Posted on February 20, 2025 in Car Accident

Beginning with Valentine’s Day on Friday, February 14th, and ending with President’s Day on Monday, February 17th, many people in Colorado celebrated a long holiday weekend. I-70 was busy with skiers taking advantage of an extra day away off from work. Unfortunately, the Colorado State Patrol responded to seven fatal accidents between Friday and Sunday that were responsible for killing eight people. Separately, an 11-vehicle pileup on I-70 on Monday resulted in multiple injuries and the need for a hazmat team to clean up approximately 80 gallons of spilled diesel fuel. That crash was apparently caused by careless driving and others driving too fast for conditions.

Although winter weather and slick roads contributed to these crashes, a higher number of travelers on the roads due to the extended weekend may have also been a factor. President’s Day is not one of the major holidays, but the National Safety Council confirms that long holiday weekends typically see higher numbers of motor vehicle accidents, injuries, and fatalities. If you are injured in a car crash, a skilled Larimer County, CO personal injury attorney can help you establish liability and secure the highest available amount of compensation.

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 Posted on February 11, 2025 in Car Accident

In a recent news release, the Colorado State Patrol reported that speed is still a significant factor in Colorado traffic collisions and that it causes more severe injuries. In 2024, CSP investigated over 560 speed-related crashes that produced injuries and fatalities. While some people may believe speeding tickets are simply a way for law enforcement agencies to generate income, the truth is that they are an attempt to discourage drivers from speeding and posing a risk to the public. 

If a speeding driver injured you, you know firsthand why speed limits are important. Speeding accidents can cause serious injury and property damage that can leave victims needing a great deal of medical care along with costly bills to pay. The good news is that you do not need to deal with this on your own, and a dedicated Fort Collins, CO personal injury attorney can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

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 Posted on February 05, 2025 in Personal Injury

You have probably seen articles telling you to take photos at an accident scene if you are injured, and you may have wondered why. The reason is not related to your social media accounts; in fact, you should avoid social media because your posts could actually harm your compensation claim. Whether you are injured in a car accident or another type of personal injury situation, you should take pictures that a skilled Larimer County, CO personal injury lawyer can use as evidence to support your claim.

Why Should I Take Pictures After an Accident?

Because you are present at the scene of your accident immediately after it happens, you have a unique advantage. You can take multiple photos and record videos before the scene changes. For example, after a car accident, the vehicles will eventually be moved. Vehicle placement can reveal the impact angles, and vehicle damage can indicate impact speed; both details may be used to assign fault.

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 Posted on January 29, 2025 in Car Accident

The preliminary 2024 fatal crash numbers are in for Colorado. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, traffic deaths in the state decreased for the third year in a row. However, Fort Collins and Larimer County are among the worst in the state for fatal crashes.

If someone else causes a motor vehicle accident that injures you or claims a loved one’s life, you may qualify to pursue compensation. Working with an experienced Fort Collins, CO personal injury lawyer is important if you hope to collect as much as you are entitled to.

What Does the 2024 Crash Facts Report Say?

The following numbers are preliminary and may change. However, as of now, there were 684 Colorado traffic fatalities in 2024, representing a 5 percent decrease from 2023. Although most categories also saw a decrease, motorcycle deaths increased by 23 percent over 2023 totals, and construction zone fatalities rose by an astounding 94 percent.  

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 Posted on January 22, 2025 in Car Accident

Road construction, although frustrating to navigate while in progress, improves our ability to travel in Colorado and across the nation. Congestion in construction zones creates hazards for motorists and workers alike. Preliminary 2024 figures show that 31 Colorado road construction workers died in work zone crashes, with 43 more suffering serious injuries. Fatalities rose by more than 75 percent when compared to 2023 deaths. In an effort to make construction zones safer, the Colorado Department of Transportation will be installing controversial speed cameras in construction zones, beginning with the Floyd Hill area on I-70 in March 2025.

