​Where Do Car Accidents Most Occur in Denver?

Denver has become one of the most dangerous places to drive, walk, or ride. In a recent year, 84 people died in traffic collisions. The city has taken some action to increase road safety. Vision Zero is vying to eradicate traffic deaths by 2030 by reducing speed limits, changing street structures, and implementing a better public transportation system.

However, these changes focus on residential areas and many accidents happen on main roads and busy intersections. Overall, traffic collisions are not stopping, and Denver residents should be aware of where they happen. If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident in Denver, it’s important to seek the help of a car accident lawyer. A car accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and get the compensation you deserve.

Ten most dangerous intersections in Denver

The Mile High City has become one of the most dangerous driving areas in recent year, with ten intersections topping the list of accident locations.

These dangerous intersections include:

• West Colfax Avenue and Kalamath Street
• North Glovewille Road and Park Avenue West
• South Quebec Street and East Alameda Avenue
• West Alameda Avenue and South Santa Fe Drive
• East 40th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard
• North Tower Road and East 56th Avenue
• South Platte River Drive and West Mississippi Avenue
• West Mississippi Avenue and South Santa Fe Drive
• Colorado Boulevard and East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

The most dangerous intersection in Denver, with over 40 crashes a year, is Colorado Boulevard and East Colfax Avenue.

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, 85 percent of traffic collisions are preventable, and 67.6 percent involve two or more vehicles. When someone else causes a crash, you deserve to recover compensation for your losses, and you should consult with a car accident lawyer in Denver.

Dangerous highways

Car accidents are also prevalent on highways, with interstate 25 being the most dangerous. One particular section of the interstate is the deadliest for drivers, which is the stretch of highway between Santa Fe and I-70, accounting for the highest number of collisions in Colorado each year. Roughly 973 accidents happen on this stretch of road every year.

The factors that make the stretch of the highway so dangerous include speeding, high traffic volume, and distracted driving. The speed limit on I-25 is between 65 and 75 mph. Making matters worse, many drivers believe in the ten-plus rule: you cannot be stopped if you are going ten miles over the speed limit. That means many drivers are going between 75 and 85 mph on this busy highway.

Common causes of Denver car accidents

Denver car accidents have many causes, but many result from careless driving. Distracted driving is the cause of one in four accidents, with aggressive driving resulting in 10 percent of all accidents. Distractions often involve cell phone usage, talking to passengers, playing with the radio, etc.

Among the other most common causes are:

• Following too closely: Drivers should keep space between themselves and other vehicles, and when they are tailgating, it often results in rear-end collisions.
• Failure to yield: Drivers must share the road with pedestrians, bicyclists, and others. Failing to yield the right of way to someone leads to severe injury and death.
• Lane violations: Drivers can safely change lanes, but when they are negligent during these lane changes, it leads to accidents.
• Speeding: Roads are designed with specific speeds in mind, and when drivers exceed the predetermined spend, it leads to collisions.
• Drunk driving: As a depressant, alcohol affects the central nervous system and the ability to react and respond. Colorado has a BAC limit of 0.05 percent for a driving with ability impaired (DWAI) charge, but any level of impairment can cause an accident.

Gender and age can also contribute to car accidents, with most drivers in crashes being males between the ages of 15 and 34. The increase in population further contributes to the rise in traffic collisions. Denver is one of the fastest growing metro areas in the U.S., and with more people, there is more congestion and cars on the road.

Car accidents with pedestrians and bicycles

One pedestrian dies every two hours across the country. Pedestrians are vulnerable, despite efforts to make Denver highly walkable. When drivers and pedestrians share the road, it can have devastating consequences. When a driver takes their eyes off the road, they can miss a pedestrian crossing the street or cannot stop in time.

An alternative mode of transportation around the city is the use of bicycles. Pedestrians and bicyclists can share the road, but drivers often ignore them, making them vulnerable.

In an effort to cut down on these accidents, Denver has been increasing the areas where pedestrians and bicycles can travel and putting up barriers. This also creates less space for cars to travel and can frustrate drivers. When drivers are negligent and cause you injury, speak to a car crash lawyer in Denver to review your options.

Injuries and damages from vehicle collisions

Many injuries can result from crashes, ranging from minor to catastrophic or fatal. When you suffer an injury from a car accident, your injuries and losses will determine how much compensation you can seek.

Some of the most common injuries car accident victims suffer are:

• Brain injuries
• Facial injuries
• Fractures
• Internal injuries
• Spinal trauma
• Neck and back injuries
• Whiplash
• Death

Your damages from a car accident will depend on your injuries and their severity. The more severe your injury is, the more damages you will incur and, therefore, the more compensation you can usually seek. The circumstances of the accident and liability will also factor into your compensation claim.

