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Boulder Car Accident Attorney

Each year, hundreds of Colorado residents suffer serious injuries in car accidents, leading to significant physical, emotional, and financial hardship. Since Colorado is a fault insurance state, accident victims have the right to pursue legal action against the driver responsible for their collisions. In these situations, trust the Boulder car accident lawyers at Purvis Thomson, LLP to represent your claim.

Since 1985, our Colorado accident attorneys have helped hold negligent or careless drivers accountable for their actions. We will fight tenaciously to secure the compensation you deserve, advocating for your rights during each stage of the litigation and insurance processes.

Why Choose Our Boulder Car Accident Lawyer

  • Our Boulder personal injury lawyers have received multiple awards and distinctions recognizing our commitments to our clients, including repeated Super Lawyer designations.
  • Our firm’s track record of success speaks for itself. Over our years of operation, we have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for our clients.
  • Navigating the car accident claims process can be a challenge after a serious injury.
  • Our Boulder car accident attorneys will handle all aspects of your claim on your behalf, allowing you to focus on healing.

Car Accident Resources

Colorado Car Insurance Laws

Like most states, Colorado follows a fault-based system when it comes to car accidents. Drivers who are responsible for car accidents must pay for the damages that any victims, such as other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, sustain during the collision. To uphold this financial responsibility, all Colorado drivers must carry the following minimum amounts of liability insurance.

  • $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person per accident
  • $50,000 for total bodily injury or death per accident
  • $15,000 for property damage per accident

You can choose to purchase higher amounts of liability coverage if you choose to do so. Colorado also requires insurance companies to include $5,000 in medical payments coverage in their policies, which you can use to pay for your medical expenses immediately after the accident regardless of fault. You can also choose to purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which pays for your damages in case you are in a collision with an uninsured driver.

Common Causes of Colorado Car Accidents

Car accidents in Colorado can occur due to many factors. In some cases, poor weather conditions such as snow or heavy rain can lead to collisions. In others, a government agency may fail to adequately maintain a road or city architects can design a dangerous street from the beginning, leading to serious accidents. However, some of the most common causes of Colorado car accidents include negligent driving behaviors, including the following.

  • Unsafe lane changes: Drivers must check to make sure that a lane is clear before merging. If a driver does not do so, he or she can collide with a vehicle traveling in that lane.
  • Speeding: Speed limits are in place to prevent serious accidents. If a driver is operating over the speed limit, he or she has less time to respond to hazards—increasing the chances of a collision. The faster the vehicle is traveling, the greater the impact.
  • Driving under the influence: Alcohol and drugs impair many of the functions necessary for safe driving, including motor skills, concentration, and judgment. These substances heighten the risk of a serious accident.
  • Failure to yield the right of way: Right-of-way rules help conduct the flow of traffic and prevent serious collisions. Unfortunately, not all drivers adhere to these laws and collide with vehicles that hold the right of way.

Legal Options for Boulder Car Accident Victims

If you are in an accident with an at-fault driver, you have the right to pursue legal action against him or her. You generally have two pathways to compensation: You can file an insurance claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company, or you can file a personal injury lawsuit against him or her in civil court.

During the insurance process in Colorado, the company will assign an adjuster to your case who will conduct an investigation and determine who was responsible for the accident. To prove your right to compensation during the lawsuit process, you will need to gather sufficient evidence that establishes the following four elements.

  • The driver owed you a duty to drive safely and follow Colorado traffic laws.
  • The driver breached his or her duty of care through a negligent act or failure to act.
  • The breach of duty directly caused your accident and resulting injuries.
  • You suffered damages in the accident that you can claim in your lawsuit.

Most car accident cases begin in the insurance stage before proceeding to a lawsuit, if necessary; however, there are certain situations where filing a lawsuit from the beginning is in your best interest. For example, if you sustain serious damages that exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits, the insurance company is not likely to provide you with maximum compensation. In this situation, you will need to file a lawsuit to recover the full extent of your damages.

Do You Need a Boulder Car Accident Lawyer?

If you are in a Boulder car accident, you need an attorney on your side. These cases can be complex and difficult to prove without the resources, experience, and skills of a Boulder car accident attorney. Hiring a lawyer can provide several benefits to your case, including the following.

  • Experience handling cases similar to yours and knowledge of the car accident litigation process
  • The ability to handle negotiations with insurance companies and identify bad faith practices, advocating aggressively for maximum compensation
  • Access to expert witnesses who can identify the cause of your accident and help calculate the full extent of your damages
  • The ability to guide you through each stage of the process, helping you avoid statements or actions that could damage your claim
  • The time and resources necessary to conduct a full investigation into your claim and craft a compelling case for your right to full recovery
  • The ability to estimate your optimal settlement and evaluate any offers you receive, helping you avoid an insufficient offer and future financial hardship
  • Knowledge of the evidence you need to prove your claim and establish the at-fault party’s liability, and the ability to defend you against accusations of shared liability

What to Do After a Boulder Car Accident

The moments after a car accident can be painful and disorienting. However, these moments are the most crucial for your future claim, and the actions you take will impact your ability to recover compensation. To preserve evidence and protect your rights, take the following steps immediately after the collision.

  • Call 911. This will bring law enforcement and emergency medical services to the scene. The responding police officer will create an accident report that will detail how he or she believed the accident occurred, which you can use as evidence in your case. Colorado law also requires you to report most accidents that result in injury or property damage, and calling 911 will help you satisfy this requirement.
  • Seek emergency medical attention, even if you do not feel injured. Not only will seeking treatment help you recover from any injuries you sustained, but your medical records will serve as foundational pieces of evidence in your case. As soon as possible after the car accident, go to the emergency room and save all records related to your treatment.
  • Preserve evidence at the scene. If you are able to move around the area safely and without further injury, take as many photographs of your injuries, vehicle damage, and the area around the accident as possible. Save all physical evidence from the accident, including damaged items and clothing.
  • Collect information from the at-fault driver, such as his or her contact details, license information, and insurance policy. Keep your interaction with the driver brief and do not make any statements about the accident or your injuries.
  • Speak to witnesses at the scene and collect their contact information. These witnesses can provide valuable testimony in your claim, helping you establish your side of the story and proving the other driver’s liability.
  • Contact a Boulder car accident lawyer. Do not speak to any representatives from the insurance company until you speak to an attorney. Your lawyer can guide you through the claims process and handle conversations with the insurance company on your behalf, helping protect your right to recovery.

Contact Purvis Thomson, LLP Today

If you are injured in a Boulder car accident, the attorneys at Purvis Thomson, LLP can help. For decades, we have represented Colorado residents in their claims against negligent drivers, and we will advocate aggressively to recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case with a Boulder car accident attorney.