Navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, but with our firm on your side, you’re never alone. With years of experience, we understand the intricate legal landscape surrounding car accidents, and we’re committed to protecting your rights, securing just compensation for your injuries, and ensuring you receive the highest quality legal assistance.
At Green Law Firm P.C., we are a trusted resource for car accident legal representation in Manitou Springs. Our seasoned team of Manitou Springs car accident attorneys is dedicated to guiding you through the challenging aftermath of a car accident. If you or a loved one have been injured by the negligent actions of another driver, contact the Manitou Springs car accident attorneys of the Green Law Firm, P.C. for experienced, dedicated help.
Geography of Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs is a beautiful town located just outside of Colorado Springs that over 5,300 people call home. Located at the base of Pikes Peak, the town has some major tourist attractions, including a full-size replica of Anasazi Indian cliff dwellings, and Cave of the Winds.
A railroad even extends from Manitou Springs to the top of Pikes Peak, offering a beautiful scenic ride to tourists and locals. Situated directly along U.S. Route 24, Manitou Springs is bordered by Mt. Manitou, Red Mountain, and Engelmann Canyon. Residents in Manitou Springs often commute to work in Colorado Springs an average of 26 minutes and they work in a variety of sectors, from telecom to the military. In fact, there is a large military presence in Manitou Springs due to the presence of the U.S. Air Force Academy and the Space Command.
Car Accidents in Manitou Springs
Car accidents in Manitou Springs are not uncommon. From minor fender benders to more serious head-on collisions, these accidents can result in serious injury and even death.
Our Manitou Springs car accident attorneys of the Green Law Firm, P.C., have the experience and resources needed to tackle even the most complex car accident case. They have represented victims of:
- Rear-end collisions – This type of accident happens when a vehicle hits the one in front of it. It often occurs due to distraction, speeding, or following too closely. The driver in the rear is typically considered at fault.
- Side impact or T-bone crashes – These occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming a “T” shape. They typically happen at intersections when a driver fails to yield the right of way, runs a red light, or makes an improper turn.
- Head-on collisions – In this type of accident, the fronts of two vehicles collide. They are often severe, potentially fatal, and usually result from a driver crossing into oncoming traffic due to distraction, drowsiness, or impaired driving.
- Drunk driving accidents – These accidents are caused by drivers who are operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drunk driving significantly impairs reaction times and decision-making skills, making accidents more likely.
- Distracted driving accidents – These occur when a driver is not paying full attention to the road. Distractions can include texting, talking on the phone, eating, or using a GPS.
- Uninsured motorist accidents – These involve a driver who does not carry any auto insurance, in violation of state law. If an uninsured driver causes an accident, it can complicate the process of receiving compensation for damages.
- Underinsured motorist accidents – This type of accident involves a driver whose insurance coverage isn’t sufficient to cover the full extent of the damages they cause in an accident.
- Hit and run crashes – In these incidents, a driver causes an accident and then leaves the scene without stopping to identify themselves or offer assistance. Hit and runs are illegal and can lead to serious penalties.
- Rollover crashes – These occur when a vehicle flips over onto its side or roof. Rollovers can be triggered by high-speed collisions, sharp turns, or striking a curb or other object. This type of accident is often severe and can lead to significant injuries.
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Injuries from a Car Accident in Manitou Springs
Even minor accidents can result in serious injury. The human body is not made to withstand the forces of a car accident and the injuries that result can be life-changing.
At Green Law Firm, P.C. we have experience representing car accident victims that have sustained:
- Broken bones – These are fractures or breaks in the bone, often caused by a high-impact crash. They require immediate medical attention and can sometimes lead to long-term complications.
- Head trauma – This involves any injury to the scalp, skull, or brain and can range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries. Symptoms may not be immediately apparent, making prompt medical evaluation essential.
- Brain injuries – These are a form of head trauma that specifically affect the brain, including concussions, contusions, or traumatic brain injuries. They can have long-term cognitive, behavioral, and physical effects.
- Spinal cord injuries – Damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves can lead to permanent changes in strength, sensation, and other body functions below the site of the injury.
- Neck injuries – whiplash – Whiplash is a common neck injury that occurs when the head is forcefully and quickly thrown backward and then forward, causing neck strain.
- Internal organ damage – High-impact crashes can cause injuries to organs such as the lungs, liver, or kidneys. These injuries can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
- Internal bleeding – This occurs when blood vessels within the body rupture, causing internal blood loss. It’s difficult to detect without medical attention and can lead to serious complications if not treated promptly.
- Disfigurement – Disfigurement refers to any injury that permanently alters the victim’s appearance. This can include severe scarring, loss of limbs, or facial injuries.
- Amputation – This involves the removal of a body part, either during an accident or as a necessary medical procedure afterward due to severe injury.
- Burn injuries – These are damages to the skin or deeper tissues caused by contact with hot surfaces, fire, or chemicals. Burn injuries can range from minor to severe, potentially leading to infection, scarring, or even death.
