Denver Car Accident Lawyer

Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal | Denver Car Accident Lawyer

Best Denver Car Accident Lawyer

Denver Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents are among the leading causes of injury and death in the United States. In seconds, your life can be forever changed by a drunk, careless, or distracted driver. If you or a loved one have been a serious injury in a collision, a Denver car accident lawyer from the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal can help.

A Denver car accident lawyer from our firm will be here to help you navigate the procedures in the aftermath of a car accident and, ultimately, receive the compensation you deserve. We are proud of our commitment to personal injury law and have a 99% success rate in all of our cases. Call us today for a free consultation with top car accident trial lawyers.

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Why Choose the Law Office of Jeremy Rosenthal for your Car Accident Case Claim in Denver, CO?

From rear-end collisions to roll-overs, the car collision lawyers at the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal can handle your case. Car accident claims can be complicated and involve nuances that you may not be able to handle on your own. It’s the job of the insurance company to attempt to settle cases as quickly as possible, for the lowest amount of money they can negotiate. They represent the negligent driver – and your interests are not their concern.

Our Denver auto accident attorneys at the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal can guide you through each step of the process and can protect you against the strategies insurance companies employ to compel you to make a hasty decision and sign an agreement that is not in your best interests. We have the resources necessary to thoroughly collect and assess all evidence pertinent to your case, from the details of the accident to witness statements and the impact on your health, future, and finances.

Denver Car Collision Statistics

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of severe physical harm and death in the United States. The State of Denver has laws in place to help you if you were a victim of someone else’s negligence and were in a crash on Denver, CO, roadways. As the 19th most populous city in America, Denver is unfortunately home to thousands of car accidents every year. Learn more about how these automobile collisions impact our community.

According to the Denver Regional Council of Governments, almost 68% of all crashes in Denver occur between two or more vehicles, 17% involve stationary objects, over 7% involve a vehicle that is parked, and over 1% involve a pedestrian.

The Denver Department of Transportation state that more than 85% of all traffic accidents in Denver are preventable.

One in every five 16-year-olds were involved in a crash, and car accidents are the leading cause of death for those aged 15-20 according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

62% of all car accidents involving a fatality were male, and younger male drivers between 15 and 34 years of age are shown to be disproportionately involved in fatal crashes.

Half of all car accidents are due to rear-end collisions, oftentimes a completely preventable crash due to inattentiveness and following too closely. In fact, following too closely accounts for 18% of all crashes, and careless driving accounts for 38% of all car accidents in the Denver area, both of which are preventable.

In 2022 alone, there were 16,683 crashes involving large trucks in the US that resulted in several serious physical damage and 4,678 deaths.

Motorcycles always make up a large proportion of traffic fatalities. In fact, deaths as a result of motorcycle accidents rose 8% from 2020 to 2021.

Pedestrians are also involved in auto accidents and, unfortunately, often suffer serious damage or death when involved in a vehicle crash. Early numbers reveal that in 2023, 128 fatalities were connected to pedestrian incidents, according to Denver Department of Transportation’s data. Sadly, 2022 had the highest number of pedestrian deaths on record at 115.

Even driving in open spaces can be dangerous, as 66% of wildlife-vehicle collisions occurred within a quarter of a mile from an open space.

One-third of all drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs who were involved in a fatal crash were younger than 25 years old, and almost 30% of all drunk driving crashes happened between the hours of midnight and 3 a.m.

One-tenth of all fatal crashes are due to speeding on the roadways, which is completely preventable.

Contact an Experienced Denver Car Accident Attorney

Contact the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal at 303-816-3089 for a free consultation to discuss how you can receive compensation for your damages. We fight on behalf of every victim and will help you ensure that you receive a just settlement offer to pay for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.

Denver Car accident statistics by neighborhood

What this chart and corresponding data tell us is that a high volume of collisions occur all over the city of Denver.

