Posted on January 28,2020 in Personal Injury

We hear about motorcycle accidents all of the time, and unfortunately, newsworthy reports about them usually mean there was a fatality. Because motorcycles offer little external protection for cyclists, motorcycle riders are often the ones killed or seriously injured when they are involved in a collision. Despite the stereotype of motorcyclists being reckless and irresponsible, most are passionate about safety. There are many other things that can cause a motorcycle crash, and they are often not the fault of the motorcyclist. 

Reasons for Colorado Motorcycle Accidents

Helmets are not required by law for motorcycle riders 18 years and older, but they can often prevent significant brain trauma. However, even when motorcyclists take precautions such as wearing safety gear, it may not be enough to prevent a serious injury. The Colorado Department of Transportation reported a rise in motorcycle rider deaths in 2018. In fact, motorcycle rider deaths have increased overall 30 percent between 2012 and 2018. 

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 Posted on January 21,2020 in Personal Injury

Many motorists take extra caution when driving around trucks on our country’s highways. Colorado citizens and truck drivers alike can make mistakes while on the road that can cause an accident. Although they are not often a part of a physical aspect of a crash, truck driving companies may be responsible for collisions, too. Regardless of the cause of a truck accident, if a truck driver or a trucking company is found to be negligent, they should be held responsible for any damages and suffering inflicted on other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians. Below are some of the ways a trucking business may be held liable for personal injuries sustained in a truck collision. 

Liability for Truck Accidents

When a truck collides with other vehicles, the occupants of those vehicles are much more likely to be injured than the truck driver. In 2018, semi-truck accidents in the United States resulted in the deaths of 678 truck drivers or occupants, but they led to the deaths of 2,786 passenger vehicle occupants. Because of the size and height of truck cabins compared to other automobiles, a truck driver is less likely to suffer fatal injuries when involved in an accident with a passenger car. 

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 Posted on January 14,2020 in Car Accident

Although there is no single correct way to react to trauma, being prepared for a car accident can make a tough situation better. Even for safe drivers, it is a smart idea to learn how to respond if you are ever involved in a vehicle collision. Drivers can make their own decisions on the road, but unfortunately, they cannot control the driving habits of others. Knowing the proper steps to take after an auto accident can not only prevent further incidents but can benefit drivers and passengers if they decide to file a personal injury suit. In certain situations, the accident may have been caused by another motorist’s negligent actions. 

Steps to Take After a Crash

Preliminary results from the Colorado Department of Transportation show that fatal accidents have decreased between 2017 and 2019. This was after a steady climb in accidents starting in 2011, reaching a high of 600 fatal crashes in 2017, which was the highest since 2002. Luckily, not all car accidents are fatal, but people can still be seriously injured in car accidents that are caused by drinking and driving (DUI), distracted driving, and reckless driving. 

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 Posted on January 07,2020 in Workplace Injury

When a worker accepts a job, he or she should also understand any occupational hazards that come with that profession. For an office worker, that may mean carpal tunnel syndrome, but for a construction worker, the consequences can be more serious. Regardless of a person’s occupation, most employers in Colorado are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. This type of insurance prevents employers from being held liable in the instance of a workplace accident, but it also provides benefits to any injured employees. 

What Benefits Are Included With Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is a government program, and any eligible employee has the right to file for benefits. If a person is hurt and cannot return to work temporarily or permanently, he or she can file a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation will replace lost wages for the time an employee is away and cover the costs of medical care for work-related injury or illness. 

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 Posted on December 27,2019 in Personal Injury

After being involved in a traffic accident as a pedestrian or bicyclist, the physical repercussions can be life-altering. Due to pedestrians having less protection than a car or truck, they often see the worst injuries, and in some cases, those injuries can prove fatal. Getting hit by a car and suffering serious physical injuries is traumatic on its own, but an accident can also result in a great deal of mental anguish for a victim. After an accident with a motor vehicle, a pedestrian may need to make extra efforts in healing his or her mind and body. 

How Many Pedestrians Have Died?

Last year, 90 pedestrians were killed as the result of traffic accidents in Colorado. As of September 2019, 37 people were killed this year in pedestrian accidents. Everyone is a pedestrian at some point in their lives, and there are things pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers can do to contribute to everyone’s safety. Keeping people on foot safe can be as easy as following the law and traffic signs. Either party can contribute to an accident, and the party who was ultimately at fault may be held legally responsible for the other parties' injuries and damages.

