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Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer

If you have sustained injuries in a Colorado Springs car crash, then you’re aware of how the costs can add up.

At McCormick & Murphy, our auto collision attorneys work hard to assist accident collision victims in getting their rightful compensation.

A Colorado Springs auto accident lawyer from our law firm can represent you, talking on your behalf all through the legal process.

Our experienced car accident attorneys will also collect the necessary evidence to support your car accident case adequately.

You’ll be able to recover in peace while we handle all the pertinent issues.

Common Causes of Auto Accidents in Colorado Springs

Auto accidents don’t just happen; they are the result of the negligence of someone, such as the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident, a party responsible for road maintenance, another driver on the road, or even the manufacturer of the vehicle involved (or the manufacturer of a vehicle part).

Common causes of car accidents in Colorado Springs, CO include:

Speeding or Driving too Fast for Conditions

When a vehicle is traveling too fast for conditions, it is more difficult to control, therefore increasing the risk of a crash.

This includes taking a turn faster than the posted speed limit. In fact, according to the same source listed above, fatal rollover crashes are speed-related more often than fatal non-rollover crashes.

Over ⅓ of fatal rollover crashes involved excessive speeding. 

Drinking and Driving

Drinking and then driving is unlawful and unsafe, and being drunk behind the wheel increases the risk of single-vehicle (and multi-vehicle) collisions.

About 50 percent of all rollover crashes involve alcohol or drunk driving.

Vehicle Defect

While less common than driver negligence, a vehicle defect often leads to a auto accident.

For example, if the brakes go out on a vehicle, the driver may be forced to crash their vehicle in order to get it to stop.

Or, if a tire blowout occurs, this could force the vehicle to swerve, hit an object, and, in the worst of cases, rollover.

Unsafe Road Conditions

Like a vehicle defect, unsafe road conditions are less likely to cause a crash, but it does happen.

An unsafe road condition in Colorado Springs could refer to a pothole or another type of road defect, debris in the road, an animal running across the road, and defective signage or lack of signage (i.e. a sharp turn that isn’t indicated by a warning sign), or improperly placed barriers and signs in construction zones. 

Other Drivers’ Negligence

Finally, the negligence of other drivers can also increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents.

Swerving, erratically changing lanes, pulling out in front of another driver unexpectedly, failing to yield, and more could all increase the risk of a safer driver performing an action–perhaps one that’s entirely reflexive–that results in a single-vehicle collision in his or her attempt to avoid colliding with the negligent driver.

Common Colorado Springs Car Accident Injuries

Some of the most common injuries suffered by accident victims in Colorado Springs are:

  • Burns;
  • Head and brain injuries;
  • Neck injuries;
  • Broken bones;
  • Whiplash injuries;
  • Back and spine injuries;
  • Chest injury;
  • Fractures;
  • Disfigurement;
  • PTSD;
  • Shoulder injuries;
  • Organ damage; and
  • Other internal injuries

Following an auto accident, it’s paramount to seek the help of a Colorado Springs car accident lawyer right away to help establish the at-fault party.

An attorney will also have the knowledge and resources necessary to investigate and document your claim.

Choosing to work with a Colorado Springs personal injury attorney also helps ensure that you get the maximum possible compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial damages.

Under the Colorado State laws, you are eligible for fair compensation for any injuries and damages you incur from a crash.

The compensation can include:

  • Healthcare expenses for any short- or long-term care for all persons that were injured in the crash;
  • Repair or replacement costs for your car;
  • Repair or replacement expenses for any belongings damages in the wreck;
  • Payment for lost income while you’re unable to work because of the injuries; and
  • Legal costs that are associated with the crash’s aftermath. MCCORMICK & MURPHY FOUGHT FOR MY RIGHTSAND COLLECTED OVER $1,000,000 FOR ME.

When I was seriously injured in an automobile accident, I believed the insurance companies would treat me fairly. As a result of the accident I lost the ability to work in the profession that I had been trained in. Even though I lost my ability to earn a living due a serious head injury, neither the insurance company of the driver who hit me or my own insurance company offered to pay for the lost wages that I would lose over my life time. McCormick & Murphy fought for my rights, and eventually collected over $1,000,000.00 for me. I highly recommend McCormick & Murphy.

