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What Causes Accidents on Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway?
Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway is scenic and nationally recognized. However, with such iconic beauty, there is a danger all drivers should be aware of as well.
It’s estimated that every year, about 40 crashes occur on Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway, a stretch of road along US Route 550.
The topography comes with specific risk factors and some of the most common reasons car crashes occur here are because of the following:
- Narrow lanes, especially as travelers navigate the curves and bends of high elevation.
- The sharp turns along the mountain can reduce visibility and can cause head-on collisions.
- If drivers do go off the roadway, steep drop-offs can lead to severe and catastrophic injuries.
- Changing weather conditions because of the high elevations can also lead to weather-related car crashes.
- Unexpected road hazards, like fallen rocks and debris.
- Vehicle-related issues, like unmaintained braking systems, poor vehicle lighting, and poor tire treads, can also contribute to car accidents.
- Unprepared or negligent drivers traversing this unique stretch of roadway.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident along the Million Dollar Highway, you may have legal options.
Why Is the Million Dollar Highway So Dangerous?
Beautiful Alpine views, scenic bends on the road, and historic mining towns along the way are just some of the main features of Colorado’s 25-mile stretch that is considered the Million Dollar Highway. This stunning scenic drive happens to also be one of the most dangerous roadways in America.
Some factors that make the Million Dollar Highway so dangerous include the following:
- The mountain terrain can also cause roadway hazards because of rocky debris, slick spots, and other hazards.
- Visibility may be limited, whether it be because of a rolling storm, foggy conditions, a lack of lighting during the nighttime, or other issues.
- A lack of guardrails in some areas can pose a significant hazard for vehicles that veer off the road.
- Steep grades and elevation changes can also be tricky for inexperienced drivers.
- These challenges and others are compounded when there are inexperienced or unfamiliar drivers in the car.
What Are the Most Common Types of Million Dollar Highway Accidents?
Due to the unique topography here, there are also unique common types of accidents that occur on this roadway every year.
They include:
- Single-vehicle crashes: These crashes can happen for a variety of reasons, but often distracted or inexperienced drivers are more likely to be involved in a car accident.
- Head-on collisions: Narrower lanes on this Alpine stretch of road increase the likelihood of a head-on collision as two vehicles pass each other by. Head-on collisions can also occur on the sharp turns along the stretch of road.
- Motorcycle accidents: The unique topography and ever-changing roadway conditions are especially hazardous for motorcyclists. When wind speed or inclement weather is involved, motorcyclists can quickly lose control of their vehicle, resulting in serious injuries.
- Rear-end collisions: Often common when vehicles are unsuspectingly following too closely along sharp turns.
- Commercial vehicle accidents: The steep roadways pose a greater likelihood of a runaway vehicle. Also, weight shifts and wide turns can make it difficult for trucks to maneuver carefully.
How Do Weather and Road Conditions Increase Crash Risks?
Weather and hazardous roadway conditions can significantly impact crash risk, especially along the Million Dollar Highway.
- Higher elevations can result in snowy or icy roadway conditions that don’t necessarily exist in the lower elevations of the roadway.
- Mountain fog can also contribute to limited visibility, which drastically cuts down a driver’s reaction time.
- Sudden rainstorms can create slippery surfaces quickly, elevating your chances of hydroplaning.
- Loose mountainside debris can result in rockfalls that drop directly into lanes, forming an immediate roadway hazard.
Since these roadways are more difficult to get to, limited or poor roadway maintenance can also contribute to crashes, too.
What Injuries Can Result From a Million Dollar Highway Accident?
Injuries from car crashes, especially at high altitudes, can be life-altering. Head-on collisions, rollovers, and steep drop-off collisions can result in a variety of injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Severe or fatal injuries
What Should You Do After an Accident on the Million Dollar Highway?
If you are driving on the Million Dollar Highway and are involved in a car accident, it’s important to act quickly.
You should do the following:
- Seek medical attention immediately and keep up with all your doctor’s appointments to ensure you’re recovering appropriately.
- Call emergency services as EMTs and law enforcement agents will be dispatched to take a report.
- Document the accident scene through photos, videos, and witness statements, if anyone saw your car accident happen.
- Gather witness information, including names and contact information, so you can get in touch with witnesses at a later time.
- Avoid discussing fault with insurance companies. Even if you are not at fault, your words can be used against you.
- Contact a personal injury attorney to learn more about your legal rights.
Who May Be Responsible for a Million Dollar Highway Accident?
Due to the way accidents happen on the Million Dollar Highway, there might be a variety of individuals or entities who could be held responsible for your accident.
They include the following:
Government entities, like city governments or maintenance providers (when applicable), that fail to maintain the road can also be held liable for your injuries. In cases involving the government, there are different restrictions that you must follow when pursuing a personal injury case.
Negligent drivers are those whose actions resulted in events that led to your car accident. Negligent drivers are held responsible by their insurance company as it’s their insurance provider who will be responsible for paying out damages you may be entitled to.
Commercial drivers or companies that have vehicles involved in your car accident can also be held liable as well. In many cases, these types of car accidents tend to yield more severe injuries, including catastrophic injuries. Often, victims may be able to recover compensation via a commercial vehicle personal injury lawsuit.
Vehicle manufacturers may be held liable for their negligence and your injuries if there is a faulty issue with your vehicle. Pursuing legal action against vehicle manufacturers often takes the form of a personal injury lawsuit.
What Compensation Can Accident Victims Recover?
When taking legal action, either against the at-fault driver’s insurance company or through a personal injury lawsuit, victims are able to recover both economic and non-economic damages.
In cases where gross negligence has occurred, victims might also be able to recover punitive damages as well.
Some common examples of the damages you may be able to recover include:
- The cost of current and future medical expenses related to your injuries
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
How Can Bachus & Schanker Help After a Million Dollar Highway Accident?
At Bachus & Schanker, our car accident attorneys have years of experience handling Colorado car accident injury claims and know exactly what it takes to build a strong case after a crash on the Million Dollar Highway.
We handle the legwork, which includes investigating the unique circumstances of your accident, gathering critical evidence, and communicating with insurance companies, so you don’t have to.
Our goal is to help victims like you pursue the full compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how we can help you move forward after your car accident on Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway.
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Top-rated Colorado-based personal injury lawyers and co-founders of Bachus & Schanker, Kyle Bachus and Darin Schanker, have represented car accident victims and families across Colorado for more than 30 years, earning a reputation as some of the best car accident attorneys for serious injury cases. The firm is structured to handle car accident cases of all types and severities, with a team organized to provide focused support and guidance throughout the process. Kyle and Darin guide victims through the legal process with the support of a dedicated team of car accident specialists and Victim Advocates, ensuring care and advocacy from start to finish so clients can stay focused on healing.
Both Kyle and Darin are nationally recognized for their trial skills and leadership in the legal community. They are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an exclusive group of attorneys who have achieved million and multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, a distinction earned by fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers. In addition, they have been named Colorado Super Lawyers every year for nearly two decades, included in the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Lawyers in America, named Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys in Colorado by America’s Best Advocates, and recognized as top civil plaintiff attorneys by The National Trial Lawyers. Beyond the courtroom, they support the Colorado community through the Bachus & Schanker Cares Foundation, which sponsors local nonprofits and initiatives. See Kyle Bachus and Darin Schanker on Super Lawyers.
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