Posted on October 15, 2020 in Workplace Injury

In Colorado, workers’ compensation benefits may be available to anyone who has suffered an injury on the job or in the course of their employment. In many cases, workplace injuries happen because of physical trauma, but this is not the only situation in which you can pursue compensation. You also may be entitled to benefits if you have suffered injuries or negative effects on your health due to immediate or prolonged exposure to a hazardous chemical.

Common Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace

Depending on your occupation and the industry in which you work, you may be exposed to any number of dangerous chemicals on a regular basis. Some of the most common hazardous substances encountered at work include:

• Carbon monoxide: CO gas can be present in any environment in which fuel is burned, and inhalation can result in poisoning that can be fatal.

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 Posted on October 07, 2020 in Personal Injury

The city of Fort Collins in northern Colorado has been recognized for being extremely bike-friendly, both for its system of trails and open spaces and its downtown amenities, but even in situations that are favorable to bicyclists, accidents can still happen. Understanding the common causes of bicycle accidents may help you avoid being involved in one, or pursue the compensation you need if you are injured. In some cases, a negligent driver may be at fault for causing the crash. 

When Do Bicycle Accidents Typically Occur?

Accidents between bicycles and cars or other motor vehicles can take place under a variety of circumstances. Some of the most common include:

• When approaching an intersection: When a car and bike approach an intersection traveling in the same direction, a car driver may attempt to turn right into the bicycle’s path if he or she is not paying close attention. When turning left, a car may collide with a bicycle approaching the intersection from the opposite direction. Accident risk may increase if the bicyclist is traveling in the wrong direction, against the flow of other traffic.

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 Posted on September 23, 2020 in Workplace Injury

Any time you are traveling on the road, you run the risk of being involved in a car accident, and if your job requires you to drive on a regular basis, you may be at greater risk. If you are injured in a car accident while on the job, you may fear that your only options for compensation are a claim through your car or health insurance provider, or a personal injury lawsuit against another driver. Fortunately, this is usually not the case, as you can likely obtain recovery through your employer’s workers’ compensation policy.

Employees at Risk of Vehicle Collision Injuries 

Many employees must regularly drive as part of their job responsibilities. Commercial truck and bus drivers may spend the most amount of time on the road, but delivery drivers, postal workers, and first responders including police officers, firefighters, and EMTs all drive frequently as well. The same may be true for employees of any business that provides a traveling service, as well as employees who simply run occasional work-related errands. Any employee who is injured in a car accident during the course of his or her workday may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, whether the accident was the fault of another driver or the employee him or herself.

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 Posted on September 18, 2020 in Personal Injury

Semi-trucks experience immense strain throughout the course of their work, accumulating hundreds of miles per day and regularly hauling around 100,000 pounds of cargo. In order to perform their work safely, large trucks require frequent maintenance to ensure that all parts and equipment are working properly. When there is a lapse in maintenance, the potential for accidents increases, and unfortunately, you may find yourself injured as a result.

The Dangers of Poorly Maintained Trucks in Colorado

A variety of equipment failures due to improper or routine maintenance checks can lead to serious accidents. Some of the most common include:

• Brake failure: Improperly maintained brakes can give out in transit, making it difficult or impossible for the truck driver to slow or stop his or her rig. This is a particular issue in Colorado, where steep downhill grades on interstate highways can lead to runaway trucks.

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 Posted on September 14, 2020 in Car Accident

Over Labor Day weekend, Fort Collins experienced its earliest snow accumulation in over 130 years, reminding Coloradans once again of the state’s extreme weather fluctuations and the possibility for hazardous road conditions at almost any time of the year. It is never too early to start preparing for the necessary safety precautions when driving on snowy and icy roads so that you can avoid being injured in a car accident or causing a crash that injures someone else.

Precautions for Driving in Snow in Colorado

As a driver, there are many ways that you can take responsibility for preventing accidents in snowy weather, including:

• Check your tires: Make sure your tires are properly inflated and that they have adequate tread. You may choose to use snow tires during the late fall and winter months, or have chains ready for driving during or after a heavy snowfall.

