Suffering a personal injury can put a damper on your lifestyle; you may no longer be able to work, or you may have to quit doing the things you love due to a disability. A serious, disabling car accident can happen in an instant, with little to no chance for you to escape unharmed. When that happens, you need to know who can be held responsible.
Colorado was a no-fault state until 2003, at which time the laws changed allowing the insurance company and person responsible for a crash to be held responsible for the damage to your vehicle and injuries you've suffered. In all cases, it's up to you to prove that the driver was at-fault, but that won't necessarily mean that the driver will be held 100 percent responsible.
Take, for instance, this hypothetical situation. You were driving down the road and stopped at a stop sign, but your car was sticking out into traffic. Most of the time, cars went around the front of your vehicle with no issue, but then a driver who was texting didn't look up and slammed into you. Both of you could be held partially responsible for the crash, even if the other driver is primarily responsible.
To determine who's at fault, you need to establish who is liable and need to prove they are responsible for the crash. Then, you need to show that you suffered injuries. Finally, show the damages to your property caused by the other driver. If you can do these things, you will have a stronger case when you head to court. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Source: DMV.org, "Personal Injury in Colorado," accessed March. 26, 2015