Fort Collins Car Accident Attorney
Car accidents can be devastating for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. A huge collision can lead to extensive damages that never fully heal, and even minor fender benders can cause hidden pains that you may not expect – and may not initially reveal themselves. If you or a loved one have been in an accident due to the negligent driving of another party, Colorado law gives you the right to take the negligent party to court to help you get compensation for the financial and physical damages you may suffer.
The Fort Collins car accident lawyers at Cannon Law, can help you get your life back on track following an accident. We use our extensive experience in personal injury law to help you prove liability and receive fair compensation. When you work with us, you get:
- A skilled firm of personal injury attorneys, all looking out for your best interests.
- A customized approach to the unique circumstances of your case and a strategy designed to bring you the best results.
- Lawyers who can both successfully navigate settlement negotiations with insurance companies and courtroom trials.
Handling your own legal matters after a crash can add mental stress on top of your already taxing injuries. Reach out to the Fort Collins personal injury lawyers at Cannon Law, and let us handle the legal side of your recovery.
Colorado Car Accident Resources:
- Why do I need a car accident attorney?
- How much does a Fort Collins car accident lawyer charge?
- What injuries can be sustained in a car accident?
- What to do after a car accident?
- What are the car accident and insurance laws in Colorado?
- What are common causes of car accidents in Fort Collins?
- What damages have been recovered in previous auto accident cases?
- Contact a Fort Collins car accident lawyer
Why Do You Need a Car Accident Lawyer?
While the legal system exists to help auto accident victims recover compensation, the actual process can be complicated. Colorado law sets strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims, and insurance companies have teams of lawyers to represent them in settlement negotiations and courtroom trials. In addition, without former experience in law, you may not be able to determine the appropriate amount of compensation for your injuries, especially when they have long-term consequences on your life. Unlike insurance companies, which focus more on their bottom lines and profit margins, an experienced collision attorney will work for your best interests. He or she will educate you about your rights and help you understand the best approach to your case. An experienced lawyer will know the appropriate value of your injuries, as well as how to prove liability and examine evidence.
When you hire a Fort Collins accident lawyer, you benefit yourself on equal footing with insurance companies in a way you likely can’t achieve if you were to represent yourself. At Cannon Law, we regularly represent Fort Collins drivers in crashes. We’re familiar with state laws, car accident claim procedures, the appropriate amount of compensation for your injuries, and how insurance companies’ lawyers think. With us on your side, you’ll always know what’s happening in your case and how we’re working to achieve your goals, even if circumstances change in the process.
How Much Does a Car Crash Lawyer Charge?
Hiring a Fort Collins auto lawyer may seem like an expense that many people don’t think they can afford, especially if they’re facing substantial medical bills and loss of income from their injuries. That’s why most accident law firms work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that they only receive payment when your case is successful. At Cannon Law, we earn our payment by bringing your case to a successful resolution. You’ll pay us when we’ve helped you recover compensation.
Injuries Sustained in Car Collisions
Depending on the exact circumstances of the crash, a car crash can cause both minor and serious injuries. It is important to seek prompt medical treatment following an accident, both for the trauma caused by the physical and mental health and your potential lawsuit. Some of the most commonly sustained include:
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Skull fractures
- Spinal cord damage
- Pinched nerves
- Herniated disks
- Internal bleeding
- Punctured lung
- Bone fractures and breakages
- Amputation of limbs
- Bruises
- Lacerations
Major injuries, such as brain injury and spinal cord damage, can have lifelong consequences for those who suffer from them. Unfortunately some severe crashes from car and truck accidents end in wrongful death accidents. As such, it can be difficult to determine the appropriate level of financial compensation for future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The Fort Collins car accident attorneys at Cannon Law, are familiar with these types of injuries, and we can help you receive the appropriate amount of payout and we examine pertinent medical records, allowing you to focus on recovery and getting your life back on track.
What to Do After a Car Accident?
With the shock of being in an auto collision, you may not be able to act rationally afterward. Even so, it’s important to your personal injury claim to take appropriate action. The essential steps are:
- Contact 911/seek medical help.
- Obtain the other driver’s name and insurance policy information.
- Obtain the contact information of any available witnesses.
- Take pictures of the scene if possible.
- File a police report.
- Inform your insurance company.
- Consult a personal injury attorney.
It’s critical to not admit fault after the fact, especially when speaking to the other involved parties. Never speak to an insurance adjuster without discussing your personal injury case with an experienced law firm first. The adjuster may seem sincere, but his or her job is to offer as little compensation as possible.
Car Accident and Car Insurance Laws in Colorado
Colorado law requires all drivers to have minimal liability insurance to cover bodily injury and property damage in automotive accidents. That insurance must be able to pay for medical and rehabilitation expenses up to $25,000. Auto claims operate on a comparative negligence basis, where involved parties can recover compensation in proportion to their contribution to an accident. For example, if your damages amounted to $200,000, but you were 10% responsible for the automobile accident, you would only receive $180,000 in compensation. Unlike other personal injury cases, most auto accidents in Colorado have a statute of limitations of three years.
