By this time of year, most schools are out of session for summer vacation. For a teenager with a brand-new driver’s license, this newfound freedom is exciting. Operating a car is a privilege and a responsibility that may be overlooked with the long summer nights and lack of supervision. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, car accidents are the leading cause of the deaths of teenagers in the United States.

Colorado Driving Laws for Teenagers

In Colorado, the minimum age for a teenager to have an initial driver’s license is 16 years old. This is only after taking a drivers' education course, having a permit for at least 12 months, and completing a minimum number of hours on the road driving with an adult over the age of 21 who has a valid driver's license. During this time, there are restrictions for new drivers under the age of 18, but a teenager may choose to ignore these rules.

Car accidents have the potential to cause physical and emotional trauma. Cars are large machines that can reach high speeds, and upon impact, create havoc for the people inside. Physical trauma to the body has the potential to change a person's life, but mental recovery is also critical. Surviving a car crash can lead to mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression. 

Severe car accidents often cause an emotional response, but a person facing mental trauma after an accident may feel extreme feelings that do not go away quickly. In fact, they may worsen. In this case, a person may have developed PTSD or another mental illness. PTSD symptoms may include:

With the weather getting warmer, motorcyclists are now able to enjoy the open road once again. Whether used as primary transportation or as a hobby, motorcycles have many benefits as an alternative to a passenger car or bicycle. While motorcyclists are sometimes characterized as reckless thrill seekers, the vast majority are committed to safe riding. 

A motorcyclist is always more exposed to danger on the road than other vehicles. Except for protective gear such as helmets, gloves, and thick jackets, motorcyclists have direct contact with the environment they are driving in. There are no airbags or large physical barriers for protection. Although motorcycles are one of the smallest groups of motorists, motorcycle accidents make up 20 percent of all road fatalities in Colorado. 

On March 26, a 51-year-old woman was fatally injured near Lyons when she veered off the road and lost control of her vehicle. After swerving off the right side of the road, the driver over-corrected, which ultimately caused the vehicle to roll over. As the vehicle rolled, the woman, who was not wearing her seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle. She was pronounced dead when medical personnel arrived on the scene. 

Despite the fact that rollover accidents make up a small percentage of motor vehicle accidents, they are among the most dangerous. If you or a loved one were injured in a rollover crash due to another driver’s negligence, seek experienced legal guidance immediately. 

On February 14, a woman was fatally injured in a motor vehicle collision on Interstate 70. The crash occurred outside of Glenwood Springs, and when law enforcement arrived at the scene, the vehicle that caused the fatality had fled. The woman killed was a pedestrian and was found fatally injured on the roadway when emergency personnel arrived. 

According to a recent study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, approximately 65 percent of people killed in hit-and-run collisions are either pedestrians or bicyclists. In the aftermath of a hit-and-run collision, it is important to know how to react. If you or a loved one are involved in a motor vehicle collision, seek experienced legal help as soon as possible. 

On February 3, an SUV driver was fatally injured near Colorado Springs when they lost control of their vehicle, crashed into an oncoming car, and ultimately collided with a concrete barrier. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision after being ejected from the vehicle. A female passenger was in stable condition after suffering injuries in the accident. 

For drivers throughout the state of Colorado, the accident served as a reminder of the importance of wearing a seat belt. Ejection from a vehicle significantly increases the chance of fatal injuries. If you or a loved one are involved in a motor vehicle collision, the use of a seat belt could save a life. 

On January 16, an elderly man was seriously injured when he crashed his vehicle into several homes in a small housing community south of Denver. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the collision was ultimately caused by a medical condition that prompted the 86-year-old driver to lose control of his vehicle. 

While not all elderly drivers face an increased risk of motor vehicle collisions, many suffer from pre-existing medical conditions or face a decline in motor skills and vision. These issues can create danger whenever they operate a car, especially during bad weather.

On January 6, a car crash on Interstate 25 outside Colorado Springs sent three people to the hospital with severe injuries. The accident occurred when the car flipped on the roadway and ultimately crashed into a light pole. Of the passengers injured, one was a young child. For parents in Colorado, this accident serves as a reminder of the serious injuries young children can suffer in motor vehicle collisions. 

In 2016, 730 children under 13 were fatally injured in car crashes in the United States. That number is around half of the total number of children killed in car crashes in 1975, thanks largely to improved vehicle safety measures. Listed below are a few simple steps you can take to lower their risk of severe car accident injury. 

