Car accidents can take many forms. There are serious collisions at high speeds or minor fender benders. There are also accidents with commercial vehicles, accidents involving pedestrians, motorcycle accidents, and everything in between. Sometimes, automobile accidents are caused by the clearly negligent or reckless behaviors of another individual.
If you fell victim to someone else’s careless driving, you are likely thinking about filing a claim or taking legal action. With the help of an attorney, you could gain access to monetary damages or a settlement. This can help cover the costs of your medical bills and expenses after becoming severely injured in an accident. However, you might be wondering how the type of car accident you were involved in impacts the claims that you can file.
At Matlin Injury Law, we believe that all of our clients should be fully informed and educated about the claims filing process. That way, you can proceed with confidence and assurance. In this guide, we will discuss how the type of auto accident you were in might affect the kind of claim that you should file.
For a free legal consultation, call 303-777-1000
Tell us about your case
Have Questions About Claims or Auto Accidents in Colorado? Call the Professionals at Matlin Injury Law
If you have questions about your automobile accident in Colorado, we encourage you to contact the skilled professionals here at Matlin Injury Law. Not only can we look at the specific details of your accident and answer your questions accordingly, but we can help you discuss what your legal options moving forward might be. That way, you can proceed confidently as you file claims or seek a settlement after your automobile accident.
The Many Different Kinds of Car Accidents
Every day, 276 million vehicles travel in the United States, meaning car accidents are more common now than ever before. When a serious automobile accident occurs, injured victims are often able to file claims. These personal injury claims let them get paid a monetary settlement to help cover expenses and bills after an accident. Hiring a local personal injury lawyer with expertise in automobile accidents can help you get the best settlement. Your attorney can also help you file claims for the specific type of accident you were involved in. Still, it can be helpful to know what kinds of automobile accidents there are. Here are some of the different types of car accidents that your lawyer can help you file claims with.
Negligent Driver Accidents
Operator error is one of the most considerable causes of automobile accidents. Operator error that is deemed negligent is one way that drivers may fail to show care and consideration on the road. Negligence can include running red lights, speeding, blowing through stop signs, failing to signal before changing lanes, driving drunk, driving aggressively, driving recklessly, driving distracted, or driving tired.
Negligent drivers are known for causing an array of collisions including t-bone accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, and other types of high-impact automotive accidents. In many cases, these accidents result in very serious injuries for everyone involved. The faster either vehicle is moving at the time of the collision, the more serious injuries usually are.
Negligent Driving and Commercial Vehicles
Moreover, negligent drivers could be operating commercial vehicles, tractor-trailers, or other heavy equipment. Victims of negligent tractor-trailer accidents are usually very seriously injured. This is due to the size difference of the vehicles involved. When a negligent driver is also operating a commercial vehicle, the car accident may be considered a commercial vehicle accident. To determine if this is the case, it is important to speak with a personal injury attorney.
Negligent Driving and Pedestrians or Motorcycles
Bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists can also be injured by negligent drivers. The larger the offending vehicle is in comparison to the victim, the more serious any resulting injuries are likely to be. In fact, high fatality rates are not uncommon with accidents caused by negligent drivers involving pedestrians like joggers, bikers, and those on skateboards.
When negligent driving accidents involving motorcycles occur, common injuries include spinal damage, head injuries, broken bones, knee injuries, hip injuries, and other injuries that may have long-lasting or even permanent effects on the victim. Many negligent driving accidents involving motorcycles occur when the larger vehicle operator is turning left and fails to maintain a proper lookout for small conveyances like motorcycles. Because motorcycles have smaller profiles than standard multi-passenger vehicles, it can be easy for drivers to overlook them when turning, changing lanes, or merging on a highway.
Fault for Negligent Driving Accidents
After a negligent driving accident, the negligent driver will usually be assigned fault. This can happen in court or at the scene of the accident when police officers arrive. The at-fault driver and their insurance company can then be held liable for the damages and harms that befell the victim.
Bearing that in mind, if who is at fault for the accident is not clearly determined at the scene by the responding law officer, a lawyer may be needed. For this reason, contacting a skilled personal injury attorney who deals specifically with automobile accidents can be a smart move. This is especially true if the at-fault driver seems to be denying responsibility at the scene of the accident.
Proving Fault in a Negligence Accident
The burden of recovering compensation usually falls on the injured victim. Therefore, it will be up to the injured victim to prove that the negligent at-fault driver caused an accident and is responsible for paying present and future damages. In many instances, having a skilled attorney on your side can make this a far easier process.
Future Medical Bills and Expenses After a Negligent Driving Accident
After claims are filed, the at-fault driver (or more often, their insurance company) will be responsible for paying the victim’s claims. An at-fault negligent driver may also be responsible for paying any future medical bills, compensating the victim for loss of earning income capacity, future pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Tell us about your case Accidents Caused by Automotive Defects
Defects in the way that a vehicle was manufactured can cause or worsen automobile accidents. Automotive defects can make a regular automobile accident far worse in many ways. They can also be the cause of an accident taking place, to begin with. For example, if an accident occurs and a vehicle’s airbags do not inflate properly, serious harm could befall the driver and passengers. Or, if a car’s brakes fail due to a manufacturing defect, an accident could occur.
