Brighton, Colorado Car Accident Lawyers

Trusted Car Accident Attorneys for Motorists in Brighton

Getting your life back together after a car accident can put a drain on your financial resources, factoring in your medical bills, repair expenses, and other costs. To recover compensation from the party at fault, you will have to take legal action. For help, turn to a Brighton, Colorado car accident attorney who can guide you through the claims process.

At Hoggatt Law Office, P.C., we have over 25 years of experience helping people with personal injury claims. Our firm will investigate the cause of the crash to determine who is liable and fight for the full amount of compensation that you are owed.

How Do Car Accidents in Brighton Happen?

Most car accidents in Brighton come down to driver fault. Colorado follows a fault-based system for car accident claims, meaning the driver responsible for causing the crash bears financial responsibility for the harm it caused. Establishing fault requires a look at what each driver was doing in the moments before the collision and whether one or more of them failed to exercise reasonable care.

Brighton's roadways present a range of conditions that contribute to crashes. State Highway 22 connects Brighton to surrounding communities and sees a mix of local traffic, commercial vehicles, and through traffic moving at highway speeds. Intersections along busier corridors, agricultural roads on the outskirts of the city, and stretches of highway where drivers may be less attentive all create opportunities for serious crashes.

Common causes of accidents in the area include distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield, following too closely, improper lane changes, and impaired driving. Weather conditions and reduced visibility add to the risk. Determining which driver or drivers bear responsibility for a crash requires a review of the police report, witness accounts, physical evidence at the scene, and in some cases data from the vehicles involved.

Estimating the Worth of a Car Accident Claim in Colorado

The value of a car accident claim depends on what the crash cost the injured person, both now and in the future. Medical costs often make up the bulk of a car accident claim and can cover everything from emergency room care and hospitalization to surgery, physical therapy, imaging medication, and treatment the injury may require down the road.

Lost income is another significant factor when injuries leave an accident victim unable to work. If the injury affects the person's ability to earn a living long-term, reduced earning capacity can be included as part of the claim as well. Property damage covers the cost of repairing or replacing the vehicle, along with towing, storage, and rental expenses.

Colorado law also allows recovery for non-economic damages, which include pain and suffering, emotional distress, physical impairment, and decreased enjoyment of life. These losses are real even though they do not come with a receipt, and they deserve to be accounted for in any honest assessment of what a claim is worth.

Negotiating With Insurers for Compensation After a Crash

Insurance companies have experienced adjusters and legal teams whose job is to resolve claims for as little as possible. An injured person negotiating alone is at a disadvantage from the start. Insurers may dispute fault, question the severity of the injuries, argue that treatment was excessive, or make an early offer that falls well short of what the claim is actually worth.

Colorado follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means an injured person's compensation can be reduced if they are found to share some responsibility for the crash. An insurer may attempt to shift blame onto the injured party to reduce or eliminate the payout. Having an attorney handle negotiations shifts that dynamic and sends a clear message that the claim is prepared and supported by evidence.

Contact a Brighton, CO Car Accident Attorney

At Hoggatt Law Office, P.C., we are ready to evaluate your claim and help you get back on your feet. Call 970-460-2220 or contact our Brighton, CO car accident lawyers today to set up a free consultation.