Auto Accidents
 

In 2006, almost 600 people died in traffic accidents in Colorado

Car accidents are the most common type of accident for which people file a personal injury lawsuit. A simple auto accident case is one where liability is clear - fault for the accident is not disputed - and the injuries suffered by those involved are easily identified and explained. Having at least one physician who can describe the injury as resulting from the accident is critical, and significant body-damage to the vehicles helps persuade a jury of the severity of the collision. We frequently handle this type of case on a discounted fee basis.

A complex auto accident case may involve a plaintiff with pre-existing medical conditions, little damage to the vehicles, or a wide range of care providers. Few cases fall completely within the simple category, and most require thoughtful analysis and presentation of the damages to recover fair compensation for the victim.

At Chalat Hatten & Koupal, we have the experience to determine whether an accident reconstruction engineer may be needed to analyze the physics of an accident, or a biomechanical engineer to analyze the forces acting upon an injured victim. Working with medical experts, these technical experts detail the injuries suffered by an accident victim. If necessary, we work with all of these experts to develop a clear statement of the cause of the accident and your resulting damages.

We are not a high-volume, "fender bender" firm. We represent auto accident victims who have suffered complex, catastrophic injuries with long-term implications. Our in-depth understanding of Colorado automobile, insurance and liability laws means we know the different sources of recovery available to Colorado car accident victims. We have represented a multitude of automobile accident victims over the years, and we thoroughly understand accident-related injuries. We work with physicians and other health care providers to assess and review all the short and long-term medical aspects of your case to make sure the full extent of your injuries is clear.

Auto Insurance Coverage Required in Colorado

Colorado requires all drivers to carry bodily injury liability coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. This insurance provides coverage when an insured causes an accident in which someone is hurt or killed. Colorado also requires $15,000 in property liability coverage, for instances when the at-fault driver causes damage to someone else's property. Usually, this is someone else's car, but it could apply to buildings, utility poles, garage doors, etc.

Collision coverage, which is optional, covers damage to your car from a collision with another car, but also applies in one-vehicle accidents where your car strikes another object. Comprehensive coverage - also optional -provides protection when your car is stolen or damaged in ways that don't involve an impact. Covered risks include hail, fire, theft, flood, earthquake, explosion and falling objects.

Medical payments coverage, or MPC, pays for reasonable expenses you and your passengers incur because of injury in a motor vehicle accident, regardless of fault. As of July 1, 2003 this optional coverage is available in place of Colorado's formerly mandated PIP coverage. Coverage amounts available vary from company to company. You may wish to purchase it if you or your passengers do not have health insurance, or to supplement your health insurance.

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage protects you by allowing you to make a claim against your own insurance carrier if you are injured as a result of the negligence of a driver who had no bodily injury liability insurance. This coverage also provides protection if you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident. A close cousin to uninsured motorist coverage is underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. Your insurance carrier is required to offer you the opportunity to purchase underinsured motorist coverage up to the limits of the amount of the liability coverage that you have purchased.

Uninsured motorist coverage is available in two forms: property damage coverage (UM PD) and medical coverage, which is designed to pay your bills when you are hit by a driver without insurance. If you were seriously injured in an auto accident, incurred high medical expenses, and the person who caused the accident had liability limits lower than your underinsured motorist limits, you are entitled to make a claim against your UIM carrier for the difference between the two figures.

Colorado's legislature passed a law (effective January 1, 2008) that requires an expansion of uninsured/ underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). Under this new law, insurers are required to offer you this coverage at the same limits as your liability coverage. UM/UIM can be waived only if rejected in writing. You can also select other limits. Most people choose to carry UM/UIM to cover their economic damages, such as medical bills, as well as some non-economic damages should the person who hit you be uninsured or underinsured.

Colorado Chain Laws

Colorado's winter driving conditions can change from sunny to blowing snow within an hour or two - or just a few miles up the same road. This can wreak havoc on drivers who have to immediately adapt to the change in weather. The weather also drastically affects drivers that are not from the area and not accustomed to driving in adverse conditions.

Under the Colorado chain law, during adverse weather drivers are required to use tire chains conforming to specific standards. This law applies to every state highway, federal highway and interstate throughout the Colorado. When the chain law is in effect, drivers will see signs along the roadway indicating which vehicles should chain-up. In some areas of the state, lighted variable message signs will also alert drivers of the chain-up information. Additionally, all commercial vehicles - those used in commerce to transport passengers or property - operating on I-70 between mileposts 163(Edwards) and 259 (Morrison) from Sept. 1 to May 31 must carry conforming chains at all times, regardless of weather conditions.

Read how we helped a family win a car accident case.