How Common Are Car Accidents in Larimer County, Colorado?

 Posted on February 05, 2020 in Car Accident

Whether seen on the news, witnessed, or through personal experience, we are all familiar with car accidents. In 2018 alone, 4.5 million people in the United States were injured in car accidents, and 40,000 people lost their lives. Some circumstances increase the likelihood of car accidents, such as poor weather conditions or negligent actions by a driver. No matter what causes a vehicle collision, it is important to understand your rights and your options for seeking compensation if you find yourself a victim of a crash.  

Who Can Be Held Liable?

Generally speaking, many auto accidents take place in rural areas. The likelihood of an accident occurring also increases if it is dark outside, if alcohol is involved, or if a young driver is behind the wheel. Sometimes, car accidents are unavoidable and are the fault of neither driver. However, when someone is responsible for causing a car accident in Colorado, he or she can be held liable for the damages caused by his or her negligent actions. A person may be found negligent if he or she failed to take reasonable care in a situation, and another person suffered injuries as a result.

Between 2014 and 2018, there were an average of 468 car crashes each year in Larimer County, Colo. Auto accidents overall increased in the county during this time, and they saw a significant increase between 2017 and 2018. Approximately 20 percent of these accidents resulted in injuries. The most common cause of severe car accidents in the county is roadway departures. These are non-intersection crashes that take place when a driver crosses over either a center or edge line into traffic. Roadway departure accidents also have the highest percentage of deaths. 

Human error is a large part of why these types of car accidents occur. Two of the most common types of driver error are distracted driving and driving while under the influence (DUI). Distracted driving happens all the time, but perhaps the biggest culprits are cell phones. The number of distracted driving accidents caused by mobile phones has gone up, which is no surprise, since advancements in technology have led people to use these devices more and more often. In Colorado, adult drivers are allowed to make regular phone calls while driving. However, activities such as texting, browsing websites, watching videos, or posting on social media are illegal when driving. If a person causes an accident due to texting while driving, he or she can be held accountable for breaking the law. 

Contact a Fort Collins Personal Injury Lawyer

When a car accident occurs, victims of negligence can face a lifetime of pain and suffering. If drivers break the law, they need to be held responsible so the people affected can receive the compensation they need to recover. If you have been involved in a vehicle collision that was caused by distracted driving, drunk driving, or other negligent behavior, contact a qualified Larimer County car accident attorney as soon as possible. For assistance with the legal process of seeking damages, call Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. today at 970-225-2190 to schedule your free consultation. 

Sources:

https://www.larimer.org/sites/default/files/uploads/2019/2018_safety_report_0.pdf

https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/fatality-estimates

https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/urban-rural-comparison

https://leg.colorado.gov/content/distracted-driving-and-cell-phone-use