Why are road construction accidents on the rise? What compensation is available after a construction zone crash? Working with an experienced Larimer County, CO workers’ compensation and personal injury attorney can maximize the compensation you receive and simplify the process.

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 Posted on January 14, 2025 in Car Accident

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, preliminary 2024 data reports 203 motor vehicle accident deaths involving an impaired driver. This figure is the lowest since 2019, representing 30 percent of all traffic fatalities in the state and an 11 percent decrease from 2023 totals. However, even one death is too many.

If an impaired driver injured me, can I sue? What if my family member was killed in a drunk driving crash? Working with a knowledgeable Larimer County, CO personal injury lawyer is important if you want to get as much compensation as you deserve.

Why Is Impaired Driving Dangerous?

Besides being illegal, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs causes various impairments that make safe driving impossible. Along with drugs like cannabis, some prescription and over-the-counter medications cause similar impairments. In fact, driving while fatigued has been compared to drunk driving due to how excessive drowsiness can affect people. Still, there were over 14,000 DUI arrests made in Colorado during 2024, showing that drivers often ignore the laws.

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 Posted on January 06, 2025 in Car Accident

Fort Collins sees lots of pedestrian traffic. Besides people moving around on foot, pedestrians include bicyclists and those using wheelchairs and micro-mobility devices like scooters and skateboards. Because all these people are extremely vulnerable in car accidents, the Fort Collins Active Modes Plan includes several recommendations to promote safety. Although cold weather and slick streets often limit the number of pedestrians during the winter, pedestrian accidents still happen. In fact, inclement weather increases the risks.

If a driver loses control of his car on icy streets, is he still responsible if he hits a pedestrian? How is fault determined in pedestrian accidents? Working with an experienced Larimer County, CO personal injury lawyer can maximize your compensation.  

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 Posted on December 27, 2024 in Workers' Compensation

The advent of the internet in the 1990s opened the possibility of remote work across several industries. However, as recently as only a decade ago, remote work was still not widespread. Employees who typically worked on-site might have been allowed to work from home periodically if they were ill, but companies offering remote positions were somewhat unusual. Between 2019 and 2021, the popularity of remote work soared.

Colorado employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance policies to provide benefits to their employees who become ill from job-related causes or are injured while working. Do these employers have to cover remote employees or only those who work on-site? A knowledgeable Fort Collins, CO workers’ comp attorney can assist if you need help with your claim.

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 Posted on December 20, 2024 in Workers' Compensation

Whether you are injured at work or elsewhere, it is often possible for you to reclaim compensation for your damages. You might consider hiring a Fort Collins, CO lawyer to represent you for your accident claim, but do not think you can afford the legal fees.

When you choose Hoggatt Law Office, P.C., we take personal injury and workers’ compensation cases on a contingency fee basis. Many people who do not have legal experience may not be familiar with that term. Part of our responsibilities include ensuring that you fully understand every aspect of your case, including what various legal terms mean.

What Is a Contingency Fee Basis?

Most people injured in accidents face a significant financial strain from medical bills, property damage, and lost income. They may struggle to feed their families, leaving no funds to hire an attorney. We understand how heavy your financial burden is, so we generally bill our clients on a contingency fee basis. With this structure, you do not pay us any upfront fees.

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 Posted on December 11, 2024 in Personal Injury

When policyholders pay premiums to insurance companies, the insurers are obligated to pay valid claims against those policies. Many people believe claims are paid fairly and without any hassle. Unfortunately, insurance companies want to keep as much of your money as they can.

Unless you have competent legal representation to advocate for your best interests, liable insurers can get out of paying you the full amount that you deserve. Whatever kind of claim you have, a knowledgeable Larimer County, CO personal injury lawyer will advocate on your behalf and prevent insurance companies from taking advantage of you.

Accusing You of Fault

The amount of fault you bear for contributing to your accident directly affects your eligibility for compensation and will reduce your damages accordingly. Insurance companies can accuse you of an undeserved degree of fault to reduce or eliminate their liability for your damages.

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