Recovering Damages in a Denver Car Accident

Considering the profoundly negative impact auto accidents regularly have on those involved, it is important for victims to gain a solid understanding of the categories of compensation they may be able to obtain with the help of a knowledgeable lawyer. Attorney Jeremy Rosenthal is prepared to help guide those harmed in auto crashes through the process of assessing their damages and pursuing the financial recovery they need in order to reclaim their lives.

Economic Damages

Sometimes referred to as compensatory damages, economic damages are awarded as a means to make victims financially whole following a crash that resulted in a monetary loss. There are several distinct types of economic damages a victim may be able to recover, with some of the most common being:

  • Medical expenses including past and current hospital and doctor bills, ambulance transportation, emergency room treatment, imaging studies, surgical procedures and hospital stays
  • Ongoing medical costs, which could include the anticipated expense of future treatments and therapies which are known with a high degree of certainty to be required going forward
  • Lost wages, which will require calculation of the work hours missed due to the event and the rate at which those hours would have been compensated
  • Reduction in future earning capacity, an amount which may be available to individuals who are able to establish that their ability to be gainfully employed following the crash has been limited or diminished to a specific degree
  • Loss of support for dependents in cases of a family member’s death, an amount designed to compensate those left behind for the fact that the financial support on which they necessarily relied will no longer available

Non-Economic Losses

Separate from economic losses is the category of non-economic or intangible loss. Victims are often able to recover significant compensation for damages of this sort, though it can be more difficult for these types of losses to be accurately valued for purposes of a monetary award. Common realms of non-economic loss stemming from auto accidents include:

  • Physical pain and suffering, which entails the agony and discomfort resulting directly from the  event and the ensuing recovery process
  • Mental and emotional trauma, which encompasses the anxiety, grief, concern, embarrassment and other similar manifestations often suffered by those involved in auto accidents
  • Loss of consortium, which is related to the reduction of a spouse’s ability to enjoy the companionship, affection, sexual relationship or society of the other spouse following a crash

How Much Does a Denver Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

Hiring a lawyer may be the last thing on your mind after you pay for medical bills, property damage repairs, and deal with lost wages. However, it is an important step if you wish to obtain maximum compensation for your losses. Retaining a car collision lawyer can help you get the information you need about your rights and legal options. Your lawyer can negotiate a higher settlement with insurance companies, or take your claim to court for the best possible results.

With the right firm, you will not need to worry about the cost of the lawyer. Many personal injury firms, including the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal, operate on a contingency fee basis. Our clients only pay attorney’s fees if and when we win them financial compensation for their damages. If we do not win the case, we do not charge the client a dime for services rendered. If we do win, we deduct a pre-agreed upon percentage (usually around 33%) directly from your settlement or judgment award. That way, you never have to pay out of pocket for your Denver personal injury lawyer. Discuss the cost of your services and the value of your case in more detail when you contact us.

Denver Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents

In Denver, lawmakers have passed Denver Revised Statutes section 13-80-101 says that “All tort actions for bodily harm or property damage arising out of the use or operation of a motor vehicle” must be “commenced within three years after the cause of action accrues.” This means that an injury claim arising from any kind of vehicle crash — whether by a driver, passenger, motorcycle rider, bicyclist, or pedestrian — must be filed within three years of the date of the crash. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations. If you exceed them, you may lose your ability to recover damages.

Contacting an experienced lawyer is an important step in protecting your rights. The attorneys from the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal know which tactics will prove successful in your car crash claim. We use our familiarity with Denver law and previous personal injury cases to build the best strategy for your case. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today.

How to Request/Obtain an Accident Report in Denver?

Call the police to report a crash if it resulted in personal harm, deaths, or disabled vehicles. If it involved a drunk driver or hit-and-run, the police should also come to the scene. The police will investigate and gather evidence to create an official report. You may then use this report as evidence against the at-fault driver during your car accident claim. Get your police report number and the officer’s name while still at the scene of the crash. Then, request a copy of your police report.

