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When a car accident occurs, lives can be changed forever. One moment you may be driving home from work, thinking about dinner, then in an instant a negligent driver changes everything. You must now think about your injuries, your recovery, how much time away from work you will need, and how you will pay your bills when you are unable to work. In other words, you are now facing injuries with long-term consequences through no fault of your own.
And, while you are certainly entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, pain and suffering, and damages to your vehicle, you may find the insurance company is playing hardball, trying to convince you to settle for much less than you deserve—or even refusing to pay you at all. It is during a difficult time like this that a smart, aggressive car accident attorney Denver from the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya can be an invaluable resource for your future.
Dianne Sawaya will work with the insurance company, ensuring they honor their obligation to pay for your injuries, your time away from work, your pain and suffering. While Dianne Sawaya is a skilled negotiator, she is also a tough litigator who will never hesitate to litigate your case in front of a judge and jury in order to help you get the settlement you deserve.
Don’t wait to take action after your car accident.
Call 303.558.7070 for a free case review and to speak to an attorney today.
25 Years
Experience
Helping the injured in Colorado for over 25 years.
Free
Review
Do you have a case? Get your free case review now.
Maximized
Settlement
When we take your case, you are our priority.
If you, a family member, friend, or neighbor have been injured in a car accident or were hurt by a hit-and-run driver, you could be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, out of pocket expenses, pain and suffering, and more. But you may find that the insurance company won’t do right by you. They try to convince you to settle quickly for less than you deserve – or even refuse to pay you at all.
It takes a smart, aggressive car accident attorney like Dianne Sawaya to work with the insurance company, so they live up to their obligation and pay you the money you deserve. Insurance companies have learned that if they don’t offer you a fair settlement, our car accident attorneys won’t hesitate to take your car accident case to trial and litigate your needs in front of a judge and jury.
Client Stories and Reviews
Dianne Sawaya has worked with thousands of clients over the years – clients who have trusted their cases with Dianne and the Denver, Colorado personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya. Presented here are a few examples of the types of cases Dianne Sawaya has helped clients with. If you would like to talk about your case and how we might help you, give us a call or email us to arrange a free consultation.
Every legal case is unique. While the client stories here are based on real client cases, they may not represent the results or recovery you might receive in your case. To talk with a personal injury attorney at The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya about the possible value of your claim and the opportunities and challenges you may face in your case, call our office or contact us for a free consultation.
Car Accident Facts
According to DriverKnowledge.com, there are about 6 million car accidents every year in the United States, with 90 people dying in car accidents each day. As a result of those 6 million car accidents, there are an estimated 3 million injuries, with a staggering 2 million of those injured victims suffering permanent injuries. Even though seat belt use decreases the risk of death by 45 percent, one in seven people do not buckle up when they drive or are a passenger in a vehicle. Despite the level of education regarding impaired driving, alcohol remains a factor in 40 percent of all car accidents.
Excessive speed is responsible for about 30 percent of all auto accidents, and reckless driving is responsible for about 33 percent of all auto accidents. While experts believe distracted driving is a major factor in auto accidents, distraction is more difficult to prove, as few drivers want to admit they were talking on a phone, texting, eating, turning around to see what the children were doing in the back seat or simply not paying attention. Despite this, it is estimated that distracted driving is a factor in at least one in every five auto accidents and that at least nine people are killed in auto accidents each day as a direct result of distracted driving.
Colorado Car Accident FAQs
If you have been involved in a Colorado car accident, you likely have many questions. Some of those questions may be the same as those of other car accident victims, including:
- What should I do immediately after a car accident? The first thing to do after a car accident is to determine whether there are injuries and seek immediate medical treatment. Law enforcement should be contacted, and if you are able, you should take photographs of the scene of the accident, as well as obtaining witness addresses, when possible. Once you are home, contact your own insurance company, but offer only the facts until you have spoken with a personal injury attorney to discuss your options. Keep careful records of your injuries, your treatments, your medical expenses, and notes of anything at all you remember about the accident.
