Mintz Law Firm
Auto Accident Attorney in Lakewood
Car accidents can be terrifying and life-changing in many ways. Figuring out the next steps to take after being involved in one might seem confusing, especially if you have been injured. Consider that in 2018 alone, there were more than 121,000 auto accidents in Colorado. For those among us affected by the negligent behavior of another driver, the harm from an auto accident can go far beyond damage to your vehicle. Your health - both physical and financial - may be greatly impacted. When this happens, you need a Lakewood auto accident attorney on which you can count to represent your interests and provide you with sound legal guidance on how to best proceed.
It’s so important to have a trusted attorney on your side as you navigate what happens after an auto accident. Mintz Law Firm, proudly serving the people of metro Denver and Lakewood, Colorado, is composed of attorneys who care deeply about auto accident victims and will fight to earn them the compensation they deserve.
Common Causes of Lakewood Auto Accidents
Car accidents happen every day and are caused by many factors, from inclement weather to speed. Careless driving is just one part of the equation. Sometimes, car accidents happen because of poor road infrastructure or an animal that darted out into the road. Understanding some of the more common causes of car accidents can underscore the need for a Lakewood auto accident attorney.
Auto Accidents Caused by Alcohol or Drugs
Alcohol-related accidents represent a large proportion of roadway deaths, auto accidents, and injuries. In 2018, there was one alcohol-impaired-driving fatality every 50 seconds.
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident caused by a drunk driver, you must find respected and aggressive representation fast.
Auto Accidents Caused by Speed and Negligence
Distracted or aggressive drivers, speeders, and more contribute greatly to Lakewood, Metro Denver, and beyond auto accidents. There were more than 9,700 fatalities related to speeding in 2017 alone.
The truth is that when negligent or distracted drivers injure our neighbors, we take it personally. We ensure that those responsible for causing an accident, and any subsequent injuries, are held accountable for their actions. Car accident lawyers play a crucial role in handling car accident cases caused by speed and negligence, helping victims recover damages and navigate the claims process.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Lakewood, CO
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Lakewood, CO, taking the right steps immediately afterward is crucial to protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation for your damages. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do after a car accident:
- Move to a Safe Location: If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location, away from traffic, to prevent further accidents or injuries.
- Call the Police: Report the accident to the police, even if it’s minor. This will help create a record of the accident and provide valuable evidence for your insurance claim.
- Exchange Information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the other parties involved in the accident.
- Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, including damage to vehicles and any visible injuries. This documentation can be crucial for your car accident claim.
- Seek Medical Attention: If you’re injured, seek medical attention immediately. Even if you don’t think you’re injured, it’s essential to get checked out by a medical professional, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
- Contact Your Insurance Company: Notify your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. Provide them with the necessary details but avoid admitting fault.
- Consult with a Car Accident Lawyer: Consider consulting with a car accident lawyer to ensure you receive fair compensation for your damages. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the complexities of your car accident case and deal with the insurance company on your behalf.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor to severe. Some common car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash: A neck injury caused by the sudden jerking of the head, often resulting in pain and stiffness.
- Concussions: A type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head, which can lead to headaches, dizziness, and cognitive issues.
- Broken Bones: Fractures or broken bones can occur due to the impact of the accident, requiring medical treatment and sometimes surgery.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments, such as sprains and strains, which can cause significant pain and limit mobility.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord can result in paralysis or other serious complications, potentially leading to long-term disability.
- Emotional Trauma: Car accidents can also cause emotional trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which may require psychological treatment.
Understanding the potential injuries from car accidents underscores the importance of seeking medical attention and consulting with a car accident lawyer to ensure you receive the compensation you need for your recovery.
Why You Need a Lakewood Auto Accident Attorney
If you’ve been in a car accident, you need the help of a Lakewood auto accident attorney who understands the nuances of this area. Personal injury attorneys play a crucial role in ensuring that accident victims receive the compensation they deserve. We’ve been proud to call Lakewood home for nearly 40 years. Many of our attorneys live, work, and thrive right in this area. That means when auto accidents affect our neighbors, they affect us, too. Our commitment to the community goes beyond representing our neighbors in accidents. We’re members of parent-teacher organizations, support local businesses, and call our beautiful community home.
Motor vehicle accidents can be complex, involving various legal implications and the need to navigate the statute of limitations for filing lawsuits. Personal injury attorneys are essential in guiding victims through these complexities and ensuring their rights are protected.
So when you need a car accident attorney that will treat you like a person and not a number, is the legal team on which you can rely. We have years of experience aggressively pursuing compensation for injuries sustained in auto accidents and helping our clients to take on insurance companies that try every sneaky avenue to get out of paying claims.
How Is Fault Determined in a Colorado Car Accident?
In Colorado, determining fault in a car accident involves a thorough investigation and consideration of various factors. The police report is often the starting point, but it’s not always the final word. Here’s how fault is typically determined:
- Police Report: The police report will provide an initial assessment of fault based on the officers’ observations and statements from those involved.
- Witness Statements: Statements from witnesses can provide valuable evidence to support or dispute fault, offering an unbiased perspective on the events leading up to the accident.
- Physical Evidence: Physical evidence, such as skid marks, vehicle damage, and debris, can help reconstruct the accident and determine how it occurred.
- Expert Testimony: Expert testimony from accident reconstruction specialists or other experts can provide additional evidence to support or dispute fault, offering a detailed analysis of the accident dynamics.
If you’re involved in a car accident in Colorado, it’s essential to consult with a car accident lawyer to ensure you receive fair compensation for your damages. A knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate the complex process of determining fault and advocate on your behalf to secure the compensation you deserve.
We Will Fight to Get You the Compensation You Deserve
We will work with car accident victims to get them the compensation they deserve after an auto accident. Legal support is crucial in ensuring victims receive fair compensation. Damages from a claim can include the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional suffering
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Vehicle replacement
- Loss of wages and loss of future earnings
- Lifestyle changes
Understanding the steps involved in a car accident injury claim is essential. Consulting a car accident lawyer before communicating with insurance companies can significantly influence the outcome of the claim and help avoid jeopardizing it.
You should not have to deal with the financial fallout from an accident that you did not cause. The truth is that auto accidents can be detrimental on your finances, causing you out-of-pocket costs that you may not have anticipated.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Top Lakewood Auto Accident Attorney
When you’re represented by the attorneys at Mintz Law Firm, you’re treated like family. If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, time is of the essence. You have a window of time in which to file a claim, so working with a reputable auto accident attorney shortly after the accident occurs is your best chance of a successful case outcome. After you seek medical attention and provide basic information about the facts of your accident to the police, your next step should be to contact the team at Mintz Law Firm. We will walk you through the next steps and ensure that you don’t provide any unnecessary information to the insurance company that could compromise your ability to file a claim successfully.
Don’t delay. Contact us today to schedule a free case review. Call us at 303) 462-2999 or fill out our online contact form to learn more.