Erie Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyer Helping Accident Victims Recover Compensation in Erie, Colorado

If someone else's carelessness caused your injury, Colorado law may allow you to recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. However, insurance companies often try to limit what they pay.

At Hoggatt Law Office, P.C., we bring more than 25 years of legal experience to injury claims. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

How Do Vehicle Accident Claims Work in Erie?

Colorado is an at-fault state, meaning the driver responsible for a crash may be liable for your losses. Drivers must carry at least $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may help when the responsible driver's insurance is not enough.

We handle several types of motor vehicle accidents throughout Erie, including:

• Car accidents: Crashes on Highway 7 and Erie Parkway can cause serious injuries, including broken bones and head injuries.
• Truck accidents: Collisions along I-25 may involve the truck driver, trucking company, or other responsible businesses.
• Motorcycle accidents: Riders face a greater risk of serious injuries because they have less protection during crashes.
• Rideshare accidents: Uber and Lyft crashes involve special insurance rules. Colorado requires at least $1 million in liability coverage during a prearranged ride. Lower limits apply when drivers are logged into the app but have not accepted a ride.

Our attorneys investigate crashes, review insurance coverage, and identify who may be responsible for your injuries.

Can a Bar Be Held Responsible for a Drunk Driving Crash in Colorado?

Accidents caused by drunk drivers can involve more than one responsible party. Under Colorado's dram shop law, a bar or restaurant may be liable if it knowingly served alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated or under 21.

Receipts, security footage, and witness statements can help prove what happened. These claims usually must be filed within one year after the alcohol was served, so taking action quickly is important.

What Protections Do Cyclists and Pedestrians Have in Erie?

Erie's Coal Creek Trail and nearby roads attract cyclists and pedestrians. Colorado requires drivers to leave at least three feet when passing a cyclist. Drivers must also yield to pedestrians in crosswalks when required by law.

Pedestrian and bike accidents can cause serious injuries, even at low speeds. Photos, traffic cameras, and witness statements may help show who caused the accident.

When Is a Property Owner Responsible for Your Injury and Losses?

Premises liability involves injuries caused by unsafe property conditions. Common examples include slippery floors, broken stairs, poor lighting, and icy walkways.

Under Colorado law, a property owner's responsibility depends partly on why you were there. Business customers receive strong protections because owners must take reasonable steps to address dangers they knew or should have known about.

We can investigate unsafe conditions and determine whether the property owner failed to protect visitors.

How Does Shared Fault Affect Your Compensation in Colorado?

Colorado uses a modified comparative negligence rule. This means your compensation is reduced if you share responsibility for an accident. For example, if you are 20 percent responsible, your compensation is reduced by 20 percent. If you are 50 percent or more responsible, you cannot recover damages. Insurance companies may try to place more blame on you to reduce what they owe. Our firm can gather evidence to challenge unfair claims about fault.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Serious Injury in CO?

If you are injured because of someone else's negligence, you may recover compensation for medical bills, future treatment, lost wages, and reduced earning ability. You may also receive damages for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. For most personal injury cases filed on or after January 1, 2025, Colorado limits these noneconomic damages to $1.5 million.

Catastrophic injuries, such as spinal cord damage or serious brain injuries, may require lifelong care. Compensation can help cover these ongoing costs.

If an accident causes a death, surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim. For most cases filed on or after January 1, 2025, Colorado limits noneconomic damages to $2.125 million, although exceptions apply. Siblings may also have the right to file in certain situations.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Colorado?

Colorado usually allows three years to file a lawsuit involving a motor vehicle accident. Most other injury and wrongful death claims have a two-year deadline. Claims involving government entities often require written notice within 182 days. Some exceptions may change these deadlines.

Because Erie extends into Boulder and Weld counties, the proper court may depend on where the accident happened and who is responsible.

Contact Our Erie, CO Personal Injury Lawyer

Recovering from an injury can be difficult when medical bills and lost income begin adding up. At Hoggatt Law Office, P.C., we handle insurance negotiations and legal paperwork so you can focus on healing. Our firm has earned more than 250 five-star client reviews, and you can explore our case results online.

We offer free consultations and charge no upfront attorney fees. Contact our Erie personal injury lawyer at 720-575-0509 to discuss your case.