- Should I speak to the police at the scene of the accident? Stick to the facts if you are questioned by the police following an accident. If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so—you never want a statement you made in the chaos of an accident to haunt you later on. Never, ever, say “I’m sorry.” Unfortunately, even if you are simply saying you are sorry the accident occurred, it can be misconstrued as an admission of guilt.
- Should I give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company? It is much better to refer insurance calls to your own insurance company, or, ideally, to your attorney. The at-fault driver’s insurance company may want you to agree to a quick settlement before you know the extent of your injuries, or before you have had the opportunity to calculate your damages. Wait for your attorney to tell you what you need to do for your health and your future.
- If my car is drive-able, should I continue driving it? If there is any way around it, do not drive your car (other than to move it off the roadway) until you have had it inspected. Even if you see only a few scratches, there could potentially be damage you cannot see.
- What if the at-fault driver has no insurance or leaves the scene of the accident? Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense—the police will do their best to locate the driver who left the scene of your accident. Your insurance policy may include Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage, which means your company will process your claim although it will be through your UM coverage. A hit-and-run accident will also be processed through your own insurance company and your UM coverage.
- What if I am unable to afford my medical expenses until the insurance company pays my claim? If you have no health insurance and are waiting on the at-fault driver’s insurance company to pay your claim, you may wonder how you will pay your medical expenses associated with your injuries from the accident. Talk to your Denver car accident attorney, who will have suggestions on ways you can get the medical treatment you need until the insurance company pays. Your doctor may agree to a lien against your future settlement, or there may be other options available for you.
- Are there statutes of limitations for filing a claim for injuries received in a Denver car accident? Yes, Colorado, like all other states, has set its own statutes of limitations—the amount of time you have in which to file a claim following your accident. In the state of Colorado, the statutes of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is three years from the date of the injury unless your claim is against the state of Colorado, or a city or county entity, in which case you have only 180 days to file a claim for damages.
Injury Claims and Financial Recovery Following a Denver Car Accident
If you have been involved in a car accident, you are well aware there are few things more disruptive to your life. A Denver car accident can cause significant anxiety and stress, particularly when you have suffered severe injuries as a result of another’s negligence. You may be watching your medical bills mount alarmingly and may even have been unable to return to your job after the accident.
Thankfully, with the help of an experienced Denver car accident attorney, you do have options. You are entitled to receive compensation for your losses through the utilization of insurance coverage; if the other party was a fault, then your compensation will likely come from the other driver’s insurance company, or, in the case of an uninsured or underinsured motorist, your own insurance policy could provide the necessary resources.
Regardless of the specifics associated with your Denver car accident, you are likely to have a great deal of interaction with an insurance company. These interactions can be far from pleasant—they can be frustrating, time-consuming, and you could inadvertently make an honest mistake when talking to an insurance representative that could end up costing you. Despite the deluge of insurance commercials we see assuring us that insurance companies are our “friends,” ready to step in and help in the event of a crisis, most insurance companies have one goal—to increase the company’s financial bottom line.
This means the insurance company likely has little interest in your injuries, the loss of your job, or your inability to pay your normal monthly expenses as a result of your injuries. Having an experienced Denver car accident lawyer by your side can make all the difference in such a situation. Your car accident attorney will fully understand all the intricacies of the claims process and will fight hard for your rights and your future. You deserve the maximum compensation following an accident that left you injured, and your highly skilled Denver car accident attorney will work hard to ensure you receive that compensation.
Immediately following a Denver auto accident, it is crucial that law enforcement be contacted. You will also want to contact your own insurance company as quickly as possible. To ensure a prompt, fair payout of your claim, you also need to see a doctor, even if you believe you are not badly injured, Those involved in a car accident are filled with adrenaline, and this shot of adrenaline can often mask serious injuries. If your accident is relatively minor, contacting law enforcement and contacting your own insurance company may be sufficient to facilitate an equitable settlement.
