The Most Common Types Of Boulder Car Accidents
Last updated on: April 17, 2021CALL (800) 863-5312 to speak with boulder car accident lawyers for free
Accidents can happen anywhere and to anybody. Boulder’s increasing population brings increases in the number of motor vehicle-related crashes. The 2019 City of Boulder Department of Public Works report, Vision Zero, however, says serious accident injuries and deaths did not increase significantly between 2015 and 2017. Still, in that same time period, the number of people involved in car accidents in Boulder is alarming: more than 21,000.
Whether an accident is minor or serious, it impacts lives. This why it is important to know what to do after an accident; to make sure nothing is overlooked.
If you have been involved in a car accident, call (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with a Boulder car accident attorney today. Our lawyers know what to look for—and what to do—when it comes to recovering compensation for your injuries caused by a car accident.
Kinds of auto accidents in boulder
Severe crashes are accidents that result in serious or fatal injury. About 98% of Boulder crashes were not severe, but the city still seeks to reduce the less serious auto accidents: rear-end crashes, sideswipes, and vehicles hitting non-moving objects. Because severe crashes result in more harm, it is best to know what types of accidents have resulted in serious or fatal injuries in Boulder and understand how to avoid them.
Impaired Accidents
The majority of impaired accidents—caused by someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs,—were caused by drivers who were under the age of 30. Although these types of accidents happen throughout the city, a higher number occur along Broadway.
Speeding Accidents
Speeding is a factor in 19% of all severe accidents in Boulder, and drivers between the ages of 15-29 account for most of the speeding drivers. Unsurprisingly, roads that have a speed of 35 miles per hour or higher contribute to 72% of total crashes even though they make up a lower percentage of Boulder’s street network. The intersections that had the highest number of accidents were: Arapahoe Avenue at 30th Street, Arapahoe Avenue at 55th Street, and Baseline Road at Broadway.
Left-Turn Accidents
Unexpectedly, most of the severe accidents occurred at a traffic signal where the vehicle had a permitted left-turn, which means that the motorist turned when there was a gap in the opposite traffic rather than when traffic was stopped. Less than half occurred when a vehicle turned left at an intersection with no traffic signal. Only three of the 48 severe accidents occurred because another vehicle ran a red light when the motorist was turning left. The intersections with the highest number of severe crashes were Broadway at North Street, and Arapahoe Avenue at 30th Street.
Distracted Drivers
The rise of technology’s mobile presence can lead people to assume that distracted drivers are texting or talking, but distracted driving can also be caused by other activities, like eating or drinking and adjusting the radio. There were about 200 distracted driver crashes per year between 2015 and 2017, with 8% of them being considered severe.
Pedestrian-Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents involving pedestrians can be devastating because of the higher risk of severe injury or death. Understandably, accidents with pedestrians made up 24% of all severe crashes even though they were only 2% of all crashes between 2015 and 2017. More than half of accidents involving pedestrians happened within crosswalks. The three most common situations resulting in pedestrian-related accidents were pedestrians being hit by vehicles turning left, pedestrians running out into the street, and motorists failing to yield at intersections.
Bicyclist-Vehicle Accidents
Crashes involving bicyclists made up 39% of the total severe crashes. These mostly occurred when the bicyclist was in an intersection, within a crosswalk, or while the bicyclist was riding against traffic. The most common type of situation was when a motorist failed to yield at a stop sign for a bicyclist traveling on the cross-street. A high number of these accidents happened along both Folsom Street and 30th Street.
When SHOULD YOU get a lawyer after an accident?
In 2003, Colorado switched to a tort system or a “fault” car accident system, meaning that the person at fault for the accident is also responsible for covering injuries and damages from the accident. If you are not at fault for the accident, the other person (or the person’s insurance company) has the financial responsibility to pay for related costs such as your vehicle repairs or medical bills.
