Types of Car Crashes in Denver, Colorado

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, 639 people died in Colorado car accidents last year. This is the highest rate of car accident deaths in the previous 20 years. There are a variety of reasons for Colorado reaching this all time high. These accidents may be a result of impaired driving, speeding, and being distracted while driving.

You may think that Denver’s increase in population is the cause of the inflated number of car crash fatalities, but the entire nation has dealt with more accidents in recent years. In fact, there were 38,824 car crash fatalities nationwide in 2020, the highest number since 2007.

In Denver, Colorado specifically 69 people died in car accidents in 2021. 24 of those deaths were a result of impaired driving. If you have been involved in an accident you may have a claim. I’m a car crash lawyer in Denver who knows the different types of car accidents claims and can get you the compensation you deserve.

There are many different types of accidents. Some are more severe than others. For example, head-on collisions are much more dangerous than a rear-end at a stop light.

As a car crash lawyer in Denver, I have handled hundreds of car accident claims. Here are the most common types of car crashes in Denver, Colorado. 

Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a form of negligence and is one of the most common reasons for car accidents. When people take their eyes and focus away from the road, they make mistakes. Distracted driving can be eating a sandwich, putting on makeup, texting, and much more.

In 2020, text and drive accidents accounted for 10,166 car crashes which resulted in 1,476 injuries. By now, everyone knows the risks of texting and driving and yet people still do it. In a Colorado Department of Transportation survey  91% of participants reported driving distractedly in the past week and 54% admitted to reading a message. 

Drunk or Drugged Driving
Drunk driving is a severe offense, especially if there are fatalities as a result. This is one of the most fatal accidents. In fact, impaired driving caused 34% of the traffic deaths in Denver, Colorado in 2021.

Drunk driving increases the risk of a car crash by 4 times. Drunk drivers often lose control of the vehicle, swerve into different lanes, and disregard traffic laws, all while speeding. If you or a loved one has been killed by a drunk driver, you should contact a car crash lawyer right away.

You can not put a price on a loved one's life but you should be compensated for expenses as well as pain and suffering. 

Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is very common and can be a variety of things. Driving at high speeds, swerving in and out of lanes, disregarding stop signs and traffic signals, and road rage are all examples of reckless driving.

Drivers can lose their license for months for driving recklessly. If you were injured in an accident caused by reckless driving you may have a car crash claim. 

Speeding
Speeding was a factor in 29% of car crash fatalities in 2020 nationwide. When you drive too fast, you have less time to react and make decisions.  In Colorado, speeding was a factor in 40% of the car accident deaths.

The higher the speed of a collision the more likely the people involved are injured. If you were hit at high speeds, make sure everyone isn’t severely injured. 

Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of car accidents. 1 in every three traffic crashes in Colorado is a rear-end collision.

Fortunately rear-end collisions are the clearest accidents to determine who’s at fault, or liable, for the accident. If you were severely injured during a rear-end collision you should be able to get compensation.

If you aren’t injured but need your car repaired, the at-fault’s insurance should cover your auto repair expenses. 

Head-On Collisions
1 in every five traffic-related deaths in the U.S. is due to a head-on collision. Head-on collisions are unfortunately very common. They happen from drivers trying to pass other vehicles on the left, swerving into oncoming traffic, and many more.

Head-on collisions are often fatal due to the heavy impact. These accidents can be gruesome destroying the front end of cars. If you were involved in a high speed head on collision and have been injured. Go to the hospital and get the medical attention you need.

Even if you don’t feel injured right away, it’s in your best interest to go to the hospital to get checked out. Some injuries don’t appear right away. 

T-Bone Accidents
T-Bone accidents get their name from the shape the cars make when colliding. They are also known as side-impact or sideswiping accidents. These types of accidents often occur in parking lots, or when a car is pulling out across oncoming traffic.

What makes these accidents so dangerous is that they can cause the vehicle to roll over if there’s enough impact. Most cars don’t have airbags in the doors, so if you are hit on your doors, you are much more likely to get injured.

Construction Zone Accidents
Construction zone accidents are any accidents that occur in a construction zone. Unfortunately these are more common than you’d think. In 2020 there were 12 fatalities in Denver construction zones.

There is a lot going on in construction zones that can distract and confuse drivers. When you add reckless drivers into the mix, it’s a recipe for disaster. Changing traffic patterns, unpainted roads, and stop and go traffic are a few causes of construction zone accidents.

The first thing you should do after being involved in a car accident is check for injuries. Once you have established that you are unharmed, make sure everyone else involved is okay. If someone needs medical attention, call the ambulance and get it right away.

Common injuries car accident victims should look for: 

Whiplash

Chest pain

Head injuries

Seatbelt burns

Knee & leg injuries

Foot & ankle injuries

Hand & wrist injuries

Shoulder & Arm injuries

Surface scrapes and cuts

Post traumatic stress

Internal bleeding

Broken bones

Lost limbs

Bruises

Some injuries, such as whiplash, internal bleeding, or head injuries, may not be noticeable right away. These can be due to the accident's impact but also to pieces of glass or other debris flying around.

Going to the doctor’s office after a car accident is very important if you have any pain because it might take days or even months to see symptoms. Seeking treatment right away with any pain is the best way to go.

There are a few main ways that you can prevent car accidents. First off, have a good attitude about driving. Stay focused, and ensure you have enough practice before going on the road. You should also always wear your seatbelt to ensure your own safety.

Avoiding drinking and drug use while driving can help prevent intoxication accidents. Additionally, if you avoid spending or distracted driving, you will have more focus to react safely.

If you have been injured in a car accident and your vehicle needs repairs, you should be compensated. Here are a few examples of compensation we have gotten our clients after a car crash in Denver. 

• Vehicle repairs

• Pain and suffering

• Loss of a loved one

• Medical expenses

• Property damage

• Loss of wages

The at fault driver’s insurance will reach out to you and offer you a settlement for the crash. If your injuries are minor and you feel the other side is offering a fair settlement, then you can accept.

However, the insurance company has their own best interest in mind and will try to pay you as little as possible. Working with a car crash lawyer in Denver can negotiate with the insurance and get you the compensation you deserve.

Have you been in an accident in the Denver, Colorado, area? Don’t face it alone. You may be entitled to compensation. Especially if you were injured at no fault of your own. Our Denver car crash lawyers can get you the money you deserve following an accident.

Schedule a free consultation today to find out how much your Denver car crash claim is worth.