For more serious injuries, you are more likely to see an insurance company dragging their feet and refusing to pay what the claim is actually worth. If you have a solid Denver car accident attorney in your corner, his or her negotiations may also result in an equitable settlement. Even with an attorney, there are certain instances in which the payout offered is simply insufficient to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In this case, there may be no choice but to litigate the issue.
Fault or No-Fault?
Some states operate under a no-fault system, while others operate under a fault-based system (the more traditional of the two, and the one chosen by the state of Colorado). Under a fault-based system, the person at fault (or his or her insurance company) is required to pay the damages suffered by the injured person. If insured—as is required by Colorado law—the at-fault person’s insurance will pay up to the limits of the policy.
If the at-fault driver is not insured, your own insurance policy may include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, in which case, you may be required to file under your own insurance policy. Colorado has adopted a doctrine of modified comparative fault, which means that if you were even partially at fault, the amount you can recover will be diminished by the percentage of fault assigned to you. If you are judged to have been more than 50 percent responsible, then you are not entitled to recovery.
If, however, you were not at fault, or only slightly at fault, the only other option may be to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court against the other driver in an attempt to receive compensation for your damages. When damages exceed the other person’s insurance policy limits—or your own—you might also have to file a personal injury lawsuit, rather than an insurance claim. Under Colorado’s fault-based system of insurance, you must try to secure payment from the other driver’s insurance company—who will almost certainly try their best to avoid paying what the claim is actually worth.
Roadblocks to Recovery
When litigation seems to be the only way to force an insurance company to pay you the compensation you deserve, it is imperative that you have a Denver car accident attorney by your side. Be aware, however, that there may be several roadblocks to recovering an equitable settlement. One of those stumbling blocks includes the fact that the state of Colorado has imposed a three-year statute of limitations, concerning auto accident lawsuits, and these statutes must be closely followed. Another stumbling block could be related to whether you were partially at fault for the accident. As discussed above, Colorado operates under modified comparative fault laws, which could significantly diminish your right to recovery.
The Necessity of a Comprehensive Investigation of the Facts
Your Denver car accident attorney will work in collaboration with crash investigators, engineers, medical experts, and others in an effort to establish what happened, and who was responsible, as well as to determine what the claim is worth. Your car accident attorney will use: the accident report, any photographs taken at the scene of the accident that show property or personal damages, statements from witnesses to the accident, your medical records and medical expenses, your lost wages assessments, and accident reconstruction reporting to determine the facts of the accident and the compensation you are entitled to receive.
It is almost a certainty that you will face frustrations, pain, and financial challenges following your Denver car accident—all of which can greatly benefit from the compassion and advocacy of an experienced Denver auto accident attorney. Since every car accident has unique aspects, it is impossible to say exactly how your claim will progress. What is certain, is that if the insurance company refuses to pay a fair settlement after your attorney’s demand, a trial may become a necessity. Unfortunately, trials can take a significant amount of time, leaving you without the financial resources you need and deserve. You need and deserve a Denver auto accident attorney who is both a highly skilled negotiator, as well as an aggressive litigator when warranted.
What is Your Denver Auto Accident Claim Worth?
This is a difficult question to answer, as every accident is unique. Your injuries could range from minor whiplash to spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries that result in a permanent disability. One thing is certain—you should never, ever, accept a quick settlement offer from an insurance company without talking to a Denver car accident attorney.
Your body’s initial reaction during a car accident can mask physical injury symptoms for hours, or even days. You may accept the settlement, then realize you are much more seriously injured than you realized, thus leaving you responsible for future medical expenses related to the accident. Further, those suffering soft tissue injuries are less likely to collect a fair settlement than those who suffer internal injuries or broken bones, which are more easily identifiable.
More serious injuries can result in hospitalization, and the necessity to be away from work for weeks, months, or even permanently. If your vehicle accident has left you requiring long-term medical care, or unable to ever return to work, you are certainly entitled to a larger settlement. Some injuries will require ongoing medical expenses in the form of surgical procedures, medications, assistive devices, and rehabilitative therapies.
