Westminster Car Accident Attorney

When Do I Have a Strong Car Accident Claim?

You likely have a case for compensation if you suffered injuries in a car accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence. Everyone on the road has a legal obligation to operate their vehicles responsibly, and when their failure to do so leads to a collision, they become liable for the injuries they cause. 

You may have a strong car accident claim if your crash was the result of any of the following common examples of driver negligence:

• Excessive speeding
• Distracted driving (including texting while driving)
• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI)
• Fatigued driving
• Failure to observe traffic signs or signals
• Unsafe lane changes
• Reckless driving

Our team at Justice Now Injury Lawyers can evaluate what happened and advise whether you have a strong personal injury claim. You also shouldn’t hesitate to get in touch with us even if you believe you may be partially to blame for the accident. Under Colorado’s modified comparative negligence system, you can still recover some compensation for your injuries if you were less than 50% to blame for the crash. In these situations, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.

How Long Do I Have to Pursue a Car Accident Lawsuit in Colorado?

The law imposes a strict time limit on how long you have to file a car accident lawsuit in Colorado. This deadline is called the statute of limitations, and if you miss it, you will almost certainly lose your ability to seek compensation.

The statute of limitations for most car accident cases is three years from the date of the collision. That may seem like a lot of time, but justice doesn’t wait, and neither should you. The evidence we need to win your case can disappear fast, so reach out as soon as possible after your collision so that we can launch a prompt and aggressive investigation.  

What Types of Compensation Can I Recover in a Car Accident Case?

In the wake of a car crash, your focus should be on healing. Our job is to go after the full and fair compensation you are entitled to under the law. The compensation we can help you recover generally falls into two primary categories: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages compensate you for the actual, verifiable financial losses you incur due to the accident. These losses are easily quantifiable because we prove them with specific bills, receipts, pay stubs, and cost estimates.

Examples of economic damages we can recover include:

• Medical expenses. This includes all past and future costs for emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, medication, physical therapy, and long-term care needs.
• Lost wages. You are entitled to compensation to cover the income you lost from missing work during your recovery.
• Loss of future earning capacity. If your injuries permanently reduce your ability to work or earn at the same level, we can fight for compensation to cover this lifetime financial loss.
• Property damage. This includes the costs to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal property (like electronics) destroyed in the crash.

Non-economic damages are meant to cover the subjective, intangible impact the accident and your injuries have had on your life. There is no bill or receipt for these losses.

Examples of non-economic damages our car accident attorney can pursue include:

• Pain and suffering. We can fight to get you compensation for the physical discomfort and agony resulting from your injuries, recovery, and any residual chronic pain.
• Emotional distress. This includes compensation for the psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, or PTSD the accident caused.
• Loss of enjoyment of life. We can seek compensation for your inability to participate in the hobbies, activities, and sports you were able to enjoy prior to the accident.

Colorado law imposes a cap on the amount of non-economic damages you can recover in a personal injury lawsuit. Even with this cap, we are prepared to work aggressively to present the strongest possible case that validates your suffering and maximizes your award up to the legal limit.

Additionally, punitive damages may be available in rare cases involving especially egregious conduct. These damages are meant to punish the negligent driver and discourage similar behavior in the future. We may pursue punitive damages in cases involving drunk driving, road rage, or other acts of extreme recklessness.

Don’t accept a lowball settlement offer from the insurance company without getting legal advice. Call (720) 802-1466 or contact us online to learn more about the types of compensation we may be able to help you recover.