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What to Do After a Auto Collision in Colorado Springs

A car collision can change your life drastically in a matter of seconds. Without any warning, you may be fighting to survive. You might not be able to provide for the people depending on you or lead the life you once lived.

That can put more strain and stress on both you and your family.

However, with the help of a qualified Colorado Springs auto accident attorney, you can pursue the maximum compensation for your misfortunes.

The steps you take after a crash will significantly impact your ability to make a claim. Any mistakes you make can negatively impact your chances for recovery. That’s especially true since insurance firms are often seeking any excuse to reject your claim or decrease your settlement. With a lawyer on your side, you’ll be able to avoid expensive mistakes and guard your right to remuneration.

At McCormick & Murphy P.C., our lawyers are aware of the complications victims of collisions usually face after the traumatic experience. Therefore, we work hard and tirelessly to ensure your rights are protected every step of the way. If you have been a victim of a car crash, please get in touch with us for a free initial consultation.

Here are the steps you should take immediately after a Colorado Springs car accident happens:

1. Document and Collect General Details of the Car Crash

Following a car collision, if you’re physically able to, call 911. If the police arrive, they will ensure that evidence is gathered such as the other driver’s license number, vehicle license plate number, insurance details, and contact information.

Also, record the time and date when the accident occurred.

That information will play a crucial role when you’re filing a claim with an insurance agency. Without the information, it may be hard to pursue the compensation you need.

2. Document the Scene of the Crash

If you are able to, take photographs of any vehicle damage and public property damage for not only your vehicle but also the other driver’s vehicle. Additionally, photograph the intersection, traffic lights, vehicle skid marks, and all other details of the accident scene that can help with affirming negligence.

You should also make a point to document any vital details from the car accident that you can recall such as:

  • How the crash took place;
  • Where the collision occurred;
  • What happened just before and after the crash; and
  • What the other driver said.

3. Seek Medical Assistance

Right after your crash, you should seek medical help.

The adrenaline from the incident can mask severe harm, so we recommend that you visit a healthcare professional as soon as possible. If you’re hurt, a diagnosis of the injuries is essential when trying to recover the reimbursement you deserve. If your physician prescribes medication, have those drugs filled immediately.

In addition, obey the advice of your doctor and attend the necessary follow-up sessions. Failing to follow medical advice might cause the insurance firm to assume that you’re not as hurt as you claim.

4. Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company

Even if you aren’t responsible for the collision, call your insurer as soon as you can.

Although the at-fault’s driver’s insurer should cover damages, you should still call your own insurance agency to report your misfortune. That will allow your insurer to evaluate your property damage and physical injuries as well.

If the other driver doesn’t have sufficient coverage or is not insured, you may have to use your own UIM/UM policy.

Should I Be Speaking with the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?

Although you should always advise your insurance carrier when you are involved in an accident, you have no obligation to speak to the other driver’s insurance company.

After a motor vehicle collision, you will likely receive a call from the at-fault party’s insurance carrier. They will request a recorded or written statement. They may even go so far as to suggest that giving such a statement is required. But it is important that you do not provide any statement until you talk to an attorney.

Insurers can use any part of your statement against you. They will look for reasons to deny your claim or to minimize its value. In fact, that is the exact reason that they are asking you for a statement. The best way to avoid giving them any ammunition to use against you is to not speak to them until you consult with your attorney.

Should you find yourself on the phone with the insurance company, say nothing beyond providing them with the name and contact details for your car accident attorney in Colorado Springs.

In some cases, your own insurance carrier might request a formal statement. Although it isn’t common, an accident victim must occasionally pursue an insurance claim against their own insurer. For this reason, you should probably also avoid giving a formal statement to your own carrier until you clear it with your attorney, and have he or she present for the interview.

A quick call to McCormick & Murphy P.C. can get you the answers you need, when you need them.