It may take up to 90 days for the Denver Department of Revenue to receive a crash report from police officers. At this point, you may fill out and submit a request to release your driver record. You will have to pay the required fee. You may access crash reports dating back seven years in the state of Denver. You will need your crash case report number, the date of your crash, the name of the drivers involved, and the location of the crash to request a copy of your accident report. You should receive your copy within 10 working days.

Denver Car Accident Attorney Free Consultation

Most Common Causes of Denver Car Accidents

Though car wrecks are incredibly common in the United States, they are also almost always preventable. Unfortunately, many crashes are the result of driver negligence. Some of the most common causes of auto crashes are:

  • Rear-end collisions. A rear-end collision occurs when a vehicle crashes into another vehicle that is in front of it. In general, it is considered that a driver who rear-ends another driver is responsible for the crash, as such collisions are often caused by driving too close behind another vehicle or failing to notice the vehicle has slowed or stopped.
  • Side-impact collisions. A side-impact collision occurs when the front or rear of another vehicle hits the side of a second vehicle. This can also be referred to as a “T-bone” collision. These can result in especially serious damage to those in the vehicle which is struck.
  • Sideswipes. A sideswipe collision occurs when two cars traveling in parallel make contact with each other. The consequences of these incidences vary but can be very serious, as a vehicle can be pushed into oncoming traffic or rollover as a result of the impact. If the sideswipe causes a driver to lose control, the consequences may involve serious or fatal injuries.
  • Rollovers. When a vehicle that has been struck flips over onto its roof, or side, this is known as a vehicle rollover. SUVs and other high centers of gravity vehicles are at higher risk of rolling over, but any vehicle can rollover under the right circumstances, leading to serious or permanent damages.
  • Head-on collisions. A head-on collision occurs when the front ends of two vehicles collide, or if a single vehicle runs into a fixed object such as a pole, a tree or a building. Serious injuries, frequently head or brain trauma can result from such events.
  • Multi-vehicle collisions. Multi-vehicle collisions are most likely to occur on freeways or highways. Depending on the number of vehicles involved and the circumstances of the collision, a vehicle can be hit several times. Vehicles may be crumpled together, with a potential for fire, spreading from one vehicle to another. Complex multi-vehicle accidents require a thorough investigation to determine which driver (or drivers) were responsible.

What Injuries are Most Common in Denver Car Accidents?

The exact consequences of any collision between vehicles can depend on a wide range of factors, from the speed the vehicles are traveling, and the crash-worthiness of the specific vehicles involved, to the protection provided by seat belts or airbags. It’s important to seek prompt medical treatment following a crash, both for your health and your potential lawsuit. Some of the most common damages sustained in car accidents are:

  • Neck Injury: If the neck is caused to shake suddenly forward or to the side, this can cause a sprain or strain, or possibly affect a disc in the neck. Such injuries can resolve as time passes, but they can also require long-term therapy or require surgery.
  • Broken Bones: If you are driving 65 miles per hour and you collide with something, the force is equal to what you would experience if you drove off a 12-story building. Bone fractures are a common bodily damages suffered in car crashes. These injuries can range from stress fractures to compound fractures, where the bone pierces the skin, and possibly leading to permanent impairment.
  • Back Injuries: Too much force can create significant stress on your spine and back, and the consequences can be very serious, including paralysis, whether paraplegia or quadriplegia.
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries: Your brain is a delicate organ. If the head strikes against a window or a steering wheel or is violently shaken in an impact it can lead to bleeding from torn blood vessels, or damage to the brain from the impact within the skull, requiring surgery, with an uncertain outcome. Brain injuries can lead to physical and cognitive impairments, coma, a vegetative state, or death.

