Posted on November 18,2024 in Car Accident

Snow and ice arrive in Fort Collins, CO, sooner and leave later than in many other parts of the country. Long-time residents are accustomed to the driving challenges posed by winter weather, but car accidents still happen frequently.

If winter storms and driving conditions contribute to your accident, are you entitled to compensation? Who is liable for paying your damages? Your knowledgeable Larimer County lawyer from Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. can evaluate your eligibility and discuss your legal options during your free consultation.

Collisions Caused by Winter Weather Conditions

Nobody can control the weather. However, drivers who brave perilous wintry conditions can and must adapt their driving accordingly. For instance, they should:

• Drive slower and more carefully

• Use headlights

• Ensure their brakes and tires are in good condition

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 Posted on November 11,2024 in Workers' Compensation

In Colorado, employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance policies to provide benefits to employees who are injured at work or become ill due to work-related causes. As an injured employee, you may wonder if workers’ comp should cover your accident and resulting injuries or whether you can file a personal injury claim to receive compensation.

The answer: it depends on the circumstances surrounding your accident. For the smoothest process, you can partner with a Fort Collins, CO  attorney who handles both workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. When you choose Hoggatt Law Office, P.C., we can explain your legal options and help you decide how to proceed. Se Habla Espanol.

Understanding Colorado Workers’ Comp

Workers’ compensation benefits should apply if you are hurt at work, regardless of fault. These benefits cover your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages. They can also provide disability benefits if you qualify. However, unlike personal injury claims, you cannot receive compensation for emotional or mental anguish and other conditions that affect your quality of life.

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 Posted on November 04,2024 in Car Accident

Fort Collins was abuzz in October with news of four separate fatal accidents that occurred within one week. Two pedestrians were killed, along with a motorcyclist and a motorist. As investigations are ongoing, there have been no confirmed causes. However, some speculate that alcohol, running a red light, and excessive speed may have contributed to these crashes.

At Hoggatt Law Office, P.C., we hope you and your loved ones remain safe on the roads. However, if you are injured or a loved one loses her life in a motor vehicle accident, our effective lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve through a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

The 4 Deadly Crashes

It is rare to see so many fatal accidents in such a short period, but these crashes highlight the dangers of modern travel:

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 Posted on October 30,2024 in Personal Injury

If someone else’s negligence or intentional act injures you, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim for your accident-related damages. Most people have heard that statement but do not really know what it means. If you become an accident victim, understanding important legal concepts like these is vital, particularly if you are left disabled. Your home or vehicle may need accessibility modifications.

What are the damages, and how do I know if I qualify? What are my eligible losses, and are these modifications included? Your trusted lawyer from Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. can discuss your eligibility and damages when you call for your free consultation.

What Is Negligence, Fault, Liability, and Damages in Personal Injury Cases?

To fully explain whether you could collect reimbursement for necessary accessibility modifications, we need to define a few legal terms used frequently in personal injury matters:

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 Posted on October 24,2024 in Car Accident

If there are loopholes in laws, people are sure to find them. Colorado laws place various restrictions on cell phone use while driving, with drivers under 18 prohibited from using phones for any reason. These laws aim to prevent distracted driving, which increases the risk of causing motor vehicle collisions.

Some drivers attempt to work around these laws, placing their phones in holders and watching social media videos and clips while driving. Several states have introduced laws that specifically ban drivers from watching videos. If a driver who was distracted by watching videos caused an accident that injured you, you deserve compensation. A skilled lawyer from Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. can help get the evidence you need to support your claim and pursue the maximum available payout.

Do Colorado Laws Specifically Ban Watching Videos While Driving?

Although Colorado laws govern hands-on cell phone use while driving, the statutes do not address using voice activation to access videos. Teens and young drivers are the most likely groups to skirt the state’s enacted laws. Combined with their lack of experience, the results can be deadly.

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 Posted on October 18,2024 in Car Accident

Colorado law requires drivers to purchase auto insurance policies, specifying minimum coverage limits. While having some coverage can protect you if you are at fault for a collision, you will be personally liable for other people’s damages if your policy limits are too low. Nobody plans to be involved in a motor vehicle accident, but preparing for the unexpected by purchasing enough insurance is wise.

What are the minimum coverage limits in Colorado? How much more do I need? Your dedicated lawyer from Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. can help with car accident claims, whether against another driver’s policy or your own.

How Much Car Insurance Does Colorado Require?

Every auto owner must have liability insurance to cover other people’s property damage and bodily injury if they are at fault for a collision. Minimum coverage limits are:

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 Posted on October 10,2024 in Car Accident

October typically ushers the season’s first snowfall into Colorado, with the chance of wintry precipitation remaining until spring. Steep inclines in the state make driving hazardous at any time, particularly during inclement weather. Traveling on slippery roads without the proper tires significantly increases the chances of motor vehicle collisions.

Are your tires rated for Colorado’s winter months? Do you need chains to drive safely? Your Fort Collins, CO lawyer from Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. reminds you to check your tires and ensure they are compliant with Colorado’s Traction Law to stay safer.

What Is the Colorado Traction Law?

To promote roadway safety, the State of Colorado activates Passenger Vehicle Traction and Chain Laws when winter weather threatens safe travel. When traveling at 60 mph on snowy pavement, passenger cars need at least 800 feet to stop when using summer-rated tires. At the same speed, all-season tires reduce that distance to 668 feet, while you only need 310 feet to stop with winter tires.

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 Posted on September 30,2024 in Truck Accident

With I-25 being a primary trucking route as part of the National Freight Corridor, trucks travel through Fort Collins almost constantly. State residents use this thoroughfare for their daily commutes as well, with over 75,000 vehicles on this stretch of I-25 on an average day.

Many truck accidents occur because drivers are too drowsy to drive safely. Does a high elevation affect fatigue levels? Can you get a settlement if a fatigued trucker causes an accident that injures you? An experienced lawyer from Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. can help you get the compensation you deserve.

What Is Altitude Sickness?

At approximately 5,000 feet above sea level, Fort Collins, CO, is considered a high-altitude city. Residents are accustomed to the elevation, so our bodies can function normally. For those who are only passing through the state, altitude sickness is a real threat due to decreased oxygen levels. Increased fatigue is one of the most commonly experienced symptoms.

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 Posted on September 23,2024 in Car Accident

Colorado was one of the first states to legalize recreational cannabis use for adults 21 or over, whether state residents or visitors. Colorado has laws that govern who can buy and sell marijuana, where it can be used, and other regulations about the substance. While using THC products in some situations is legal, driving is not one of them.

You probably know that drinking and driving is illegal, but did you realize that driving while high is also prohibited? Like a high blood alcohol concentration, the impairments caused by marijuana increase the likelihood of car accidents. If you were injured in a crash caused by an impaired driver, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced lawyer from Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. can work to ensure you get as much as you deserve.

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 Posted on September 17,2024 in Workers' Compensation

After a mountain pine beetle epidemic beginning in the 1990s and two major wildfires in 2020, there has been a surge in Colorado’s forest management strategies, which include thinning millions of acres of trees. Logging is one of the most dangerous jobs in the state, with a high risk of severe injuries or fatalities.

If you are injured while logging for a company, can you file a workers’ compensation claim? What would your benefits cover? Call Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. to discuss your situation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys so we can answer those questions and explain how we can help.

What Kinds of Accidents Are Common in the Timber Industry?

Loggers in Colorado frequently work on steep slopes, with some trees over 100 feet tall. These workers are exposed to the elements, whether bitter cold, heavy rain, or summer sun and heat. Various accidents can happen without warning, such as:

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