Traffic accidents happen every day. Actually, according to a report in 2008 by the National Highway Traffic Administration, in America they happen every 10 seconds, and they range in seriousness from bumping a nearby car while parking to a fatal crash. One percent of those traffic accidents result in death, a reported 37,261 deaths in 2008. Roughly 33 percent result in a personal injury, beginning with minor whiplash and escalating to grave injuries whose treatment requires a long hospital stay, multiple surgeries and at a substantial financial cost. No matter the seriousness of your motor vehicle accident, it is important to know your rights and protect them. Contact an experienced Colorado car accident attorney that will know how to proceed against the responsible party and get you the recovery you deserve.
Types of road traffic accidents:
• Lane departure collisions
• Head-on collisions
• Run-off-road collisions
• Accidents at junctions (intersections)
• Rear-end collisions
• Angle and side collisions
• Pedestrian and cyclist accidents
• Collisions involving animals
• Rollover crashes (not common and usually secondary to one of the above)
Accidents at junctions are the most common and account for 40-60 percent of all accidents in most countries. In America, accidents at junctions are roughly 50 percent of all accidents in urban areas and 30 percent in rural areas. Negligence must be determined and it varies from situation to situation. It is determined by the accident investigation team who will then determine speed calculations, injury analysis, damage analysis, etc. among many other things. Negligence, or carelessness, must be proven before fault is given. But to prove negligence the following terms must be met (this is assumed that the plaintiff or the one injured is attempting to show that the defendant is at fault by the following means):
• Plaintiff is owed a certain duty of care by the defendant given the circumstances
• Defendant failed to fulfill that legal duty though conduct or action
• Caused an accident or injury involving the plaintiff
• Harmed or injured the plaintiff as a result
Drivers of motor vehicles are required to operate the vehicle exercising “reasonable care.” These drivers who do not exercise this ability, failing to adhere to safety rules and regulations are considered negligent under Colorado law and are held liable for the vehicles and people involved in the event that any injury has occurred. This negligence could be solely the fault of the driver of one vehicle or of any number of the vehicles involved in the traffic accident. If the responsibility of the negligence is shared among more than one driver involved, it is also up to the investigation team to determine this information. It is important to understand your rights at this juncture of the accident process. If you or someone you know has been involved in a road traffic accident, first, you must think about aspects that may be affected and how to properly manage them. Here are a few:
• Temporarily or permanently out of work
• Medical expenses
• Vehicle repair expenses
• Travel costs relating to doctor visits, mechanics, etc.
• Property damage
Time is definitely a factor when filing a personal injury and accident claim. Don’t make mistakes that may be costly to you and your recovery, and don’t take on the insurance companies alone! Contact an experienced personal injury or car accident attorney that will ensure these aspects are managed properly and within a timely manner.