Even if an accident is minor or everyone involved in the accident has insurance, having an experienced Boulder auto accident lawyer is still advantageous. A lawyer can review settlement claims and help you seek the maximum amount of compensation in situations that do not involve going to trial. If the other motorist is uninsured, it can be equally advantageous to have a lawyer who can help you understand your insurance policy coverage for this situation and make sure it meets the standard of Colorado law.
If you or a loved one has experienced a car accident resulting in a serious injury or even death, figuring out how to file a claim can be more difficult while having to recover and process through many emotions. Consulting with a Boulder car injury lawyer can help relieve you of some of the burden and walk you through the necessary legal steps towards receiving compensation.
Types of compensation
There are two main types of compensation, which are sometimes referred to as economic or non–economic damages. Economic damages are monetary losses that can be calculated. These can include:
- Medical bills
- Vehicle damages
- Property damages
- Loss of wages
- Future economic losses
Non-economic damages are losses that cannot be calculated by traditional means but can still be awarded. These can include:
- Pain and suffering (physical)
- Emotional pain and anguish
- Disfigurement or disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Recovering for both categories has its own obstacles. Calculating economic damages can be complicated, especially when figuring out whether a particular bill can be repaid, whereas non-economic damages are typically harder to prove; they also require someone who has the expertise in cases and legal arguments to articulate why a person in a specific situation deserves them.
what to do after an accident
Safe, defensive driving prevents accidents, but not all accidents can be avoided. Be prepared to act if you are in an accident so that vital information can be gathered quickly.
Seek Medical Attention
Contact emergency services or 9-1-1 immediately after the accident if you or anyone involved has sustained serious injuries. If you do not contact emergency services but later feel pain shortly after the accident, contact your doctor immediately.
Report the Accident
Even if the accident is minor, reporting the accident to the police will help support your claim for compensation and damages later. How to report the accident depends on the type of accident you are involved in:
Accidents involving occupied vehicles
If you hit another vehicle that is being driven or attended by another person, you have a duty to immediately stop, show your driver’s license and exchange names, addresses, and vehicle registration numbers with the other driver. You also have a duty to report the accident to the nearest police authority if it resulted in an injury, death, or property damage.
Accidents involving unoccupied vehicles or property
If you hit another vehicle or property that is not attended by another person, you have a duty to immediately stop, locate or notify the vehicle’s owner or operator, and provide your name, address, and vehicle registration information. You also have a duty to report the accident to the nearest police authority if it resulted in an injury, death, or property damage.
Accidents involving highway fixtures or traffic control devices
If you hit fixtures or traffic control devices that are on or next to the highway, you have a duty to notify the area’s road authority and provide your name, address, and vehicle registration information. You also have a duty to report the accident to the nearest police authority if it resulted in an injury, death, or property damage.
Document the Accident
After filing the report, it is crucial to keep track of and have your own copies of the following information related to the accident:
- Police report
- Medical bills
- Vehicle repairs
- Leave from work
The police report should contain information about contributing circumstances, conditions then existing, and persons and vehicles involved. If you seek medical assistance for injuries related to the accident, keep records of your visits and bills. It may be necessary to also keep a copy of the vehicle repairs related to the accident and documents that record the time you had to request time off from work due to your injuries.
mind the Statute of Limitations
Under Colorado law, drivers generally must file a suit to seek compensation within three years after the accident. However, this timeline may be longer depending on the drivers’ respective insurance statuses and the type of compensation. Either way, it is helpful to seek consultation as soon as possible.
Contact zinda law group today for a free consultation
At Zinda Law firm in Boulder, our car accident attorneys have a wealth of resources and experience in handling Boulder car accidents. We can help you seek the maximum compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.
Many car accident victims are concerned that hiring a lawyer will not be worth the cost or that they will not be able to afford quality legal services. This is the reason we offer 100% free consultations and a “No Win, No Fee Guarantee.” Our No Win, No Fee Guarantee means you do not have to pay unless we successfully obtain a favorable settlement, judgment, or verdict for your case.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a Boulder car accident, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free case evaluation with our Boulder car accident attorneys.
Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.
