Common Car Accident Scenarios — Causes & Determining Fault
Colorado uses a fault-based insurance system in which every vehicle owner must buy liability insurance. After a crash, the insurer will only pay for your injury-related losses if you prove that a covered driver was at fault.
Car accidents in Denver, CO, usually fall into a few situations. Learn about common causes and fault scenarios for collisions and how hiring a lawyer can increase your chances of receiving the compensation you’re entitled to after a crash.
Contact Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation if you need legal guidance. Call (720) 613-9706 today for a free case review.
How Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Crash in Denver, CO
Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers assists injured clients in Denver, Colorado, in fighting insurers and at-fault parties for fair financial compensation. The firm has a well-deserved reputation for its legal prowess, having earned some of the largest settlements and damage awards in Colorado’s history.
If you suffer an injury due to someone else’s wrongful or negligent conduct, our Denver car accident lawyers can do the following to help:
- Provide a free review of your case to assess your legal rights and options
- Thoroughly investigate to gather the evidence required to prove your case
- Aggressively negotiate to settle your insurance claim on fair terms
- File a lawsuit if settlement negotiations break down
A car crash can traumatize you physically and mentally, limiting your ability to work or participate in activities you enjoy. Contact our Denver personal injury lawyers to discuss how we can help you fight for fair compensation.
We handle all types of car accidents claims, including:
- Distracted driving accidents
- DUI accidents
- Head-On crashes
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Highway crashes
- Intersection crashes
- Multi-Vehicle crashes
- Rear-end crashes
- Single vehicle accidents
- Speeding
- Lane change crashes
- Left-Turn accidents
- Red and yellow light accidents
- Rollover accident
- Self-driving car accidents
How Many Car Accidents Occur in Denver?
According to the Colorado Crash Data Dashboard, Denver had 15,462 traffic accidents in 2023.
These accidents included the following:
- 11,371 multi-vehicle collisions
- 3,282 single-vehicle accidents
- 414 bicycle accidents
- 395 pedestrian accidents
These Denver crashes killed 76 people and injured 4,842 others. The city’s traffic fatalities included a combined 31 pedestrians and bicyclists.
Common Types of Car Accidents and Who Might Bear the Fault
The liability for crash-related losses falls on the driver who negligently caused the accident. Negligence occurs when a driver fails to exercise reasonable care. Thus, the fault for a crash may lie with a driver who broke traffic laws or did something legal but unreasonably dangerous.
It’s helpful to apply this doctrine to a few common crash scenarios. Doing so enables you to determine who bears the fault for any injuries:
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions happen when the front of one car impacts the rear of the vehicle in front of it. These crashes, also called front-to-rear collisions, were the most common crash type, according to the Colorado Crash Data Dashboard.
Rear-end crashes can happen for any of the following reasons:
- Distracted driving
- Inattentive driving
- Tailgating
- Speeding
The liability for a rear-end crash usually falls on the driver of the trailing vehicle. They must follow at a safe distance and will bear the blame when they fail to do so. In rare circumstances, the leading driver may be liable. This might be the case if the driver in front passes unsafely or cuts off the other driver.
Intersection Accidents
Intersection crashes typically occur when drivers fail to yield the right of way to another vehicle. Both vehicles end up in the intersection, potentially resulting in a collision.
A driver fails to yield when they do any of the following:
- Turn left across another driver’s path
- Make a right turn in front of another vehicle
- Disobey a yield sign, stop sign, or red light
- Proceed out of turn after stopping at a stop sign
The driver who failed to yield will typically be liable for any injuries suffered by those in the vehicle that had the right of way.
Pedestrian Crashes
Vehicles can cause significant injuries to a pedestrian’s unprotected body. Drivers who hit pedestrians will be responsible for economic and non-economic losses if they act negligently. For example, a driver will probably not be liable for someone’s injuries if the pedestrian darted into traffic or jaywalked.
Conversely, drivers are at fault when they fail to yield to pedestrians or maneuver in a way that endangers them, such as by backing without looking. In these situations, the driver’s unreasonably dangerous actions expose them to liability.
Intoxicated Driving Collisions
Denver sees its fair share of DUI collisions. Whether someone uses alcohol, marijuana, or an illegal drug before operating a vehicle, they will usually be responsible for any injuries they cause.
Bear in mind that ignorance is not a defense; an impaired driver cannot defend themselves by arguing they did not know how impaired they were. However, you might be able to defend yourself in cases of unintentional impairment, such as if someone secretly drugged you.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Denver Car Accident Attorneys To Discuss Liability
Determining the fault for a car accident requires legal knowledge and experience. Contact Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your crash and who may bear the liability for the losses you incurred.
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Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Denver, CO
Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Denver Office
1610 Wynkoop Street. Suite 120. Denver, CO. 80202
(720) 613-9706
Denver emergency rooms
- Saint Joseph Hospital Emergency Room – 1375 E 19th Ave, Denver, CO 80218
- Denver Health Emergency Department – 777 Bannock St Pavilion A, Denver, CO 80204
- Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center Emergency Room – 2001 High St, Denver, CO 80205
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.
Additional Auto Accident Resources
- Airbag injuries
- Car color and crash risk
- Common injuries
- Colorado child car seat laws
- Most dangerous road intersections
- Statistics
- Road defects
Learn more about car accidents FAQs
