Posted on October 18,2024 in Car Accident

Colorado law requires drivers to purchase auto insurance policies, specifying minimum coverage limits. While having some coverage can protect you if you are at fault for a collision, you will be personally liable for other people’s damages if your policy limits are too low. Nobody plans to be involved in a motor vehicle accident, but preparing for the unexpected by purchasing enough insurance is wise.

What are the minimum coverage limits in Colorado? How much more do I need? Your dedicated lawyer from Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. can help with car accident claims, whether against another driver’s policy or your own.

How Much Car Insurance Does Colorado Require?

Every auto owner must have liability insurance to cover other people’s property damage and bodily injury if they are at fault for a collision. Minimum coverage limits are:

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 Posted on October 10,2024 in Car Accident

October typically ushers the season’s first snowfall into Colorado, with the chance of wintry precipitation remaining until spring. Steep inclines in the state make driving hazardous at any time, particularly during inclement weather. Traveling on slippery roads without the proper tires significantly increases the chances of motor vehicle collisions.

Are your tires rated for Colorado’s winter months? Do you need chains to drive safely? Your Fort Collins, CO lawyer from Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. reminds you to check your tires and ensure they are compliant with Colorado’s Traction Law to stay safer.

What Is the Colorado Traction Law?

To promote roadway safety, the State of Colorado activates Passenger Vehicle Traction and Chain Laws when winter weather threatens safe travel. When traveling at 60 mph on snowy pavement, passenger cars need at least 800 feet to stop when using summer-rated tires. At the same speed, all-season tires reduce that distance to 668 feet, while you only need 310 feet to stop with winter tires.

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 Posted on September 30,2024 in Truck Accident

With I-25 being a primary trucking route as part of the National Freight Corridor, trucks travel through Fort Collins almost constantly. State residents use this thoroughfare for their daily commutes as well, with over 75,000 vehicles on this stretch of I-25 on an average day.

Many truck accidents occur because drivers are too drowsy to drive safely. Does a high elevation affect fatigue levels? Can you get a settlement if a fatigued trucker causes an accident that injures you? An experienced lawyer from Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. can help you get the compensation you deserve.

What Is Altitude Sickness?

At approximately 5,000 feet above sea level, Fort Collins, CO, is considered a high-altitude city. Residents are accustomed to the elevation, so our bodies can function normally. For those who are only passing through the state, altitude sickness is a real threat due to decreased oxygen levels. Increased fatigue is one of the most commonly experienced symptoms.

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 Posted on September 23,2024 in Car Accident

Colorado was one of the first states to legalize recreational cannabis use for adults 21 or over, whether state residents or visitors. Colorado has laws that govern who can buy and sell marijuana, where it can be used, and other regulations about the substance. While using THC products in some situations is legal, driving is not one of them.

You probably know that drinking and driving is illegal, but did you realize that driving while high is also prohibited? Like a high blood alcohol concentration, the impairments caused by marijuana increase the likelihood of car accidents. If you were injured in a crash caused by an impaired driver, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced lawyer from Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. can work to ensure you get as much as you deserve.

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 Posted on September 17,2024 in Workers' Compensation

After a mountain pine beetle epidemic beginning in the 1990s and two major wildfires in 2020, there has been a surge in Colorado’s forest management strategies, which include thinning millions of acres of trees. Logging is one of the most dangerous jobs in the state, with a high risk of severe injuries or fatalities.

If you are injured while logging for a company, can you file a workers’ compensation claim? What would your benefits cover? Call Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. to discuss your situation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys so we can answer those questions and explain how we can help.

What Kinds of Accidents Are Common in the Timber Industry?

Loggers in Colorado frequently work on steep slopes, with some trees over 100 feet tall. These workers are exposed to the elements, whether bitter cold, heavy rain, or summer sun and heat. Various accidents can happen without warning, such as:

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 Posted on September 11,2024 in Car Accident

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft make getting a ride to your destination easy. You can request a pick-up, pay, and tip your driver, all through apps on your phone. These services are increasingly popular, with a reported 131 million active Uber customers every month. With more Uber trips comes an increase in the likelihood of being injured in an Uber accident.

