123 North College Avenue, Suite 160, Fort Collins, CO 80524
6 Convenient Locations:Ft.Collins | Greeley | Longmont | Boulder | Loveland | Cheyenne
Hoggatt Law Office, P.C.

Request a Free Consultation | No Upfront FeesSe Habla Español

970-225-2190 | 
1-800-664-3151

Recent Blog Posts

3 Telltale Signs of a Drunk Driving Accident

 Posted on December 14,2021 in Car Accident

CO accident lawyerAfter an accident, you may easily be able to tell that the other driver is impaired. They could be slurring their words, not making much sense, stumbling around, or even nodding off. In that case, it will generally be obvious to the police as well. Other times, it may not be immediately obvious that drugs or alcohol were a factor, such as if the intoxicated driver is badly injured and quickly transported to the hospital. In these cases, the accident scene itself may offer a few clues as to the at-fault driver’s sobriety.

If you think the driver who crashed into you may have been drunk, calling an attorney when the police are done can be to your benefit. A lawyer may be able to help you later prove that the responsible driver was intoxicated at the time.

What Signs Suggest that Drugs or Alcohol Were Involved in a Crash?

It is important to remember that none of these signs are definitive. Any number of things other than drug or alcohol impairment could cause a driver to have an accident that resembles a DUI crash. A person who has a seizure while driving, for example, could leave behind a similar accident scene. However, if you notice that multiple clues are present, it may be worth a closer investigation to determine whether drugs played a role. Keep an eye out for:

Continue Reading ››

Top 5 Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Colorado

 Posted on December 07,2021 in Car Accident

CO accident lawyerRideshare services are a popular and often convenient way to get around. They are less expensive than traditional cabs and often easier to find, but there are some drawbacks. Rideshare drivers do not have any special training or licensing. Very few qualifications aside from having a valid driver’s license are typically required. So, it is no surprise that some rideshare passengers become involved in car accidents caused by careless drivers. If you were hurt in a rideshare accident, you will want to call a qualified lawyer as soon as you can, as claims against rideshare services can be quite complicated.

Why Rideshare Drivers Crash

It is important to remember that rideshare drivers are not trained professionals. Many drive in their spare time occasionally and have other priorities. Reasons rideshare drivers may cause accidents include:

  • Distraction - Drivers may be focused on using their rideshare app to navigate or manage the ride. Those who have other jobs may simply be focused on something else going on in their life, possibly using their cell phone for another purpose such as sending emails or checking messages.

Continue Reading ››

What Are the Most Common Causes of Workplace Electrocutions?

 Posted on November 25,2021 in Workplace Injury

CO work injury lawyerElectrocution injuries can be extremely serious, or even fatal. Electrical burns can cause permanent disfigurement and lead to long hospitalizations. Cardiac complications can result. Most workplace accidents are avoidable when reasonable precautions are taken. Employer negligence is often the cause of electrocution accidents on job sites. If you were electrocuted at work, you should speak to a workplace accidents lawyer immediately. Your attorney will want to conduct a complete investigation aimed at proving the cause of your accident so that you can recover compensation for your injuries, whether through workers’ compensation or another legal recourse.

What Types of Employer Negligence Cause Workplace Electrocutions?

Employers have a duty to keep their workplaces reasonably safe. Although certain industries, like construction, come with an increased level of risk, the employer must still take reasonable precautions to reduce the risk of injuries. Your workplace electrocution could have been caused by:

Continue Reading ››

Is Driving After Using Cannabis Negligence?

 Posted on November 15,2021 in Car Accident

CO defense lawyerRecreational and medical cannabis use has been legal for adults 21 and over in Colorado for years. Detecting an odor of cannabis from a residential property is no longer grounds for calling the police, but the same smell emanating from the vehicle that just hit yours is. Driving under the influence of marijuana is a crime in Colorado - and it may be an easy way to establish negligence. Drugged driving is a crime because it is dangerous. When someone chooses to drive despite feeling the effects of cannabis, they are being careless with the safety of others. If you were hurt by a driver who may have been under the influence, you should get in contact with a personal injury lawyer who can set you on the path to recovering compensation.

How Cannabis and Alcohol Use Affect Accident Claims

Driving under the influence of cannabis is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol, and just as illegal. Colorado treats alcohol and cannabis DUIs in much the same way. If the driver who caused your accident was “high,” he could be subject to arrest on top of being liable to you in a lawsuit. Because driving while impaired - whether by alcohol, cannabis, or another substance - is illegal and highly dangerous, the presumption is that a drunk or drugged driver is liable.

Continue Reading ››

Proving Driver Fatigue After a Truck Accident

 Posted on November 10,2021 in Car Accident

CO truck accident lawyerDriver fatigue is one of the leading causes of crashes involving large trucks. Commercial truck drivers work long hours - sometimes longer than they are supposed to. A series of federal regulations govern how long a trucker can drive without stopping, and how long his breaks must be. When drivers ignore those regulations - sometimes with their company’s blessing - devastating crashes can result. The difficulty can be in proving that driver fatigue contributed to the crash. If you were hurt in a trucking accident, it would be wise to contact an attorney as soon as you can. Important evidence can be lost or destroyed very quickly after an accident, so you will want to have your own attorney start investigating right away.

How Can it be Proven that Driver Fatigue Caused the Accident?

A truck driver may be quite literally asleep at the wheel one moment and wide awake the next. In the aftermath of a crash, an adrenaline-fueled driver may not show any signs of drowsiness when the police come to take their report. Officers cannot use roadside drowsiness tests as they would use roadside sobriety tests for a drunk driver. Personal injury lawyers must instead rely on other means to prove that driver fatigue contributed to the accident.