Over the past few years, law enforcement personnel and state agencies have noticed a dangerous trend: fatal car accidents are rising throughout the United States. While initiatives to increase safe driving practices are helpful, including mandatory seatbelt use, other factors seem to be offsetting the positive effects of these initiatives. Increases in cell-phone use and other forms of distracted driving have played a role in the increase of fatal collisions, but highway traffic agencies now think another primary reason for the jump in traffic deaths is increased speed limits. 

Traffic Fatalities Rising in the United States

According to statistics compiled by the National Safety Council (NSC), there were 40,100 motor vehicle deaths throughout the United States in 2017. While this number marked a 1 percent decrease when compared to 2016, the bigger concern is the steady climb in fatalities over recent years. In 2016, the number of traffic deaths rose by more than 5 percent. While the slight decrease in 2017 is encouraging, recent trends suggest much more work is needed to increase safety nationwide. 

Every year, thousands of Americans are hurt in motor vehicle collisions. The most common car accident is when one vehicle hits another from behind. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 28 percent of all car accidents in the United States are rear-end collisions. Studies conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found an average of 1.7 million rear-end accidents occur each year, with a staggering 500,000 serious injuries. 

Despite the fact only 6 percent of rear-end crashes result in fatalities, these collisions can result in severe injuries with long-lasting symptoms. If you or a loved one were injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact a legal team you can believe in and seek medical attention even if injury symptoms are not immediately present. 

On December 27, 2018, two Colorado teens were fatally injured on Highway 105 when they lost control of their vehicle and collided with a semi-truck. Colorado State Patrol officers believe that the collision was caused in part by winter driving conditions. For parents throughout Colorado, the fatal car crash served as a sobering reminder of the dangers of teenage driving.

Teenage Collisions Nationwide

Throughout the United States, teenage drivers are among the most commonly injured in motor vehicle collisions. It should come as no surprise that 16 year old drivers are more likely to crash than drivers of any other age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2016, over 290,000 American teens between the ages of 16 and 19 were hospitalized due to injuries suffered in motor vehicle collisions. Of those injured, 2,433 teens suffered injuries that proved to be fatal. 

Preventing Teenage Driving Accidents 

When children reach a certain age, parents have to accept that they will begin to drive unsupervised. While many motor vehicle collisions are unavoidable, there are a few steps you can take to help educate your teen driver on how to remain safe: 

In 2012, voters passed Colorado Amendment 64, which legalized marijuana for medicinal and recreational use throughout the state. Officially implemented in 2014, Amendment 64 has brought in millions in tax revenue for the state. Much of that revenue has gone toward creating low-income housing programs, increasing mental health programs in Colorado prisons, and further developing health education programs in schools throughout the state. 

However, while many of the benefits of legalized cannabis have been well documented across the country, one substantial negative that has not been discussed is the marked increase in motor vehicle collisions within states that have legalized recreational marijuana. With increased collisions comes the increased risk of serious, or even fatal, injuries. Those who have been injured in a motor vehicle accident should contact a legal team to learn about their options for pursuing compensation from a negligent driver. 

Accidents on the Rise

In 2017, legal marijuana sales hit a record number of $9.7 billion nationwide. However, a recent study suggests that legal marijuana may be leading to an increase in car accidents. The study, which was conducted by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), used crash statistics from three states with legalized recreational marijuana (Colorado, Washington, and Oregon), and compared those numbers to surrounding states that have not legalized marijuana. The conclusions were striking: motor vehicle collisions have risen by 6% since marijuana legalization in the three states used in the study. 

As the snow and ice begin to make their way onto Colorado roadways, it should come as no surprise that the accidents are beginning to pile up. On Saturday, November 24th, 2018, Colorado highway patrolmen responded to a collision outside Denver. What started as a one-car crash ultimately ended in a 20-vehicle pileup. According to Colorado State Patrol, heavy winds and snow were the main causes of the dangerous accident. 

The increase in inclement weather has prompted Colorado law enforcement to establish roadside shelters for passengers injured in winter car accidents. If you or a loved one are involved in a motor vehicle collision this winter, seek out medical attention and speak with a legal representative. 

