Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Colorado

The laws in Colorado are intended to protect pedestrians from devastating accidents with motor vehicles.
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    pedestrian accident attorneysUnfortunately, negligent and reckless drivers still get into accidents with unsuspecting and vulnerable pedestrians.

    Even a low-speed impact has the potential to inflict severe and life-altering injuries on a pedestrian. If you have been in a pedestrian accident, you deserve to seek just compensation from the driver or other party liable for your injuries and losses.

    At Earl & Earl, PLLC, our pedestrian accident lawyers in Colorado want to help you get your life back on track after you have suffered catastrophic injuries. We understand the stress of undergoing medical treatment, missing time from work, and dealing with unexpected expenses. That’s why our attorneys take the time to ensure you know your rights and options and know what to expect throughout the process. Let us handle all the details so you can keep your focus and energy on recovering from your injuries.

    Contact Earl & Earl, PLLC today for a free case evaluation with an experienced Colorado pedestrian accident lawyer. We will discuss how our pedestrian accident attorneys can help you pursue maximum financial recovery for the injuries you have suffered due to another driver’s negligence or recklessness.

    How Our Colorado Springs Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Can Help

    Following a pedestrian accident, let the lawyers of Earl & Earl, PLLC help you to seek a financial recovery and justice for your injuries by:

    • Preparing an individualized legal strategy for your case based on your stated needs and goals
    • Conducting a thorough investigation of the accident to recover all available evidence
    • Consulting with accident reconstruction experts to help us build a persuasive case to show how the accident occurred and identify those parties at fault
    • Bringing in medical, vocational, and financial experts to determine the extent of your ongoing and future expenses and losses
    • Filing claims with the insurance company on your behalf, negotiating for a fair and full settlement of your claim
    • Taking your case to court or trial if necessary

    With Earl & Earl, PLLC, there’s no risk to you in seeking compensation for your injuries. You will never owe us any upfront costs, and we will get paid only if our pedestrian accident attorneys secure a financial recovery for you.

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    What Should You Do If You’ve Been Hit by a Car?

    If you have been hit by a car or other motor vehicle, you can act right away to protect your legal rights and interests. Then you will be prepared to pursue compensation for the injuries and losses that you have suffered. The basic steps include:
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    Gather information at the scene.

    Make sure to get the name, contact information, vehicle information, and insurance information of the driver that hit you.

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    Take photos.

    If possible, try to take photographs of traffic controls and crosswalks, any skid marks on the road, your injuries, and any damage to the vehicle that hit you.

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    Get a copy of the accident report.

    You can request a copy of the accident report from the police department that responded to your pedestrian accident. If the Colorado State Patrol investigated the accident, you can submit a records request to that agency.

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    Get medical attention.

    Follow up with your primary care physician or another doctor to get checked out for all the injuries you suffered in the crash. Remember to follow all treatment recommendations and instructions, and don’t defer medical procedures that your doctor says are necessary for your recovery.

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    Keep everything.

    Hold on to copies of all receipts, bills, and invoices for expenses you incur during your recovery and obtain a copy of your paystub or income statement.

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    Keep a diary or journal.

    You should document how your injuries and treatments impact your daily life.

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    Stay away from social media.

    Avoid discussing your accident on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media or posting photos or videos of yourself while still undergoing treatment for your injuries.

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    Recovering Compensation in Your Pedestrian Accident Case

    If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in Colorado, you may be entitled to seek financial compensation from the negligent driver or another at-fault party responsible for the accident and your injuries.

    Compensation that may be available in a pedestrian accident claim can include:

    • pedestrian accident children in crosswalkCosts of medical treatment and rehabilitation, including emergency room visits, doctor’s appointments, surgeries and other medical procedures, prescription medication, mobility or other medical equipment, and physical therapy
    • Lost wages or income from missed work while you recover from your injuries
    • Lost earning capacity if permanent disabilities from your injuries affect your ability to return to work
    • Physical pain and emotional distress
    • Lost enjoyment of life

    Understanding Your Own Insurance Coverage

    Pedestrian accidents often result in injured victims incurring significant expenses and losses. These costs usually exceed an at-fault driver’s insurance coverage, particularly if the driver carries only the minimum coverage limits.

    However, if you have an auto insurance policy, you may be entitled to turn to your own coverage for compensation for your injuries and losses if your policy includes uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This type of coverage comes into effect if you are injured in a motor vehicle-related accident where the at-fault driver:

    • Does not have an insurance policy
    • Flees the scene of the accident
    • Has insurance coverage limits that cannot pay for all your expenses and losses from the accident

    To be entitled to file a UM/UIM claim, you must give your insurance company notice of your accident within the time required by your policy – typically within 30 days of the accident. If you claim UIM coverage, you can receive benefits only if your UIM coverage limits exceed those of the at-fault motorist’s liability insurance coverage. Usually, you must receive the full extent of insurance coverage available to the at-fault driver before your UIM benefits kick in.

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage acts as a replacement for the at-fault driver’s insurance, either providing you with compensation for your injuries and losses or filling in the gap between the recovery you obtain from the liable driver and the total expenses and losses you have sustained.

    Time Limits for Filing a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Colorado

    In most cases in Colorado, the statute of limitations gives you only three years from the date of a pedestrian accident to file a lawsuit against the negligent driver. If you don’t file your suit before the limitations period on your claim expires, the at-fault party can move to permanently dismiss your lawsuit from court.

    If you were involved in a pedestrian accident caused by a government vehicle, Colorado law also requires you to give the relevant agency notice of your pedestrian accident claim before you can pursue your case in court. You must file notice of your claim with the government within 182 days of the accident, or you may lose your claim altogether.

    Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents

    The force of an impact with a motor vehicle tends to inflict serious injuries on a pedestrian accident victim. Injuries that pedestrians commonly suffer in crashes include:

    • Severe lacerations and bleeding
    • Broken bones
    • Dislocated joints
    • Torn ligaments, tendons, and muscles
    • Crush injuries
    • Whiplash injuries
    • Herniated or ruptured spinal discs
    • Spinal cord injuries or other nerve damage
    • Head trauma
    • Traumatic brain injury
    • Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding
    • Road rash
    • Amputations

    Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

    Unfortunately, many Colorado pedestrian accidents are caused by motorists’ negligent and reckless behavior, especially when they fail to take care in areas heavily trafficked by pedestrians, such as intersections, parking lots and garages, and driveways on public sidewalks. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Colorado include:

    • Speeding
    • Running red lights, stop signs, and yield signs
    • Distracted driving, including texting-while-driving
    • Drowsy or fatigued driving
    • Driving under the influence
    • Unsafe turning, including failing to signal or failing to yield to pedestrians in the intersection or crosswalk
    • Failing to look when backing up

    Other factors that can cause or contribute to pedestrian accidents include nighttime or low lighting, adverse weather such as heavy rain, snow, or fog, or unsafe intersection or crosswalk designs.

    Talk to a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Colorado Now

    If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, don’t wait another day to start the process of holding the negligent motorist who hurt you accountable. Contact Earl & Earl, PLLC today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Colorado pedestrian accident attorney.

    We serve clients throughout Colorado from our offices in Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, Grand Junction, Denver, and Pueblo. We will go over your legal rights and options for seeking compensation for your injuries and losses.

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