Car Accident Lawyers in Aurora CO

What To Do After a Car Crash in Aurora

Here’s a detailed guide on what to do if you find yourself in a traffic collision in Aurora, Colorado:

1. Ensure safety. If anyone is seriously hurt, call 911 right away for medical help. If possible and safe, move your vehicle out of active traffic lanes to avoid further collisions, especially on high-traffic roads such as Colfax Avenue or the intersections at Iliff Avenue and Peoria Street.
2. Notify law enforcement. Even if the accident seems minor, call the Aurora Police Department to report the incident. Having an official police report is essential for insurance claims and any legal action. Officers are trained to document the scene accurately, noting traffic violations, damage, and statements from involved parties.
3. Document the accident scene. Gather as much information as you can at the scene, if you can. This includes exchanging names, phone numbers, insurance details, and driver’s license numbers with the other drivers involved. Take clear photos of all vehicles, damage, license plates, street signs, traffic signals, skid marks, and any visible injuries. If there are witnesses nearby, politely ask for their contact information.
4. Be careful with what you say. Do not admit fault, apologize, or speculate on what happened. Statements made immediately after a crash can be used against you later, even if you believe you are being honest. Simply provide facts when speaking to law enforcement or others. Avoid posting online or on social media, too.
5. Seek medical care promptly. Even if you feel okay, some injuries may not show symptoms immediately. A medical examination soon after the crash helps document any injuries and is important evidence if you pursue a personal injury claim.
6. Report the accident to your insurance company. Contact your insurer as soon as possible, but avoid giving recorded statements or agreeing to any settlement offers before consulting with an attorney.
7. Consult an Aurora car accident lawyer. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights, gather evidence, deal with insurance companies, and negotiate a fair settlement.

Don’t hesitate to reach out for the support you need. At Flaxman Law Group, we are always here for you if you have been injured in a car accident, so don’t hesitate to call us at 970-999-0530 to schedule your free consultation.

Understanding Colorado’s Auto Accident Laws

Colorado follows a comparative fault system in car accident cases. This means that if you were partially at fault for the accident—say, 20%—your compensation will be reduced by that percentage. For example, if your total damages amount to $100,000, you would receive $80,000 if found 20% responsible. This system encourages means that building a strong case to minimize your share of fault is crucial. Car accident lawyers in Aurora, CO know how to investigate your crash to make sure that you are not assigned more fault than is fair.

Colorado requires all drivers to carry minimum auto insurance, including:

• Liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage to others.
• Personal injury protection (PIP) for medical expenses regardless of fault.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to protect you if the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance.

In addition to insurance rules, Colorado has a number of state laws about safety on the road. These include laws about seatbelt use, drinking and driving, and more. If a driver violates one of these laws and causes your accident, they may be charged criminally. Regardless of whether they face charges and regardless of the outcome of any criminal case, you may have a civil claim that allows you to seek compensation for your losses, including lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, and medical bills.

Who is Liable for Your Car Accident Injuries?

In Colorado, the responsible party is generally the driver whose negligence caused the crash. However, liability can extend beyond a single driver depending on the circumstances. Here are common parties who may be liable for your injuries:

• Other drivers. The most straightforward cases involve another driver who was speeding, distracted, impaired, or disobeyed traffic laws. Proving their negligence involves gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and expert reconstruction.
• Other road users. In Aurora, drivers share the streets with bicyclists, motorcyclists, light trucks, and other road users. These individuals can be held liable if their negligence caused an accident.
• Multiple drivers. Sometimes, more than one driver contributes to the accident. Colorado’s comparative fault law means liability can be split among parties based on their degree of fault.
• Government entities. If hazardous road conditions caused or contributed to your crash—like poorly maintained streets, unclear signage, or malfunctioning traffic signals—you may have a claim against local or state government agencies responsible for road upkeep. Aurora’s growing infrastructure means new construction zones and road repairs sometimes lead to dangerous conditions.
• Other companies. In the case of a commercial truck accident, there may be multiple companies involved, including the carrier, the logistics company, the owner of the truck, the company responsible for loading the truck, the owner of the cargo, and more. Any of these companies can be held liable if their negligence led to the accident.
• Vehicle manufacturers. If a mechanical failure or defective part caused the crash, the vehicle manufacturer or parts supplier could be liable. This can be possible if your accident was caused by faulty brakes, airbags that didn’t deploy, or tire blowouts.
• Employers. If the at-fault driver was working at the time of the crash, your claim may extend to their employer under the legal doctrine of vicarious liability. If you were driving at the time of the accident, you may be covered by workers’ compensation. In some cases, you may have a third-party claim as well, which is why it is important to consult with car accident lawyers in Aurora, CO, to make sure you have a clear picture of your rights and options.

Understanding who is liable requires thorough investigation, because in many cases all the factors that led to a crash are not apparent. At Flaxman Law Group, we leave no stone unturned. Our team has insider experience from working on both sides of insurance claims and knows how to identify all responsible parties. We also work with a network of investigators, engineers, expert witnesses, accident reconstruction experts, and other professionals who can offer insight and uncover the true causes of a collision. This comprehensive approach ensures you pursue every available avenue for compensation.

In many cases, there are multiple reasons for an accident, and our team works diligently to uncover them and to find all liable parties, to ensure you have the strongest option for compensation.

Damages You May be Entitled to After an Accident

Accidents often bring not only physical pain but also emotional and financial burdens that extend far beyond the crash itself. Here are the main categories of damages you might pursue with the help of experienced car accident lawyers in Aurora, CO:

• Medical expenses. This includes the costs of emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor appointments, physical therapy, medication, and any future medical care related to your injuries. Accurate documentation of these expenses is essential for a fair settlement, especially since unexpected medical bills for spinal cord injuries, head trauma, and other serious injuries remain one of the leading causes of personal bankruptcy in this country.
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity. If your injuries force you to miss work, you are entitled to compensation for lost income. Additionally, if your injuries impact your ability to earn at the same level in the future, you may recover damages for lost earning capacity.
• Property damage. Damages to your vehicle and any other personal property affected in the crash can be included in a claim. This often involves repair or replacement costs and, in some cases, reimbursement for transportation expenses such as rental cars.
• Pain and suffering. Beyond tangible expenses, Colorado law recognizes compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and its aftermath. Quantifying this damage requires working with car accident lawyers in Aurora, CO who understand what your long-term costs are likely to be.
• Emotional and psychological impact. Trauma from a serious accident can lead to anxiety, depression, or PTSD. These less visible effects are increasingly recognized as valid components of damages, especially when supported by medical professionals. Securing compensation for trauma can help you pay for the mental health treatment you may need.
• Loss of consortium or companionship. If your injuries affect your relationships with family members, your spouse or close relatives may claim damages for loss of companionship or support.
• Losses related to a fatality. If you lose a family member in a car accident in Aurora, you can file a wrongful death claim, which lets you seek compensation for some of the losses already listed, as well as funeral costs and other losses.
• Other special damages. Certain cases may warrant compensation for additional expenses such as home modifications, childcare costs, or transportation for medical appointments.
• Punitive damages. In extreme cases, where an at-fault party’s actions were especially egregious, courts may also award punitive damages, which are meant to deter similar actions in the future.

Given Aurora’s busy corridors like Interstate 225 and Colfax Avenue, accidents can vary widely in severity and impact. That’s why having an attorney who understands how to value all aspects of your claim is critical. We focus on the full picture, including the ongoing effects the accident may have on your life.