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Denver Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents are unexpected and often bring with them an overwhelming number of complications. If you or a loved one has been injured in a traffic accident in Denver involving a car, motorcycle, bicycle, semi-truck, pedestrian, bus, or other motor vehicle, your whole world can be turned upside down in a moment.

If you are feeling confused and overwhelmed, that is completely normal. At the Bendinelli Law Firm, our Denver car accident attorneys can ease you through the long and complicated process, and help you find the compensation and resources you need to piece together your life.

Car Accident Resources

How The Bendinelli Law Firm Can Help

At the Bendinelli Law Firm, we make sure you maximize your recovery. The skilled attorneys at our car accident law firm have been helping personal injury victims in Colorado for 20 years. They have a thorough understanding of Colorado personal injury and car accident laws and the experience needed to provide exceptional legal representation for you.

    • Our Denver car accident attorneys bring a wealth of legal experience and team-oriented strategies to the table.
    • We focus on providing a client-centered approach to every case that we take, which means we take the time to foster genuine relationships with every injury victim so we can best serve their needs.
    • We have a track record of success with helping injury victims throughout the state of Colorado, and we are regularly able to recover significant settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients.
    • We have successfully recovered compensation in thousands of injury cases spanning more than two decades.

How Often Do Vehicle Accidents Occur in Denver?

When we look at data available from the Colorado Department of Transportation, we can see that vehicle accidents are not uncommon in and around the Denver area. During the latest reporting year across the state, the DOT says that there were more than 22,000 total vehicle accidents that occurred in Denver County. Out of these incidents, we can see that there were:

  • 57 fatal crashes
  • 4,605 injury crashes
  • 17,423 property damage only crashes

The Colorado DOT also discusses some of the most common causes of vehicle accidents each year in the state. Often, vehicle accidents have no apparent cause, and the DOT does make a note of this. However, there are also many incidents where there is a human contributing factor. In other words, driver negligence contributes to the accident. During the latest reporting year, some of the top causes of vehicle accidents throughout the state included:

Denver car accident lawyer

Most Common Denver Car Accident Injuries

Crash victims in Denver can sustain a wide variety of injuries in these incidents. At The Bendinelli Law Firm, our car accident attorneys have experience helping clients who have sustained a wide range of injuries, including the following:

  • Broken and dislocated bones
  • Severe sprains or strains
  • Lacerations or puncture wounds
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Open head wounds or facial wounds
  • Concussions
  • Spinal cord injuries with paralysis
  • Whiplash
  • Other severe back or neck injury
  • Internal organ damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Crush injuries or amputations
  • Significant scarring or disfigurement

In addition to these traumatic injuries, our attorneys also understand that, with car accident victims, there is a high risk of sustaining some sort of emotional or psychological injury as a result of the incident. This can include feelings of stress, anxiety, fear, depression, and more. Additionally, it is not uncommon for vehicle accident victims to experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Our Denver car accident attorneys strive to recover compensation for all of our clients’ injuries, including the visible traumatic injuries listed above, as well as the hidden emotional and psychological injuries they may have sustained. A skilled car accident lawyer in Denver will be able to work with trusted medical who can fully evaluate their client and provide expert testimony to insurance carriers or a personal injury jury about the extent of a person’s injuries.

Recovering Compensation After Your Denver Car Accident

The Denver car accident lawyers at the Bendinelli Law Firm can help you get your life back together. If you have been injured in a car accident, you are entitled to both economic and non-economic compensation for your damages.

Personal injury economic damages include:

  • Medical bills (including doctors’ visits, physical therapy, medication, etc.)
  • Future medical expenses
  • Lost time from work (wage loss)

Personal injury non-economic damages include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Physical impairment and disfigurement
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Diminished quality of life

Many people believe that the claim resolution process in motor vehicle crashes is simple and easy and that insurance companies will pay for the true value of their case. However, this is often not the case.

Sometimes, injuries will not seem too serious at first (such as back and neck problems or psychological trauma). But these types of injuries can end up having an adverse effect on car accident victims for life. Insurance coverage may be complicated, especially if the at-fault driver is not insured or underinsured.

At the Bendinelli Law Firm, we work diligently to get you the compensation you deserve. We have a proven and trustworthy track record of protecting the legal rights of clients injured in Denver car accidents.

Is There a Limit With How Much Compensation is Available?

In many states across the country, there are limits to how much money a person can receive through a civil personal injury claim, including vehicle accident cases. These limits are called “damage caps.”

In the state of Colorado, there are no damage caps placed on the total amount of economic damages that a person can receive. As we mentioned above, this will include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, etc.

However, there are various damage caps put into place for non-economic damages in Colorado personal injury claims. The actual limit depends on the type of damages being discussed. For example, Colorado places the following damage caps on specific types of recoveries:

  • Pain and suffering. These damages are capped at $250,000 plus inflation. If there is clear and convincing evidence about the wrongdoing of the negligent party, the cap is raised to $500,000. In the event the victim sustained permanent physical impairment, there is no cap for pain and suffering damages in place.
  • Dram shop claims. In the event a vehicle accident claim involves dram shop issues (a server or establishment selling alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person), there is a $150,000 total recovery against the establishment or bar person involved.
  • Wrongful death. Pain and suffering damages for wrongful death claims are limited to $250,000 or $500,000, similar to the limits mentioned above. If the alleged negligent party in the case was convicted of a felony in relation to the death, there is no cap for wrongful death pain and suffering recovery.
  • Punitive damages. Punitive damages are not always awarded, but when they are, they may not exceed the actual damages awarded unless the court determines various criteria have been met in relation to the actions of the at-fault party. Under no circumstances can punitive damages exceed three times the actual damages awarded.