Continue Reading ››

Could the "Rust" Victims Recover Damages in Colorado?

 Posted on November 04,2021 in Workplace Injury

CO injury lawyerOn October 21, tragedy struck the set of actor Alec Baldwin's movie “Rust” when a prop gun went off, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Negligence-based lawsuits are expected to be filed on behalf of the victims, and Santa Fe County Prosecutors are investigating to determine whether criminal charges should be filed. The incident took place in New Mexico, and so will any resulting lawsuit. This blog will consider how the lawsuit may play out if the incident had occurred in Colorado.

How Did the Shooting Happen and How Does Colorado Law Apply?

Facts and details about how a live round found its way into what was supposed to be a “cold” prop gun are still emerging. Clearly, a lot of important industry safety protocols were missed somewhere along the line. Ammunition is generally forbidden on movie sets for this exact reason. Attorneys for the film’s armorer have stated that she did not know where the bullet came from, however, veteran armorers have stated in multiple interviews since the tragic event that the ultimate responsibility for all firearms and ammunition on a film set lies with the armorer.

Continue Reading ››

Determining Liability After a Bicycle Accident in Colorado

 Posted on October 28,2021 in Car Accident

CO injury lawyerCommuting by bicycle is becoming more and more popular. People may opt to ride a bike to work or other locations because they want to increase their activity level, save on gas, or maintain an eco-friendly lifestyle. Few people rarely consider the risk that comes along with that type of transportation. Riding a bicycle on a busy road leaves cyclists exposed to large vehicles traveling at high speeds, some of which are driven by individuals who are not always as attentive as they should be.

When bicyclists are involved in an accident, they may have legal options available to pursue compensation in court. However, an injured bicyclist should take the time to consider what party is responsible for their injuries and the possible outcomes that may arise in a Colorado courtroom.

Motor Vehicle Driver Liability

All drivers using the road are obligated to uphold a basic duty of care to everyone using the roadways, including other drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. When this duty is breached, the driver may be found negligent in an injurious road accident. When an accident involves a bicyclist, negligence may arise in many forms including speeding, drifting into the bike lane, reckless driving, and running a stop sign. If the driver was already violating traffic laws at the time of the accident, such as speeding, the violation will likely be used as evidence for negligence in the accident.

Continue Reading ››

Common Causes of Truck Driver Fatigue

 Posted on October 21,2021 in Car Accident

CO injury lawyerTruck drivers face high standards for the number of miles they are expected to drive each day. With the desire to return home to their families as soon as possible, truck drivers often push themselves to drive for much longer and farther than they should. When truck drivers feel pressure to continue driving despite the immense fatigue they are experiencing, catastrophic truck accidents are more likely to occur.

When a driver’s mind and body are fatigued, they are more likely to fall asleep behind the wheel and cause an accident. But even in cases where the driver is able to stay awake, they will likely struggle to properly control the vehicle and maintain focus. Drowsiness can result in slower response time and failure to notice other vehicles in their blindspots.

Truck drivers are often under pressure to cover great distances in a short amount of time. However, that is not the only reason that a driver in this industry may suffer from fatigue while on the job.

Continue Reading ››

5 of the Most Common Back and Neck Injuries Seen in the Workplace

 Posted on October 15,2021 in Workplace Injury

CO injury lawyerWorkplace injuries can be sudden and catastrophic. In other cases, they can occur over a long period of time. Employees are subject to potentially serious damage to their bodies, specifically neck and back injuries. Employees should know what symptoms to look out for, and what professions are most susceptible to neck and back injuries.

The Most Common Types of Workplace Back and Neck Injuries

Work-related injuries can result in debilitating pain that makes completing regular actions an arduous task. Suffering a back or neck injury at work can lead to months spent rehabilitating and possibly even surgeries. These types of injuries are physically draining and can also have an impact on an individual emotionally and financially. Some of the most commonly seen back and neck injuries suffered on the job include:

  • Whiplash
  • Lumbar spine injuries
  • Herniated disc

Continue Reading ››

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Colorado?

 Posted on October 07,2021 in Wrongful Death

CO wrongful death lawyerLosing a loved one unexpectedly can be a devastating and confusing time in a person’s life. When a loved one loses their life in an accident, their family may face many unforeseen expenses and the loss of their loved one’s wages may severely affect their livelihood. If you are considering filing a wrongful death claim after the death of a loved one, you should understand the laws that must be followed in order to seek compensation effectively.

Defining Wrongful Death in Colorado

In the event that an individual loses their life to another party’s wrongful act or negligence, a wrongful death claim may be pursued by the appropriate parties. Wrongful death claims are applicable in situations where the victim would have been able to bring an injury claim against the at-fault party, had they survived the accident. Wrongful death may result from numerous types of accidents including car accidents, defective products, and medical malpractice.

Continue Reading ››

badge Elite Lawyer badge badge Colorado Bar Association American Association of Justice Colorado Trial Lawyers Association Larimer County Bar Association
Hoggatt Law Office, P.C.

970-225-2190 | 1-800-664-3151

123 North College Avenue, Suite 160,
Fort Collins, CO 80524

Greeley
3835 W. 10th Street, Unit 100
Greeley, Colorado 80634|
970-460-2220
Longmont
353 Main Street, Suite A
Longmont, Colorado 80501|
720-575-0509
Boulder
4450 Arapahoe Avenue, Suite 100
Boulder, Colorado 80303|
303-997-2018
Loveland
201 E. 4th Street, Unit 132
Loveland, Colorado 80537|
970-225-2190
Cheyenne
109 E. 17th St., Suite #6148
Cheyenne, WY 82001|
307-227-4051 (By Appointment Only)
Download Our App
Google Play
Back to Top