If you were injured and have substantial damages from a rear-end collision caused by someone else, it’s highly advisable to consult an experienced Colorado Springs Rear End Collision attorney.
Red lights, congested traffic, stop signs – these are all problematic traffic scenarios that give way to rear-end collisions. Let’s face it, minding your own business only to get blindsided by a vehicle hitting you from behind is frustrating. And the frustration only grows when you find out that the driver behind you was texting or acted negligently to cause the collision.
If the impact was strong enough, you may have even hit the car in front of you, causing a chain reaction crash. Once you get your injuries taken care of with appropriate medical care, it’s time to find a strong legal team.
Our Colorado Springs Rear End Collision attorneys will fight hard to help you recover physically, emotionally, and financially.
Common Causes for Rear-End Collisions in Colorado Springs
Rear-end collisions occur when one car hits the back of another car. The most common cause is driver distraction, which means most rear-end collisions are preventable. Whether the rear driver is following too closely or simply not paying attention, it only takes a split second to cause a rear-end collision.
Also known as fender benders, rear-end collision crashes are especially frequent during rush hours when there is bumper to bumper traffic. One rear-end can also lead to a multiple-car chain reaction crash, which usually complicates the insurance claims process. When more parties are involved, it takes longer to investigate and establish fault.
Here are some of the most common causes of rear-end collisions:
- Distracted drivers (e.g., texting, reading, calling, eating, drinking, changing the radio or climate controls, pets, children, etc.)
- Inclement weather conditions that make the roads dangerous (e.g., ice, sleet, snow, heavy rain, or fog)
- Failure to maintain adequate distance with the car in front
- Vehicle defects, such as brake failure or tire blowouts
- ill-serviced vehicles (e.g., broken tail lights)
- The driver experiencing a medical emergency while driving
- Driver negligence
- Reckless lane switching
- Aggressive driving
- Failing to use blinkers
- Poor judgment calls at intersections
While this is understandably difficult following a rear-end crash, the best thing you can do afterwards is remain calm. This will make the process go smoother and help to ensure everyone gets the proper care they need.
If anyone is injured, seeking medical care should be the top priority. Then, cooperate with the Colorado Springs law enforcement officials and calmly give them your account of what happened.
If the other party is at fault, they are legally required to stay on the scene until given permission to leave. Colorado law mandates a “duty to stop”, which means they must remain on the scene after a collision (Colorado Revised Statute (C.R.S.) § 42-4-1601). It will also serve your interests to stay and exchange information with all parties involved in the accident and any eye-witnesses. Remember to take as many pictures as you can of the accident scene, any injuries, property damage, and anything you think may be helpful for your claim later.
Once everyone is safe and you’ve dealt with the police, call a Colorado Springs Rear End Collision attorney. The sooner you do this, the better chance you have at securing your right to maximum compensation .
What Type of Injuries Can You Get in a Colorado Springs Rear-End Collision
The injuries that result from a car accident can vary greatly. It all depends on the details of the crash. Everyone also responds differently to shocking experiences and has a different threshold for injuries. No matter what the case, if you have any injury from a car accident, time is of the essence.
Many times people delay medical treatment because they underestimate the extent of their injuries or they have delayed symptoms. But waiting to get medical care can jeopardize your claim.
If you’re worried about how you’ll cover the medical expenses, a Colorado Springs Rear End Collision attorney can help ease some of your worry. Colorado Springs Rear End Collision attorneys with experience in these particular cases can help you devise a tailored plan to recover compensation for all your damages. They’ll assess your medical diagnosis, care plan, and doctors orders to determine a fair claim value for you.
Here are some potential injuries that can result from a rear-end collision:
- Whiplash
- Head injuries
- Brain injuries (such as TBI)
- Bone fractures
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries (organ damage, internal bleeding, etc.)
- Psychological damages
- mental anguish
- emotional pain and suffering
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- depression
After a rear-end collision in Colorado Springs, you may have received medical care for your injuries in one of the following hospitals:
- Centura St. Francis Hospital
- UCHealth Grandview Hospital
- Centura Penrose Hospital
- UCHealth Memorial Hospital North
- UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central
If you sustained any of the above injuries and got treatment at a hospital in Colorado Springs or the surrounding area, we may be able to help you recover for your medical expenses. Depending on your case circumstances, you might also be entitled to seek recovery for property damage, physical therapy, lost income, rehabilitation, and more.
Call our Colorado Springs Rear End Collision attorneys now to find out what damages you are entitled to before it’s too late. While colorado law does provide board protections for rear-end collision injury victims, there is a time limit to take action.
Who Is at Fault in a Rear-End Collision?
In the majority of rear-end collisions, the person in the back (i.e., the driver who hit the front car) is at fault. However, even if it seems obvious the person who hit you from behind is at fault, the burden of proof still falls on you. That means you have to provide substantial evidence to prove the other driver’s degree of fault and the extent of your damages.
This may require a Colorado Springs Rear End Collision attorney who has experience in representing clients in rear- end collision cases. Another potential obstacle a Colorado springs Rear End Collision attorney can help you overcome is dealing with the insurance company. Even if they do accept liability for the accident, they might try to dispute the extent of your injuries. That could translate to a lowball offer or the insurance company asserting that you are partially at fault for causing your injuries.
You can start collecting to help your Colorado Springs Rear End Collision attorney prove fault and establish liability. For example, you can take pictures of the accident scene and any property damage, as well as all injuries.
Who Is Responsible for Paying for Damages After a Rear-End Collision Accident in Colorado Springs?
Colorado follows `at-fault insurance laws’ ‘ so that the at-fault driver’s insurance company is responsible for covering accident damages. However, keep in mind that you may have to pay for initial costs (i.e., medical bills and property repair costs) yourself and then seek reimbursement from the at-fault insurance company. Working with a knowledgeable Colorado Springs Rear End Collision attorney will help better your odds of winning full and fair damage compensation.
Comparative Fault in a Colorado Springs Rear-End Collision
There are some accident situations when the trailing driver will not be completely at fault for a rear-end collision, or the fault is shared:
- Multiple cars were involved in the collision
- The front driver reversed and cause the rear driver to hit their car
- The front driver had broken or defective tail lights that caused poor visibility for the rear driver
- Failure to use take necessary precautions to warn other drivers approaching from behind (such as hazard lights while pulled over on the shoulder of the road)
- Brake failure that caused the rear driver to be unable to stop the car (in that case, the vehicle manufacturer could be liable)
If the insurance company decides comparative fault is appropriate, they will assign a percentage of fault to each party (70/30, 60/40, 50/50, etc.). However, they may assign you an inaccurate percentage of fault, which results in a lower settlement for you. This is when it’s vital to have a Colorado Springs Rear End Collision attorney representing you as it can make all the difference in your award amount.
Our Colorado Springs Rear End Collision Attorneys Want to Help You
You don’t have to struggle alone after a car accident. If you were injured in a Colorado Springs rear-end accident, seeking qualified legal counsel can be a critical move in securing your rightful compensation.
Rather than trying to handle a serious claims process independently, you can reach a better outcome by hiring an experienced Colorado Springs Rear End Collision attorney. Our legal team will provide expert legal guidance and support that could impact the rest of your life. We know how trying the times after a car accident can be, and that’s why we treat every client with the utmost compassion while fighting aggressively to protect their rights.
We offer a free initial consultation, so you can call us today, risk-free.