Filing a claim and getting a settlement in Uber crashes is often complicated. If you were injured in an Uber collision, working with an experienced lawyer from Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. can make the process smoother.

Why Are Uber Accident Claims Complicated?

Although you order a ride from Uber, drivers are independent contractors using their own cars. Colorado law requires all drivers to carry auto insurance with at least 25/50/15 coverage limits.

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 Posted on August 30,2024 in Car Accident

Accidents happen every day, with various causes producing unique injuries. When you think about car crashes and truck accidents, you probably assume they happen because of things like speeding, distracted driving, or alcohol. Did you know that a lack of proper maintenance can also lead to motor vehicle accidents?

Poorly maintained vehicles and roads are often contributing factors in collisions. Proving liability in these cases is sometimes challenging, however. An experienced attorney from Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. will investigate your accident, discover why it happened and who is to blame, and help you get the compensation you deserve.

How Can Vehicles Be Hazardous?

Every driver, whether operating a small passenger car or an 18-wheeler, has a legal duty of care to drive safely to avoid harming others. This duty extends beyond driving behaviors to ensuring that vehicles are safe to drive. Drivers should not operate vehicles with:

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 Posted on August 21,2024 in Wrongful Death

You have probably heard that you may be able to receive a settlement if you are injured in an accident by filing a personal injury claim. Unfortunately, almost any kind of accident has the potential to be fatal. If you have lost a loved one in an accident recently, you may have questions. Can you still get compensation if a loved one loses their life? What types of damages might you obtain?

A wrongful death claim allows eligible survivors of fatal accident victims to collect damages, but these cases have strict regulations in Colorado. If you think your situation qualifies, a free consultation with our knowledgeable Colorado personal injury lawyer from Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. can answer your questions.

What Are Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Claims?

Most personal injury claims rest on proving that someone’s negligence or intentional act directly caused injuries and associated damages. If the injured victim qualifies, he may receive a settlement that reimburses accident-related expenses and compensates for adverse impacts on his quality of life.

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 Posted on August 12,2024 in Personal Injury

If you are injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you probably know that you may be eligible to receive compensation through a personal injury claim. Getting a fair settlement should be simple, right? Unfortunately, that is all too often not the case. There can be multiple challenges along the way that you will have to face alone unless you have an effective lawyer from Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. by your side.

How Can a Qualified Attorney Help You Overcome Challenges in a Personal Injury Claim?

A wide variety of accidents can cause injuries, illnesses, and other qualifying losses that may make you eligible to receive a payout from the responsible party. Typically, you can settle these cases through an insurance claim without needing to file a civil lawsuit. However, receiving a reasonable settlement amount is not easy. Depending on factors unique to your case, you might have to navigate through many obstacles in pursuit of that goal. Your personal injury lawyer can help.

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 Posted on August 06,2024 in Car Accident

Car and truck accidents can happen for many reasons; sometimes, multiple factors combine to cause a collision. You probably think of things like speeding and distracted driving as car accident causes, but have you thought about the underlying reasons why these negligent actions are so dangerous? 

A driver’s delayed reaction time increases the likelihood of causing a motor vehicle collision. Your Fort Collins, CO motor vehicle accident lawyer from Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. can help you recover damages when someone else’s negligence results in a crash that injures you.

What Is Driver Reaction Time?

When drivers encounter common traffic situations, they need to respond to them to avoid causing accidents. Examples include upcoming yellow or red traffic lights, animals darting onto the road, sudden brake lights ahead, and other vehicles veering into the lane. Seeing these indicators should trigger a driver reaction, such as braking and steering adjustments. Although this concept may sound simple, it is actually a complex set of variables.

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