No one ever thinks it’s going to happen to them. But every year, nearly 6.2 million car accidents are reported to the police. In a second, everything can change and your entire life could be forever altered.
These accidents result in over 2.4 million injuries and around 35,000 fatalities each and every year. When this occurs, it is important to have an experienced Monument car accident attorney on your side from the very start. Your attorney will be able to negotiate with the insurance companies to obtain the maximum compensation for your injuries, so you can work on putting your life back together again.
When a car accident occurs in Monument, CO, the aftermath can be devastating. Navigating the process of recovery while dealing with legal complexities can seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Green Law Firm P.C., our primary goal is to help you reclaim your life after a car accident. With years of experience in representing accident victims, our Monument car accident attorneys are dedicated to ensuring your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you need to recover and rebuild. Contact us today for your free consultation.
Car Accidents in Monument
Located just north of Colorado Springs, Monument, Colorado is a small but bustling community with historical significance. Originally a stop along the Rio Grande Railroad in the 1800s, it is now home to a variety of small businesses, locally owned shops, and art galleries. It’s close access to Interstate 25 and State Highway 105 make it easy for residents of Monument to commute to Colorado Springs for business or outings.
Unfortunately, commuting to and from Monument can be dangerous – especially in inclement weather. Accidents frequently occur along the I-25 and along State Highway 105.
These accidents can result in serious injury, including:
- Broken bones – These injuries involve a fracture or break in the continuity of the bone. Depending on the force of the impact, broken bones can range from simple fractures (where the bone is broken but stays in place) to compound fractures (where the bone breaks through the skin). Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and inability to move the affected area.
- Traumatic brain injuries – These injuries result from a violent blow or jolt to the head, disrupting normal brain function. TBIs can range from mild (causing temporary dysfunction of brain cells) to severe (involving torn tissues, bleeding, or other physical damage). Symptoms can include headaches, loss of consciousness, memory problems, mood changes, and more.
- Concussions – A type of traumatic brain injury, concussions are caused by a blow to the head or violent shaking. Symptoms may include headaches, confusion, lack of coordination, memory loss, and nausea. Concussions can have serious long-term effects on brain function, especially if not treated promptly.
- Spinal cord injuries – This refers to damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal. Spinal cord injuries can cause permanent changes in strength, sensation, and other body functions below the site of the injury. Symptoms can range from pain or an intense stinging sensation to paralysis.
- Whiplash – This is a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip. Most often associated with rear-end car collisions, whiplash can cause neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and sometimes even chronic complications.
- Soft tissue injuries – These are injuries that affect muscles, ligaments, and tendons. This can include sprains, strains, contusions (bruises), and tendonitis. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, bruising, and loss of function.
- Burn injuries – These injuries are caused by exposure to heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation. They can vary greatly in severity, with more serious burns causing blistering, skin loss, and potential damage to nerves and underlying tissues.
- Organ damage – This involves injuries that impair or halt the function of a major organ or group of organs. Depending on the severity, organ damage can be life-threatening and may require emergency medical attention.
- And more – There’s a wide range of other possible injuries from car accidents, including psychological trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), loss of limb, internal bleeding, facial injuries, and many more. Each injury has its own potential for long-term impact on a person’s life and well-being.
Experience Matters
At the Green Law Firm, P.C. our Monument car accident lawyers have the experience and resources needed to negotiate and litigate even the most complex injury cases.
We have experience representing Monument accident victims who have been injured in:
- Rollover accidents – These occur when a vehicle turns over onto its side or roof. These types of accidents often involve SUVs or larger vehicles due to their high center of gravity and are often caused by factors such as excessive speed, abrupt turns, or collisions with other objects or vehicles.
- Side impact crashes – Commonly referred to as “T-bone” accidents, these involve the front of one vehicle colliding with the side of another. These often occur at intersections when one vehicle fails to yield the right of way.
- Frontal collisions – Also known as head-on collisions, these are when the front ends of two vehicles hit each other. This type of crash is often severe due to the combined speed of both vehicles and can result in substantial injuries or fatalities.
- Rear-end accidents – This is when one vehicle crashes into the back of another. They often occur due to inattentiveness, distracted driving, or following too closely.
- Hit and run accidents – This is when a driver involved in an accident leaves the scene without stopping to identify themselves or assist injured parties. It’s not only a dangerous act but also illegal.
- Drunk driving crashes – These are accidents that occur when a driver operates a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Such behavior significantly impairs driving abilities and reaction times, leading to serious, often fatal, accidents.
- Auto accidents with an uninsured motorist – These accidents involve a collision with a driver who does not have auto insurance. Dealing with the aftermath can be complex and stressful, as victims may need to seek compensation from their own insurance company.
- Distracted driving crashes – These accidents happen when a driver isn’t paying full attention to the road. Distracted driving can include texting, eating, applying makeup, or even adjusting the radio. It’s a growing cause of accidents and fatalities on the road.
