Car Accident Attorneys in Boulder, CO
Car collisions are unexpected and can happen to us at any time. Most of us may expect others on the road to take the necessary precautions while driving.
However, that is unfortunately not always what happens. Despite our best efforts to drive safely, we can’t control the behavior of others.
If you suffered injuries in a car collision in Colorado at the hands of a reckless or negligent driver, the law is on your side. As you recover from your injuries, a Boulder car accident lawyer works to build a strong case to get you compensation you deserve.
Read on to learn more about the most common causes of car accidents and what damages you may be entitled to recover.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents occur every day and for any number of reasons. Understanding the most common causes of car accidents could help you recognize the dangers ahead to avoid getting into a collision. These include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
- Failing to yield to pedestrians or bicyclists,
- Refusing to obey traffic lights or signals,
- Changing lanes illegally,
- Speeding,
- Driving distracted, and
- Driving recklessly.
Collisions under these circumstances can leave innocent victims suffering substantial damage to their vehicles and catastrophic injuries that could take months or years to heal. A Boulder car accident lawyer investigates the cause of your accident to hold the proper party responsible for your damages.
How Is Fault Determined in a Car Accident?
In Colorado, most car accident victims can seek compensatory relief in a personal injury claim even if they contributed to causing an accident. Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule in car accident lawsuits.
Under this rule, a victim can recover at least a portion of their compensatory damages if their liability is determined to be less than 50%. For example, suppose you were involved in an accident where a speeding driver failed to stop at a red light.
However, a court determined that you were 20% responsible for the accident because you failed to use your blinker when you turned into the intersection. In that case, your potential compensation would be reduced by your share of liability.
Understanding this complex area of law requires the help of a qualified Boulder car accident attorney to increase the chances of getting a fair settlement.
What Damages Can I Recover?
Your Boulder car accident attorney helps you recover the compensation you and your family need and deserve. Colorado law permits injured victims to recover compensatory damages through economic and noneconomic damages.
Economic damages represent calculable losses, including the following:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages,
- Loss of future earnings, and
- Property damage.
You generally need documentation to support your demand for economic losses. It’s essential to retain all copies of paperwork related to your accident and injury to provide to your attorney.
On the other hand, noneconomic damages represent intangible losses resulting from your injury’s psychological and emotional effects.
These damages represent the following losses:
- Pain and suffering,
- Emotional distress,
- Loss of consortium,
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and
- Permanent disfigurement or injury.
Car accident attorneys in Boulder understand that many injuries in an accident can permanently change a victim’s daily life. Recovering compensation for these losses is vital for a victim and their family to continue to move forward in a positive direction after their traumatic experience.
What Are Exemplary Damages?
When a driver acts willfully or recklessly and causes an accident, a victim injured in that accident may also be entitled to exemplary damages. Exemplary damages, also known as punitive damages, are awarded independent of compensatory damages and seek not to make a victim financially whole after an accident.
Instead, they seek to punish a wrongdoer for their behavior. Experienced car accident lawyers in Boulder analyze the facts of your case and determine whether punitive damages may be available in your situation.
Contact Us
At The Ferrell Law Firm, PLLC, when you’ve been injured, you receive the most aggressive and effective legal advocacy when you need it most. With an in-depth knowledge of the law, Mike Ferrell has always had a strong desire to help those in dire need.
Early in his career, Mike worked as a Deputy District Attorney in Arapahoe County, prosecuting hundreds of criminal matters. This prosecutorial experience arms Mike with the ability to spot weaknesses in a case and increase his clients’ chances of a favorable outcome.
If you suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligence, Mike will work tirelessly to obtain the maximum value for your case. Contact The Ferrell Law Firm, PLLC, by email or phone for a free consultation to learn how we can assist you on your recovery journey.