Colorado Springs Personal Injury Blog
Colorado Springs Woman Critically Injured in Car Crash
A 77-year-old woman suffered critical injuries in a car crash, according to a report in The Gazette. Police say, a vehicle traveling northbound on Powers Boulevard attempted to make a left turn onto westbound Stetson Hills Boulevard, when it collided with another car. The driver of the northbound car, a 77-year-old woman, was listed in critical condition. The driver of the second vehicle suffered relatively minor injuries, officials said. The investigation is ongoing.
In a car crash involving two vehicles at a street intersection, a number of questions must be asked and answered to arrive at the truth. Did one of the vehicles make an illegal turn? Did one of the drivers fail to yield the right of way? Was speed, alcohol, or distracted driving a factor in the collision?
Elementary School Student Injured in Colorado Springs Crash
A Pioneer Elementary School student was struck and injured by a driver near the school. According to a Fox 21 news report, the incident occurred at the intersection of Beechwood Court and Woodland Hills Drive. Police say the student was struck by a Jeep Liberty.
The student was transported to an area hospital, but the severity of the injuries is not known. The investigation is ongoing.
School zones can be extremely dangerous for all pedestrians. There are several tips both children and motorists can and should take in order to prevent tragic collisions:
Rollover Crash in Colorado Springs Proves Fatal
A rollover crash on Highway 9 claimed the life of a passenger, KKTV News reports. Colorado State Patrol officials say the driver, a 43-year-old man, overcorrected when he drifted off the right side of the road. This caused the vehicle to spin out of control, cross over into oncoming lanes of traffic and roll over. The front passenger, a 37-year-old woman, was thrown from the vehicle. She was transported to an area hospital where she died. The driver and two children who were in the back seat were also airlifted to area hospitals. The driver is reported to be in fair condition. An investigation is ongoing.
Rollover crashes are often deadly because of the intensity with which they occur. There are several ways to prevent these types of tragic crashes:
Crosswalk Laws in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs personal injury lawyers understand that the failure on the part of motorists to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks is one of the major causes of deadly pedestrian accidents. Under Colorado law, pedestrians are legitimate users of the roadway. To ensure that their right to cross the road is protected, the Colorado Department of Transportation chooses where to provide marked crosswalks and where to leave a location unmarked. If you are attempting to cross the road, you have the right-of-way at marked crosswalks and intersections. Having the right-of-way in a marked crosswalk does not, however, ensure your safety.
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, marked crosswalks are often more dangerous than unmarked crosswalks because pedestrians expect motorists to stop for them in a marked crosswalk. They are especially hazardous on busy roadways with elevated speed limits. Therefore, to avoid being struck by a car, you should not only obey the law, but also use caution when crossing the street.
Students Killed in Two Separate Colorado Springs Crashes
Within a 14-hour period on the same road, two Calhan students were killed and a third was critically injured. According to a news report in The Gazette, the two crashes occurred on Funk Road east of Calhan Highway about 35 miles northeast of Colorado Springs. The first crash occurred when a 16-year-old boy lost control of a 1994 Saturn. The vehicle spun before colliding with a fence and rolling over. The driver was critically injured and his 14-year-old sister was pronounced dead at the scene.
The second fatal accident occurred when a 16-year-old girl lost control of a 1997 Chrysler. Her vehicle went off the side of the road, rolled twice and hit a fence. She was ejected from her vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
Dealing With Insurance Companies After Your Colorado Springs Auto Accident
If you have been injured in a Colorado Springs car accident, you will have to deal with insurance adjusters. It is important to remember that anything you tell an insurance adjuster can be used against you. The insurance company is not your friend. It is the objective of insurance companies to protect their bottom line by denying your claim. Remember, they are a business and need to make a profit. Making sure you get fair compensation for your losses is not their first priority. Therefore, it is in your best interest to have a basic understanding of how to deal with insurance companies if you have just been involved in an auto accident.
It is advisable to prepare yourself before calling your insurance company. Have in front of you information about the accident. Write down when and where the crash occurred. Have the details about those who were involved in the accident and their insurance providers, and about any witnesses of the accident. It is also useful to have any medical bills in front of you that you may have incurred since the crash.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Colorado?
If you have lost an immediate family member because of a negligent or willful act by another, it may be possible to pursue financial compensation for your loss. Colorado’s Wrongful Death Act allows certain family members to file a lawsuit after their loved one has been killed as the result of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing.
In general, Colorado laws regarding wrongful death primarily serve to protect those who were economically dependent on the deceased. During the first year after death, a spouse has exclusive rights to file a wrongful death action to receive financial compensation for his or her loss. During the second year after the fatal incident, the spouse and heirs of the deceased are allowed to bring a wrongful death action. Heirs protected under Colorado law include children and grandchildren. Siblings, however, cannot typically bring wrongful death lawsuits. When there is no surviving spouse or children, the parents of the deceased may bring a claim.
Mandatory Anti-Lock Brakes may Reduce Colorado Motorcycle Accidents
In an effort to reduce the growing number of motorcycle fatalities in the United States, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Highway Loss Data Institute recently petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to make anti-lock brakes a mandatory feature of all new motorcycles sold in the United States. Studies conducted by the IIHS found that anti-lock brakes could reduce fatal motorcycle accidents by at least 31% because they would allow riders to fully brake in an emergency. Motorcyclists tend to avoid braking with full force when their bike does not have anti-lock brakes because it may cause the front wheel to lock and increase the chance of a serious collision.
Six Ways to Reduce Fireworks Injury Risks
Fireworks are the premier event of Fourth of July celebrations all over Colorado, and for many Coloradoans, they’re also a family tradition. However, fireworks injuries can cause serious harm or even death. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), over 9,600 people suffered injuries that required emergency room care in 2011 after failing to use fireworks carefully or using defective fireworks.
If you’re injured by fireworks this holiday season, the skilled Colorado Springs burn injury lawyers at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. can help you defend your rights. You can help reduce your risk of injury and the risk of injuring those you love by following a few safety tips. Here are six ways to help reduce the risk of fireworks injuries this Fourth of July:
Avoiding a Rear-End Collision While Bicycling
Bicycling is great exercise, and in the Colorado summer, it can also be a great deal of fun and help save on transportation costs and the environment. However, many types of accidents can befall a bicyclist when drivers are careless or distracted.
While most bicyclists fear rear-end collisions from cars, these types of accidents are rare, comprising only about 3.8 percent of all bicycle crashes. There are also several ways a bicyclist can protect himself or herself from a rear-end collision: