Car accidents happen every day in Denver and across the nation. If you have been injured in a car accident that was someone else’s fault, a Denver car accident attorney from The Wilhite Law Firm can help.
A December 2024 report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicated that in the first three quarters of 2024, 29,135 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in traffic collisions on U.S. roadways.
There are many reasons for car accidents, but most are caused by some type of driver error. Whether you have been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, a distracted driver, a drowsy driver, or someone who simply failed to exercise safe driving behavior, your best course of action is to contact an experienced Denver car accident lawyer.
Why Choose The Wilhite Law Firm?
Hiring The Wilhite Law Firm to handle your car accident case means putting your trust in a team that has passionately defended the rights of Coloradans since 1977. From our humble beginnings with two attorneys and a secretary, our Denver personal injury law firm now includes nearly 30 lawyers and over 90 dedicated staff members, all committed to providing top-notch representation. Our approach combines aggressive advocacy with a caring touch to make your journey to recovery as smooth as possible.
Communication is critical to the support our vehicle accident lawyers offer. Unlike other firms, where clients can feel left in the dark, our staff makes sure to keep you in the loop. This approach fosters a trusting relationship between our auto accident attorneys in Colorado and our clients, which is crucial during such challenging times. You can always count on your Denver lawyers for car accidents to keep you informed and updated on developments in your case.
Our firm also has deep roots in the community, embodying our five core values of determination, empathy, teamwork, professionalism, and honesty. These principles guide our every action, including giving back through charity initiatives, offering reimbursements through our holiday rideshare program, and supporting local schools and community organizations. Choosing our attorneys means joining a firm that both protects your rights and contributes positively to the community.
What Are the Common Causes of Denver Car Accidents?
Many Denver car accidents stem from a few typical causes. Understanding these patterns can help drivers make safer choices on the road.
Distracted driving – Activities like texting, eating, or using navigation systems distract drivers from the road.
Speeding – Driving above the speed limit or too fast for road and weather conditions reduces reaction times and increases accident severity.
Weather conditions – Snow, ice, and rain in Denver can create hazardous driving conditions, leading to accidents when drivers do not take proper precautions and adjust their driving behavior.
Impaired driving – Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and reaction capabilities, significantly increasing the risk of collisions.
Aggressive driving – Tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and disregarding traffic signals are aggressive behaviors that often result in accidents.
Failure to yield – Accidents frequently occur when drivers fail to yield the right-of-way at intersections, stop signs, or when merging.
Poor road conditions – Potholes, uneven road surfaces, and lack of proper signage can lead to accidents, especially if drivers are not paying attention.
Construction zones – Areas with ongoing construction pose unique challenges, such as altered traffic patterns and reduced lanes, which can confuse drivers and lead to accidents.
What Are Common Car Accident Injuries?
It’s important to understand both the physical injuries and the mental health effects that can arise from traumatic events like car accidents.
Here are some common injuries associated with car crashes:
Whiplash – This neck injury results from a rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, similar to the cracking of a whip, often seen in rear-end collisions.
Broken bones – The force of a car accident can easily fracture bones, particularly in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – A sudden impact can cause the brain to collide with the skull, leading to concussions or more severe brain injuries.
Lacerations and bruises – Flying debris, broken glass, and the impact itself can cause cuts and bruises. While sometimes minor, they can lead to significant blood loss or scarring.
Spinal cord injuries – These injuries can range from comparatively minor injuries like herniated discs to severe spinal cord damage, potentially resulting in paralysis.
Internal injuries – The force of a collision can bruise or damage internal organs, leading to severe complications.
Mental health conditions – Beyond physical injuries, car accidents can have a profound impact on mental health, leading to conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Catastrophic Injuries and Wrongful Death Support
Catastrophic injuries are severe physical or psychological traumas that result in permanent disability, significant disfigurement, or life-altering loss of bodily function. Unlike standard personal injuries, these often prevent the victim from ever returning to gainful work or living independently. These include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, severe burns, amputations, and organ damage.
Because these injuries require a lifetime of care, they have unique legal implications and can warrant higher compensation for future medical expenses and the significant or total loss of future earning potential. For catastrophic injuries, our Denver car accident attorneys hire life care planners and economists to calculate the literal lifetime cost of care—including home modifications, 24/7 nursing, and lost pension contributions—to ensure settlements cover decades, not just current bills.
If you lose a loved one to a car accident, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death requirements are governed by a strict legal hierarchy. To succeed in a claim, you must prove the death was caused by a negligent, reckless, or intentional act that would have entitled the deceased to file a personal injury claim had they survived. Colorado law dictates a specific timeline for who has the standing to sue:
Year One – The surviving spouse has the exclusive right to file. They may, however, provide a written election to allow children to join or file separately.
Year Two – Both the spouse and surviving children may file. If there is no spouse or children, the parents of the deceased may file.
Sibling Rights – Siblings may file in the second year after the death if the deceased had no surviving spouse, children, parents, or designated beneficiary.
In wrongful death cases from major car accidents, we deploy investigators immediately to secure black box data and surveillance footage before it can be deleted or overwritten by corporations. The legal team at The Wilhite Law Firm prepares every case for a trial. This aggressive stance often forces insurance companies to offer higher settlements to avoid the risk of a massive courtroom verdict.
We can navigate Colorado’s complex Year One/Year Two filing rules to ensure the right family members (spouses, children, or parents) are protected and that no deadlines are missed under the strict statute of limitations. Our team can act as a buffer between grieving families and aggressive insurance adjusters, handling all communication so the family can focus on the emotional recovery of losing a loved one or adapting to a permanent disability.
What Are the Comparative Fault Laws in Colorado?
Colorado law recognizes that more than one person can share responsibility for an accident. This concept is part of the “comparative fault” system. Under this type of system, your ability to recover damages depends on your degree of fault compared to the other parties involved.
The basic premise of comparative fault is that your role in causing a car accident does not automatically bar you from recovering compensation. However, if you contributed to the collision, the amount you can recover is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re awarded $10,000 in compensation but found to be 30 percent responsible for the crash, those damages will be reduced by 30 percent, meaning you’ll recover $7,000.
One additional factor can affect your ability to secure compensation following a Denver car accident. If your percentage of fault is equal to or greater than that of the person you’re pursuing compensation from, you can’t recover anything. Hire a car accident lawyer in Colorado to help you understand comparative fault and how it affects your injury claims. Contact our car accident attorneys in Colorado or call us at 866-326-4551 today.
How Do You Determine Liability After an Auto Accident?
Determining liability after an auto accident often boils down to understanding negligence, an essential legal principle in personal injury claims. Negligence refers to someone’s failure to behave with the level of care that a typical person would have under the same circumstances. It involves actions that result in harm to another person.
The concept of negligence is built on four basic elements that your Denver car crash lawyer must prove to show how someone is liable for the injuries you suffered in the collision. Those four elements are:
Duty of care – The other driver was legally obligated to behave a certain way toward you.
Breach of duty – The other driver failed to meet that duty of care through their actions or failure to act.
Causation – The other driver’s breach of duty directly caused the accident.
Damages – You suffered actual harm or loss as a result of the accident, for which you can receive compensation.
A Colorado auto accident lawyer can help you establish negligence by looking at the details of your case and gathering necessary evidence. Contact our car wreck attorneys in CO to get the compensation you deserve.
Free Case Review After An Accident
Were you recently involved in a Denver, Colorado car crash? If so, you’re likely here because you’re hurt, stressed, and need the support of an accident attorney in Denver. The aftermath of a car accident can feel overwhelming, especially when the crash was someone else’s fault. To make matters worse, Colorado’s car accident claims process is highly complex and full of nuances that require professional understanding. You shouldn’t have to worry about any of this while you’re trying to heal from an auto injury in Colorado.
At The Wilhite Law Firm, we understand the physical pain, emotional distress, and financial strain that often accompany car accidents. We have a proven track record of providing dedicated, compassionate legal assistance to car accident victims like you. Our team of auto attorneys in Colorado fights relentlessly in pursuit of the justice you deserve and the compensation you need.
It’s your time to recover, so let our car accident lawyers in Denver care for the rest. Choose The Wilhite Law Firm‘s auto injury attorneys, where your well-being is our top priority. Contact our legal team in Denver today for your free initial case review.
What Should I Do After a Denver Car Accident?
It’s common to feel disoriented and stressed after an accident. But there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself. Here’s what you should do after a car accident:
Document the scene with photos or video.
Exchange information with other parties.
Report the accident to your insurance company.
Speak carefully and avoid admitting fault.
Seek prompt medical attention.
Keep all follow-up appointments.
Save detailed records of your expenses.
Request a copy of the accident report.
Contact a Denver accident injury lawyer from a car wreck law firm as soon as possible.
Schedule a post-accident inspection for your car.
Record your recovery progress in a pain journal.
Preserve physical evidence like clothing.
Don’t accept any settlement offers without consulting a lawyer.
How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?
Every car accident is unique, and so is every car accident claim. The value of yours could vary based on the following factors:
The severity of your injuries
The duration of your medical treatments
The types of medical care you receive
The long-term effects of your injuries
The value of lost income and earning capacity
The extent of any personal property damage
The nature of any psychological injuries you have
How much your injuries disrupt your daily life
The extent of your pain and suffering
Whether you had any pre-existing conditions
The value of any out-of-pocket expenses you incur
The types and amounts of available insurance coverage
The distribution of fault for the accident
The quality and quantity of evidence available
The experience and dedication of your accident insurance lawyers
Other injury lawyers on car accidents can value your claim differently. Our Denver accident attorneys from our vehicle crash law firm can give you the most fair compensation for losses you have incurred.
What Damages Can I Recover for My Car Accident Claim?
If you get hurt in a Denver car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you might be able to recover compensation for the following types of crash-related losses:
Medical expenses
Future medical treatment costs
Out-of-pocket expenses
Lost income and job benefits
Loss of earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of companionship
Property repair or replacement costs
Contact a car accident attorney in Colorado from The Wilhite Law Firm to help you get the compensation you deserve. Our auto accident injury lawyers can help you calculate the damages you can be afforded.
