Mintz Law Firm
Lakewood Car Accident Lawyer at Mintz Law Firm
Car accidents can be terrifying and life-changing in many ways. Figuring out the next steps to take after being involved in one might seem confusing, especially if you have been injured. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, there were 96,425 traffic crashes in Colorado in 2025, resulting in 683 fatalities and 34,990 injuries. For those among us affected by the negligent behavior of another driver, the harm from a car accident can go far beyond damage to your vehicle. Your health, both physical and financial, may be greatly impacted. When this happens, you need a Lakewood car accident lawyer you can count to advocate for your interests and provide you with sound legal guidance on how to best proceed.
It’s so important to have a trusted attorney on your side as you navigate what happens after a car accident. Mintz Law Firm, proudly serving the people of metro Denver and Lakewood, Colorado, is composed of attorneys who care deeply about car accident victims and will fight to earn them the compensation they deserve. With over 35 years of combined background handling Colorado personal injury claims, our team brings the resources and dedication your case requires.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Lakewood
Car accidents happen every day and are caused by many factors, from inclement weather to speed. Careless driving is just one part of the equation. Sometimes, car accidents happen because of poor road infrastructure or an animal that darted out into the road. Knowing some of the more common causes of car accidents can underscore the need for a Lakewood car accident lawyer.
Car Accidents Caused by Alcohol or Drugs
Alcohol-related accidents account for a large proportion of roadway deaths, car accidents, and injuries. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows one alcohol-impaired-driving fatality occurs roughly every 39 minutes in the United States.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, you must find an aggressive legal advocate fast.
Car Accidents Caused by Speed and Negligence
Distracted or aggressive drivers, speeders, and reckless drivers contribute greatly to Lakewood, Metro Denver, and Colorado car accidents. Speeding is a factor in roughly one in four traffic fatalities nationwide each year.
The truth is that when negligent or distracted drivers injure our neighbors, we take it personally. We ensure that those responsible for causing an accident, and any subsequent injuries, are held accountable for their actions. Car accident lawyers play a crucial role in handling cases caused by speed and negligence, helping victims recover damages and navigate the claims process.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Lakewood, CO
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Lakewood, CO, taking the right steps immediately afterward is crucial to protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation for your damages. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do after a car accident:
- Move to a Safe Location: If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location, away from traffic, to prevent further accidents or injuries.
- Call the Police: Report the accident to the police, even if it’s minor. Lakewood Police handle most local crashes, while accidents on I-70 fall under Colorado State Patrol jurisdiction. This creates a record of the accident and provides valuable evidence for your insurance claim.
- Exchange Information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the other parties involved in the accident.
- Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, including damage to vehicles and any visible injuries. This documentation can be crucial for your car accident claim.
- Seek Medical Attention: If you’re injured, seek medical attention immediately. Even if you don’t think you’re injured, it’s essential to get checked out by a medical professional, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
- Contact Your Insurance Company: Notify your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. Provide them with the necessary details but avoid admitting fault.
- Consult with a Car Accident Lawyer: Consider consulting with a car accident lawyer to ensure you receive fair compensation for your damages. A knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate the complexities of your car accident case and deal with the insurance company.
Common Car Accident Injuries in Lakewood
Car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor to severe. Some common car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash: A neck injury caused by the sudden jerking of the head, often resulting in pain and stiffness.
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries caused by a blow to the head can lead to headaches, dizziness, and long-term cognitive issues.
- Broken Bones: Fractures or broken bones can occur due to the impact of the accident, requiring medical treatment and sometimes surgery.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments, such as sprains and strains, which can cause significant pain and limit mobility.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord can result in paralysis or other serious complications, potentially leading to long-term disability.
- Emotional Trauma: Car accidents can also cause emotional trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which may require psychological treatment.
The potential severity of these injuries underscores the importance of seeking medical attention and consulting with a car accident lawyer to ensure you receive the compensation you need for your recovery.
Why Hire a Lakewood Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been in a car accident, you need the help of a Lakewood car accident lawyer who understands the nuances of Colorado personal injury law. Personal injury attorneys play a crucial role in ensuring that accident victims receive the compensation they deserve. We’ve been proud to call Lakewood home for nearly 40 years. Many of our attorneys live, work, and thrive right in this area. That means when car accidents affect our neighbors, they affect us, too. Our commitment to the community goes beyond our work in accident cases. We’re members of parent-teacher organizations, support local businesses, and call our beautiful community home.
