Posted on February 12,2021 in Car Accident

For some car accident victims, physical injuries and their effects are just the beginning of the many challenges they will face in the weeks and months following the incident. Mental health struggles are another common outcome of a car crash, and they can be just as costly as physical injuries from a financial standpoint and when it comes to their overall impact on the victim’s life. Fortunately, it is possible to pursue compensation for damages related to mental health as part of a personal injury claim.

Mental Health and Car Crashes

A car accident can impact a person’s mental health in a variety of ways. Some of the most common include:

• Posttraumatic stress - Being in a serious car accident can be an incredibly distressing experience, and after the crash, a person may find themself struggling with recurring nightmares, panic attacks, or a fear of driving or even traveling in a motor vehicle. Some studies have found that as many as 40 percent of car crash victims exhibit signs of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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 Posted on February 05,2021 in Workplace Injury

When you think of a work-related injury, the situations that first come to mind are likely immediate injuries resulting from a one-time accident such as a fall, a fire, or an incident involving machinery or equipment. Certainly, these types of injuries are covered under Colorado workers’ compensation law, but they are not the only injuries for which an employee may be granted benefits. Colorado workers can also file a claim if they have developed a repetitive stress injury through the course of their work.

What Is a Repetitive Stress Injury?

Commonly abbreviated as RSI, repetitive stress or repetitive strain injury is one that accumulates over an extended period of time due to the repetition of similar physical movements. RSIs are common in occupations that involve physical exertion, such as in the construction and manufacturing industries, as well as occupations that require the employee to maintain a posture for a long period of time, such as a truck driver or even an office worker. Examples of repetitive stress injuries include:

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 Posted on January 28,2021 in Car Accident

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), more than 25 percent of all car accidents in the state over the past 15 years have occurred during dawn, dusk, or the dark hours of the night. Nighttime driving comes with a variety of additional hazards when compared to driving during the day, and many of these are related to the negligent or reckless actions of drivers that threaten the safety of others on the road. If you have been injured in a nighttime vehicle crash, look for evidence of negligence that can justify your case for compensation.

What Causes Car Crashes at Night?

Some contributing factors in nighttime accidents are related to the environment, while others are related to driver behaviors that tend to be more common in the late-night hours. Examples include:

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 Posted on January 21,2021 in Workplace Injury

Work-related injuries often have long-term effects that go far beyond the initial costs of medical treatment, and in many cases, employees are left with permanent disabilities that limit their income and earning capacity. Colorado workers’ compensation includes permanent disability benefits in these cases, with the amount determined based on your previous income and an impairment rating assigned by your treating doctor. Because this impairment rating is so important for determining permanent disability benefits, it is crucial to ensure that your doctor’s assessment is accurate. If you disagree with the doctor’s recommended rating, you have the option to dispute it, and an attorney can help you do so.

How Are Impairment Ratings Assigned in Colorado?

When you are injured at work in Colorado, you will usually have to choose a doctor from a list provided by your employer. This doctor is responsible for assessing your condition and recommending and providing treatment, and as time passes, your doctor will also assess the progress of your recovery. When you reach a point at which your doctor no longer expects your condition to improve, he or she will report that you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and give you an impairment rating based on any remaining physical and mental limitations.

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 Posted on January 15,2021 in Car Accident

Rear-end collisions happen all of the time in Colorado and throughout the United States with varying degrees of severity, but they have the potential to be just as dangerous as any other type of car accident. A rear-end crash can result in a wide variety of injuries that require medical attention and may have long-lasting effects. Fortunately, it is often possible to pursue compensation for your damages and expenses through a personal injury claim.

Types of Rear-End Crash Injuries

If you have been struck from behind by another driver, you may be suffering from any of the following injuries:

• Whiplash - Soft tissue injuries to the muscles and tendons in the neck are a frequent occurrence in rear-end accidents due to the sudden movement after impact. Whiplash can be hard to detect, and research suggests that some of its effects, including headaches, back pain, and sleep disturbances, may not become fully clear until well after the accident.

