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Whether you are dealing with the headache of a fender bender or a traumatic brain injury from a more serious collision, it's important to understand the process of determining liability in any accident so that you may receive fair compensation for damages. A Colorado injury attorney at DCAL can investigate your case and help you get the maximum compensation for your incident.

Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents

A rear-end collision remains the most common type of motor vehicle accident. Some of the most common causes of these types of vehicle crashes are:

Drunk Driver

A person under the influence of alcohol is a serious threat to all other drivers on the road. Alcohol impairs one's ability to make responsible decisions, causes delayed reaction time, and significantly affects a driver's awareness. Drunk driving is also the main cause of traffic deaths. If you are suffering the horrific loss of a loved one due to a rear-end collision, please contact our personal injury lawyers today to take action. No amount of money can heal the loss, but financial burdens should not grow or go unmet during this time. 

Negligent Driver

Negligent driving, also referred to as reckless driving, is a traffic violation in which a person operates a vehicle in a careless manner. Negligent parties may intentionally, or unintentionally ignore things like traffic lights, speed limits, and other traffic laws. A driver who swerves in and out of lanes or fails to use traffic signals can also be considered negligent. These drivers demonstrate a lack of concern for other lives on the road and are responsible for many wrecks, especially rear-end collisions. 

Distracted Driver

With the boom of technology and people's lives becoming busier and busier, distracted driving is a growing cause of traffic accidents. Whether it is someone talking on the phone, texting, selecting a song, eating, or dealing with unruly children in the backseat, any moment without the eyes on the road leaves a chance to rear-end another driver.

Aggressive Driving

Drivers who struggle with road rage can quickly become aggressive drivers. Whether following someone too closely to intimidate them or trying to force people off the road, being aggressive behind the wheel is a danger to every driver in the immediate vicinity.

car being rear-ended by another car, Denver Rear-End Accident Lawyer

How to Determine Fault in a Rear-End Accident

In the vast majority of instances, the driver in the rear is considered the person responsible. This is because the rear driver is responsible for leaving enough distance to safely stop, even if they have to slam on the brakes.

There are a few circumstances in which the driver in front may be to blame. For example, if the front driver reverses into a vehicle behind them or if they have damaged tail lights that prevent the rear driver from seeing them.

In all cases, the police, the insurance company, and your lawyer will review all evidence to help determine who and what caused the collision. Evidence that is considered maybe photos or videos of the accident scene, eyewitness accounts and/or accident reports provided by the police, and weather conditions. Contact an experienced car accident attorney to help you obtain the financial compensation you deserve.

Damages You Can Recover From a Rear-End Car Accident

If you are the victim of a rear-end crash, a personal injury attorney can help you receive fair compensation for any injuries and losses incurred. You may be surprised by the vast number of expenses you can have covered after such an incident. It is imperative to always file an insurance claim and a police report before seeking damages. In any accident, you should obtain a copy of the official accident report and get the information of the other driver. This includes names, photos of their driver's license, license plates, and their insurance company information.

Colorado law requires the following minimum amount of liability insurance:

Because car insurance companies want to pay the least amount possible and because each individual's insurance will have a maximum their insurance will pay, an insurance claim may not cover all of your expenses. If the insurance payout is not enough to cover your damages, an accident attorney can help you sue the auto insurance company and the driver to obtain the rightful payment.

Even though drivers are required by law to have minimum liability insurance, some people choose to get on the road uninsured. An uninsured driver is still responsible for damages if they are at fault. An accident lawyer can help you reach a settlement and navigate the legal proceedings of procuring these damages.

Many people do not realize how comprehensive the list of damages is for a Colorado motorist accident. Beyond vehicle damage and damage to property, you can sue for bodily and emotional damages as well. Because some injuries may take a considerable period of time to treat or surface, the state of Colorado allows a person three years to file a lawsuit related to a car accident. You may have thought the accident was small at the time, but have begun to notice some lasting effects and feel you should be compensated for those inconveniences. Some common injuries include:

Emotional Distress

Car accidents can be very traumatic experiences. They can cause a person to feel nervousness, fear, and paranoia when returning to the road. In some cases, drivers may even develop minor to severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which can greatly impair their ability to operate a vehicle. PTSD can present as panic attacks, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, and fear so severe that you may abstain from driving or riding in a vehicle altogether. These symptoms are treatable through therapy and medication, for which you should be compensated.

Medical Treatment/Bodily Injury

Medical expenses from accident injuries can get costly fast. You can file a lawsuit with an auto accident attorney to seek compensation for easily treatable injuries like scrapes, broken bones, and whiplash, to more long-lasting injuries such as nerve damage, facial injuries, or internal organ damage, to more permanent damage: like wrongful death, spinal cord injuries and paralysis. The at-fault driver can be held responsible for all of these medical costs and medical care necessary to treat your auto crash injuries. 

Lowered Quality of Life

If your condition has lowered your quality of life, the at-fault driver can be held responsible for the expenses or emotional damage incurred because of the accident. Maybe you will need accessible accommodations installed in your home due to bodily injury or perhaps your emotional state has been so affected that you can no longer live the way you once did. You can seek compensation for all of these events and any medical bills related to them.

car being rear-ended by another car, Denver Rear-End Accident Lawyer

Loss of Income

If your injuries or vehicle damage caused you to lose income by being unable to work, a rear-end accident attorney can help you sue to receive payment for that financial loss. 

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Perhaps you had to pay for car rides or bus passes while your car was being repaired. Or maybe you had to rent a car or pay your insurance deductible. Or maybe you had to pay to have groceries and household supplies to be delivered. Any expense paid out of pocket while waiting on your settlement claim can be considered recoverable damages.

How an Attorney Can Help You After a Rear-End Accident

Our collision lawyers are dedicated to making sure you receive compensatory damages for all losses and injuries caused by your auto collision.

Schedule your initial consultation with our law firm today. We will discuss your case, all evidence and damages, and the type of accident claim you want to make. We will then help you develop a legal strategy so we can best support you through the claims process of obtaining a fair settlement. At DCAL, we have 100% free initial consultations and are ready to help you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.  

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