Motor vehicle accidents can be complex, involving various legal implications and the need to navigate the statute of limitations for filing lawsuits. Working with a knowledgeable attorney is essential in guiding victims through these complexities and protecting their rights.
So when you need a car accident attorney that will treat you like a person and not a number, the lawyers at Mintz Law Firm are the legal team on which you can rely. We have years of background aggressively pursuing compensation for injuries sustained in car accidents and helping our clients take on insurance companies that try every sneaky avenue to get out of paying claims. Whether your case involves a truck collision, motorcycle accident, pedestrian incident, or rideshare crash, we have the background to handle it.
How Is Fault Determined in a Colorado Car Accident?
In Colorado, determining fault in a car accident involves a thorough investigation and consideration of various factors. Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can recover damages only if you are found less than 50% at fault. Your final award is reduced by your percentage of fault. The police report is often the starting point, but it’s not always the final word. Here’s how fault is typically determined:
- Police Report: The police report will provide an initial assessment of fault based on the officers’ observations and statements from those involved.
- Witness Statements: Statements from witnesses can provide valuable evidence to support or dispute fault, offering an unbiased perspective on the events leading up to the accident.
- Physical Evidence: Physical evidence, such as skid marks, vehicle damage, and debris, can help reconstruct the accident and determine how it occurred.
- Accident Reconstruction: Analysis from accident reconstruction specialists can provide additional evidence to support or dispute fault, offering a detailed analysis of the accident dynamics.
If you’re involved in a car accident in Colorado, it’s essential to consult with a car accident lawyer to ensure you receive fair compensation for your damages. A knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate the complex process of determining fault and advocate to secure the compensation you deserve.
Compensation Available in a Lakewood Car Accident Claim
The lawyers at Mintz Law Firm will work with car accident victims to get them the compensation they deserve after a car accident. Legal support is crucial in ensuring victims receive fair compensation. Damages from a claim can include the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional suffering
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Vehicle replacement
- Loss of wages and loss of future earnings
- Lifestyle changes
Knowing the steps involved in a car accident injury claim is essential. Consulting a car accident lawyer before communicating with insurance companies can significantly influence the outcome of the claim and help avoid jeopardizing it.
You should not have to deal with the financial fallout from an accident that you did not cause. The truth is that car accidents can be detrimental to your finances, causing you out-of-pocket costs that you may not have anticipated.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lakewood Car Accident Claims
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Colorado?
Colorado law gives you 3 years from the date of a motor vehicle accident to file a personal injury claim under C.R.S. 13-80-101. Wrongful death claims tied to a fatal car accident must be filed within 2 years of the date of death. Acting early protects evidence, including dashcam footage and witness recollections that fade quickly.
How much does it cost to hire a Lakewood car accident lawyer?
The lawyers at Mintz Law Firm work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation in your case. Free consultations are available so you can evaluate your options at no financial risk.
What if I was partially at fault for the car accident?
Colorado’s modified comparative negligence rule allows you to recover damages as long as you are found less than 50% at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If a jury assigns you 20% of the fault on a $100,000 claim, you recover $80,000. If you are 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing.
What if the at-fault driver was uninsured or fled the scene?
Your own auto policy may include uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage that compensates you when the at-fault driver carries no insurance or cannot be identified after a hit-and-run. Colorado requires insurers to offer this coverage, and many drivers carry it without realizing.
How much is my Lakewood car accident case worth?
Case value depends on the severity of your injuries, total medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle damage, and the long-term impact on your quality of life. Cases involving permanent injury, catastrophic damage, or willful conduct by the at-fault driver typically carry higher value. A Lakewood car accident lawyer can provide a case-specific evaluation during a free consultation.
Contact a Lakewood Car Accident Lawyer at Mintz Law Firm
When you’re working with the attorneys at Mintz Law Firm, you’re treated like family. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, time is of the essence. You have a window of time in which to file a claim, so working with a reputable car accident lawyer shortly after the accident occurs is your best chance of a successful case outcome. After you seek medical attention and provide basic information about the facts of your accident to the police, your next step should be to contact the team at Mintz Law Firm. We will walk you through the next steps and ensure that you don’t provide any unnecessary information to the insurance company that could compromise your ability to file a claim successfully.
Don’t delay. Contact us today to schedule a free case review with a Lakewood car accident lawyer.
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