Colorado Springs Personal Injury Blog
What Led to a Dramatic Increase in Colorado Accident Fatalities?
More people died in Colorado motor vehicle accidents in 2021 than in any other year in nearly two decades. Statewide, the number of traffic deaths increased by 50% from 10 years ago. More than 672 people were killed on Colorado roadways last year. This is a tragic situation, as nearly all fatal car accidents are preventable.
How to Maximize Your Personal Injury Claim
If you have been seriously hurt because of someone else’s negligence, you will want to recover full compensation for the losses you have suffered. The following tips can help you maximize your personal injury compensation.
The Impact of Covid on Colorado Auto Safety
Like other states, Colorado has seen an increase in traffic deaths since the global pandemic began. Traffic fatalities had increased by 15% in Colorado by November 2021, as reported by Fox 31. Although stay-at-home orders kept more people off the roads, the number of fatal crashes actually rose. An analysis of 22 states, including Colorado, and the District of Columbia was conducted by researchers at Sam Schwartz. According to this analysis, the fatality rate per vehicle miles traveled for the first six months of the year increased by 12.7% from 2019 to 2020.
What Dangers Should You Look Out for on Highways in Colorado Springs?
Driving on Colorado roadways today is one of the most dangerous things we can do. Traffic crashes killed 672 people statewide in 2021 – the highest number of fatalities in two decades — as stated in a Denver Post article. El Paso County leads the list of the counties with highest numbers of crashes. Weather conditions can make Colorado roads hazardous for commuters, particularly out-of-state drivers traveling through the state. Some of the most dangerous stretches in the state are in Colorado Springs.
Recommended Automobile Maintenance to Help Avoid Accidents
Like all machinery, motor vehicles need regular maintenance. In fact, lack of vehicle maintenance can be a contributing factor to accidents. For example, worn brake pads could prevent you from stopping in time to avoid a collision. Worn wiper blades could leave streaks on the windshield that impair visibility. The following maintenance tips can help you stay safe on the road and avoid the hassle and expense of an accident. They can also help you avoid costly repairs to your vehicle in the future.
Taking Effective Accident Photos
To recover compensation in a personal injury claim, you must show that the other party was negligent and establish the nature and extent of your damages. Photos may provide the best evidence to support your claim. With eyewitness testimony, you are relying on someone else’s recollection of what occurred in the past, which may or may not be accurate.
What to Do If You Are Injured in a Parking Garage Accident
When you pull off a busy road into a parking lot, the last thing you are expecting is to be involved in a collision. The risk of a crash in parking lots is greater than you may think. Tens of thousands of motor vehicle accidents causing injury and death occur in parking lots and parking garages every year, as stated by the National Safety Council (NSC). Parking lots become even more dangerous during the holidays. Poor lighting, limited visibility, and drivers backing up without looking can lead to serious accidents.
Why You Should Not Give an Insurance Adjuster a Recorded Statement
After a vehicle accident caused by another driver in Colorado Springs, you can expect a call from an insurance adjuster who asks you for a recorded statement. These adjusters are trained to sound friendly, helpful, and “on your side,” and may tell you they are looking for some additional data regarding liability. You can put yourself at risk by allowing your statement to be recorded, as in many cases, the sole purpose of the call is to reduce the value of a settlement.
How Your Family’s Car Insurance May Help After an Accident
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in an accident, you may assume the losses you suffered will be covered by an insurance settlement. When the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you have a problem – who will pay for your lost wages, medical care, and treatment, rehabilitation, or pain and suffering? In cases of underinsured or uninsured drivers, you may need to rely on your car insurance. But – are you covered?
How Driver Inexperience Contributes to Truck Accidents
In recent years, the need for truck drivers has significantly increased. While good for the trucking industry, the increase has led to many less experienced truck drivers operating commercial trucks on the highways and streets in Colorado Springs and throughout the state.
There is no question that experience is a critical point in whether a driver can operate a commercial truck safely. Semi-trucks, tractor trailers, 18-wheelers, and big rigs – these vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 lbs. when fully loaded. They require a long distance to come to a complete stop, and any driver error can lead to a disaster, with innocent people sustaining serious or fatal injuries.