonomous vehicles make split-second decisions based on vast amounts of data.
Liability Issues with Driverless Cars
Several tech and automotive companies in the state have introduced self-driving vehicle programs, including Aptiv, Uber, Waymo, and more. While these innovations promise a new era of safety and convenience, questions regarding liability and accidents arise.
The prospect of autonomous cars brings forth challenges, particularly determining liability. In the event of an accident with a self-driving car, manufacturers may be held liable for defects or malfunctions. The level of automation (SAE levels 0-5) plays a critical role in establishing liability. Level 0 is no automation while 5 if fully automated requiring no take over driving by a party within the vehicle and can drive in all conditions, everywhere. Levels 0-3 are currently lawful in Colorado. Vehicles with automation levels 4-5 are also permitted to operate in Colorado so long as they meet all federal and state regulations.
Seeking Legal Guidance after a Denver Car Wreck
Auto accident cases can be incredibly complex. Without the guidance and representation of an experienced car accident attorney in Denver, you risk missing essential steps that can protect your legal rights, or fail to adhere to the specific rules and procedures of Colorado law. Even if your claim is successful, if you do not know how to effectively negotiate with insurance companies, you probably won’t recover the full amount of compensation to which you are rightfully entitled.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a traditional or self-driving car, our team of experienced and seasoned Denver car accident attorneys is here to help.
The Frickey Law Firm tirelessly pursues justice and fair compensation for its clients, offering legal expertise and advocacy following a Denver car accident. We serve clients from Denver, Boulder, Lakewood, and surrounding Colorado communities. If you have been in an accident, contact The Frickey Law for a free consultation today at 303-237-7373.
