Whether it happens at a stoplight, at a stop sign, in traffic, or anywhere else, getting rear-ended on the road is a surefire way to have the rest of your day ruined. In more severe situations, rear-end wrecks can even result in serious injuries that are expensive to treat.
After a rear-end car accident in Longmont, understanding and taking full advantage of your legal right to civil recovery can be crucial to minimizing the long-term effect that your accident has on your life. By working with a capable car accident lawyer, you could dramatically improve your odds of achieving a positive case resolution.
It may seem like common sense to assume that a driver who rear-ends another car or truck is always considered at fault for causing that accident. While this is often true for the majority of rear-end car collisions in Longmont, it is important to understand that this is not a given. Prospective plaintiffs should know that litigation after any kind of auto accident revolves around legal negligence, and that they still must prove someone else’s negligent behavior directly caused their injuries if they want to recover compensation, no matter how obvious that negligence might appear.
In addition, there are some scenarios in which the driver in front may be partially or even primarily responsible for causing a rear-end wreck. For example, if someone puts their car in reverse and accelerates backwards at a stop sign, they would be responsible for any damage they caused to the vehicle behind them, even though that car technically rear-ended them.
Likewise, if someone brakes suddenly on a highway or merges in front of another car without signaling or giving appropriate space to that vehicle, they could be subject to a reduction in recoverable damages based on the percentage of total blame they bear for the wreck. A knowledgeable attorney could explain how fault might work in a particular situation given the unique facts of a case.
An individual injured in a rear-end wreck in Longmont could pursue compensation for economic as well as non-economic losses that stemmed from the accident. These can include medical expenses, bills for car repairs/replacement, lost work income, physical pain, and lost quality of life. That being said, Colorado courts generally limit the amount of compensation a plaintiff can recover for non-economic forms of harm that do not have objective financial damages. An experienced attorney could help an injured party get a better idea of what payments they might be entitled to.
Additionally, all personal injury plaintiffs are subject to a two-year statutory filing deadline under Colorado Revised Statutes §13-80-102. Failing to file a claim within two years of an accident occurring can leave an individual unable to recover any compensation, so it is crucial to work with an attorney who can ensure all necessary steps are taken within the state’s required timeframe.
While rear-end collisions may not be quite as dangerous as front-end or side-impact wrecks, they can still cause serious harm that may last for months or even years. Accordingly, seeking fair after being rear-ended is often essential to giving yourself an optimal quality of life.
Assistance from a dedicated attorney can make all the difference in your odds of case success following a rear-end car accident in Longmont. Schedule a free consultation by contacting our office today.