Manitou Springs Car Accident Reporting Requirements
The reporting requirements for car accidents in Manitou Springs are guided by Colorado state law. They can be summarized as follows:
- Immediate Reporting: If a car accident results in injury, death, or significant property damage (generally over $1,000), it must be reported immediately to law enforcement. If the accident occurs within the city limits of Manitou Springs, it should be reported to the Manitou Springs Police Department. If it occurs outside the city limits but within El Paso County, it should be reported to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office or the Colorado State Patrol.
- Reporting to the DMV: If any vehicle involved in the accident sustained damage that renders it inoperable, or if the accident resulted in injury or death, a report must also be filed with the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles within ten days of the accident.
- Information Exchange: At the scene of the accident, all involved drivers are required by law to exchange pertinent information. This includes names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, vehicle registration information, and insurance details.
- Penalties for Failure to Report: Failure to report a car accident as required by Colorado law can result in significant penalties, including a potential suspension of your driving privileges.
It’s crucial to remember that laws can change, and local ordinances can also affect reporting requirements.
Manitou Springs Car Insurance Requirements
Manitou Springs, like the rest of the state, follows Colorado’s state-level regulations concerning car insurance requirements. All drivers in the state of Colorado are required to carry the following minimum levels of auto insurance coverage:
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. This coverage pays for costs associated with injuries to other people in an accident for which you are at fault.
- Property Damage Liability: $15,000 per accident. This coverage pays for property damage you cause to another party’s property in an accident for which you are at fault.
In addition to these required coverages, Colorado law also requires insurance companies to offer Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage (UM/UIM) in the same amount as your Bodily Injury Liability limits, although you may choose to reject this coverage in writing.
Remember, these are the minimum requirements and many drivers choose to carry higher limits and additional types of coverage like collision, comprehensive, and medical payments coverage to better protect themselves financially.
Proving a Manitou Springs Car Accident
Proving fault in a Manitou Springs car accident, as with any car accident, involves demonstrating that another party was negligent and that this negligence directly caused your injuries. This process generally involves several steps:
- Establishing Duty of Care: This is typically straightforward in car accident cases, as all drivers have a legal obligation or “duty of care” to operate their vehicles in a safe manner and to obey all traffic laws.
- Proving Breach of Duty: This step involves showing that the other driver failed to uphold their duty of care. Evidence such as traffic citations, witness testimony, surveillance video, or accident reconstruction can be useful here.
- Showing Causation: You must prove that the breach of duty directly caused your injuries. This often requires medical evidence and expert testimony to link the accident to your injuries.
- Demonstrating Damages: Finally, you need to provide evidence of your losses, or “damages.” These can include medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Evidence that can help prove a car accident case includes police reports, witness statements, medical records, photographic or video evidence from the scene, testimony from accident reconstruction experts, and more.
Recoverable Damages in a Manitou Springs Car Accident
In a Manitou Springs car accident case, plaintiffs may be able to recover a variety of damages, depending on the circumstances of their case. Here are some of the most common types of damages that may be recoverable:
- Medical Expenses: These can include the costs of ambulance rides, hospital stays, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, assistive devices, and any other medical treatments necessary as a result of the accident. Future medical expenses that are reasonably expected can also be included.
- Lost Wages: If the accident caused the victim to miss work, they can recover the wages they lost during that time. This can also include lost earning capacity if the victim’s ability to work has been permanently diminished.
- Property Damage: This covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property that was damaged in the accident.
- Pain and Suffering: These are non-economic damages that compensate the victim for the physical pain and emotional distress they have suffered due to the accident.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: These damages compensate for the decrease in a victim’s ability to enjoy the day-to-day activities, hobbies, and other aspects of life that they enjoyed before the accident.
- Loss of Consortium: If the accident seriously affected the relationship between a married couple, the uninjured spouse may be able to recover damages for loss of companionship.
- Punitive Damages: In cases where the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious or reckless, punitive damages may be awarded as a way to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior in the future.
Every case is unique, so the specific damages and the amount that can be recovered will vary.
Statute of Limitations in a Manitou Springs Car Accident
In Manitou Springs, the statute of limitations for car accident cases is three (3) years from the date of the accident. This means that if you’ve been involved in a car accident, you have three (3) years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit to recover damages. If you fail to file a lawsuit within this timeframe, you may lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries and other losses.
However, it’s important to note that there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if the car accident involved a minor, the statute of limitations may be extended. If the accident resulted in a death, a wrongful death claim usually must be filed within two (2) years of the date of death, which may not be the same as the date of the accident.
Contact Our Manitou Springs Car Accident Lawyer Today
Securing the help of an experienced Manitou Springs car accident lawyer can significantly improve your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve. Our dedicated team of Manitou Springs car accident lawyers at Green Law Firm P.C. understands the devastating impact a car accident can have on your life, and we are ready to help you navigate the complex legal landscape. Don’t delay in securing legal representation—every moment counts after an accident. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Let us take on the legal burden so you can focus on your recovery.