Common Causes of Monument Car Accidents
Car accidents in Monument can be caused by a multitude of factors. However, some of the most common causes include:
- Distracted Driving: This is currently one of the leading causes of car accidents. Activities like texting, eating, adjusting the radio, or using a GPS while driving can all take a driver’s attention off the road and lead to an accident.
- Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit is a common cause of accidents as it reduces the driver’s ability to steer safely around curves or objects in the roadway, extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle, and increases the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a dangerous situation.
- Drunk Driving: Alcohol impairs many of the functions required for safe driving, including reaction time and the ability to judge distances. Drunk driving is a serious problem and causes many car accidents every year.
- Reckless Driving: This includes a wide range of traffic offenses, such as tailgating, changing lanes without signaling, running red lights or stop signs, and aggressive driving behaviors.
- Weather Conditions: Colorado’s severe weather conditions such as snow, ice, fog, and rain can make roads slippery and visibility poor, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
- Fatigued Driving: Drivers who are tired can be just as dangerous as those who are impaired by alcohol or drugs. Fatigue slows reaction times and impairs judgment, making accidents much more likely.
- Failure to Yield Right of Way: Drivers who do not respect the rules of the road and fail to yield when it is required can cause serious accidents.
- Defective Vehicle Equipment: Sometimes, accidents occur because of a defect in one of the vehicles involved. This could be a manufacturing defect or due to improper maintenance.
Monument Car Accident Fault System
Monument follows the “at-fault” system for car accidents. This means that the party who is determined to be at fault for causing the accident is responsible for compensating any other parties involved for their injuries and damages. This compensation is typically provided through the at-fault party’s auto insurance policy.
In determining fault, Colorado uses a “modified comparative negligence” rule. This means that a party can recover damages even if they are partly at fault for the accident. However, the amount of compensation they receive will be reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if a party is found to be 30% at fault for an accident, they can still recover 70% of their damages from the other party.
However, the modified comparative negligence rule has a 50% bar. This means that if a party is found to be 50% or more at fault for the accident, they cannot recover any compensation from the other party.
Monument Car Accident Reporting Requirements
In Monument, certain reporting requirements must be followed in the event of a car accident:
- If any person is injured or killed in the accident, or if there is significant property damage (usually over $1,000), you are required by law to immediately report the accident to the police.
- After an accident has been reported, the police will generally arrive at the scene and prepare a formal accident report. If for some reason the police do not come to the scene, you must file a report as soon as possible after the accident.
- Colorado law requires drivers to report any accident that causes injury, death, or property damage to the Colorado Department of Revenue within 10 days of the accident. This can be done online or by mail using the state’s “Accident Report” form (DR 2447).
- You should also promptly notify your own insurance company about the accident, regardless of who was at fault. This is generally required under the terms of most auto insurance policies, and failure to do so could have consequences for your coverage.
Recoverable Damages in a Monument Car Accident
After a car accident in Monument, victims may be able to recover several types of damages, depending on the specifics of their case. These may include:
- Medical Expenses: This includes all medical costs associated with the accident, both present and future. This could be emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, rehabilitation, medication, and any necessary medical equipment.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries cause you to miss work, you may be able to recover compensation for the income you lost during that time. If your injuries are severe and you are unable to return to your previous job, you may also be entitled to compensation for lost earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: This refers to the physical pain and emotional distress that one suffers after a car accident. It is a non-economic loss and can be difficult to quantify, but it is nevertheless a significant part of many car accident claims.
- Property Damage: This compensates for the damage to your vehicle and any other personal property that was damaged in the accident.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries from the accident have resulted in a decreased ability to enjoy life and participate in activities you once enjoyed, you may be entitled to compensation.
- Loss of Consortium: If the accident has negatively impacted the relationship between you and your spouse, you may be eligible for loss of consortium damages.
- Punitive Damages: These are not often awarded, but in cases where the conduct of the at-fault party was especially egregious or reckless, the court may award punitive damages as a form of punishment and to deter similar behavior in the future.
Time is Critical After a Car Accident in Monument
Did you know that you only have 3 years from the date of the accident to file a claim? While this may seem like a lot of time, it is not!
During this time, insurance companies will be working to reduce your claim. As such, it is important to have an experienced and skilled Monument car accident attorney on your side from the very beginning.
A statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated. This means you have a specific period of time in which to bring a lawsuit for some type of wrong or injury, starting from the time when the wrongful act occurred or was discovered.
The purpose of these laws is to ensure that claims are made while evidence is still relatively fresh and to prevent the constant “threat” of a lawsuit long after the disputed event has occurred. The specific time period varies depending on the type of case and the jurisdiction in which the lawsuit is being filed.
Your lawyer will be able to ensure that you do not miss any deadlines and that your rights to compensation are protected every step of the way.
Contact our Monument Car Accident Lawyer Today
Don’t leave your rights and potential compensation to chance. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Monument, our legal team at Green Law Firm P.C. is prepared to fight for you. With our extensive knowledge and experience in handling car accident cases, we can guide you through every step of the legal process, ensuring your rights are protected while we seek the maximum compensation you deserve. Don’t hesitate—every moment counts. Contact our Monument car accident lawyers today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
