From commuting to work to running errands, a vehicle is central to the lives of most people in Fort Collins. However, someone else’s simple mistake involving distracted driving, a violation of the rules of the road, or driving too fast for the weather conditions can lead to a car accident that affects every part of your life and your future.
A Fort Collins car accident lawyer can help you in the wake of an accident. Once retained, a dedicated attorney could help protect your rights and demand appropriate compensation by filing claims for damages against a negligent driver or their insurance company.
The Impact of a Car Accident on People’s Lives
A car accident is probably the most common form of life-altering personal injury that most people suffer. The most common injuries in Fort Collins are:
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Back injuries
- Spine injuries
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe cuts or bruises
A claim for damages should include the total medical expenses associated with treating these injuries, but the total impact of the incident on an injured person may stretch far beyond the need for medical care.
For example, many injuries are severe enough to cause missed time at work, so a claim can be filed for lost wages.
Are Noneconomic Damages Available to Recover?
Additionally, car accidents can cause physical pain and suffering and inflict emotional trauma that alters your life for months or years. Finally, injuries and trauma can impact your activities of daily life, hobbies, and recreational and social activities, thus diminishing your quality and enjoyment of life. A Fort Collins car accident legal advisor can help properly value a case and demand appropriate payments for all your injuries and losses.
How does a Plaintiff Determine Negligence in a Car Accident Case?
State law affirms that all drivers assume a duty to protect all other people whenever they make the choice to drive. A failure to fulfill this duty is a central concept in negligence cases.
To recover civil compensation, though, a plaintiff must show that the defendant was responsible for the accident. Whether this entails proving that a law was broken or that the responsible driver was careless or reckless, a car wreck lawyer in Fort Collins could help discover the evidence of defendant negligence needed to pursue an effective car accident claim.
Comparative Negligence
However, you should also be aware of the statute of the comparative negligence applicable to Colorado civil suits. According to Colorado Revised Statutes §13-21-111, if a civil court rules that you are 50 percent or more to blame for your accident, you may be barred from recovering any compensation whatsoever. If you are found to bear a smaller percentage of fault, any compensation you received would be proportionately reduced by that same percentage.
What an Attorney Could Do to Help
A skilled car accident attorney from our Fort Collins team could help with a variety of matters, including:
- Making medical appointments and deciphering bills
- Coordinating medical care with orthopedic doctors, neurologists, chiropractors, and other specialists
- Coordinating vehicle repairs and arranging a car rental
- Communicating with insurance claims adjusters—both yours and the defendant’s
- Keeping track of paperwork
- Determining through dedicated research and expertise how much your case is worth
You could try to settle with a defendant’s insurance company or legal counsel on your own, but studies show that you may be able to recover much more damage after a car accident with assistance from a qualified legal representative. Furthermore, we are only paid if you win your case, so there is no reason for you to go it alone.
Unlike some personal injury representatives, we do not shy away from the courtroom. If going to court is what it takes to get you the recovery you deserve, then that is what we will do.
A Fort Collins Car Accident Attorney Will Protect Your Rights
Every person who suffers an injury because of the negligent actions of another party has the right to pursue compensation and a Fort Collins car accident lawyer could help. While you bear the burden of proving that another driver was negligent and that this negligence caused your losses, a qualified attorney can provide significant help doing so.
With over 30 years of experience handling car accident cases under our belts, we can help with every stage of your case. There is a limited time by law to pursue a claim, so do not hesitate to contact Mac Hester Law immediately to discuss your case.