Is the State of Colorado a No-Fault State?
Colorado is not a no-fault state for car insurance. In a no-fault state, you would rely on your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to cover your medical bills and other crash-related costs – no matter who was responsible for the accident. However, this is not how things work in Colorado.
The state now operates under a traditional fault-based system, meaning the person who causes an accident is financially responsible for the resulting losses. After a Colorado car accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance usually covers the costs of crash-related injuries and other harm.
What Evidence Can Help Prove Fault in a Car Accident Case?
Establishing fault after a car crash in Denver involves gathering evidence to demonstrate negligence. Here’s a list of some common types of evidence used to prove liability in car accident injury cases:
Dashcam & integrated cameras: Now considered a cornerstone of liability, dashcam footage provides an objective, real-time account of traffic signal status, lane changes, and road conditions. Many modern vehicles also have integrated cameras that capture 360-degree views.
Black box data – Almost all newer vehicles contain an event data recorder. This logs hard data like speed, steering angles, and exactly when the brakes were applied in the five seconds before impact.
Cell phone records – Subpoenaed logs can prove a driver was texting or using an app at the moment of collision, establishing distracted driving as a breach of duty.
GPS & telematics – GPS trails from smartphones or vehicle systems can verify exact location, speed, and even the force of the impact.
Damage location – The specific point of impact on each vehicle helps reconstruction experts determine the angle and type of collision (e.g., T-bone vs. merging error).
Skid marks & debris – Photos of tire marks and the spread of debris help calculate vehicle speeds and whether a driver attempted to avoid the crash.
Surveillance footage – Nearby business security cameras, traffic-light cameras, and residential Ring doorbells are frequently used to see events from an external angle.
Police reports – While sometimes inadmissible as hearsay in trial, they are foundational for insurance adjusters. They contain citations, officer observations, and immediate statements from involved parties.
Eyewitness statements – Independent accounts from bystanders who have no financial stake in the outcome are highly persuasive in “he said, she said” disputes.
Accident reconstructionists – Use physics to recreate the crash sequence based on physical and digital data.
Medical experts – Link specific injuries to the mechanical forces of the crash to prove causation.
Medical records – These are essential to connect the injury directly to the accident and quantify damages.
Maintenance logs – In cases involving mechanical failure, repair records can prove a driver or company neglected essential safety maintenance.
A Denver auto accident attorney can look at all of this evidence and hold the appropriate parties liable. Contact a lawyer from The Wilhite Law Firm to gather all the necessary documents and evidence above.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Insurance Claims Process
Before you even call your insurance agent, gather these items at the scene or as soon as possible:
Identification – Get the other driver’s full name, home address, phone number, and driver’s license number.
Vehicle specs – Record the year, make, model, and license plate number of every vehicle involved.
Insurance details – Document the insurance company name and policy number. (Tip: Take a photo of their insurance card and vehicle registration to avoid transcription errors).
Law enforcement – Note the name and badge number of responding officers.
Police report number – Ask the officer for the case/report number. In Colorado, reports are required if injuries occur or property damage exceeds $1,000.
Witness contacts – Collect names and phone numbers of bystanders. Their neutral statements are often the tie-breaker in liability disputes.
You have a contractual obligation to notify your insurance provider about an accident, regardless of who was at fault. Most policies require notice promptly or within a set timeframe, often 30 to 60 days. While you must provide basic facts (who, what, where, when), you are generally not required to provide a recorded statement immediately on the first call.
You can politely inform them that you will provide a written statement or have your attorney handle further detailed communication. Stick to the facts (date, time, location). Do not speculate on fault or say “I’m fine,” as many injuries take days to manifest. Regarding the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you have no legal or contractual obligation to speak with or provide a recorded statement to them.
When you are dealing with insurance after a crash, you are not just filing paperwork. You are entering a high-stakes negotiation where the insurer’s goal is to minimize its financial loss. Adjusters often ask leading questions designed to get you to admit partial fault or downplay your injuries. A Denver auto accident lawyer can handle all communications, ensuring you do not accidentally say something that could endanger your recovery.
Insurers often offer a check within days. Accepting this usually requires signing a release of all claims that bars you from seeking more money if your injuries turn out to be permanent. Even a simple “I’m sorry” can reduce your payout under modified comparative negligence rules. The Wilhite Law Firm can serve as a buffer between you and the insurance company, so you do not even have to concern yourself with these pitfalls.
If you are unrepresented, the insurance company knows you are unlikely to take them to court. When legal counsel with extensive trial experience takes your case, the threat of a jury trial often forces the insurer to provide a significantly higher settlement just to avoid the risk of a courtroom verdict.
Contact Your Denver Car Accident Attorneys
Call 866-326-4551 or contact one of the top accident law firms in Denver online today to discuss your concerns.