Winter Driving Accidents in the United States 

Inclement weather is one of the leading causes of automobile accidents throughout the United States. According to the Federal Highway Administration, approximately 116,000 Americans are injured each year in accidents during snowfall. While the vast majority of these accidents do not result in death, over 1,200 people are killed annually in accidents caused by inclement weather. Studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that an alarming 17% of all annual motor vehicle collisions occur while snow is present. 

Despite the fact that drunk driving charges can come with extensive jail time, substantial fines, and potential driver’s license suspension, hundreds of thousands of American drivers continue to drive drunk. In Colorado, drunk driving continues to pose a massive problem for law enforcement officials throughout the state. Although traffic officials throughout Colorado have implemented more DUI checkpoints and increased surveillance of the roadways, drunk driving continues to increase, and many people are seriously injured in accidents caused by drunk drivers. If you or a loved one are impacted by the reckless and negligent actions of a drunk driver, you should work with an experienced attorney to determine your options for pursuing financial compensation. 

Drunk Driving Rising in Colorado

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, DUI arrests rose by just under 30% from 2016 to 2017. In all, a staggering 10,359 drivers were arrested by Colorado state police in 2017 for driving under the influence of alcohol. This increase in drunk drivers has resulted in a tragically high number of fatalities. In 2017 alone, 226 people died due to alcohol-impaired driving in Colorado. While excessive speeding and distracted driving continue to be traffic issues that cause concern, drunk driving is a leading cause of motor vehicle collisions in Colorado. 

Alcohol-Impaired Driving Nationwide

Around the country, drunk driving is as big of an issue as it is here in Colorado. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 29 Americans die due to drunk driving every single day. Throughout 2016, more than 10,400 people died in motor vehicle collisions involving drunk drivers across the United States. Fortunately, law enforcement officials throughout the country are working diligently to lower the number of drunk drivers. Every year, state patrol officials and police officers arrest more than one million drivers for inebriated driving. 

Late this past October, a female pedestrian in Colorado Springs suffered fatal injuries when she was struck by an automobile. The victim was attempting to cross the street when she was hit by a driver who was under the influence of an undisclosed drug. For Colorado residents, this accident served as a reminder of the inherent risks that pedestrians face every single day. If you or a loved one are injured in a pedestrian accident, you should seek out legal assistance as soon as possible. 

Pedestrian Injuries Throughout the United States

Even though traveling by foot is commonly thought of as one of the safest ways to travel, pedestrians suffer injuries much more often than most people would like to assume. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 129,000 American pedestrians were hospitalized in 2015 alone. Pedestrians face increased risk due to their lack of protection in motor vehicle collisions. Because of this lack of protection, most pedestrian injuries are extremely severe. Of the 129,000 pedestrians that were injured in collisions throughout 2015, more than 5,350 ultimately died due to their injuries. 

Studies conducted by the CDC found that pedestrians are actually 1.5 times more likely to be fatally injured in a collision than motor vehicle drivers or passengers. In many of these cases, the accidents are directly caused by the negligence of the motor vehicle driver. Just under 50% of all pedestrian deaths in 2015 involved alcohol. 

Less than a week ago, a tragic accident reminded all bicyclists throughout the state of Colorado of the dangers they face when sharing the roads with other vehicles. A biker was traveling near the campus of Colorado College in Colorado Springs when he was struck by a motor vehicle. The cyclist was rushed to a local hospital but ultimately died the morning after the collision. While the Colorado Springs Police Department stated that excessive speed or alcohol/drug use were not factors in this specific accident, the vast majority of motor vehicle collisions are caused by driver negligence. If you or a loved one is injured in a bicycle accident, you should contact a legal team you can trust. 

Bicyclist Fatalities Nationwide

Throughout the United States, bicycle injuries are far more common than most people would like to believe. In 2015 alone, over 460,000 bicyclists were injured nationwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1,000 of those injuries proved to be fatal. Studies conducted by the CDC found that children between the ages of 5 and 19 account for upwards of 33% of all bicycle injuries. 

As mentioned above, driver negligence is the reason behind the vast majority of traffic accidents. It should come as no surprise that alcohol was involved in 37% of all bicycle injuries. After extensive research, the CDC concluded that bicycling is increasingly dangerous in highly populated areas. The vast majority of bicycle fatalities in 2015 occurred in urban areas. 

