Posted on September 12, 2018 in Car Accident

What do the different types of coverages offered by insurance companies actually mean?

At the Hoggatt Law Office, we see people come in all the time who either don’t know what is covered under their type of car insurance, or have waived certain portions of their offered coverage not fully understanding what that is. We will attempt to explain several different types and aspects of automobile insurance coverage, and why certain aspects can be helpful if you’re involved in an accident.

Unfortunately, despite its common use, the term ‘full coverage’ does not have any accepted standard meaning. Many different insurance companies offer ‘full coverage,’ but what is included varies from company to company. While the below list is not exhaustive of all types of coverage that can be offered, and it does not fully explain the intricacies of the different types of coverage, it will hopefully give you an understanding of what these different types of coverage actually mean to you as an insured driver.

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 Posted on September 12, 2018 in Car Accident

The time immediately following a car crash can be hectic, frantic, and downright scary. It is not a situation that you have likely prepared for or, hopefully, been in before. While this is not a comprehensive list and should not take the place of common sense, it will hopefully provide you with some guidance on what to do if you’re in a car accident.

1. Make Sure Everyone Involved is OK and Safe

The first step to take after you’re involved in a car crash is to ensure that everyone is physically ok and safe. This will start with you! Take a moment to make sure that you are not hurt or bleeding. If you have anyone else in your vehicle, ensure that they are not hurt or bleeding as well. Ask them: “Are you OK? Are you hurt?” Look them over for any signs of obvious injury. Sometimes a person can feel perfectly fine but can be bleeding significantly.

You then want to ensure that you are safe. Make sure that your vehicle is in a safe position while you wait for the authorities. If you can, you should get out of your vehicle and see if you are about to move it. Before potentially moving any vehicles, check for any leaking fluid. If possible, take photographs of the cars in their original positions before moving them. If you’re able to, move your car to the side of the road to prevent an additional accident from occurring.

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 Posted on September 12, 2018 in Wrongful Death

Losing someone you love is hard. Losing someone you love because of someone else’s misconduct or negligence can be even harder. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about wrongful death claims to help you begin to navigate this difficult situation.

#1 What is a Wrongful Death Claim?

Colorado law provides compensation for family members of anyone whose death was the result of “a wrongful act, neglect, or default of another.” Some examples of situations that may justify a wrongful death claim include:

• Death caused by a drunk, reckless, or careless driver
• Death caused by a slip and fall or other hazards on private property
• Death caused by a defective or mis-labeled product
• Death caused by medical malpractice
• Death caused by nursing home negligence or abuse
• Work related deaths
• Death caused by assault, battery, and other crimes

Of course, there is no amount of money that will make up for the loss of your loved one or the grief you are experiencing. The purpose of a wrongful death claim is to protect the interests of family members who, through no fault of their own, are suffering the emotional and financial burden of the loss of their loved one.

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