Can I Recover Money if I Am Partially Responsible for Causing the Car Accident?

Even if you are partially responsible for the cause of the car crash, you might still receive compensation for your claim. Before you accept what the insurance company tells you as the truth, make sure that you receive advice from a trusted legal advocate for accident victims.

Insurance companies try to blame victims even when they are not responsible for the cause of the crash. Do not fall for this insurance tactic. Remember, the insurance company wants to cheat you out of money, if possible.

The state of Colorado operates under a “modified comparative negligence” system. This means that even an individual partially responsible for a vehicle accident can still recover compensation. In this state, the 50% rule applies. Any individual who is 50% or more responsible for an accident will be unable to recover compensation for their injuries or other losses. Those less than 50% responsible will be able to recover partial compensation.

The total amount of compensation a person receives will be reduced based on their percentage of fault, if they had any. For example, if an individual is T-boned by an impaired driver at an intersection after going through a stop sign and sustains $100,000 worth of medical bills and other losses, they will typically be entitled to recovery of this full amount.

However, suppose the individual struck by the impaired driver did not come to a full stop at the stop sign. In this scenario, it is entirely possible for the person struck by the impaired driver to be held partially responsible. Suppose a personal injury jury assigns 30% of the responsibility to the driver who was T-boned. In this situation, the driver would receive $70,000 in compensation instead of the full $100,000.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Denver

The steps that you take after a car accident can significantly impact the outcome of your personal injury claim. Contact our Denver car accident lawyers as soon as possible after an accident. We guide you through the claims process to help you avoid making mistakes that could hurt your case. Our goal is to help you receive the maximum amount of compensation available for your accident claim.

Do’s and Don’ts to remember after a Colorado car accident include:

  • DO report the car accident immediately to the police. Calling 911 is the quickest way to report the crash and ask for help.
  • DON’T admit fault. Even if you think you could be at fault, don’t apologize, say you are sorry, or otherwise admit fault. Talk with our Denver car crash lawyers first.
  • DO document the accident scene, if possible. Take pictures and make a video of the accident scene with your cell phone. Ask eyewitnesses to provide their names and telephone numbers.
  • DON’T say you are “fine,” unsure if you are injured, or you are not injured. Instead, you can say that you are following up with your doctor.
  • DO seek medical attention as soon as possible. Documenting your injuries is crucial to the outcome of your case. Delays in medical care can reduce your chance of recovering fair compensation for your injuries.
  • DON’T discuss your accident or injuries on social media or online. It is best to stop using social media until you have a chance to talk with a Denver automobile accident attorney.
  • DON’T provide a written or recorded statement to an insurance adjuster. Remember that telephone calls with the insurance company are usually recorded, even if they do not tell you that your conversation is being recorded.
  • DO document your damages. Keep copies of all bills, invoices, and receipts for financial losses. Keep a detailed account of missed time from work. Also, keep notes about your pain and suffering each day.
  • DON’T accept a settlement agreement without talking with a lawyer. Once you sign a settlement agreement, you cannot go back to demand more money for your car accident case, even if you discover additional injuries or damages.
  • DO contact the car accident lawyers of The Bendinelli Law Firm for a free consultation to discuss your case.

Do not let the claims adjuster or anyone else convince you that you do not need to talk with a car accident lawyer in Denver. It is in your best interest to understand your legal rights before you make a decision about your case.

Affording a Denver Car Accident Attorney

How much does a lawyer cost

At The Bendinelli Law Firm, we understand that car accident victims often struggle financially in the aftermath of the incident, particularly as they are waiting for an insurance settlement to come through. It can seem impossible to be able to afford an attorney to represent you in your particular case, but we want you to know that we are here to help.

Our attorneys take Denver car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that our clients face no upfront or out-of-pocket costs related to their claim. We will only collect legal fees after we successfully recover the compensation that our clients need through a favorable settlement or jury verdict. If we do not win, our clients will not pay.

Is There a Time Limit to Recovering Compensation?

Yes, there are various time limits surrounding vehicle accident claims that occur in Denver and throughout Colorado. First, it is critically important to point out that insurance carriers have very strict reporting deadlines when it comes to these claims. Most insurance carriers require that vehicle accidents be reported within a day or two after the incident occurs. Failing to promptly file an insurance claim after a Denver car accident could result in the claim being delayed or denied by the insurer.

Additionally, there is an overall personal injury statute of limitations of two years in Colorado. This will apply if it becomes necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit in the vehicle accident case in order to recover compensation. If a vehicle accident victim fails to file a lawsuit within two years from the date the crash occurs, they will be unable to recover any compensation for the incident.

When you work with a skilled Denver car accident attorney for your case, you will have someone who has experience handling these claims by your side. An attorney will not let any of the deadlines slip by without filing a claim on your behalf.

Contact The Bendinelli Law Firm Today

You can count on our dedicated auto injury attorneys in the Denver Metro, Westminster and Fort Collins areas. Our car accident lawyers, paralegals, and investigators will be your advocate and help you navigate through your car accident claim, so you can focus on your recovery.

Contact us today at 1-800-ATTORNEY for your free consultation with a Denver personal injury attorney.