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 Posted on January 07,2021 in Workplace Injury

If you have suffered a work-related injury while working for an employer in Colorado, filing a workers’ compensation claim can help you obtain financial relief through your employer to cover your medical expenses and lost wages. In some cases, your claim may be approved without issue. However, if you encounter any disputes with your employer or their insurer throughout the process—for example, if your claim is denied or you disagree with your impairment rating—you may be able to resolve it by requesting a hearing.

The Workers’ Comp Hearing Process in Colorado

If you would like for a judge to resolve your dispute, your first step is to submit an Application for Hearing to the Colorado Office of Administrative Courts (OAC), in which you will need to identify and describe the issues that you would like the hearing to address. The OAC will schedule and notify you of the date and time of your hearing so that you can begin preparing. It is a good idea to work with a qualified attorney as you prepare for your hearing, as we can help you collect evidence and identify witnesses who can testify in support of your position. We will use this evidence and testimony to help you build a comprehensive case to present at the hearing.

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 Posted on December 31,2020 in Car Accident

If you have been injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to pursue compensation for your medical bills, property damage, and other economic and non-economic damages through a personal injury claim. However, in order for your claim to succeed, you will need strong evidence to both to establish the at-fault party’s negligence and to support the amount of compensation you are pursuing. In Colorado, civil trial juries are instructed to decide for the plaintiff based on a preponderance of the evidence, meaning that if your case goes to trial, you will need to show that it is more likely than not that the defendant’s negligent behavior was the cause of your injuries. Even if your case does not go to trial, evidence can provide the leverage you need to reach a fair settlement.

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 Posted on December 28,2020 in Car Accident

In Colorado, I-70 and other major roads that traverse the Rocky Mountains present significant challenges for semi-truck drivers. Steep inclines and winding curves can make it easier to lose control of such large vehicles, and the winter months bring snow, ice, and hail that make driving conditions even more difficult. If you are sharing the road with truck drivers, you should be aware of the accident risk and know how to react if you are injured.

Colorado Roads Require Safety Precautions for Truck Drivers

Even with these challenges, truck drivers still have a responsibility to operate their vehicles in a way that protects the safety of others on the road. In order to safely navigate I-70 and other Colorado mountain highways, truck drivers should take extra care to maintain a safe speed and shift to a lower gear on steep downgrades. They should also be sure that their vehicles have fully functioning brakes, and that they know how to use them safely to prevent them from overheating and failing. Colorado has installed runaway truck ramps for drivers who do lose control of their vehicles, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has recently partnered with other state organizations to better educate, prepare, and alert truck drivers of hazards and how to respond to them.

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 Posted on December 18,2020 in Personal Injury

Drivers and vehicle occupants are not the only people susceptible to car accident injuries. Pedestrians are also often at risk, especially in urban areas, and when they are struck by a car, the injuries can be severe. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported nearly 6,000 pedestrian fatalities in 2017, with 92 of them in Colorado, and numbers have been similar in more recent years. If you or a family member has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you have options for pursuing compensation from the at-fault driver.

What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?

Accidents between vehicles and pedestrians are often caused by many of the same negligent behaviors that contribute to other car accidents. These actions may include but are not limited to:

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 Posted on December 10,2020 in Workplace Injury

In most cases, employees who are injured at work in Colorado are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits through their employer. This applies regardless of the severity of the injury, as long as it requires medical care, but it can be especially important for employees who suffer catastrophic injuries that permanently impact their lives. If you are severely injured at work, an attorney can help to ensure that you receive all available benefits.

Common Catastrophic Workplace Injuries

Colorado workers can be seriously injured in a number of ways, especially when their occupations put them in close contact with environmental risks and hazards. Some of the most common catastrophic injuries that occur in the workplace include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including concussions and other injuries resulting from blunt force impacts to the head. These commonly occur due to falls, vehicle accidents, and accidents involving falling objects or heavy equipment.

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