At The Wilhite Law Firm, our practice has been dedicated to helping injured people for more than 35 years. When you work with our firm, our lawyers will immediately begin investigating your accident. Our auto accident law firm will also help you file your accident injury claims for the compensation you need. Call our attorneys today to get our skilled and dedicated legal team working on your car accident case. Call or contact our Denver car accident lawyer today.
Hiring The Wilhite Law Firm to handle your car accident case means putting your trust in a team that has passionately defended the rights of Coloradans since 1977. From our humble beginnings with two attorneys and a secretary, our Denver personal injury law firm now includes nearly 30 lawyers and over 90 dedicated staff members, all committed to providing top-notch representation. Our approach combines aggressive advocacy with a caring touch to make your journey to recovery as smooth as possible.
Communication is critical to the support our vehicle accident lawyers offer. Unlike other firms, where clients can feel left in the dark, our staff makes sure to keep you in the loop. This approach fosters a trusting relationship between our auto accident attorneys in Colorado and our clients, which is crucial during such challenging times. You can always count on your Denver lawyers for car accidents to keep you informed and updated on developments in your case.
Our firm also has deep roots in the community, embodying our four core values of determination, empathy, teamwork, professionalism, and honesty. These principles guide our every action, including giving back through charity initiatives, offering reimbursements through our holiday rideshare program, and supporting local schools and community organizations. Choosing our attorneys means joining a firm that both protects your rights and contributes positively to the community.
What Are the Common Causes of Denver Car Accidents?
Many Denver car accidents stem from a few typical causes. Understanding these patterns can help drivers make safer choices on the road.
Distracted driving – Activities like texting, eating, or using navigation systems distract drivers from the road.
Speeding – Driving above the speed limit or too fast for road and weather conditions reduces reaction times and increases accident severity.
Weather conditions – Snow, ice, and rain in Denver can create hazardous driving conditions, leading to accidents when drivers do not take proper precautions and adjust their driving behavior.
Impaired driving – Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and reaction capabilities, significantly increasing the risk of collisions.
Aggressive driving – Tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and disregarding traffic signals are aggressive behaviors that often result in accidents.
Failure to yield – Accidents frequently occur when drivers fail to yield the right-of-way at intersections, stop signs, or when merging.
Poor road conditions – Potholes, uneven road surfaces, and a lack of proper signage can lead to accidents, especially if drivers are not paying attention.
Construction zones – Areas with ongoing construction pose unique challenges, such as altered traffic patterns and reduced lanes, which can confuse drivers and lead to accidents.
What Are Common Car Accident Injuries?
It’s important to understand both the physical injuries and the mental health effects that can arise from traumatic events like car accidents.
Here are some common injuries associated with Denver car crashes:
Whiplash – This neck injury results from a rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, similar to the cracking of a whip, often seen in rear-end collisions.
Broken bones – The force of a car accident can easily fracture bones, particularly in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – A sudden impact can cause the brain to collide with the skull, leading to concussions or more severe brain injuries.
Lacerations and bruises – Flying debris, broken glass, and the impact itself can cause cuts and bruises. While sometimes minor, they can lead to significant blood loss or scarring.
Spinal cord injuries – These injuries can range from comparatively minor injuries like herniated discs to severe spinal cord damage, potentially resulting in paralysis.
Internal injuries – The force of a collision can bruise or damage internal organs, leading to severe complications.
Mental health conditions – Beyond physical injuries, car accidents can have a profound impact on mental health, leading to conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What Are the Comparative Fault Laws in Colorado?
Colorado law recognizes that more than one person can share responsibility for an accident. This concept is part of the “comparative fault” system. Under this type of system, your ability to recover damages depends on your degree of fault compared to the other parties involved.
The basic premise of comparative fault is that your role in causing a car accident does not automatically bar you from recovering compensation. However, if you contributed to the collision, the amount you can recover is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re awarded $10,000 in compensation but found to be 30 percent responsible for the crash, those damages will be reduced by 30 percent, meaning you’ll recover $7,000.
One additional factor can affect your ability to secure compensation following a Denver car accident. If your percentage of fault is equal to or greater than that of the person you’re pursuing compensation from, you can’t recover anything. Hire a car accident lawyer in Denver to help you understand comparative fault and how it affects your injury claims. Contact our car accident attorneys in Colorado or call us at (303) 466-3529 today.
How Do You Determine Liability After an Auto Accident?
Determining liability after an auto accident often boils down to understanding negligence, an essential legal principle in personal injury claims. Negligence refers to someone’s failure to behave with the level of care that a typical person would have under the same circumstances. It involves actions that result in harm to another person.
The concept of negligence is built on four basic elements that your Denver car accident attorney must prove to show how someone is liable for the injuries you suffered in the collision. Those four elements are:
Duty of care – The other driver was legally obligated to behave a certain way toward you.
Breach of duty – The other driver failed to meet that duty of care through their actions or failure to act.
Causation – The other driver’s breach of duty directly caused the accident.
Damages – You suffered actual harm or loss as a result of the accident, for which you can receive compensation.