The cause of your auto accident may also have some bearing on your eventual settlement. Perhaps the other driver was distracted or inattentive, or perhaps he or she was exceeding the speed limit or breaking another traffic law. The other driver could have been impaired or could have deliberately caused the accident as a result of road rage. Generally speaking, you may be entitled to one or more of the following damages:
- Economic damages that can easily be quantified are known as special damages. These are damages that you have an exact monetary figure for—hospital expenses, doctor expenses, prescription drug expenses, costs for rehabilitative therapies, damages to your vehicle, lost wages and lost future wages all fall under special damages.
- General damages are much more complex and less easy to quantify. General damages can include pain and suffering, mental anguish, and a lowered quality of life.
- Punitive damages are rare but may be applicable in situations in which the person who caused the accident was clearly acting recklessly, maliciously, or was impaired. Punitive damages are meant to discourage the responsible party—and others—from acting in such an irresponsible manner in the future.
It is important that you remember that while you may have faithfully paid your insurance company to ensure you are covered in the event of an accident, that is no guarantee your insurance company will offer a fair settlement in the event you must file under your own insurance. Most insurance companies operate under the theory that the less they pay out—even for a legitimate claim—the better off they are financially. The only thing standing between you and such actions is a highly experienced Denver car accident attorney.
What Are Common Car Accident Injuries?
While there are many injuries which can result from a car accident, some of the most common injuries include:
- Whiplash is the name for tendon, ligament, and muscle injuries that occur in the neck area following a car accident, particularly a rear-end car accident. Whiplash is an extremely painful condition.
- Cuts, scrapes, and bruises are common following a car accident, and while not the most serious of injuries, infections, and other complications can set in.
- Traumatic brain injuries can occur following a car accident and can result in immediate injury as well as long-term complications.
- Broken ribs and other broken bones are also common car accident injuries, particularly in side-impact car accidents.
- Internal bleeding and organ damage can be particularly dangerous if not treated quickly following a car accident.
- Back injuries, including herniated discs, or more serious spinal cord injuries can result from car accidents, particularly side-impact and head-on accidents.
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis suffered in car accidents account for almost half of all spinal cord injuries.
- Knee trauma is common among car accident victims when knees strike the dashboard during the crash. Braces, crutches, or surgery to rebuild the knee may be necessary. Knee injuries are not only painful, they can cause significant difficulty in walking.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can occur following a car accident, bringing mental and emotional issues associated with the accident. Even tasks that were once routine, may become extremely difficult, if not impossible.
- Burn injuries can occur during a car accident, although it is not as common as other types of injuries. According to the American Burn Association, about 5% of all serious burns stem from car accidents.
Dianne Sawaya’s law firm is amazing!
My car accident injury case was a very complicated case and they fought to win my case day in and day out. It was a very long 4 year battle but successful. Everyone that handled my case was so kind, understanding, and hard working.
What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Colorado?
The five most common types of car accidents include rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, side-impact or “t-bone” collisions, single car accidents, and rollovers. Rear-end collisions happen frequently, and while they do not usually cause the same level of injury severity as other types of car accidents, they can result in serious neck and back injuries. Rear-end car accidents usually occur when cars are following too closely, or when distractions are involved. The driver of the car in the rear is usually considered at-fault in a rear-end collision. Side-impact collisions are also known as “t-bone” or broadside collisions occur when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another. Side impact collisions usually occur at intersections and can cause severe injuries to the passengers and driver in the t-boned car.
- Injured in a rear-end collision?
- Injured in a side-impact collision?
- Injured in a head-on collision?
- Injured in a collision caused by excessive speed?
Rollovers often occur when a vehicle makes a sharp turn at a high speed. SUVs are more prone to rollover accidents than other vehicles because they are taller and have a higher center of gravity. When the front of one vehicle strikes the front of another, the results can be traumatic, or even fatal, particularly at high speeds. In fact, head-on collisions are the type of auto accidents most likely to result in fatalities. A single-car accident occurs when a vehicle strikes a fixed object, such as a pole, a fire hydrant, a tree, or a wall. In some cases, a single-car accident can involve innocent bystanders, and often results in property damage as well as injury.
