Statistics by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) indicate that the state had recorded 495 fatal car accidents by November 24, 2020. This number is slightly lower than the 507 fatal accidents that occurred in Colorado in 2015. Locally, fatal traffic accidents in Glenwood Springs in 2018 involved 3 vehicles, I pedestrian, and 2 total fatalities.
As you can see from these statistics, car accidents in Glenwood Springs are as much a concern as they are in every city in the United States. They can have serious repercussions ranging from injury to death. If you get injured in one, you should consult a Glenwood Springs Personal Injury Attorney promptly.
Car Accident Laws in Colorado
In July 2003, personal injury protection (PIP) was abolished in Colorado, and a new auto injury law was established. This means that, since then, the protections previously provided by PIP insurance no longer exist. It also means that injured victims don’t have to meet the $2,500 minimum limit to file an injury claim against the at-fault driver in a car accident.
PIP coverage made it easier to deal with hospitals and healthcare providers, but with the current system, you will need an experienced attorney to get the compensation you deserve. You will also need to contact one immediately to keep within the 3-year Colorado Statute of Limitations.
Common Glenwood Springs Car Accidents
While many car accidents in Glenwood Springs are caused by driver error, other factors such as poor road maintenance and defective vehicle parts can come into play. A Glenwood Springs Personal Injury Attorney can help you seek damages for any of the following accidents:
- Head-on collisions
- Drunk driver accidents
- Rear-ended collisions
- Single car accidents
- Multiple car accidents
- Fender benders
- Rollovers
- Pedestrian accidents
Damages for Glenwood Springs Car Accidents
Colorado divides compensation into two distinct groups; compensatory damages and punitive damages. Compensatory damages are designed to reimburse you for losses such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
On the other hand, punitive damages, also called exemplary damages, are awarded as a deterrent to negligent or malicious drivers so they may not repeat their actions. The Colorado Revised Statute §13-21-102 states that they are only applicable in certain situations, such as when a driver acts out of reckless disregard for the safety of others.
Contributory Negligence in Colorado
In some cases, both drivers in a car accident may be found at fault, albeit with differing percentages of fault. Such scenarios are covered under the Colorado Revised Statute §13-21-111, or comparative fault law, which can affect the damages available to a plaintiff.
For example, if you are found to be 30 percent at fault for an accident, you will receive 30 percent less than the original claim. Insurance companies will try to exploit this to reduce your settlement, which is why you need an attorney.
Talk to a Glenwood Springs Personal Injury Attorney Today
Even with the total mileage traveled in the first six months of 2020 reducing by 17 percent, the fatality rate has increased by 20 percent per mile covered per vehicle. This means that car accidents in Glenwood Springs are no less of a concern during the pandemic.
If you have been injured in a car accident through no fault of your own in Glenwood Springs, contact Cimarron Ridge Legal Group online or at (970) 644-5194 to discuss your rights with an experienced attorney. We have consistently recovered settlements for our clients and are ready to fight for you.