A Denver auto accident lawyer can help you establish negligence by looking at the details of your case and gathering necessary evidence. Contact our car wreck attorneys in CO to get the compensation you deserve.
Car Accident FAQs
For 40 years, the dedicated car accident attorneys from The Wilhite Law Firm have been fighting for the rights of people who were seriously hurt in crashes in Denver that could have been prevented. Although every claim our auto wreck law firm handles differs, many clients frequently ask the following questions during our free initial consultations. Learn more about how our car accident lawyers can help you by answering some of the most frequently asked questions below.
At The Wilhite Law Firm, we do not charge anything for your initial consultation. And we help car accident victims on a contingency fee basis, which means our legal fees are contingent upon us winning compensation for you. If we do not recover compensation in your claim, you owe us nothing. If we secure compensation, our payment comes as a percentage of the money you receive.
This payment arrangement allows car accident victims to demand justice under Colorado law for what they’ve been put through without worrying about whether they can afford to pay attorneys’ fees upfront.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, our Denver auto accident attorneys may pursue:
Payment for your medical bills, including health care costs you may have in the future related to your injury
Compensation to fix or replace your vehicle
Lost wages if you had to miss work or can no longer work
Compensation for the pain and suffering your injury has caused
Punitive damages, which are awarded in extreme cases involving severe misconduct by the at-fault party
You do not have to have a lawyer to negotiate a car accident settlement with the insurance company. In fact, the insurance company would prefer you didn’t. That’s because insurers have teams of attorneys working to protect their bottom line and pay as little as possible on claims.
The truth is: If you have been hurt in a car accident in Denver, it’s worth it to at least schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer to go over your options. Because our attorneys deal with these kinds of claims on a daily basis, we can give you an honest assessment of what your case is worth.
It is helpful to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after the crash, even if it’s just during a free consultation to discuss your legal options. That’s because an experienced auto accident attorney will be able to thoroughly assess your case and give you a better idea of what types of damages you may be entitled to.
Having an attorney on your side from the beginning is also a good idea because your lawyer can take the pressure off of you by managing communication with the at-fault party, the insurance companies, and the billing department of your health care provider. In addition, your attorney will want to launch an investigation into your crash before the evidence fades and witnesses’ memories grow fuzzy.
Colorado gives car crash victims three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit seeking compensation. However, it is important to know that an experienced attorney will want to start working on your claim as soon as possible to build a strong case.
In Denver, drivers owe a duty of care to other motorists on the road. When a driver breaches that duty, and the resulting crash causes injuries to another person, the negligent driver can be held liable for damages.
Some examples of negligent driving include:
Speeding
Distracted driving
Driving while under the influence
Failing to yield
Tailgating
Drowsy driving
Wrong-way drivers
Road rage
When you choose The Wilhite Law Firm to represent you, our attorneys will contact your health care providers to explain that a claim is pending. Any questions your health care provider has about payment can then be referred to us, rather than you having to deal with the stress.
Colorado law requires all drivers to carry a certain level of insurance. However, if you are hit by a driver without insurance, you may still be able to pursue compensation. If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM or UIM) coverage, you may be able to turn to your own insurance company for compensation.
If an at-fault driver lacks insurance in Colorado, there are a few potential avenues you could pursue compensation for your injuries and related losses through:
Medical payments (MedPay) claims – Colorado requires auto insurers to offer drivers at least $5,000 in MedPay coverage for all policies sold within the state. Unless you explicitly opt-out, this coverage is added to your policy automatically. MedPay provides immediate compensation for your medical expenses following an accident, regardless of fault.
Uninsured (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) claims – This type of insurance is also optional in Colorado. But, as with MedPay coverage, all providers must offer it. UM and UIM coverage have the same minimums as your bodily injury liability coverage unless you explicitly reject these policies in writing. These types of coverage protect you if the at-fault driver has no insurance or their insurance coverage isn’t enough to cover your losses.
Personal injury lawsuits – In some scenarios, you might be able to sue the uninsured driver directly. If the driver has enough personal assets, the court could order them to pay for your losses out of their own pocket.
You should never sign anything from the insurance company without consulting with a knowledgeable attorney. As with any negotiation process, the first offer will likely be low. For those who are coping with injuries, a settlement offer may come before you truly understand the extent of what you are facing.
A skilled attorney can thoroughly assess your damages, document your injuries, and make a strong case for a full and fair car accident settlement.
Colorado’s comparative fault laws do allow victims to recover compensation even if they are partially responsible for an accident. However, if you are found to be 50 percent or more at fault for causing the accident, you may not recover damages. If you are found to be less than 50 percent at fault, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of blame assigned to you.
So, for example, if you were speeding and the other driver was drunk, the drunk driver may be 90 percent to blame for the crash, and you may be found 10 percent at fault. If your damages are determined to be $10,000, then your compensation amount would be reduced by 10 percent. So you would receive $9,000.
This is why it’s essential to work with a top-notch lawyer, like one from The Wilhite Law Firm, if another party tries to pin the blame on you. Your attorney will know the ins and outs of this legal game and can fight to prevent you from settling for less than you deserve.