The Legal Process Following a Denver Car Accident
How is Negligence Proven in a Car Accident?
Negligence means a driver acted in a manner that disregarded his or her duty to drive in a safe manner, and that negligence resulted in an accident and subsequent injuries. Negligence does not involve intentional acts by the defendant, simply that the driver failed to follow their duty of care to ensure the safety of others. Under the law, all drivers owe other drivers the duty to drive safely, obeying all traffic laws.
To prove negligence, it must be shown that the defendant breached his or her duty of care (i.e., by exceeding the speed limit or running a stop sign), that this breach of duty of care was responsible for the plaintiff’s injuries, and that there were damages associated with those injuries. The argument from the defendant will be that he or she did not breach the duty of care, which is just one of the reasons it is so important to have a police report following a car accident in Denver. Aside from the failure to obey traffic laws, drivers are required to maintain a good degree of vigilance while driving, which means not driving while distracted. Drivers must also maintain control of their vehicle and must use the equipment on the vehicle properly.
What is the Medical Treatment Process Following a Denver Car Accident?
Following your Denver car accident, it is imperative that you be seen at an ER if you have serious injuries, then see your primary care physician for treatment and follow-up. You will also see any specialists your primary care physician refers you to. Remember that strains, sprains, and injuries such as whiplash often take hours, or days to manifest. Internal bleeding may also not be immediately apparent until it becomes life-threatening. In some cases, even a broken bone may go unnoticed at the scene of the accident.
If the police tell you that you need to be seen at the ER, do not argue. Recognize the fact that the rush of adrenaline, along with the shock of the accident may be overshadowing your ability to determine whether you are injured. In particular, you should immediately be taken to the emergency room if you are in severe pain, suffering any weakness or shortness of breath, are dizzy, have obvious lacerations or broken bones, hit your head during the accident, lost consciousness after the accident, have a neck or back injury, are confused, or are bleeding. Never attempt to drive yourself to the Emergency Room—you could inadvertently be the cause of another accident.
If your doctor refers you to a specialist, make sure you go to each appointment, and always follow the doctor’s instructions to the letter. Once a specialist has completed the necessary tests, your primary care physician will be given a report with findings and recommendations. It may become necessary for your physician’s office to contact the insurance company for authorization to begin treatments. Following your auto accident, you may be seen by one or more of the following:
- An ER physician
- A radiologist who reads images such as x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs
- A trauma surgeon
- An orthopedic surgeon
- In the case of a head injury, a neurosurgeon
- A burn specialist
- A plastic surgeon for scars or disfigurement
- A general surgeon for any internal injuries
- Your primary care physician
- A pain specialist
- A physical therapist
- An occupational therapist
- A vocational therapist
25 Years
Experience
Helping the injured in Colorado for over 25 years.
Free
Review
Do you have a case? Get your free case review now.
Maximized
Settlement
When we take your case, you are our priority.
How Can You Work with Your Insurance Company Following a Denver Car Accident?
Having car insurance is, in most states, mandatory; however, many of us are truly not fully cognizant of the role insurance plays following a Denver car accident. Liability insurance is the part of your auto insurance that protects authorized drivers against any claim made against them which might arise when negligence caused the accident. As an example, if another driver makes a claim against your insurance for $40,000, and you are insured up to $75,000, then you would not be responsible for any payments. If the numbers were reversed, you could end up owing a significant amount of money.
Something few people know about auto insurance is that if you are in an accident, and you have injuries valued at $175,000, but the person you are filing the claim against has only $100,000 worth of coverage, the insurance company is only required to compensate you up to the $100,000.00, even though your damages exceed the driver’s coverage. This brings up the question of uninsured and underinsured drivers. If you have uninsured/underinsured coverage on your own insurance, and you are hit by a driver who has no insurance or has very low limits, you will make a claim against your own insurance company under your uninsured/underinsured coverage. Auto insurance plays a crucial role in your ability to obtain the money you need to pay for damages to your vehicle and medical expenses for your injuries. It is always a good idea to speak to a car accident attorney in Denver in order to explore your options.
