CALL (512) 246 2224 TO SPEAK WITH BOULDER CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS FOR FREE
Car accidents are the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 35. Throughout Boulder, car accidents have resulted in injuries and loss of life – many of which are caused by negligence of another person.
If you’ve been injured in a Boulder car accident, then it is important to contact a Boulder injury law firm to help with your insurance claims and develop a lawsuit against the driver responsible for causing the accident. At Zinda Law Group, our experienced Boulder car accident lawyers are committed to helping victims recover the compensation they deserve. The primary mission of our accident attorneys is to help people just like you navigate the legal process. To get a free consultation with one of out auto accident attorneys, call 720-545-2689 today.
hbspt.cta.load(21715417, ‘dbe86851-a3ce-43c9-9863-cb5fdff34ef1’, {“useNewLoader”:”true”,”region”:”na1″});
What to Do After a Car Accident
No two car accidents are the same, which means that the best procedure for handling an accident will always be different. However, the following few steps should be completed after any accident.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation1. Move to Safety
In order to make sure that you are not injured any further and that your car does not take any more damage, move as quickly as possible to a safe location. If your car is still running, this may be pulling off to the side of the road or into a nearby parking lot. In a serious accident, you may be forced to exit your car. Always be mindful of oncoming traffic, and above all else, be safe.
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation2. Seek Medical Attention
After you are in a safe location, assess your body and evaluate what kind of medical attention may be necessary. If emergency medical attention is needed, don’t delay in calling for it. Remember that the adrenaline from an accident can mask the pain from an injury, meaning that what seems like a relatively minor injury may be fairly serious.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation3. Report the Accident
When the police arrive on the scene, report the facts of the accident to them. It is important that you be as thorough as possible while the details of what happened are fresh on your mind. It is difficult to determine what facts may be important in an eventual lawsuit, so include what may seem insignificant to you at the time.
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation4. Document the Accident
After you have talked to the police, begin to document the accident yourself. This includes things like getting the insurance information from the other parties involved, taking pictures of your vehicle and the surrounding area, and getting contact information from any potential witnesses.
5. Contact an Attorney
Car accident claims are complex and intricate; it can be easy to make mistakes if you are going the road alone. Contacting an experienced attorney early on in the process will give you one less thing to worry about during a stressful time.
What Not to Do after a Car Accident
1.) Do NOT Leave the Scene Of The Accident
In most situations, leaving the scene of an accident, even a minor one, is illegal. Your best option is to stay put until law enforcement arrives and offer help in any way that you can.
2.) Do NOT Agree to Not Call Authorities
Even when an accident is minor, the drivers should contact law enforcement. Law enforcement can create a record of the accident and provide aid if needed. If the accident is serious, you should call 911 immediately.
3.) Do NOT Ignore Injuries
Car accidents are traumatic, and occasionally drivers are so shocked by the entire experience that they forget to stop and realistically evaluate their injuries and their passengers’ injuries. It is always a good idea to seek medical attention after an accident, even if you think you are only bumped and bruised.
4.) Do NOT Admit Fault
Admitting fault would mean that the other driver has no legal liability to cover possible injury-related costs. You can tell law enforcement what happened without admitting that the accident was your fault. This is particularly important when it is unclear whose fault the accident actually was. If you ran a red light while the other driver did nothing wrong, then whether you admit fault or not probably won’t matter much in the long run.
5.) Do NOT Call Your Insurance Company
The first conversation you have with your insurance provider is crucial in determining what happens next, so it’s always better to wait until you have a full picture of the situation. It’s hard to have the presence of mind to make the right calls after a car accident.
Causes of Auto Accidents
Boulder Car Accident Statistics
Whether you are in the congested streets of downtown Boulder or the winding mountain roads surrounding the city, Colorado drivers often find themselves at a high risk of an accident. Below are some statistics concerning car accidents in and around Boulder.
• According to information collected by the CDOT, there have already been 290 fatalities resulting from traffic accidents in 2019.
• In Boulder, accidents peak during the summer months as the warmer weather allows for people to get out on the roads to enjoy the state’s hiking and other outdoor activities.
• Some of the most dangerous roads for drivers include mountain passes like the Loveland Pass; these roads become especially dangerous during the winter when they are slick with ice and snow.
CASE RESULTS
Common Causes of Accidents
Motorists throughout Boulder drive down the roadways while texting, talking, eating, reading or doing other tasks that are not related to driving. Any time a driver is distracted and drives carelessly or recklessly, an accident can occur. Distracted driving is one of the most prevalent problems facing Americans today and the outcomes of any of these accidents can be catastrophic. Some of the types of car accident injury claims we can assist with include:
- Multi Vehicle Accidents
- Rear-End Accidents
- Head-On Accident
- Driving While Texting
- Drunk Driving
- Uninsured Driving
- Underinsured Motorists
Making a Car Accident Claim
When you want to seek compensation for injuries resulting from a car accident, there are a few steps you should complete.