Denver Car Accident Laws

Denver used to be a no-fault state. This meant drivers would look to their own insurance companies for compensation after a crash, no matter who was responsible. Today, however, state laws have changed to embrace a tort-based system. Denver’s current at-fault insurance laws hold the at-fault driver financially responsible for crash-related losses. The fault-based system means car accident victims must identify who caused the crash before filing their insurance claims. Then, the insurance company of the at-fault driver will provide financial benefits to cover damages.

What Are the Denver Auto Insurance Requirements?

Every driver in this state must carry at least the minimum required amounts of auto insurance. Failure to do so can result in penalties and fines. In addition, all drivers must carry proof of insurance in the form of a digital or print card, available upon an officer’s request.

As outlined by the Denver Department of Motor Vehicles, drivers are required to have insurance at the following levels:

  • Bodily injury – $25,000 per person.
  • Bodily injury – $50,000 per accident.
  • Property damage – $15,000 per accident.

Denver currently operates under a fault-based insurance system. The person at fault for the collision will be liable for victims’ damages. If someone causes a car accident, that person’s auto insurance policy should cover the damages up to the maximum amount available. If the auto insurance does not cover all the damages, the not-at-fault driver’s insurance company may cover remaining costs.

It is optional for drivers to purchase additional insurance for their own damages after an automobile collision. Purchasing just the minimum amounts will mean no reimbursement for the at-fault party’s losses. Paying for additional comprehensive, collision, personal liability, or uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance, however, can help a driver protect him or herself after an at-fault wreck. Failure to carry adequate auto insurance can result in fines of $500 to $1,000, and suspension of the driver’s license.

Denver Comparative Negligence Laws

Denver is a modified comparative negligence state. According to state law (CRS 13-21-111), this means that if the party seeking damages is found have any degree of responsibility for the crash, the damages he or she receives will be reduced by that percent. However, if they are found to be 50 percent at fault or greater, they are not eligible to recover damages.  This is why it is essential to have an experienced lawyer on your side, to investigate your case and advocate on your behalf.

A person may be liable to you if he or she was negligent in causing an accident that injures you. People who act negligently generally don’t intend to cause a result like an injury to another person. Rather, their liability stems from careless or thoughtless conduct or a failure to act when a reasonable person would have acted. A driver has a duty to use reasonable care to avoid injuring anyone he or she meets on the road. If a driver fails to use reasonable care and as a result of that failure injures you, then the driver is liable to you for those injuries.

Denver No-Fault Law

In Denver, this right to recover your losses is limited in part by the no-fault law. That law prevents those with only minor injuries or with minor medical expenses from suing or recovering from the at-fault driver. The no-fault law requires that each automobile operated on the public streets and highways be covered by insurance (or be self-insured). However, these expenses and losses paid by insurance generally cannot be recovered in a claim against the other driver, even if that other driver negligently caused such expenses or losses.

Types of Car Accident Claims in Denver

Personal injury claims can be filed after a car accident, giving those injured the opportunity to seek compensation for the costs associated with their injuries, property damage, and pain and suffering. There are a few different ways car accidents occur, and different parties can be involved. Some of the most common types of car accident claims that are filed in Denver, include:

  • Standard car accidents. Most accidents involve multiple cars and involve a claim against the liable driver or other party.
  • Motorcycle accidents. These accidents can cause significant injuries for the riders involved.
  • Truck accidents. Some of the most complex accidents are truck accidents, given the number of parties involved in trucking operations and their potential role in the accident.
  • Rideshare accidents. Along with an increase in the popularity of ridesharing, there has been an increase in the number of rideshare claims.
  • Pedestrian accidents. Especially in areas with a more dense population, like Denver, there is an increased risk of pedestrian accidents.
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist. When a motorist doesn’t have insurance or enough coverage, you may be able to file a claim with your own provider.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Denver

After you’ve been in a car accident, the first priority should always be taking care of your injuries. This begins with allowing the paramedics at the scene to check for any traumatic injuries that you might not be aware of because of shock. However, even if they clear you, it’s wise to have a full examination from your personal doctor in case there was a more standard injury that they missed. You may even notice an injury yourself when the shock wears off.