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 Posted on December 18,2019 in Workplace Injury

Back pain is one of the most common injuries which a person can suffer. It is estimated that 80 percent of the population in the United States experiences back pain at least once in their lives. There are infinite ways to sustain a back or neck injury, such as falling on ice to getting hurt on the job. Minor pain is inconvenient, and may be caused by a strained muscle, but what happens when back or neck pain severely affects your quality of life? Thanks to workers’ compensation laws in Colorado, if work-related pain or an injury to the neck or back affects an employee's ability to continue working, they are protected financially. 

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

The Industrial Revolution led to a higher rate of employee injuries. The first no-fault workers’ compensation law was put in place in Colorado in 1915. Although laws change, the fundamentals of workers’ compensation remain the same today. If a person is injured because of work conditions or a work accident, he or she is entitled to benefits. This type of relief includes no-cost medical care and financial coverage for lost wages. How injured a person is, and whether or not he or she can return to the workforce, will determine the benefits given. Workers’ compensation protects employees' rights, but it also protects employers from lawsuits relating to an injured worker. 

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 Posted on December 11,2019 in Car Accident

Last year, an estimated 112.5 million Americans traveled during the December holiday season. No matter what holidays people celebrate, many take this time off work or school to travel to visit family or take a vacation. In many cases, these trips involve traveling via automobile, and due to the increased traffic on the roads, car accidents can become more likely during this time of year. Collisions may occur because of inclement weather, but distracted or impaired driving can also be a factor in accidents that result in serious injuries or fatalities.    

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 Posted on December 04,2019 in Personal Injury

We have all seen images of catastrophic truck accidents. Stories of truck collisions often make it to local news, especially if their aftermath resulted in serious injuries or fatalities. Many motorists become anxious when driving near trucks, and with good reason. The maximum gross weight of a truck can be 80,000 pounds, which by itself can cause damage even without negligent driving behavior. All drivers can take safety precautions like staying out of a truck’s blind spot, but it can be impossible to control the actions of other motorists on the road, including truckers. 

Factors That Can Increase the Likelihood of a Truck Crash

Like any auto accident, there are common reasons why truck accidents occur. Anyone can make a mistake while driving, but crashes caused by the negligence of truck drivers are often preventable. When drivers or trucking companies act negligently, they should be held accountable for injuries or wrongful deaths that occur as a result. Negligent truck drivers can pose a significant danger because of the mass and power of their vehicles. Trucks can also carry hazardous materials, so drivers need to pay close attention and follow the rules of the road while operating these massive vehicles. 

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 Posted on November 27,2019 in Personal Injury

People young and old enjoy motorcycles. These riders are passionate about their bikes and the culture surrounding them. As with driving a car, every motorcyclist is a beginner at one point. The more educated new motorcycle drivers are, the safer they are on the road. Motorcyclists are one of the most vulnerable drivers during an accident, so following safety measures and advice from the beginning is critical. However, sometimes the reckless actions of other drivers can cause a collision with injuries.    

Colorado Motorcycle License

To legally operate a motorcycle in Colorado, a person must have the proper license. A motorcycle endorsement is an addition to a standard driver’s license. This special license can be obtained by visiting the Department of Motor Vehicles. To get a motorcycle endorsement, a driver must pass a written exam, purchase a permit, pass a skills test, and pay for a new license with the updated status. Alternately, a person may take a Motorcycle Operator Safety Training course instead, and then purchase a new license that is updated for motorcycle operation. 

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 Posted on November 20,2019 in Personal Injury

It is no secret that pedestrian accidents often end tragically. Even at slow speeds, a pedestrian can be severely injured or killed after being hit by a car. Last year in Colorado, 90 pedestrians were killed in auto accidents, which was up 40 percent from three years prior in 2015. As of September, official records report 37 deaths so far this year. The final total for 2019 will include this number and likely other pedestrian deaths. Therefore, it is important to be aware of crosswalks and the role they play in pedestrian safety. 

Crosswalk Safety

Last month, a pedestrian died after getting hit by a car at night in Fort Collins. The victim, a 23-year-old man from the area, was hit by a minivan. Although the crash is still under investigation, it is noted that a crosswalk was not being utilized by the pedestrian at the time of the accident. Alcohol and reckless driving were not thought to be contributing factors.

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