What Are Common Causes of Car Accidents in Fort Collins?
Though auto accidents are common, they are also almost always preventable. Unfortunately, many collisions are the result of driver negligence. Some of the most common causes are:
- Distracted driving. Anything that takes the driver’s attention away from the road counts as causing distracted driving. While most people attribute distraction to cellphones, additional causes involve activities that take the motorist’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind away from driving, or a combination. Besides cell phones, eating behind the wheel and talking to other passengers can contribute to distracted driving.
- Reckless driving. Reckless driving occurs when drivers make unsafe decisions, including violations of Colorado traffic law. Most often, reckless driving involves speeding, but it can also include cutting other drivers off and ignoring road signs and traffic signals.
- Driving while intoxicated. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs greatly inhibits a driver’s ability to perceive hazards on the road and react to them in a timely manner. These substances also often lead to difficulties in following traffic laws and staying in the appropriate lane.
- Fatigue. While not to the same extent, driver fatigue also leads to delayed reaction times – either from obstacles in the road, hazardous weather conditions, or another’s reckless driving. One common cause of driver fatigue is taking a long trip without appropriate breaks for rest.
- Weather conditions. Rain, snow, ice, and fog can all make it difficult to see the roadway. Slick roadway conditions also reduce traction between tires and the road. Accidents are more likely to occur when drivers do not adjust their speed to the weather conditions.
- State of the roadway. Some accidents are the result of improper road maintenance, such as potholes and shoulder drop-offs.
- Mechanical failure. When a component in a vehicle fails, it may lead to accidents, even if the driver reacts to the situation in time. The liability may rest with the driver for not maintaining his or her car or the manufacturer for developing a faulty part that led to a failure.
Many auto accidents are the result of several interplaying factors. Understanding the cause is important for your claim, as it allows your personal injury lawyer in Fort Collins to correctly determine liability, an essential part receiving compensation.
Different Types of Car Accidents
Despite safety enhanced features on cars and regularity laws to protect drivers, crashes are common. Here are a few of the most common types of auto accidents:
- Rear-end collision. These occur when one vehicle crashes into the vehicle in front of it. This can refer to a small impact or a major one. Even minor rear-end collisions that don’t cause any obvious damages can lead to injuries.
- Side-impact collision. Most likely to occur at intersections and parking lots, side impact collisions involve one vehicle driving into the side of another. These collisions can cause substantial injuries, especially for passengers.
- Head-on collision. When two vehicles hit each other while driving in opposite directions, it’s a head-on collision. Often, this type of accident leads to fatalities at high speeds.
- Vehicle rollover. A rollover can occur due to a combination of the driver’s activity, the vehicle, and other environmental factors. While these accidents can involve only one vehicle, it’s possible for that vehicle to affect other drivers on the road as well.
No matter what type of incident you’ve suffered harm from, if the other driver was negligent, you deserve compensation. Talk with a Fort Collins car accident at our firm to understand what your next best steps are for resolving your case.
What Damages Have Been Recovered in Previous Auto Accident Cases?
At Cannon Law our law firm has recovered several six figure settlements for previous clients that have utilized our services. Below are some of the auto accident results that we have previously worked on:
- $400,000 – Client suffered injury in a motor vehicle accident. Our attorneys identified distinct insurance policies that applied to the injured victim. Our firm was able to recover damages for the injuries suffered and collected money from these insurance policies and terms.
- $244,000 – Our lead attorney, Sam Cannon, helped a client that had suffered a traumatic brain injury in an auto accident. After two years of litigation and negotiations, Mr. Cannon was able to recover damages for the injured victim.
- $225,000 – Mr. Cannon represented an injured victim after injuries were suffered from a motor vehicle accident. The legal team, and plaintiff, recovered damages in this instance.
- $120,000 – Before litigation, Sam Cannon helped an injured victim recover damages.
While every accident, and the damages awarded with these claims are different, our firm helps victims understand what their case is worth. Contact our law firm to better understand the benefits available by hiring a lawyer.
Contact a Fort Collins Car Accident Attorney
When you or a loved one suffer injuries due to a car accident, you may be facing lifelong consequences. Insurance companies often try to take advantage of the shock and call victims before you’ve barely started to recover. These companies want to make you settle for less than you deserve – and their insurance adjusters know how to make this happen. Contacting an accident lawyer is an important step in protecting your rights. The Fort Collins personal injury lawyers at Cannon Law, know these tactics and we stand up against them. The attorneys at our law office use our familiarity and expertise of Colorado law to build the best strategy for car accident cases. Contact the attorneys at our experienced Fort Collins law firm to schedule a free consultation.