Fatal car accidents

Colorado reported nearly 750 deaths in traffic crashes in one recent year, an increase from prior years. Brain injuries and internal organ damage are some injuries that can be fatal, and head-on collisions are most commonly deadly crashes.

When someone dies from a car accident, the family must pick up the pieces, and many families are unaware they have rights. Dependents and next of kin can file wrongful death claims seeking compensation for losing a loved one.

The critical difference between a wrongful death claim and other personal injury lawsuits is who is seeking and receiving compensation. Instead of compensating the victim, wrongful death claims seek to compensate the surviving family. The deceased is no longer with us to pursue these damages, but the law allows family members to seek justice and financial recovery for their losses.

Your rights after a car accident

After a car accident anywhere in the Denver area, you have rights. Negligence laws apply to these incidents, and your Denver car accident attorney will determine who is at fault so you can pursue a claim. You have the right to seek compensation, but you will not receive a check automatically without a fight. You must file a claim within the statute of limitations for Colorado, which is three years from the car accident date. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to seek payment from negligent drivers.

Additionally, you can sue the city of Denver if it contributed to the car accident. Instances where you can sue the city are when they fail to maintain the road, but these cases are very complex. You must prove that the unreasonable maintenance of the road has caused a dangerous condition that interferes with traffic safety. However, the biggest challenge is getting past the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, which can sometimes exempt the city from liability.

Colorado is a traditional tort state

Seeking compensation can be confusing for victims who are unsure if they should work with their insurance, file a lawsuit, or work with the other party’s insurance company. Under traditional tort laws, you can seek compensation from a negligent party.

You have options, and you can discuss the best one for your circumstance with a Denver car crash lawyer:

• File a claim with your insurance company
• File a third-party claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company
• File a personal injury lawsuit

Each path has pros and cons; the best route for your collision claims depends on individual factors, like the cause of the crash, your injuries, and insurance policy limits.

You cannot file any additional claims for more compensation if you accept a settlement offer, even if you realize you accepted too little. You get one chance at this, and you must get it right.

Determining liability in Denver car crashes

For all injury claims, you must prove another person’s reckless or negligent actions were the reason behind your injuries and losses. Proving liability is complicated; you will need a car accident attorney in Denver to help with the process. Your lawyer must find key evidence for your case by investigating what happened. The police report will indicate whom the police believe caused the accident, but this is only one type of evidence that can be helpful to your claim.

Determining fault is one aspect of a car accident case. You must show the negligent party owed you a duty of care, violated the duty, and caused losses or injuries. Liability addresses who will pay the injured party if they are successful in their injury claim.

Damages you can seek

Denver accident victims can seek compensation for various losses after a collision. The circumstances of your injury and accident are essential to determining how much compensation you deserve.

Denver car accident lawyers have the resources and experience to determine your losses and how much you can request in your demand package. You must account for past and future expenses attributed to your injuries, lifestyle changes, and more.

Accident victims can seek damages for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Lost earning potential
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering

In a personal injury lawsuit, you can request economic and non-economic damages, but the amount you receive will depend on individual factors. You need the right attorney fighting for your full compensation.

Preparing for an initial consultation

Accident victims must take proactive steps when they seek compensation. Scheduling an initial consultation is the first step, but you should gather pertinent information before you meet with a lawyer.

The documentation you should bring to your consultation includes:

• Medical bills
• Police report
• Eyewitness statements
• Insurance information
• Photos and videos of the scene
• Written account of the collision

Any information you can provide to your lawyer will help during a consultation. Some of these are readily available, and others you may need time to compile. Bring what you have, and your lawyer can work on collecting the rest.

How a Denver car accident lawyer can help?

Serious car accidents have many consequences, and legal remedies are important to make you whole again. However, the pressure of working with the insurance company can be great, and many accident victims throw their hands in the air and give up.

However, working with a car crash lawyer in Denver has many benefits, such as:

• They take over all communication with the at-fault party and insurance company
• Collect evidence and documents to support your claim
• Review insurance policies and liability issues
• Build a strong case in your favor
• Negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf.

Your Denver car accident lawyer is a vital part of seeking compensation, and they take on the legal battle while you focus on the medical one.

Speak to a Denver Car Accident Lawyer Immediately

Prepare what you can and call a car accident lawyer immediately following your collision. Once you can, you must speak with a personal injury lawyer in Denver to discuss your options. During an initial consultation, they can review preliminary information about your case and determine if this is something they can help with. This meeting also allows accident victims to ask questions and determine if the law firm is right for them.

Never wait to start the process today.

Schedule A Free Consultation Today!