1. Contact an Attorney
As stated before, the legal process is long and complicated. Hiring an experienced attorney who will fight for you is an important first step in any lawsuit.
2. Information Gathering
Once you have hired an attorney, they can begin the process of gathering the necessary information. This includes things like looking over police reports, analyzing any pictures or video footage of the accident that may be available, and conducting interviews with witnesses.
3. Negotiate a Settlement
Once your attorney has a solid handle on the facts of the case, they can begin to negotiate a favorable settlement with the other party or parties. At this juncture, it is critical that you have an experienced attorney on your side, as the other parties involved will naturally want to pay out as little as possible.
Who is at Fault?
In car accident claims, a large part of the argument will surround who exactly is at fault. An important point to remember here is that determining fault is not black and white—multiple parties can each bear a portion of the total fault. The parties that most commonly bear at least some of the fault include:
The Drivers
For the vast majority of accidents, the fault will be pinned on the drivers. This can be as a result of their intoxication, distractedness, or simply making a mistake or not being careful enough.
The City or Township
Though rarer, there are cases in which the township responsible for the roads can be held liable. For example, if a broken traffic light causes two cars to collide, the city in charge of that traffic light will likely need to pay out to cover damages.
The Manufacturer
If a defect in a car causes an accident, the manufacturer may be liable. This is rare but does occur. For example, if the brakes in a car fail and it is determined that this was due to a design defect, the car manufacturer may be on the hook for money damages.
Colorado Car Accident Laws
It is important for drivers to know and understand the laws relating to car accidents that are in place in their specific jurisdiction. A few of the Colorado rules of the road include:
Mandatory Reporting
In Colorado, any driver who is involved in an accident that resulted in an injury or property damage must report it to the police.
Insurance Requirements
Like most states, Colorado requires its drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage before being able to drive. This is important in any car accident case.
Read More: Boulder Insurance Policy Limits
Comparative Fault
In Colorado, you may seek compensation from any party who is more at-fault in the accident than you. This means, to use the legal term, that Colorado is a “modified comparative negligence” state. However, you will not be able to seek recovery if your share of the fault meets or exceeds 50%.
Car Accident Compensation
No matter the size of your case, our experienced car accident attorneys in Boulder, CO will determine if someone is liable for your injuries. Your claim will benefit from the experience and training of our injury attorneys and we will work hard to provide you with a recovery that you deserve. Damages you are likely entitled to recover are:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of earning capacity
At Zinda Law Group, our Boulder car accident lawyers and Boulder injury lawyers have successfully resolved hundreds of car and motor vehicle accident cases. We strive to obtain the best possible outcome of a case and to help victims recover the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one would like to speak with one of our auto accident attorneys, call Zinda Law Group’s Boulder injury attorneys today at (720) 545-2689 for a free consultation.
Legal Time Limits
Every lawsuit in the personal injury family must be brought within a certain timeframe. This timeframe is known as the “statute of limitations.” In Colorado, the statute of limitations for a car accident is three years. This means that once an accident happens, you have three years to bring a claim, or else risk that claim being dismissed for being late.
However, children add a wrinkle to the usual rule. If one of the parties is a child, then the statute will be “tolled,” or essentially put on pause, until the child reaches majority. This means that a child who is injured in a car accident at the age of 12 would have until her 18th birthday to bring a claim.
FAQs
How much does a lawyer charge after a car accident?
At the Zinda Law Group, if we don’t reach a favorable settlement, then you don’t owe us anything. Depending on the case, the injury lawyers in Boulder will take a certain percentage of the compensation you receive.
How much do you get for pain and suffering in a car accident?
This depends on the specifics of your situation. The more severe your pain and suffering, the more you may receive in damages. However, in Colorado, pain and suffering damages are capped at anywhere from $250,000 to $468,010 depending on when the accident occurred.
What is the average settlement for a car accident?
Your settlement will be based on the specific facts of your case, but the average settlement ranges from $10,000 to $20,000. However, it may be much more than that if the injuries are severe.
Get Help from Our Boulder Car Accident Lawyers Today
At Zinda Law Group, our Boulder accident attorneys have helped many clients get their lives back on track after suffering an injury. We have the experience necessary to help you build the strongest case possible and seek maximum compensation for medical bills, property damage, lost income, pain and suffering, and much more.
We also believe injury victims should never have to worry about their ability to afford superior legal representation. We offer 100% free consultations, and you will pay nothing unless we achieve a favorable settlement, judgment, or verdict for your case. That’s our No Fee Guarantee.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, call Zinda Law Group at (512) 246 2224 to receive your free consultation with our Boulder accident lawyers.
Meetings with our personal injury attorneys in Boulder, Colorado, are available by appointment only.
Our Awards
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA BY THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (2016-2020)
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA (2009, 2011-2012, 2014-2021), & NEIL SOLOMON (2020-2021)
AWARDED TO JACK ZINDA (2016-2020)
LIFETIME MEMBERS JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