Remember: Never admit fault in an auto accident. There are many factors you may not know about, so it’s best to let the investigators do their job and determine who is really to blame.
Car accidents are a tragically common experience in Colorado and across the country. The likelihood is that most motorists will be involved in a crash at some point during their lives.
Nothing can truly prepare you for the chaos that follows an accident. However, there are some steps you can take in advance to best prepare you in the unfortunate event you are involved in a crash. These include:
Make sure you have important documents in your car where you can easily locate them. This includes your vehicle’s registration and a current insurance card. Also make sure you carry your driver’s license whenever you are behind the wheel.
Carry a cellphone with you, and make sure it is charged. Not only will having a cellphone allow you to call for help, most phones also include a camera feature that you can use to take photos to document the crash.
Make sure you have a flashlight in your vehicle. This could come in handy if you are involved in an accident at night.
Consider carrying flares or cones to warn oncoming traffic about the crash.
Have an emergency contact list of people to call in case you are hurt in a crash. You can keep a digital list stored on your phone or write a list on paper that you keep in your glove box, in your wallet or somewhere else where it won’t get lost.
All of these items will be useful if you are in a car accident in Denver or elsewhere in Colorado. There are certain steps you should take in the immediate aftermath of a crash. Here are some suggestions for what to do after a car accident:
Call 911 for emergency help. Be sure to give the 911 dispatcher your location and let them know how many people were involved in the accident.
Remain calm and be polite. A car accident is a sudden and traumatic event. It is understandable that you may feel shocked, frightened, and even angry. Take a moment to calm down before interacting with other drivers, the police, and anyone else on the scene. It is best to proceed in a businesslike manner and avoid making accusations or starting an argument. Defuse the situation if someone else tries to provoke you.
Don’t apologize and don’t admit fault. Many people have a natural impulse to say “I’m sorry” when something bad happens. Though you may simply mean that you’re sorry that the accident occurred, your words may be interpreted as an admission of fault. Even if you think you did do something wrong to cause the crash, don’t say so. All of the facts are not clear in the confusion of an accident scene.
Get to a safe place. If you feel that you are in danger of being hit by oncoming traffic, move to a safer location if possible. Many people are injured in secondary crashes that happen when inattentive drivers crash into the vehicles involved in the first accident.
Check for injuries and call for emergency medical help. Assess yourself and others in your vehicle for injuries. If you are able, check with the occupants of the other vehicles to see if they are injured. Do not attempt to move someone who has been seriously injured unless they are facing an imminent threat, such as fire or drowning. Cooperate with the first responders and other emergency medical personnel when they arrive. Accept the recommended treatment and transportation to a medical facility by ambulance if necessary. Now is not the time to act tough or keep a stiff upper lip.
Take pictures. If you are able to do so, it may be very helpful for your case if you can document the accident scene in the moments immediately following the incident. If you are unable to do so yourself, ask a friend or a bystander to help you. Using a cellphone or other camera, get photos of the accident scene from all angles and perspectives. Take pictures of the cars and where they collided with each other or other objects. Be sure to photograph the damage to the vehicles. Get photos of any visible injuries. While your memory is still fresh, jot down your recollections about how the accident happened – but don’t share this information with others on the scene.
Gather your papers. If you are able, now is a good time to locate your vehicle’s registration, your insurance card, and your driver’s license. When a police officer responds to your accident, he or she will likely record this information and share it with all parties involved in the accident. If the other driver asks to exchange information, politely suggest that you wait for the police to record the relevant information and provide it to each of you.
Cooperate with law enforcement. You should answer questions from the police honestly and politely, but answer only what is asked. Do not speculate about the cause of the crash, volunteer additional information, or share your opinions. Do not admit fault and do not accuse the other drivers of anything. Ask how to get a copy of the accident report, and get one as soon as you can.
Notify your insurance company. You should report the accident to your own insurer as soon as possible after the crash, but you need to provide only the basic details of the crash (when it happened, where it happened, who was involved, etc.) Do not offer to make a recorded or written statement about the crash without the advice of a qualified Denver car accident lawyer. Don’t say anything that downplays the extent of your injuries or losses. Don’t agree to a settlement offer made at this point without first consulting a lawyer. Some insurance companies may attempt to make a claim go away quickly and cheaply with an immediate offer. In virtually all cases, this sum is far less than what the victim truly deserves. If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you, refer them to your insurance carrier or lawyer.
Seek medical attention and follow up. Even if you did not initially think you were hurt and you did not receive medical attention at the scene, you should still get a full medical examination as soon as possible after the accident. Some serious – even life-threatening – injuries are not immediately apparent, and the stress of an accident can mask the pain at first. Be sure to tell the doctor that you were involved in a motor vehicle accident and describe what happened to your body in the crash. When you are prescribed a course of treatment, be sure to follow through on all doctors’ orders. Take the medicine as prescribed and participate in rehabilitation or other procedures the doctor prescribes. Be sure to go to all medical appointments for follow-up care.