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 Posted on September 02, 2020 in Personal Injury

In Colorado, motorcyclists are at a high risk of injury compared to other drivers. Recent statistics from the Colorado Department of Transportation show that around 20 percent of all fatalities and serious injuries from vehicle crashes are suffered by motorcyclists, and in many cases, these collisions are the fault of another driver. An accident on I-25 this summer illustrates some important points about motorcycle accidents and why it is essential that injured motorcyclists work with an experienced attorney to understand their legal options for seeking compensation.

Colorado Motorcycle Crashes May Be the Fault of Another Driver

In a recent Colorado accident, a motorcyclist collided with a barrier and overturned after another driver swerved into his lane. While this case is still under investigation and fault has not been determined, other cases involving reckless driving, road rage, distracted driving, and other negligent behavior have resulted in significant compensation for injured motorcyclists. A personal injury attorney can help motorcyclists obtain financial relief for their damages through a settlement agreement or a court ruling.

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 Posted on August 27, 2020 in Wrongful Death

Each year in Colorado, thousands of people are injured or fall ill due to work-related incidents, entitling them to relief through their employer’s workers’ compensation coverage. However, over 100 Coloradans die each year as a result of their work-related injuries, and many of them leave behind families who may struggle to get by after the death of their loved ones. Fortunately, these families can often obtain financial compensation through a wrongful death claim.

When Can I File a Wrongful Death Claim in Colorado?

An employee can file a workers’ compensation claim when he or she has been injured on the job in the course of work, and the employee’s family members can file a wrongful death claim in a similar situation if the injuries lead to the employee’s death. The employee’s widow or widower has the first right to file a wrongful death suit within the first year after the death, and children and designated beneficiaries of the deceased can join the suit with the spouse’s consent. After the first year, children and other heirs can choose to file a suit without the spouse, and parents may file a suit if the employee has no designated heirs. In general, all wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within the two-year statute of limitations.

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 Posted on August 19, 2020 in Personal Injury

Between Interstates 25, 70, and 76, the Colorado Front Range experiences a significant amount of semi-truck traffic, and the state’s unpredictable weather patterns and often steeply graded roads can increase the risk of truck accidents. Another contributing factor in many truck accidents is driver fatigue, which can cause a driver to fall asleep at the wheel, react more slowly, or make poor driving decisions. If you have been injured in an accident with a drowsy truck driver, understanding why the driver may be fatigued can give you a better chance of receiving full compensation for your damages.

Common Causes of Truck Driver Fatigue

Truck drivers can become fatigued for a number of reasons, some due to the nature of their job, and some due to a failure to follow industry regulations. A few of the most common reasons include:

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 Posted on August 14, 2020 in Car Accident

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), there were more than 500 fatal vehicle crashes in Colorado in 2018. Not all car accidents lead to fatalities, but they can cause serious to permanent injuries. If you are injured in a car accident caused by another driver, seeking compensation through a personal injury claim is often a clear decision. However, if you believe you were partially at fault for the accident, your options may seem more complicated, and you may wonder if it is even possible to receive any financial relief for your injuries. The good news is that because of Colorado’s negligence laws, you can still be eligible for some compensation as long as your negligence is determined to be less than that of the other involved parties.

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 Posted on August 05, 2020 in Car Accident

Everyone hopes to avoid being injured in a car accident, but in the unfortunate event that it does happen, one would hope that the other driver’s insurance would at least cover medical bills for any injuries he or she causes. However, recent statistics show that 13 percent of Colorado drivers are uninsured, and many more have policies with the state’s minimum required bodily injury coverage of $25,000 per person injured and $50,000 total, which may be insufficient in cases of severe injuries that result in long-lasting consequences. That is why it is important to seek professional legal advice after being involved in any type of vehicle collision. 

Steps to Take After a Crash

If you are injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may feel stress, fear, and uncertainty as to how to proceed, but fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to protect yourself even in this difficult situation. Follow these four tips for ensuring that you receive adequate compensation:

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