If your injuries aren’t serious enough to warrant a trip to the hospital, it can be wise to document the scene of the accident. Lawyers may be able to use pictures of the vehicles, damages, injuries, street signs, and anything else that you think may have contributed to the accident as evidence. Additionally, you should ensure that you have contact information for anyone else who was involved in the accident or was an eyewitness.

It’s important that you continue to collect documentation well after the accident as well. Your lawyer will need to prove to the court the costs that you incurred in order to collect damages to cover them. A thorough record of your medical bills, repairs to vehicles, and other documentation of costs can be helpful. It’s better to err on the side of documenting more and letting your attorney determine what’s needed to make your case.

Lastly, you should contact your Denver car accident lawyer from the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal as soon as you can. We can help you through the next steps and help you preserve your right to collect restitution. In particular, we can represent you in conversations with the insurance companies involved and ensure you don’t say anything that could be misconstrued as you taking the blame for the accident, as doing so could impact the damages you receive.

FAQs About Denver, CO Auto Accident Laws

There are many things to consider after you or a loved one has been injured because of the negligence of another. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions our car crash lawyers have encountered from those who have been in a car accident.

Should I Call The Police After A Car Accident?

After you have been in an accident, it is a good idea to call the police to come to the scene. The police will create an official accident report of the incident. This report will document what happened in the crash as well as at the scene. Even if the collision is relatively minor, you may still want to call in law enforcement so as to protect your legal rights in any subsequent disputes over liability.

In addition, if you have been the victim of a crime such as a hit and run or if you were injured by a drunk driver, you will want to contact the police to report the incident.

Who Will Pay My Initial Medical Expenses?

Immediately following an accident, if you are injured, seek medical attention. It is important to see a doctor if you have injuries for two reasons. First, you need to make sure you get the medical treatment that you need. There is no need to make your injuries worse by delaying the treatment you need. Second, by seeing a doctor you are making sure to document the injuries you have sustained as a result of the crash.

If you have been in an accident, especially a serious one, you may be in the hospital and rehabilitation for quite some time. Initially, you are going to have to cover your medical expenses. You can do this either by using your own insurance, or if you don’t have insurance you will have to pay for the expense out of pocket.

Should I Talk To The Other Party’s Insurance Adjuster?

Insurance companies are looking to limit their liability and lower the amount of money that they are going to have to pay out to cover expenses. It is important to remember this when speaking to the opposing party’s insurance company, as the insurance adjuster is going to be looking out for the best interests of his or her employer. It is also important to keep this in mind because the insurance company may use any statements that you make against you. Remember, the other driver’s insurance company is going to be looking to limit its liability as much as it can so it will be watching for anything that you say or do that it can use to shift some of the blame for the accident or your injuries onto you.

For this reason, having legal representation right from the outset of the claims process is a good idea as your attorney will be looking out for your best interests and will fight to get you fair compensation from the insurance company and responsible party for your injuries.

When Should I Contact A Denver Car Accident Attorney?

You can contact an attorney immediately after you have been in a crash. A legal rep can help you through the claims process, deal with the insurance companies, and represent you in court should you choose to file a lawsuit against the party responsible for your injuries. If you are hesitant to contact a lawyer because you are worried about the fees the lawyer may charge, it is important to note that many personal injury attorneys, including Jeremy Rosenthal, work on a contingency basis in car accident cases. This means that you do not pay any lawyer fees unless your case has a favorable outcome.

How Long Do I Have To File A Lawsuit Against The Person Responsible For My Injury?

If you are thinking about filing a lawsuit, one of the things that you will need to keep in mind is that you must bring your claim within a certain amount of time. The amount of time that you will have to file a lawsuit depends on the type of claim that you have. The time limit is called a statute of limitations.

