If you live in Colorado, you need to know the basic personal injury laws and your rights in different circumstances. Compared to other states, the number of car accidents in Colorado is considerably lower, but such crashes, collisions, and accidents are reported every now and then. Following an accident (we hope not!)a, you must pull over, call for medical help, and inform a law enforcement agency. Also, in your own interest, think of consulting a Colorado car accident lawyer at the earliest. In this post, we are sharing some of the basic aspects of car accident laws in the state.
Reporting an accident
According to Colorado Revised Statutes section 42-4-1606, involved drivers in an accident must report the same, if there were injuries, death, or property damage involved. Don’t let the other driver talk you out of that. Inform the police, ensure that everyone injured has help and medical attention, and leave only when you are allowed.
The statute of limitations
Like other states, Colorado also has a statute of limitations, which allows a deadline of three years to file personal injury lawsuits after an incident. The same window is available for those who want to file lawsuits in a car accident case. If the accident involved death, the family of the deceased can file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years. For wrongful death lawsuits, the count starts from the date of death, while for general personal injury lawsuits, the clock starts ticking from the date of accident.
Understanding modified comparative negligence
Colorado follows the “modified comparative negligence” rule. If a person was injured (or has suffered property damage) in an accident, but also has part fault, they can still file for compensation in Colorado. In such cases, the modified comparative negligence rule come into play. The eventual settlement awarded to a person will reduce by the percentage of their share of fault. In case the overall share of fault of a party is more than 50%, they cannot recover anything at all.
Call an accident lawyer
Like any other normal human being, you may feel completely overwhelmed after an unfortunate crash. Don’t wait for long before hiring an accident lawyer. A skilled personal injury attorney can guide you on car accident laws, your options in such circumstances, and your rights. On your behalf, the accident lawyer will deal with the insurance company and manage everything else, so that you can rest and recover.