Auto Accident Liability in Colorado

Colorado is a fault-based auto accident state. To hold another driver liable for a fender bender, you must prove that they caused the crash through their unsafe conduct. Liability is based on the legal concept of negligence.

As explained in the Colorado Civil Jury Instructions, negligence is the “failure to do an act which a reasonably careful person would do, or the doing of an act which a reasonably careful person would not do, under the same or similar circumstances.”

In other words, it is reckless or unreasonably dangerous behavior.

In car accident cases, negligence comes in many forms, including: 

  • Speeding;
  • Reckless driving;
  • Following too closely;
  • Running red lights;
  • Running stop signs;
  • Failure to yield;
  • Failure to make a lawful left turn;
  • Unsafe merges or lane changes;
  • Distracted driving; and 
  • Intoxicated driving. 

Required Auto Insurance in Colorado

The first thing that you should know about driving in Colorado is that carrying auto insurance is required under the law. 

It is mandated that a person carry:

  • $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person;
  • $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident; and
  • $15,000 in property damage liability per accident.

Having this insurance is not optional, and can result in penalties for drivers who fail to drive while insured. Despite this, though, there are many drivers who choose to operate their vehicles without insurance. Not only are these drivers breaking the law, but they are also putting themselves at risk of personal liability in the event that they cause an accident.

Legal Options After an Accident With an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver

Being involved in a crash with a driver who doesn’t have insurance can leave you with a sinking feeling, and a lot of anxiety about the future and how you will pay for your losses.

Fortunately, there are usually other options. For example, if you have health insurance coverage, your health insurance provider should pay for your medical bills.

In addition to your health insurance provider, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical expenses, property damage costs, and even your lost wages by filing a car accident claim against your own insurance policy if you maintain certain coverage types.

These include:

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Most people in Colorado carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

This type of coverage can pay for some or all of your losses in the event that you’re involved in a crash with a driver who doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to fully cover the extent of damages you’ve suffered.

Waiving Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

In Colorado, you can waive this coverage in writing, but our Colorado Springs auto accident attorneys advise that it never be waived.

Medical Benefits Coverage

This type of coverage is optional in Colorado and offers medical and funeral expenses coverage for you and any of your passengers harmed as a result of an auto accident. This coverage can be waived but we recommend that you do not waive it.

Collision Coverage

Finally, if your vehicle was damaged in the crash and the at-fault driver doesn’t maintain property damage liability coverage, you can file insurance claims against your policy’s collision coverage for the cost of vehicle repairs.

Compensation Available Under Colorado Personal Injury Law

Colorado uses comparative negligence rules (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-111). Under this system, each party will be held responsible for their share of the collective damages. If you were injured in a Colorado Springs fender bender and you are found to be partially responsible for the crash, it will reduce your compensation.

As an example, a motorist who is deemed to be 20 percent at fault for their own crash will have their compensation reduced by 20 percent. The effect of Colorado’s comparative fault laws is that unfair blame can easily take thousands of dollars directly out of a settlement. Protect yourself by hiring an experienced car accident attorney in Colorado Springs.  

What Do Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyers Charge?

Choosing to have a Colorado Springs car accident lawyer handle your case can provide lots of advantages for injury accident victims, but at what cost?

At McCormick & Murphy, P.C., we understand what victims go through after being involved in an accident that someone else caused. You might have no way to pay your medical bills or cover your living expenses while you recuperate—especially if your injuries prevent you from working.

For that reason, most Colorado Springs auto accident lawyers will accept your case on a contingency fee basis.

We will handle your case on contingency, which means that you won’t owe any retainer or legal fees upfront. Your lawyer will do all the work and pay all the expenses associated with your case. You will not owe any legal fees at all until and unless your lawyer recovers compensation for your claim.

Upon receiving a settlement or jury award, your attorney will deduct a previously agreed-upon percentage of the total as well as any agreed-upon expenses.

Injured Accident Victims Deserve Full Financial Compensation

Car accidents can result in serious injuries and expensive repair bills. Under the Colorado state laws, you have the right to hold a negligent defendant legally responsible for any injuries and damages you incur from a crash.

