Boulder Car Accident Lawyer
Were you or a loved one injured in a Boulder car accident? If so, you could be entitled to compensation for all your losses. To ensure your rights are protected, and you get the maximum compensation possible, contact a Boulder personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your crash.
Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers has decades of experience representing Colorado accident victims, and we know how to get results for our clients.
Call our office today at (720) 613 9706 to schedule a free consultation with a Boulder car accident lawyer.
How Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Boulder Car Accident
If someone else caused your car accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your financial losses and pain and suffering. However, getting the compensation you’re entitled to can be tricky.
Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with. They have teams of lawyers and adjusters working hard to minimize claims. Accident victims need an experienced personal injury lawyer to advocate for them.
At Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We’ve been awarded membership in Super Lawyers, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and Top 100 National Trial Lawyers.
When you work with our team, we’ll:
- Conduct a thorough investigation of your accident to determine all causes
- Gather evidence to support your claim–including police reports, surveillance footage, and eyewitness testimony
- Calculate your damages and determine the value of your claim
- File a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company
- Negotiate with the insurance company to get a fair settlement
- Work with expert witnesses to strengthen your case
- If necessary, file a lawsuit and represent you in court
- Communicate with you and keep you updated on the status of your case
Many car accident cases can be settled out of court. We’ll build a strong case and work to get a fair settlement for you as quickly as possible. However, if the insurance company is being unreasonable, we’re always ready to file a lawsuit and take the responsible party to court.
Schedule a free consultation today and let our Boulder personal injury attorneys go to work for you.
How Common Are Car Accidents in Boulder, CO
Unfortunately, car accidents are common in Boulder. According to data from the Colorado Crash Data Dashboard, in 2023 in Boulder, there were 1,441 car accidents. Specifically, this data included:
- 996 multi-vehicle accidents
- 330 single-vehicle accidents
- 77 bicycle accidents
- 38 pedestrian accidents
- Five fatalities
- 452 injuries
- 62 serious injuries
Given the frequency of car accidents in Boulder, drivers need to know what to do if they’re involved in a crash. If you’re ever involved in a Boulder car accident, you should immediately:
- Seek medical attention. It’s vital to promptly get medical care after an accident. This leads to better outcomes and provides important documentation of your injuries.
- Report the accident to law enforcement. Always report your accident to law enforcement and wait for an officer to arrive before you leave the scene.
- Exchange information with everyone involved. Get the name and insurance information of everyone involved in the accident.
- Get the name and contact information of any eyewitnesses.
- Take pictures and videos of the accident scene before it’s cleared.
- Report the accident to your insurance company even if you weren’t at fault.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer. Even if you don’t think you need a lawyer, it’s a good idea to consult with one. In a free consultation, a lawyer can evaluate your case and advise you on the next steps.
In a city like Boulder, where car accidents are frequent, knowing these essential steps can help protect your health, legal rights, and financial interests after a crash.
How Much Is My Boulder Car Accident Worth?
One of the questions we get the most from accident victims is, how much is my case worth? This is understandable, given that injured parties face significant financial hardships after an accident. The value of car accident cases varies significantly based on several factors, including:
- The type of injuries
- The severity of injuries
- The victim’s long-term diagnosis
- The impact injuries have on the victim’s ability to work
- The impact the injuries have on the victim’s personal life
- Whether or not fault was shared
An experienced personal injury lawyer can evaluate your case and give an estimate of how much it’s worth. Contact Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free evaluation.
What Damages Are Available After a Colorado Car Accident?
After an accident, victims can recover damages to compensate them for their losses. The goal of compensatory damages is to put victims in the same position they were in before the accident.
There are two categories of compensatory damages: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages compensate victims for financial losses after an accident, while non-economic damages compensate them for intangible losses, like pain and suffering.
Examples of economic damages commonly awarded in Colorado personal injury cases are:
- Medical bills
- Property damage expenses
- Lost income
- Decreased earning capacity
Non-economic damages you might be awarded include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional Distress
- Decreased quality of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
In limited cases, punitive damages are also available. Punitive damages are used to punish and deter bad behavior. These damages are only available when the responsible party’s conduct is reckless or particularly egregious.
Calculating damages can be a complex process, but it’s important to do it correctly. Victims only get one opportunity for compensation for current and future losses. A car accident lawyer will gather documentation, review medical reports, and work with experts to properly value your case.
Common Injuries in Boulder Car Accidents
We see a wide range of injuries after accidents–from minor to catastrophic. Some of the injuries we see the most are:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Burns
- Nerve damage
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Soft tissue injuries
In some cases, car accident injuries are fatal. In these situations, the victim’s family can bring a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.
Common Causes of Boulder Car Accidents
Many different factors can cause car accidents. According to Colorado crash data, the most common causes of Boulder accidents are speeding, tailgating, distracted driving, and failure to yield. Other common factors we see are:
- Fatigued driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failure to comply with traffic lights and traffic signs
After your accident, our team will conduct an independent investigation to determine what caused your accident. We’ll gather evidence like traffic camera footage, surveillance footage, phone records, and accident reports to develop your case. We’ll also work with experts–for example; we might hire accident reconstruction experts and talk with eyewitnesses to help build your case.
What Do I Have to Prove in a Lawsuit After a Colorado Car Accident?
In Colorado, the at-fault party is responsible for compensating injured parties for all losses. This means that after your accident, your first step is filing a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company.
If the insurance company doesn’t offer a fair settlement, you can file a personal injury lawsuit to recover your damages. These cases are brought under a legal theory of negligence. As the injured party or plaintiff, you have to show that the responsible party, or defendant, was negligent. To prove negligence, the plaintiff must show:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care. For example, drivers have a duty to drive safely and comply with traffic laws.
- The defendant breached the duty of care. If a driver is speeding or texting while driving, that shows a breach of the duty of care.
- The defendant’s breach was the direct cause of the accident. For example, the driver ran a red light and hit you.
- You suffered damages in the accident. This can be physical injuries or property damage.
Proving negligence in personal injury cases can be tricky. Plus, insurance companies have a team of lawyers who specialize in defending these cases. An experienced personal injury lawyer knows how to navigate personal injury lawsuits and successfully establish that the defendant was negligent.
Can I Recover Damages if I’m Partly at Fault for the Accident
One way that insurance companies defend against claims after a car accident is by blaming the victim. Colorado follows a theory of modified comparative negligence. Under this legal approach, you can recover damages as long as you’re not 50% or more at fault for an accident.
However, your damages will be reduced by the percentage of your fault. For example, if you’re 30% at fault for the accident and your damages are $100,000, you’re only entitled to recover $70,000. If you are 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages.
We are used to our clients being blamed for accidents and know how to defend them against this common insurance company tactic. If you’re being blamed for your accident, contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident in Colorado?
In Colorado, you generally have two years from the date of a car accident to file a lawsuit. However, certain details may alter this deadline, potentially shortening or extending it. Contact a lawyer promptly after your accident to protect your right to seek the compensation you deserve. Our team at Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers can make sure you file on time and don’t lose your right to recover.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Boulder Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a Boulder car accident, contact Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers. Our team will handle your case so you can focus on recovering after your injuries. We know how to deal with insurance companies and handle Colorado personal injury lawsuits. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for clients, and our results speak for themselves.
Car accidents can be life-changing and overwhelming. Let our Boulder car accident lawyers handle your lawsuit and get the compensation you need to get your life back on track after an accident. Call us today or schedule your free consultation online.