For motor vehicle accidents, a person has three years to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. C.R.S. 13-80-101 (2016). For other personal injury claims, such as a slip and fall, the statute of limitations is just two years. C.R.S. 13-10-102 (2016). It is also important to note that there are things that can toll, or pause, the time limit set forth under the law. If you believe you have a claim, then you can still contact legal representation to discuss your case, even if you believe you may be outside of the applicable time frame.

Do I Have To File A Lawsuit After an Auto Accident?

The short answer is it will depend on the facts and circumstances of your case. A lawsuit need only be filed if you and the party responsible for your injuries cannot come to an agreement about any compensation you are seeking for your injuries. If you and the opposing party can reach an agreement that will satisfactorily cover your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering, then there may be no need to resort to using the civil court system.

One thing to keep in mind is that most lawsuits do not go all the way to trial. The vast majority of civil cases settle prior to going to trial. So while you may need to file a lawsuit to preserve the statute of limitations or because you and the opposing party weren’t able to come to an agreement outside of court, it doesn’t mean that you will necessarily be going to trial.

Are There Alternatives To Going To Court For a Car Wreck?

One way that the parties in a lawsuit can reach a settlement agreement without having to go through the time and expense of a trial is to go to mediation. Mediation is “[a] method of nonbinding dispute resolution involving a neutral third party who tries to help the disputing parties reach a mutually agreeable solution.” Black’s Law Dictionary 1070 (9th ed. 2009). The parties can use mediation to resolve the entire case or to reach an agreement on particular issues so as to narrow the number of things that need to be litigated at trial. In some states, mediation is mandatory prior to trial.

What If I Get Hit By A Driver Who Is From Out Of State?

If you have been injured in an car wreck by an out of state driver, then you may wonder if and where you can file suit against the person responsible for the collision. In order to be able to file suit against a person, the court that you are seeking to file in must have personal jurisdiction over the opposing party. Personal jurisdiction means, “[a] court’s power to bring a person into its adjudicative process.” Black’s Law Dictionary 930 (9th ed. 2009).

Essentially, personal jurisdiction is required because a person cannot be sued just anywhere. The court has to have some power over the person in order for it to enforce a judgment against him or her. The rules of jurisdiction can be quite complicated and an experienced legal group will be able to assist you and make sure you file you lawsuit in the appropriate court.

What Kind of Compensation Can I Recover For My Injuries?

In a personal injury case, the damages that you recover through a settlement agreement or a jury verdict are designed to compensate you for your injuries and make you whole. There are three main categories of damages in injury cases: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.

The first two categories of damages are designed to compensate you for losses related to the crash and the injuries you have suffered. Economic damages typically include things like past and future medical bills and past and future lost wages. Non-economic damages typically include things like pain and suffering and loss of consortium. The last category of damages is punitive damages. Unlike economic or non-economic damages, punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant for past bad behavior and deter any similar future actions.

Free Consultation with a Denver Car Crash Lawyer

If you’ve been seriously injured in a Denver car accident, call an experienced Denver car accident attorney from the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal as soon as possible, and trust us to build the best case possible for you, with your best interests in mind.

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Client Testimonials

  • “If you are hit by a drunk driver, call the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal. Not only does Jeremy have years of experience, he is patient and kind because he understands how traumatic the experience is. He takes the time to explain everything and guides you throughout the whole process. He and his team are also super responsive to any additional questions you may have and his track record and numerous awards speak for themselves. I am SO glad I called Jeremy and am forever thankful to him and his team for getting me the maximum payouts for my claims.” Isabel Mar
  • “I used Jeremy for my case involving a car wreck in which I was not at fault. He was very professional and always followed up with me in a timely manner. I highly recommend using Jeremy Rosenthal for your attorney needs!” Derek

 

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Put my knowledge and expertise to work for you. Contact my office today to discuss your case in a free consultation.