Denver Car Inspection Laws
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 94% of traffic accidents result from driving errors like speeding or tailgating. The amount of accidents that are the result of mechanical failures, on the other hand, is not nearly as high. In Denver, CO, for instance, only 2% of collisions result from mechanical failures.
However, there are no Denver car inspection laws to catch damaged or defective equipment before these accidents occur. Complicating matters further is that someone else may be liable for your car accident injuries, even when they result from an equipment failure.
A Denver car accident lawyer from Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers can identify and guide you through your options to pursue compensation from those responsible. Contact us today to schedule an initial free consultation, or call our Denver office at (720) 613-9706.
How Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After An Accident In Denver, CO
Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers has helped injured clients in Denver, Colorado, since 2012. In that time, our lawyers have recovered millions in compensation, including several record-setting verdicts and settlements.
We will do the following for you in the event that you suffer an injury due to someone else’s behavior:
- Listen to your situation and advise you of your legal options
- Assemble medical records, accident reports, and other evidence
- Prepare an insurance claim and negotiate to settle it
- File a lawsuit if the insurer refuses a fair settlement arrangement
What Affects The Value Of My Car Accident Case?
Drivers whose negligence causes collisions are liable for the resulting injuries and property losses. The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries and the strength of the evidence that proves negligence.
The liability for an equipment failure could fall on the driver if they knew their vehicle was dangerous but drove anyway. It could also fall on a repair shop if they incompetently repaired the car. Finally, manufacturers may be liable for defective parts, whether they are the original or aftermarket replacements.
What Types Of Compensation Can Accident Victims Seek?
Colorado accident victims can pursue compensation for economic losses like lost income and expenses for medical care and therapy. They can also seek compensation for non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering.
How Much Does A Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Colorado injury lawyers charge a contingency fee for legal representation. It is a percentage of the compensation recovered, which means you will only pay it if the lawyer settles or wins your claim.
What Happens If The Other Driver Blames Me For A Colorado Car Accident?
Under a doctrine called comparative negligence, each person who contributes to the cause of a crash will receive a share of the blame. A victim can seek compensation even if they are partially responsible for the crash, so long as their share of the blame does not reach or exceed 50%. In such circumstances, they cannot seek any compensation at all.
What Are Some Common Car Accident Injuries?
The injuries from an equipment-related crash depend on the nature of the breakdown. For example, a brake failure could lead to a rear-end collision, which tends to cause whiplash. Different injuries may be sustained in a side-impact crash, such as crushing injuries and fractures.
Do Equipment Failures Cause Car Accidents In Denver, CO?
Colorado’s car accident statistics do not identify how many collisions result from equipment failures. However, you can apply the NHTSA’s 2% statistic to estimate the number of Denver car accidents that result from equipment breakdowns.
According to a query on the Colorado Crash Data Dashboard, Denver saw 817 traffic accidents in 2023. Based on the NHTSA’s data, you can estimate that about 16 of these traffic accidents resulted from an equipment failure.
The NHTSA identifies the following mechanical systems as the most likely to cause a collision:
- Tires and wheels
- Brakes
- Steering
- Suspension
Breakdowns in these systems can cause the driver to lose control of their automobile and crash into vehicles, pedestrians, or fixed objects.
How Much Time Does Colorado Give Me To File A Car Accident Lawsuit?
Colorado gives accident victims three years to file a lawsuit for motor vehicle accident injuries. You should start the process well before the deadline because your lawyer will need time to attempt settlement of your claim without resorting to a lawsuit.
How Should I Document A Car Accident?
Take photos of both vehicles and the crash scene. Even the smallest details, like the absence of skid marks, can help identify the cause of the accident. Talk to witnesses and get their contact information so your lawyer can talk to them as well.
Additionally, you should report the crash to the police so they can verify the cause of the collision and produce an accident report. That report will help establish the cause of the accident.
Contact Our Denver Car Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
Car accidents caused by mechanical failures can result in the same losses as other car accidents. Contact Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss the losses caused by your injuries and how we can help you pursue compensation for them.