Top Question Regarding Denver Car Accidents
Perhaps the most-asked question by those who have been involved in a Denver car accident is, “How do I know if I need a car accident attorney?” Following a car accident, many of us believe we can handle the issues that follow on our own. Most adults know they need to contact the insurance company and make arrangements to have the vehicle repaired. And, for minor bump-ins, with few, if any, injuries, this plan could work out well. When an auto accident is more serious, however, handling things on your own can become significantly more difficult—sometimes even overwhelming. Unless you have experienced a serious injury, you may not be aware of just how much this level of injury can alter your day-to-day life, your physical abilities, and even your emotional and mental status.
When you are involved in a car accident that leaves you seriously injured, everything in your life changes—in ways you may not be able to even imagine. One moment you could be in good health, making plans for your future and enjoying your current lifestyle, then, in a mere instant, everything has changed. You are being loaded into an ambulance, wheeled into an emergency room, and you are overtaken with panic, anxiety, stress. Will you be all right? Will you be able to return to work and make a living? How long will your recovery take—or will you ever recover fully? How will your injuries affect your relationships, your financial future, your career?
One minute you are looking forward to the activities you have planned for the weekend, and the next, everything has changed—through no fault of your own. Of course, you could attempt to handle everything on your own. You could make endless calls to insurance companies, as you try your best to make the indifferent person on the other end understand just how serious your injuries really are. You could watch your medical expenses mount alarmingly, wondering if you will be able to pay them, and if you cannot, if you will still be able to obtain the treatments you need.
You could spend sleepless nights, wondering how you will cope with everything that’s being thrown at you, and your stress levels could reach epidemic proportions—or, you could make a single phone call to the Denver Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya. While your car accident definitely has unique aspects, our highly experienced car accident attorneys have been helping people just like you for many, many years. We are highly skilled negotiators who will handle every legal aspect of your car accident.
Generally speaking, if any of the following are true, you should definitely contact an experienced Denver auto accident attorney from the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya:
- The other driver was clearly at fault
- The other driver failed to follow the established rules of the road
- The negligence of the other driver directly caused your injuries
- Your injuries are more than minor
- The damages to your vehicle are more than minor
- The other driver’s insurance disputes responsibility for all your damages
- The other driver did not have insurance, but you have uninsured/underinsured coverage
The Financial Impact of Car Accidents: What You Need to Know
A car accident can be a traumatic experience. Injured victims suffer physically and mentally, but they also suffer financially.
In the aftermath of the incident, you’re left to deal with:
- Mounting medical bills. Emergency medical care and future treatment can be astronomical. For example, the lifetime costs of a severe brain injury can be millions of dollars.
- Property damage that’s costly to repair. If your vehicle is totaled, you will need to replace it. In the meantime, you’ll need to rent a vehicle to ensure you have transportation.
- The financial repercussions of having to take time off to heal from your injuries. If the injuries lead to temporary or permanent disability, you may be forced to leave the workforce or change careers.
- Renovation costs. When severe injuries lead to disabilities, renovations may be required to make the home more accessible. These costs can be significant and should not be a burden you have to bear.
At the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, we know the financial impact of a car accident can be devastating.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents cost the U.S. $340 billion in 2019 – the equivalent of $1,035 for each American.
Our attorneys will calculate your current and future injury-related costs so that we can seek fair compensation for your injuries.
What to Avoid After a Car Accident in Denver
The actions you take after a car accident can make or break your claim. Taking the wrong steps can make it more challenging to pursue a claim and financial compensation for your injuries.
Here are a few important things to avoid after a car accident:
- Refuse medical attention
- Flee the scene
- Decide not to call 911
- Underestimate the extent of your injuries
- Give more information than absolutely necessary
- Forget to collect information from other drivers, cyclists or witnesses
- Leave the scene without taking photos (if you aren’t seriously injured)
- Speak to the other driver’s insurance company without a lawyer
To protect the integrity of your claim, make sure that you seek medical attention immediately, even if you don’t believe your injuries are serious.