Get help from a lawyer without delay. Colorado has complex insurance laws, but insurance company adjusters and the insurer’s lawyers know them well. They deal with them every day, but this may be the first time you have faced the aftermath of a serious car accident. You need someone on your side who also has a thorough understanding of car accident laws and is ready to fight for your right to full compensation for your injuries and other losses. The personal injury attorneys at The Wilhite Law Firm have the experience and dedication to help you. Contact them as soon as possible after the crash for a free claim review and advice about your legal options and rights.
Colorado Lawyers Who Can Help Understand What to Do After a Car Accident
At the moment of impact in a car crash, it can seem as though your whole world has stopped. In that next moment, a million different questions can go through your head, including:
How serious are my injuries?
Is my car beyond repair?
What happened to the other people involved in the collision?
Will I be able to return to work—and when?
How will I support my family while I recover?
How will I pay for my medical bills?
What are my legal rights and options?
These are all important and intelligent questions. When you need answers, contact the experienced team at The Wilhite Law Firm. At our office in Denver, we stand ready to assist you with all your legal needs so you can get your life back on track after being in a car accident.
At The Wilhite Law Firm, we document every aspect of your injury and carefully investigate each detail of your case because we know that this can make a difference in the amount of compensation we recover for you. We strive to keep you fully informed of our progress every step of the way.
Our Denver car accident attorneys will communicate with insurance companies and other parties responsible for compensating you for your injuries or for the wrongful death of a family member.
We will also relentlessly pursue the truth surrounding the details of your accident. At our firm, truth is one of the 5 values that define our approach to practicing law. We see truth as the actual state of a matter. “What is not true disintegrates.”
Our goal is to uncover the truth and use this information to collect maximum compensation on your claim by aggressively negotiating for a fair settlement or pursuing a favorable verdict at trial.
Denver Injury Attorneys Committed to Uncovering the Truth
Contact us day or night, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Someone is always available to answer your call and speak with you about your Colorado car accident case. You can also send us an email about your case, and someone from our firm will be in touch to schedule a complimentary consultation so you can meet with a Denver car crash attorney who can answer your questions.
Get A Free Case Review
Were you recently involved in a Denver, Colorado car crash? If so, you’re likely here because you’re hurt, stressed, and need the support of a local accident attorney. The aftermath of a car accident can feel overwhelming, especially when the crash was someone else’s fault. To make matters worse, Colorado’s car accident claims process is highly complex and full of nuances that require professional understanding. You shouldn’t have to worry about any of this while you’re trying to heal from an auto injury.
At The Wilhite Law Firm, we understand the physical pain, emotional distress, and financial strain that often accompany car accidents. We have a proven track record of providing dedicated, compassionate legal assistance to car accident victims like you. Our team of auto attorneys in Colorado fights relentlessly in pursuit of the justice you deserve and the compensation you need.
It’s your time to recover, so let our Denver car wreck lawyers care for the rest. Choose The Wilhite Law Firm’s auto injury attorneys, where your well-being is our top priority. Contact our legal team today for your free initial case review.
What Types of Car Accident Cases Do We Handle?
The Denver car crash lawyers at The Wilhite Law Firm are prepared to handle all types of accident injury cases, including those that involve:
Every car accident is unique, and so is every car accident claim. The value of yours could vary based on the following factors:
The severity of your injuries
The duration of your medical treatments
The types of medical care you receive
The long-term effects of your injuries
The value of lost income and earning capacity
The extent of any personal property damage
The nature of any psychological injuries you have
How much your injuries disrupt your daily life
The extent of your pain and suffering
Whether you had any pre-existing conditions
The value of any out-of-pocket expenses you incur
The types and amounts of available insurance coverage
The distribution of fault for the accident
The quality and quantity of evidence available
The experience and dedication of your accident insurance lawyers
Other injury lawyers on car accidents can value your claim differently. Our Denver accident attorneys from our vehicle crash law firm can give you the most fair compensation for losses you have incurred.
What Damages Can I Recover for My Car Accident Claim?
If you get hurt in a Denver car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you might be able to recover compensation for the following types of crash-related losses:
Contact a car accident attorney in Denver from The Wilhite Law Firm to help you get the compensation you deserve. Our auto accident injury lawyers can help you calculate the damages you can be afforded.
Is the State of Colorado a No-Fault State?
Colorado is not a no-fault state for car insurance. In a no-fault state, you would rely on your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to cover your medical bills and other crash-related costs – no matter who was responsible for the accident. However, this is not how things work in Colorado.
The state now operates under a traditional fault-based system, meaning the person who causes an accident is financially responsible for the resulting losses. After a Denver car accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance usually covers the costs of crash-related injuries and other harm.
Legally Reviewed By
Robert (Rob) Wilhite
Attorney/Shareholder
Colorado & Texas
A Texas native, Rob is the firm’s Managing Partner in charge of Litigation, overseeing all the firm’s cases. He has guided numerous cases to noteworthy conclusions for his clients, including a $9 million recovery for a defective product.
