Posted on December 28, 2020 in Car Accident

In Colorado, I-70 and other major roads that traverse the Rocky Mountains present significant challenges for semi-truck drivers. Steep inclines and winding curves can make it easier to lose control of such large vehicles, and the winter months bring snow, ice, and hail that make driving conditions even more difficult. If you are sharing the road with truck drivers, you should be aware of the accident risk and know how to react if you are injured.

Colorado Roads Require Safety Precautions for Truck Drivers

Even with these challenges, truck drivers still have a responsibility to operate their vehicles in a way that protects the safety of others on the road. In order to safely navigate I-70 and other Colorado mountain highways, truck drivers should take extra care to maintain a safe speed and shift to a lower gear on steep downgrades. They should also be sure that their vehicles have fully functioning brakes, and that they know how to use them safely to prevent them from overheating and failing. Colorado has installed runaway truck ramps for drivers who do lose control of their vehicles, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has recently partnered with other state organizations to better educate, prepare, and alert truck drivers of hazards and how to respond to them.

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 Posted on December 18, 2020 in Personal Injury

Drivers and vehicle occupants are not the only people susceptible to car accident injuries. Pedestrians are also often at risk, especially in urban areas, and when they are struck by a car, the injuries can be severe. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported nearly 6,000 pedestrian fatalities in 2017, with 92 of them in Colorado, and numbers have been similar in more recent years. If you or a family member has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you have options for pursuing compensation from the at-fault driver.

What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?

Accidents between vehicles and pedestrians are often caused by many of the same negligent behaviors that contribute to other car accidents. These actions may include but are not limited to:

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 Posted on December 10, 2020 in Workplace Injury

In most cases, employees who are injured at work in Colorado are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits through their employer. This applies regardless of the severity of the injury, as long as it requires medical care, but it can be especially important for employees who suffer catastrophic injuries that permanently impact their lives. If you are severely injured at work, an attorney can help to ensure that you receive all available benefits.

Common Catastrophic Workplace Injuries

Colorado workers can be seriously injured in a number of ways, especially when their occupations put them in close contact with environmental risks and hazards. Some of the most common catastrophic injuries that occur in the workplace include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including concussions and other injuries resulting from blunt force impacts to the head. These commonly occur due to falls, vehicle accidents, and accidents involving falling objects or heavy equipment.

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 Posted on November 30, 2020 in Car Accident

Thanksgiving weekend is often a time for celebration and family togetherness. However, it also tends to be a period of increased risk of getting in a car accident. Although not as many people may have been traveling for Thanksgiving this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was likely still greater traffic than normal. It is important that you are aware of how another driver’s negligence can affect you and your family’s safety on the roads. In the event of a collision, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you seek compensation for your damages.

The Risks of Thanksgiving Driving

Thanksgiving weekend driving in Colorado can be risky for a number of reasons, including:

• More travelers on the road: In a typical year, large numbers of families in Colorado and throughout the United States drive to a Thanksgiving gathering. Many Colorado ski resorts also have an opening day near the end of November, creating another reason for increased holiday weekend travel.

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 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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