Common Causes of Colorado Car Accidents

Car accidents may occur for a variety of reasons; from sudden, unsafe weather conditions to driver error on one or both sides. The most common causes of car accidents can vary by state and by year, but across the country, the same handful of causes tends to crop up over and over again. If you were involved in a car accident in Colorado in which one or both parties were at fault, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and more in a successful car accident claim.

According to Colorado State Patrol, some of the most common causes of serious and fatal car accidents in the state include:

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Lane violations
• Speeding
• Driving while distracted (i.e. texting while driving, eating while driving, etc.)
• Aggressive or reckless driving
• Inexperienced driving
• Driver error

While all of the above constitute different types of driver error, it is also possible for a driver to avoid engaging with any of the above behaviors and to still make an error that might cause or contribute to an accident. The good news is that the above car accident causes are largely avoidable; adhering to safe driving practices at all times and giving extra room to drivers who appear to be engaging in unsafe practices is a good way to not only keep you and your passengers safe but to protect yourself from liability in the event of an accident.

Colorado practices modified comparative negligence in the event that more than one party contributes to an accident.

In any accident, there is the potential for more than one party to be at fault. In fact, it’s not uncommon for one party to believe they are wholly at fault for the accident only to later discover that the other driver was texting while driving at the time of the accident; in this and similar scenarios, both parties share responsibility for a portion of the fault. However, just because you are partially responsible for an accident doesn’t automatically mean you are ineligible to seek compensation. Typically, even if one of the drivers is from out-of-state, Colorado’s car accident laws will apply.

As long as someone is less than 50% at fault for the accident, they are eligible to seek compensation in Colorado.

According to Colorado’s modified comparative negligence doctrine, an accident victim may seek compensation as long as they are no more than 50% at fault. Establishing the percentage of fault in an accident can be the tricky part; accident reconstruction experts can offer an idea of where the blame is likely to be placed, but it is up to a jury to decide on the actual percentages to be dispensed. All of this and more is why car accident attorneys typically do not recommend admitting to fault upfront. Admitting fault before a full investigation into the conduct of both drivers’ can be completed may result in one driver unjustly receiving a higher percentage than the other.

To learn more about car accident causes in Colorado, or for help filing a claim, reach out to a car accident attorney in the state.