Posted on November 24, 2020 in Car Accident

If you have been injured in a car accident, your chances of obtaining compensation usually rest on the ability to demonstrate that another person was responsible for the crash due to his or her negligent behavior. Recent data published by the Colorado Department of Transportation (DOT) points to the prevalence of driver negligence in automobile collisions, indicating that from 2005 to 2018, more than half of all car accidents throughout the state involved an apparent “human contributing factor.” Many of the common factors noted can form the basis of your personal injury case.

Human Contributing Factors in Car Accidents

The Colorado DOT’s report further breaks down some of the specific behaviors involved in crashes that had a clear human contributing factor. Some of the most common were:

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 Posted on November 17, 2020 in Workplace Injury

Colorado employers are required by law to have workers’ compensation insurance, which covers medical expenses and lost wages for employees who are injured on the job. However, not every employee who files a workers’ comp claim receives the compensation they are requesting. If you have suffered a work-related injury and your claim is denied, an attorney can help you take the steps to dispute the outcome and get the compensation you need and deserve.

Why Was My Workers’ Compensation Claim Denied?

A claim for workers’ compensation can be denied for a few different reasons, some of which include:

• A delay in reporting or filing: Colorado law requires employees who are injured at work to notify their employer in writing within four days of the injury, and to file a workers’ compensation claim within two years of the injury. If you have missed either of these deadlines, your claim may be denied.

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 Posted on November 10, 2020 in Car Accident

According to estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driver distraction was a factor in 8 percent of fatal car accidents and 15 percent of injury accidents in 2018, affecting more than 400,000 people in total. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle collision, there is a significant chance that some form of distracted driving was involved. The good news is that you can often use this as evidence of another driver’s negligence as you seek compensation through a personal injury claim.

Examples of Distracted Driving

The primary example of distracted driving that may come to mind, and the only one that is specifically restricted under Colorado law, is the use of a cell phone while behind the wheel. Sending a text message or otherwise reading or typing a message on a phone is especially dangerous, as it can remove a driver’s eyes and attention from the road for several seconds at a time.

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 Posted on October 29, 2020 in Workplace Injury

With Colorado currently in the midst of the two largest wildfires in the state’s history, the importance of firefighters is clear now more than ever. If you have been involved in firefighting efforts, you know full well the risks that you face on a regular basis, and if you sustain an injury or illness as a result of your work, it is important that you understand how to obtain financial relief you need through a workers’ compensation claim.

Colorado Workers’ Compensation Laws

Under Colorado law, most employers are required to provide workers’ compensation benefits that cover employees’ work-related injuries and illnesses regardless of who was at fault. This provides important protection for firefighters, who are often at risk of injuries from fires and explosions, collapsing structures, and smoke inhalation, among other things.

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 Posted on October 22, 2020 in Car Accident

The number of Coloradans who are killed in car accidents involving alcohol is increasing in recent years, accounting for more than 25 percent of all crash fatalities in the state. With the recent legalization of marijuana in Colorado, it too is becoming a measurable factor in traffic accidents, injuries, and deaths. If you have been injured by a driver who was impaired by alcohol, marijuana, or any other controlled substance, an experienced attorney can help you seek compensation for your damages.

The Dangers of Driving Under the Influence

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identifies several ways in which alcohol can impair a driver’s abilities. These include reduced attention, concentration, perception, information processing ability, coordination, and motor and visual abilities, and the effects increase along with a higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

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 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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