If you don’t get medical attention immediately after the accident, the insurance company may argue that it wasn’t the accident that caused your injuries.
Clear documentation starting from immediately after the accident will help form the foundation of a strong claim.
Once you’ve sought medical attention, consult with an experienced Denver car accident attorney to figure out your next steps.
What Are Steps to Take Following a Car Accident?
Following a car accident in Denver, there are certain steps to remember to ensure the process after the accident goes smoothly, and that you receive a fair settlement if the accident was the result of negligence. These steps include:
- Never leave the scene of the accident;
- Make sure all drivers and passengers receive necessary medical treatments;
- Contact the police—and wait for them to arrive so you will have a police report;
- Exchange contact information with the other driver, including insurance information, drivers’ license numbers and license plate numbers;
- Never admit guilt at the scene, even to the point of saying “I’m sorry,” to the other driver as this could be construed as an admission of guilt;
- If there were witnesses to the accident, get their names and contact information;
- Take photographs of the scene of the accident if you are physically able;
- Let your insurance company know about the accident, giving them only the basic facts of the accident;
- Keep careful track of all your medical treatments, including ER treatment, doctor visits, rehabilitative therapies, and even prescription medications related to your injuries;
- Keep a detailed journal of every single detail related to the car accident;
- Exercise caution on social media when talking about the car accident;
- Be wary of early settlement offers; and
- Hire an experienced Colorado car accident attorney as quickly as possible.
Where Car Accidents Happen Most Often in Denver
While any road in Denver—or any other city in Colorado—can potentially be dangerous, findlaw.com found the following Denver roads and intersections to be the most dangerous in the city:
- I-25 between Santa Fe and I-70—It is estimated that more than 250,000 cars travel this stretch of highway every day.
- University Blvd. and Hampden Road—Although this intersection technically lies in Englewood, it is close enough to Denver to make the list. An increasing volume of traffic can render this area a “bottleneck,” during certain times of the day.
- Monaco Parkway and Hampden Avenue—This intersection is a busy one, with the I-25 exit causing congestion which spills over to these streets.
- Colorado Blvd. and Alameda/I-25—With a ton of businesses in this vicinity, this is a major traffic area—which always increases the risk of auto accidents.
- University Blvd. and 1st Avenue—Heavy traffic during rush hours as well as throughout the day may this an extremely accident-prone area.
- Colorado Blvd. and 17th Avenue—Major traffic in this area makes getting to the Denver Zoo a challenge.
- Colorado Blvd. and 6th Avenue—Tons of traffic in this area as a thoroughfare for commuters.
- Colorado Blvd. and Mexico Avenue—Drivers coming from I-25 as well as surrounding businesses produce major traffic headaches.
According to a Denver Post article, traffic deaths in the state of Colorado reached the highest numbers in nearly a decade in 2017, with 634 people dying in traffic accidents. Experts believe the increase in traffic accident fatalities is the result of more and more people on the roadways, due to a better economy. Travel has increased, with people taking longer trips, and going out more often on weekends.
Contact the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya to schedule a free case evaluation.
Getting the Help You Need from an Experienced Colorado Car Accident Lawyer
While it is normal to feel frustration, anxiety and stress following your Denver, Colorado car accident, it is important to remember that you are not alone. At the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, our experienced car accident attorneys Denver are compassionate, aggressive and highly skilled. We understand you are going through a tough time, however working with a knowledgeable Colorado car accident attorney can help get your life back to the way it was prior to the car accident.
When you call the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, we are giving you the attention you deserve and need. We are aggressive when it comes to the needs of our clients; if you are eligible for compensation, we will work hard to secure those deserved benefits, including medical expenses, lost wages, future lost wages, pain and suffering, out-of-pocket expenses and more.
Contact the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya today for a consultation to discuss the specific facts of your car accident. We also serve car accident victims in Aurora, Arvada, Loveland, Thornton, Greeley, Lakewood, Colorado Springs, Westminster, and the entire state of Colorado.