A recent two-car crash in Lakewood resulted in severe injuries to a 19-year-old driver, as well as the death of the other driver involved. While the ultimate cause of the accident is still under investigation, according to Colorado state police, “speed was a factor.” 

Every year, thousands of Americans are killed due to drivers traveling at excessive speeds. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding resulted in the deaths of over 10,000 Americans throughout 2016 alone. In all, speeding accounted for 27% of traffic fatalities nationwide. If you or a loved one have been injured in a motor vehicle collision, it is likely that driver negligence was involved. 

Why Speeding Increases Risk 

We all understand the reasons behind speeding, since hectic work schedules and constant familial obligations leave most of us in a never-ending rush. Still, it is important to understand how speeding can impact one’s vehicle’s ability to operate at peak capacity. Speeding can reduce the effectiveness of safety restraint systems and limit the control one has over their vehicle’s steering and braking systems, while also increasing the ferocity of collisions. 

A few short weeks ago, the negligence of a drunk driver led to a two-vehicle car crash near Colorado Springs. The accident occurred when the 44-year-old drunk driver drifted off the road and collided with a parked car. The driver only suffered minor injuries, but a 21-month-old was ejected out of the other vehicle and narrowly avoided fatal injuries. After attempting to flee from the scene on foot, the drunk driver was ultimately caught by several witnesses and was later taken into police custody. 

While the accident did not result in any fatal injuries, it was a sobering reminder of the terrible impact of drunk driving. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 10,497 Americans were killed due to drunk drivers in 2016 alone. If you or a loved one are injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, finding quality legal representation can make all the difference in ensuring a healthy financial future for your family. 

Drunk Driving Nationwide 

Despite ongoing efforts by law enforcement officials and highway safety organizations to limit the number of drunk drivers on the road, inebriated driving continues to be a safety crisis throughout the United States. Studies conducted by the CDC found that drunk driving accounts for around 30% of all traffic fatalities nationwide. An alarming one million American drivers were arrested on DUI charges in 2016. Despite the potential loss of life and the harsh legal penalties that they may face, millions of Americans elect to drive under the influence each year. 

On Wednesday, October 10th, 2018, a number of car accidents occurred throughout the state of Colorado. One accident involving a semi-truck occurred near Haswell, another collision happened outside of Lone Tree, and a third took place near Aspen Park. The one common denominator? All the accidents were at least partially caused by icy roadways. 

With winter arriving quickly, it is important to begin practicing appropriate winter driving habits. The Colorado State Patrol was vocal about the recklessness of many drivers, stating that some accidents were caused by “people traveling too fast for conditions.” If a member of your family is injured in a motor vehicle collision this winter, you should contact a personal injury attorney that will represent your best interests and help you pursue compensation from any negligent parties. 

Driving Safely in Colorado

In 2017, over 640 people were fatally injured while traveling on Colorado roadways. Studies conducted by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CODOT) found that 35% of all fatalities occurred during winter months (November to March). 

Every year, thousands of motorcyclists throughout the United States suffer fatal injuries in accidents. Here in northern Colorado, we witness far too many fatal motorcycle accidents on an annual basis. Recently, a 37-year-old woman was fatally injured in a motorcycle accident in Fort Collins. The motorcycle was a two-person Harley Davidson, and when it collided with another vehicle, both motorcycle passengers were severely hurt, and the female passenger ultimately died. The accident reminded every Colorado native of the dangers that motorcyclists face when sharing the road with other vehicles. If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you should take steps to understand your options for pursuing financial compensation. 

Motorcycle Accidents Nationwide 

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), approximately 5,000 American motorcyclists died in 2017. While this statistic marks a slight decrease in motorcycle fatalities on a national scale, motorcyclists are still much more likely to suffer fatal injuries than drivers or passengers of automobiles. In fact, motorcyclists are 28% more likely to be killed in a motor vehicle collision than those traveling in a standard motor vehicle. Despite the fact that motorcyclists make up a small number of all highway users, they accounted for approximately 14% of all traffic fatalities in 2017. Next time you ride a motorcycle, ride with caution. 

Remaining Safe on Your Motorcycle

While there is no guarantee of safety while riding a motorcycle, there are a few steps you can take to help decrease your chances of serious injury. The first step you can take is riding responsibly. Do not recklessly pass drivers on corners or double lines. Recognize that you are not as visible as a standard automobile, and avoid drivers’ blind spots.