COLORADO REAR-END COLLISION ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS
A rear-end collision claim is a legal request for financial compensation due to a rear-end accident. It is a lawsuit based on another vehicle hitting the back of your car and causing injuries and damages. Determining fault in a rear-end accident is crucial to getting the compensation you deserve.
If you are the victim of a car accident in Colorado that occurred because the driver behind you hit your vehicle, you may qualify to bring a legal claim for compensation and hold the wrongdoer accountable.
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- What Are Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents?
- What Kinds of Injuries Do Victims Suffer in Rear-End Collisions?
- What Damages Can You Recover in a Rear-End Car Accident Case?
- Who Is at Fault in a Rear-End Collision in Colorado?
- How Can Rear-End Car Accident Lawyers Help?
- Rear-End Accidents – FAQs
- Visit Our Auto Accident Law Offices Across Colorado & Beyond
- Related Car Accident Resources
- You Deserve Fair Compensation
What Are Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents?
Although improvements to vehicle safety features can help avoid accidents, rear-end collisions are still one of the most common types of car accidents in the U.S. Some causes include:
- Distracted driving, texting, talking on the phone
- Reaching for something in the vehicle
- Tailgating, failing to leave a clear distance ahead
- Weather conditions, sliding on wet pavement
- Poor road maintenance
- Brake failure
- Broken tail lights
- Drunk driving, driving under the influence of drugs
- Not accounting for lighting, driving at night without enough stopping distance
- Medical emergency
What Kinds of Injuries Do Victims Suffer in Rear-End Collisions?
Being suddenly struck from behind can result in several kinds of injuries, especially when the impact causes you to collide with another vehicle or object ahead of you. Victims may suffer injuries such as:
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue damage, whiplash, neck injury
- Cuts, contusions, bruising
- Internal organ damage
- Mental health injuries, PTSD, anxiety, flashbacks
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of lifestyle and life expectancy
Physical and mental injuries can result from a car accident. Fortunately, state law allows for compensation for all kinds of damages, including pain and suffering.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Rear-End Car Accident Case?
When you bring a claim for compensation after being rear-ended, you may be able to recover costs due to:
- Medical bills
- Disability
- Mental therapy
- Physical therapy
- Medical accessories like wheelchairs and crutches
- Nursing care, in-home services, both medical and non-medical
- Emotional anguish
- Physical pain
- Loss of income
- Property damage
It’s important to work with an experienced car accident lawyer who will fully value your claim and ensure you get the maximum compensation available under the law. Contact our skilled legal team to learn how we can help.
Who Is at Fault in a Rear-End Collision in Colorado?
Generally, the driver in the back is at fault for a rear-end collision. However, the rear driver isn’t always to blame for the failure to stop. In some instances, the driver in front may also cause a rear-end accident. A rear-end car accident lawyer can help determine fault, collect evidence, and build a strong case on your behalf.
The law for following too closely in Colorado (Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-4-10081) states that a driver may not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent. More specifically, the Colorado DMV2 says that drivers should utilize the three-second rule when following a car.
Drivers should also prepare to stop far enough behind another vehicle so the rear wheels of the car ahead are visible. If drivers fail to follow these rules, there’s a good chance they are at fault for rear-end crashes.
How Can Rear-End Car Accident Lawyers Help?
Rear-end car accidents can be devastating and result in unwanted pain and suffering. Car accident lawyers represent individuals injured in crashes and collisions with:
- Investigating the incident
- Filing claims
- Building evidence
- Negotiating settlements
- If necessary, take your case to trial
Our Colorado rear-end car accident attorneys have the resources and determination to get results. Helping victims is all we do. We know that little details make a big difference, which is why we believe in open communication and involve our clients in all stages of the claims process. We work hard to customize a case that meets your goals so you can focus on healing with peace of mind.
Rear-End Accidents – FAQs
Will My Insurance Company Cover My Expenses After I’m Rear-Ended?
When a rear-end crash occurs, the parties may assume that their insurance will quickly and fairly compensate the victim for damages. However, it’s not always that simple. Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible and may contest fault. Disagreements can arise regarding damage claims, or a party involved in the incident may not have sufficient insurance.
Is Colorado an At-Fault State?
Yes, Colorado abolished its no-fault laws in 2003 and became an at-fault state. An at-fault state holds a party legally liable if they cause an accident, and the victim must file a claim through the at-fault driver’s insurance. In contrast, a no-fault state allows a driver’s personal insurance to cover medical bills and damages no matter who was at fault for the accident.
Can You Be at Fault if You Get Rear-Ended?
Though it is unusual, there are some circumstances where the driver in front may be at fault. This may be the case in instances where a car backs up after stopping and hits another vehicle, or a driver pulls out in front of a car without adequate space to do so. Additionally, if the car in front is in disrepair, such as broken tail lights, that driver may also be found at fault.
What Is Comparative Fault in a Rear-End Collision?
Comparative fault is when multiple drivers share responsibility for an accident. For example, the driver in the back may not have left enough room to stop for hazards ahead, but the driver in front may not have working taillights. Comparative fault fairly resolves legal responsibility and damages between the parties in cases of shared liability.
Do I Need A Lawyer After Being Rear-Ended?
A lawyer has the judgment, skill, and experience to guide you through the claims process after a rear-end collision. They utilize resources to determine what happened with fair compensation. With the help of a Colorado rear-end accident attorney, you can have confidence that you’ve done all you can to receive the compensation you deserve. We are conveniently located near you in Denver, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Englewood, and throughout the state. Our attorneys are ready to serve you and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact our team for a complimentary review of your case.
Sources:
2Colorado Department of Transportation. (November 2020). Colorado Driver Handbook.
Related Reading:
Car Accidents Involving Leased Cars
What To Do If You’re In A Car Accident In A Company Car?
What Happens If You Leave The Scene Of A Car Accident?
Colorado Ride-Share Guide: Uber & Lyft Laws
Visit Our Auto Accident Law Offices Across Colorado & Beyond
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Related Car Accident Resources
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Written and Legally Reviewed By: Kyle Bachus
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Kyle is a member of the Colorado Bar associations and has served on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association for more than twenty years in total. Over the years, Kyle has achieved justice for many clients. He has served on numerous committees and repeatedly won recognition from his peers at both the state and national level. He is proud of the role he has played in the passage of state and national legislation to protect consumers and is a frequent speaker and guest lecturer.