Defects usually emerge in the design or manufacturing stages. They could happen at a factory or be due to poorly drawn-up blueprints from an automotive design team. Additionally, if vehicle companies and parts manufacturers fail to produce a product that is safe for the consumer, they could be held responsible for resulting damages.
Manufacturers can be held strictly liable for any consequential injuries due to defects in vehicle parts or a vehicle’s overall design. Moreover, any defects that clearly cause automobile accidents must be investigated thoroughly.
Defective issues that often lead to accidents on the road can include faulty tires, brakes, accelerator pedals, and transmission systems. Design defects may cause an accident or add to hazardous circumstances Even low-impact accidents may become catastrophic when defects in a design exist. For instance, if the seat belts or airbags fail to protect occupants in an accident, any resulting injuries are likely to be far more serious than they otherwise would have been.
Common Automotive Defects
Some automotive defects are more common than others. Here are a few of the most common types of automotive defects that can lead to or worse car accidents.
Brakes
Brakes and defective brake systems can cause a vehicle to stop suddenly, halfway, or not at all. If an individual suffers harm because of malfunctioning brake mechanisms, they may be able to take legal action.
Airbags
Airbags are designed to protect passengers and drivers in the event of a sudden stop. Airbags can also lessen the impact of an automotive collision. However, if airbags are defective, they can cause injuries or death. Airbags that fail to properly deploy after impact can cause the occupants of a vehicle to suffer harm unnecessarily. If an airbag deploys suddenly for no reason at all, it can cause an accident or injure the driver or passengers.
Seatbelts
Similarly to airbags, seatbelts are supposed to protect the occupants of a vehicle. However, if seat belt systems fail to work properly, individuals can sustain unnecessary harm.
Tires
Tires are supposed to firmly grip the road and provide stability as drivers operate a vehicle. If the tread or rubber of a tire is defective, devastating automobile collisions and rollover accidents can occur.
Construction, Government, and Defective Road Accidents
Automobile accidents can also sometimes be caused by defective roads. If a road is designed poorly or not maintained properly, the county, state, or other responsible officials may be held accountable for any injuries that result directly. Examples may include steep inclines, inadequate shoulders, blind curves, potholes, missing signage, malfunctioning Street signals, and more.
In situations like this, it is important to hire an attorney right away. You may only have a certain amount of time to file a claim after your automobile accident involving a government office. So, if you were in an accident because of a defective road or because of the city or state’s failure, call our firm immediately.
303-777-1000
Matlin Injury Law can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Collisions Caused by Animals or Inclement Weather Conditions
In Colorado, the weather can change rapidly. Moreover, this state has an abundance of wildlife and domestic animals. Both of these factors can impact drivers. The odds of colliding with a large animal in Colorado are greater than you may realize. Deer, elk, bison, cows, and antelope, can sometimes enter roadways in Colorado. Moreover, Colorado sees dramatic weather changes all the time. This can cause automobile accidents.
Sometimes, inclement weather collisions or accidents involving animals do not merit personal injury claims. However, if defective roadways or livestock are involved, you may be able to file claims with those responsible. Also, when weather conditions are less than ideal, drivers are still expected to maintain a certain duty of care. Contact us to find out if your animal or inclement weather accident merits a personal injury claim.
The Types of Accidents Matlin Injury Law Can Help With Include:
- Accidents in High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes
- Car Accidents Caused by Aggressive Driving in Colorado
- Accidents with Vehicles with Big Blind Zones
- Blind Spot Accidents
- Aftermarket Vehicle Accidents
- Texting While Driving Accidents
- Sideswipe Automobile Collisions in Colorado
- Elderly Driver Car Accidents
- Hit and Run Accidents in Colorado
- Lane Departure Car Accidents
- Car Accident Cases Involving Head-On Collisions
- Construction Zone Accidents in Colorado
- Dangerous Road Accidents
- Negligent Road Work
- Parking Lot Accidents
- Shoulder of Road Accidents in Colorado
- Road Rage Accidents
- Rear-End Collisions
- Roundabout Accidents
- Multi-Vehicle Car Accidents in Colorado
- Were You in an Automobile Accident? Call our Personal Injury Attorneys in Parker, Colorado!
To learn more, injured Colorado car accident victims can reach out to our team of lawyers over the phone at 720-464-3600 or online. Keep in mind that in almost every situation, it is best to contact an attorney as soon as possible after an accident. That way, your lawyer can help you chart the best course of legal action from the start. If you have questions about your automobile accident, please contact our team online or call us for in-depth answers to your distinctive questions. Reach out to our auto accident attorneys now to learn more!
Contact Matlin Injury Law to Get Started Now: Call (720) 464-3600 to Find Out More!
Call or text 303-777-1000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
Tell us about your case 
