Side Impact Collision

A side impact collision in Colorado can occur when one driver hits another driver in the side of their vehicle. Also known as a t-bone accident, these types of collision most often happen when one driver runs through a four-way intersection on a yellow or red light.  If you have been injured a side impact collision, it is very important to immediately contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who will make every effort to help you receive full and fair compensation for your injuries.

Under section 13-80-101 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, an injured party may be prohibited from filing a lawsuit for injuries and losses sustained from a side impact car accident after a certain period of time has passed. Also known as a statute of limitations (SOL), this time period prevents the injured party from filing a lawsuit for any damages after three years, which is the SOL for most car accident injuries in Colorado. Since this is a very short period of time, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after you have been injured in a side impact collision crash to ensure your claim is not barred.

Denver Side Impact Collision Lawyer

Contact the Law Office of Jennifer L. Donaldson today at (303) 458-5000 for a consultation about your side impact collision throughout Denver and the surrounding areas of Boulder, Longmont, Lakewood, Arvada, Aurora, Thornton, Westminster, Centennial and Littleton. Attorney Jennifer L. Donaldson is knowledgeable in all areas of Colorado's car accident laws and will make every effort to help you achieve full and fair compensation for the losses you sustained in a side impact collision accident. Call the Law Office of Jennifer L. Donaldson for a consultation today about your side impact collision.

Steps to Follow After a Side Impact Collision in Denver

If you have been injured in a side impact collision in Denver, it is important to take the following steps to protect your rights, ensure your safety and allow you to begin recovering from your injuries:

• It is important to be safe and not get out of your car unless you are in a secure location. Also, do not move your car unless you are physically capable of doing so, and it is necessary to protect your safety and the safety of others.

• Immediately check to see if anyone was injured, then call 911 or the police. When the police arrive, assist the officers in their investigation if at all possible. Additionally, exchange contact information with other drivers and witnesses.

• If you are injured, it is likely an ambulance will be called to transport you to the emergency room or hospital. However, if an ambulance has not been called, you should promptly seek medical attention. Also, if you did not go to the hospital and you continue to experience pain or develop new or worsening symptoms, you should immediately seek medical attention. Accurate diagnosis and treatment of your injuries caused by the accident is essential to your physical recovery, in addition to your ability to obtain full compensation from the negligent party.

• The negligent driver likely has an insurance company that is protecting his or her interests. It is important for you to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible after the crash to ensure your rights are also protected. Additionally, do not give a statement to the insurance company, sign any documents or accept a settlement offer until you have retained a knowledgeable personal injury attorney.

Denver Lawsuits for Side Impact Crashes

If the negligent driver refuses to pay for your medical bills or any of your other expenses related to your accident, or their insurance company denies your claim, your personal injury lawyer will likely file a lawsuit for damages on your behalf. In addition to making a demand for payment for the actual injuries you sustained, your lawyer will seek compensation from the negligent party for your medical bill, non-economic damages, and damages for physical impairment.

Your attorney must prove in your negligence lawsuit the at-fault driver was negligent by a preponderance of the evidence in causing your injuries. A “preponderance of the evidence” is a burden of proof at trial that your lawyer must establish in order for you to receive compensation from the negligent party. In order to satisfy this burden of proof, the evidence must weigh slightly more in your favor than it does not.

Denver Side Impact Collision Damages

You are legally entitled to seek reimbursement for expenses and injuries you sustained as a result of a side impact collision in Colorado. The negligent party is financially responsible for all of your accident-related injuries, damages and losses.

After your car accident, you will likely be required to pay for your medical treatment up front, but will be reimbursed for this element of damages in your settlement. Your car insurance may have coverage for medical payments, which will cover medical treatment, including the costs of the ambulance and emergency room visit. Once your medical payments limits are exhausted, you should submit your medical bills to your health insurer. You health insurance provider may or may not be permitted to seek reimbursement for any payments it made once you settle your claim. Additionally, if you do not have health insurance, the Law Office of Jennifer L. Donaldson is experienced in contacting physicians who may be able to provide care on a lien basis. This means the medical bills will be held by the physician and then paid out of the settlement proceeds you receive.

Colorado law provides for various types of damages an injured party may be able to receive after their side impact car collision, which are as follows:

• Economic Damages – These damages compensate the injured party for all financial losses they have sustained or will sustain in the future as a result of a side impact car crash, which can include:
• Medical and rehabilitation expenses,
• Lost income,
• Diminished earning capacity, and
• Any other out-of-pocket expenses.

• Non-economic Damages – These damages compensate the injured party for damages and losses they have incurred as a result of the side impact car accident, including:
• Physical pain and suffering,
• Loss of enjoyment of life,
• Mental anguish and emotional stress,
• Inconvenience, and/or
• Impairment of normal lifestyle.

Colorado limits the amount of non-economic damages allowed to a maximum of $500,000.

• Physical Impairment and Disfigurement – These damages compensate the injured party for permanent physical injuries, disfigurement or scars they may have suffered as a result of the side impact car collision. This element of damages is not limited by the caps on non-economic damages.

Law Office of Jennifer L. Donaldson | Side Impact Crash Attorney in Denver

Contact the Law Office of Jennifer L. Donaldson today for a consultation about your side impact collision claim in Denver County and the surrounding areas of Boulder County, Jefferson County, Adams County and Arapahoe County. Jennifer Donaldson is a knowledgeable car crash lawyer in Denver who will make every effort to help you obtain just compensation for the injuries you suffered as a result of a side impact car collision. Contact the Law Office of Jennifer L. Donaldson at (303) 458-5000 for a consultation about your side impact crash in Denver today.