Victim rights advocates can provide a variety of services to people injured in car or truck accidents, including:
Information and education: They can explain the legal process, insurance claims, and other aspects of recovering from an accident.
Emotional support: They can provide counseling, support groups, and other resources to help victims cope with the emotional trauma of the accident.
If you are hurt by a drunk driver, you have the right to file a civil lawsuit against the driver for negligence. You may also have a claim for negligence per se. This means that the driver was acting unreasonably and in violation of the law by driving under the influence, and that their actions directly caused your injuries.
It is illegal drive a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol in Colorado. It’s also illegal for a driver to operate a vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol. Drivers can face criminal penalties if determined they were under the influence during a crash.
In addition to suing the driver, you may also be able to sue the owner of the car or the establishment that served the driver alcohol. This is called Dram Shop liability. in Colorado, a vendor who is licensed to sell alcohol can be held liable for any injuries caused by one of their patrons. These laws typically apply to restaurants, bars, and any other establishments that sell alcoholic beverages. These laws can hold establishments that sell liquor responsible if they continue selling liquor to someone who is physically intoxicated.
The end of the year and the holiday season are a time for celebration and togetherness, but they also bring an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are an average of 119 fatal crashes per day on major holidays in the United States, compared to 102 fatal crashes per day on average throughout the rest of the year.
Factors Contributing to Increased Holiday Crashes
Several factors contribute to the increased risk of crashes during the holidays, including:
A spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord that can cause loss of sensation and movement in parts of the body. Spinal cord injuries can be caused by a variety of accidents, including car accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, falls, and sports injuries.
The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on the location and extent of the damage. Some people with spinal cord injuries may be paralyzed, while others may have limited mobility or sensation. Spinal cord injuries can also cause a variety of other problems, such as bladder and bowel dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, and chronic pain.
There is no cure for spinal cord injury, but there are treatments that can help people with spinal cord injuries to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Treatment options include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and medication.
The Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) Zero Death Initiative is a bold and visionary goal to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries on Colorado’s roadways. The initiative was launched in 2015 and is based on the Safe System approach to road safety, which recognizes that people make mistakes and that the road system should be designed to protect everyone, even when those mistakes happen.
The Zero Death Initiative focuses on four key areas:
Truck accidents can be devastating, leading to serious injuries and long-lasting consequences. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident and have suffered injuries, it’s crucial to know what steps to take immediately after the incident to protect your well-being, rights, and potential legal claims. This blog will discuss the essential actions to take if you find yourself in such a situation.
Prioritize Safety: Immediately after a truck accident, your safety is paramount. If you can move and it is safe to do so, get yourself to a secure location, away from traffic and any potential hazards. Ensure that the vehicle’s hazard lights are on to warn other drivers of the accident.
Call the Police: Contact local law enforcement to report the accident. A police report will serve as an official record of the incident, including details about the accident scene, involved parties, and potential witnesses. Be sure to obtain a copy of this report for your records.
When you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, finding the right personal injury attorney is crucial to securing the compensation you deserve. Personal injury cases come in various forms, with two primary categories: routine soft tissue injury cases and catastrophic cases. In this Blog, we’ll explore the differences between them and offer guidance on how to find the right attorney for your specific situation.
Soft Tissue Injury Personal Injury Cases
Routine or often called, soft-tissue injury personal injury cases typically involve injuries resulting from everyday accidents, such as slip and falls, car accidents, or dog bites. Here’s what you need to know:
A common question we get from a new client is “How long will this process take?” Almost everyone wants to know the answer to this questions as very few people have experience to know and understand what to expect. Your lawyer should take the time to explain the specifics of your case and what to expect along the way. To start, a personal injury claim or lawsuit is a legal process through which an individual who has suffered harm or injury seeks compensation from the party responsible for the incident. While the pursuit of justice is essential, the timing of the process can be just as important. The duration of such a case can vary significantly based on several factors, and it is essential for anyone considering legal action to have a realistic understanding of the timeline. I hope to provide you with the key elements that influence the length of a personal injury lawsuit and provide insights into what to expect during each stage.
Pre-filing Investigation, Medical Treatment and Negotiations:
When a client first hires an attorney, there is typically an initial investigation phase. During this stage, the injured party, the attorney, and the insurance companies gather evidence, review medical records, interview witnesses, and evaluate the potential for a successful claim. Depending on the complexity of the case and the willingness of the parties involved to negotiate, this phase can last several weeks to several months. Sometimes specialized experts get involved early such as accident reconstructionist, trucking experts, or architects and/or engineers. With a serious injury case, you can expect this stage to last a year or more as ongoing medical treatment needs to be considered before any settlement.
When involved in a lawsuit, parties often find themselves entangled in a lengthy and adversarial legal process that can be emotionally draining, financially burdensome, and time-consuming. In recent years, alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation, have gained popularity as a means to resolve disputes outside of the courtroom. In this article, I will delve into the concept of mediation and evaluate its worthiness as a valuable tool in the context of a lawsuit. We are often required to participate in Mediation once litigation is started in most counties in Colorado.
Understanding Mediation
Mediation is a voluntary process in which an impartial third party, the mediator, facilitates negotiations between the parties involved in a lawsuit. The mediator does not render a judgment or make decisions, but rather assists the parties in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement. The goal of mediation is to foster open communication, identify common interests, and explore potential solutions that address the concerns of all parties involved.
Car accidents can be distressing and complex events that leave individuals grappling with various consequences such as property damage, injuries, medical bills, and insurance claims. In the aftermath of a car accident, one of the crucial decisions to consider is whether to hire a lawyer. While it is not mandatory to have legal representation, there are several factors to weigh when determining whether seeking legal counsel is the right choice for your situation. In this blog, I will address the advantages and considerations associated with hiring a lawyer following a car accident.
Understanding the Legal Landscape
Car accident laws and insurance policies can be convoluted and challenging to navigate without a thorough understanding of the legal landscape. A lawyer specializing in personal injury and car and truck accident cases possesses in-depth knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and legal procedures. Their expertise can help you comprehend your rights, potential liabilities, and the compensation you may be entitled to receive.
Colorado Personal Injury Lawyer Blog