Establishing fault after a car crash in Denver involves gathering evidence to demonstrate negligence. Here’s a list of some common types of evidence used to prove liability in car accident injury cases:
Photographs of the scene
Witness statements
Surveillance footage
Dashcam footage
Vehicle damage reports
Medical records
Cell phone records
Accident reconstruction reports
Weather reports
Road condition reports
Toxicology test results
Expert witness testimony
Personal Testimony
Traffic citations
GPS and car computer data
Social media posts
Physical evidence from the scene
A Denver auto accident attorney can look at all of this evidence and hold the appropriate parties liable. Contact a lawyer from The Wilhite Law Firm to gather all the necessary documents and evidence above.
Legally Reviewed By
Robert (Rob) Wilhite
Attorney/Shareholder
Colorado & Texas
A Texas native, Rob is the firm’s Managing Partner in charge of Litigation, overseeing all the firm’s cases. He has guided numerous cases to noteworthy conclusions for his clients, including a $9 million recovery for a defective product.
Call (303) 466-3529 or contact one of the top accident law firms in Denver online today to discuss your concerns.
At The Wilhite Law Firm, our practice has been dedicated to helping injured people for more than 50 years. When you work with our firm, our Denver car accident lawyer will immediately begin investigating your accident. Our auto accident law firm will also help you file your accident injury claims for the compensation you need. Call today to get our skilled and dedicated legal team working on your car accident case.
Call 911 for emergency help. Be sure to give the 911 dispatcher your location and let them know how many people were involved in the accident.
Remain calm and be polite. A car accident is a sudden and traumatic event. It is understandable that you may feel shocked, frightened, and even angry. Take a moment to calm down before interacting with other drivers, the police, and anyone else on the scene. It is best to proceed in a businesslike manner and avoid making accusations or starting an argument. Defuse the situation if someone else tries to provoke you.
Don’t apologize and don’t admit fault. Many people have a natural impulse to say “I’m sorry” when something bad happens. Though you may simply mean that you’re sorry that the accident occurred, your words may be interpreted as an admission of fault. Even if you think you did do something wrong to cause the crash, don’t say so. All of the facts are not clear in the confusion of an accident scene.
Get to a safe place. If you feel that you are in danger of being hit by oncoming traffic, move to a safer location if possible. Many people are injured in secondary crashes that happen when inattentive drivers crash into the vehicles involved in the first accident.
Check for injuries and call for emergency medical help. Assess yourself and others in your vehicle for injuries. If you are able, check with the occupants of the other vehicles to see if they are injured. Do not attempt to move someone who has been seriously injured unless they are facing an imminent threat, such as fire or drowning. Cooperate with the first responders and other emergency medical personnel when they arrive. Accept the recommended treatment and transportation to a medical facility by ambulance if necessary. Now is not the time to act tough or keep a stiff upper lip.
Take pictures. If you are able to do so, it may be very helpful for your case if you can document the accident scene in the moments immediately following the incident. If you are unable to do so yourself, ask a friend or a bystander to help you. Using a cellphone or other camera, get photos of the accident scene from all angles and perspectives. Take pictures of the cars and where they collided with each other or other objects. Be sure to photograph the damage to the vehicles. Get photos of any visible injuries. While your memory is still fresh, jot down your recollections about how the accident happened – but don’t share this information with others on the scene.
Gather your papers. If you are able, now is a good time to locate your vehicle’s registration, your insurance card, and your driver’s license. When a police officer responds to your accident, he or she will likely record this information and share it with all parties involved in the accident. If the other driver asks to exchange information, politely suggest that you wait for the police to record the relevant information and provide it to each of you.
Cooperate with law enforcement. You should answer questions from the police honestly and politely, but answer only what is asked. Do not speculate about the cause of the crash, volunteer additional information, or share your opinions. Do not admit fault and do not accuse the other drivers of anything. Ask how to get a copy of the accident report, and get one as soon as you can.
Notify your insurance company. You should report the accident to your own insurer as soon as possible after the crash, but you need to provide only the basic details of the crash (when it happened, where it happened, who was involved, etc.) Do not offer to make a recorded or written statement about the crash without the advice of a qualified 
Seek medical attention and follow up. Even if you did not initially think you were hurt and you did not receive medical attention at the scene, you should still get a full medical examination as soon as possible after the accident. Some serious – even life-threatening – injuries are not immediately apparent, and the stress of an accident can mask the pain at first. Be sure to tell the doctor that you were involved in a motor vehicle accident and describe what happened to your body in the crash. When you are prescribed a course of treatment, be sure to follow through on all doctors’ orders. Take the medicine as prescribed and participate in rehabilitation or other procedures the doctor prescribes. Be sure to go to all medical appointments for follow-up care.
Get help from a lawyer without delay. Colorado has complex insurance laws, but insurance company adjusters and the insurer’s lawyers know them well. They deal with them every day, but this may be the first time you have faced the aftermath of a serious car accident. You need someone on your side who also has a thorough understanding of car accident laws and is ready to fight for your right to full compensation for your injuries and other losses. The 
Colorado & Texas