While insurance adjusters often fight aggressively to limit settlement offers, you should not accept less than you truly deserve. At McCormick & Murphy, P.C., our Colorado Springs car accident attorneys will help you maximize your compensation. Contact us for a free consultation today to learn how we can help you.

We take car accident cases on a contingency fee basis which means you don’t pay us anything unless we win.

You may be able to recover financial compensation for: 

  • Repair or replacement costs for your car;
  • Repair or replacement expenses for any belongings damaged in the wreck;
  • Emergency medical care; 
  • Short or long-term healthcare expenses for all persons that were injured in the crash;
  • Other medical expenses and bills;
  • Physical therapy;
  • Lost wages or income while you’re unable to work because of your injuries;
  • Diminished earning capacity;
  • Legal costs that are associated with the crash’s aftermath;
  • Emotional Distress;
  • Pain and suffering; and
  • Long-term disability. 

When Should I Hire a Colorado Springs Car Accident Attorney?

Colorado’s laws do not require you to hire a lawyer for a personal injury claim. However, in most cases, having an attorney provides several key advantages.

Investigating and Documenting Your Claim

Once you have a lawyer on board, your attorney will get to work investigating and documenting your claim.

At McCormick & Murphy P.C, we have investigators ready to mobilize on your behalf. Our legal team will advise you regarding any rules and regulations associated with your claim, such as ensuring that you bring forth your case within Colorado’s statute of limitations.

We will also advise you on best practices to maintain throughout the course of your auto accident case, such as not providing the insurance company with a recorded statement without legal representation and refraining from social media use while your claim is unsettled.

Our Colorado Springs auto accident attorneys will gather information and evidence to demonstrate fault and establish liability for your damages. We build the most persuasive case possible, to help ensure the best outcome for you.

Negotiating with the Insurance Company

Once we have documented your claim, we submit the information along with a written demand to the insurance company. We negotiate with the insurer utilizing our decades of combined experience to help you get the compensation you deserve.

We protect your legal rights and demand that the insurer negotiates in good faith. If they refuse, we can discuss the option of filing a lawsuit in civil court and pursuing your case that way.

Handling All Communications

When you work with McCormick & Murphy in Colorado Springs, you won’t have to worry about dealing with the insurance company at all.

Your attorney will handle every aspect of communicating with the insurer, their attorneys, and any other parties involved in your case. You can relax and focus on your recovery while your attorney deals with the complex legal issues and the more mundane aspects of daily communication with insurers.

Providing Updates

The attorneys and legal staff of McCormick & Murphy P.C., always strive to provide an exceptional level of communication. We provide updates about your case so you never have to wonder what’s going on. If you have questions or need information, we are never more than a phone call, text, or email away.

As for timing, we recommend that contact an auto accident lawyer in Colorado Springs immediately after an accident. Evidence can disappear. Witnesses’ memories can fade. Insurance companies can take advantage of you. Therefore, the sooner you can get an attorney working on your case, the better. At McCormick & Murphy P.C., we are never more than a phone call away. You can contact us at any time, day or night, 365 days a year. We can meet with you wherever you are, or you can come to our office for a free consultation. We can even meet with you via phone or video conference.

At McCormick & Murphy P.C., we put our specialized knowledge and extensive resources to work for you. We have more than a half-century of combined experience. We understand how frightening and confusing this process can be. We go above and beyond to make the process as easy for you as possible.

When you need an exceptional auto accident attorney in Colorado Springs, you can call on us for help.

Contact a Colorado Springs Auto Accident Lawyer

Contact a car accident lawyer in Colorado Springs as soon as time permits. In the midst of the commotion, valuable proof may be lost or destroyed.

Your motor vehicle accident lawyer will investigate the crash, collect evidence, and file car accident lawsuits against the at-fault parties. Via meticulous preparations and planning, the attorney can pursue maximum compensation for your injuries and property damage.

If you are the victim of a car crash in Colorado Springs, an experienced auto accident attorney from McCormick & Murphy P.C. can help. Call us via 719-419-8510 for a free case evaluation today.