If you were recently injured in a car accident in Colorado, you need to know how to hold the at-fault driver liable for the collision and recover your entitled financial compensation. First, you must understand that Colorado is a fault-based state, which means whoever is to blame for causing a crash must pay the damages suffered by all victims.
In the event of a car accident that results in injuries, the following are three ways victims can be compensated for their losses:
File a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer, which can provide compensation up to the policy limits
File a claim with your own insurance company, which can then seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurer
File a personal injury claim lawsuit against the at-fault driver in civil court
The minimum amounts for auto insurance in Colorado are $50,000 for injury or death (per accident), $25,000 for injury or death (per person), and $15,000 in property damage (per accident). If the at-fault driver’s insurance policy does not cover the full extent of the accident, then he/she may have to pay for additional damages out of pocket.
But what happens if you are partly to blame for causing the accident? As we mentioned before in a previous blog post, Colorado follows a “modified comparative fault” rule, meaning your percentage of fault will reduce your total damages.
For instance, if the jury awards you with $100,000, but you were also 20 percent liable for causing the crash, you will only get to walk away with $80,000 (or 80 percent of your total damages). If you were over 50 percent at fault, then you cannot recover any damages.
Since it is not uncommon for at-fault drivers and their insurers to blame victims for their negligent actions, you must hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to protect your rights and best interests. Do not hesitate to let Orr Law Firm listen to your story, investigate the accident, collect evidence, and maximize your entitled compensation on your behalf.
Contact us today at (303) 747-4247 for a free consultation. Let us fight for you while you recover from injury!