Colorado Springs is the second-largest city in Colorado. It also happens to be one of the fastest-growing cities in America, with a population that has grown from 200 people at its founding in 1871 to over 498,879 today.
The sheer volume of traffic on Colorado’s roads can lead to accidents as well as other driving hazards such as road construction and weather conditions. In fact, over 1000,000 car accidents happen in Colorado annually.
But if you ever get involved in a car accident, a Colorado Springs car accident lawyer from salvilaw.com can help you.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common causes of car accidents in the town.
1. Driving Under Influence
DUI is one of the leading causes of car accidents in the United States. In Colorado, drivers are considered to be driving under the influence if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08% or higher.
Drivers can also be charged with DUI for drug use. Alcohol or drug abuse corrupts the driver’s mind and impairs their ability to make good decisions while driving, leading to serious accidents.
2. Speeding
Speeding is another leading cause of car accidents. When drivers exceed the speed limit, they put themselves at risk and everyone else on the road. Speeding creates a dangerous environment for all drivers and increases the likelihood of an accident occurring.
3. Distracted Driving
All drivers should be constantly aware of their surroundings while driving, but many people choose to put themselves and others at risk by becoming distracted behind the wheel. Some common types of distractions include using a cell phone or electronic device (texting, browsing social media), eating and drinking, grooming, adjusting the radio/music, and more.
4. Car Design Defects
Many car accidents involve defective vehicle parts or designs. When a defective part is installed in a vehicle, it can cause accidents years down the line when that defect manifests itself and causes the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Car manufacturers sometimes fail to make their products safe for consumers. This often leads to serious injuries and fatalities in car accidents when drivers are not protected from dangerous conditions such as rollovers or poor airbag deployment.
5. Running Intersections
Intersection accidents are another common type of car accident. Drivers who run intersections often do not yield to oncoming traffic or stop at red lights, leading to head-on collisions and T-bone accidents.
6. Teenager Drivers
Teenagers are also often involved in car accidents because of a lack of experience behind the wheel. They are more likely to speed or take chances when driving, putting themselves and everyone around them at risk for a collision.
7. Busy Roads
Colorado Springs is a rapidly growing city, and with that comes an increase in traffic. This can lead to dangerous driving conditions as well as accidents. Drivers need to be aware of the increased volume of cars on the road and exercise caution while driving.
8. Weather Conditions
Bad weather can create hazardous driving conditions for all drivers. In Colorado Springs, we can experience a variety of different weather conditions, from rain and snow to wind and hail. Drivers need to be aware of the weather conditions and adjust their driving accordingly.
9. Road Construction
Road construction can also lead to accidents if drivers are not paying attention. When roads are being repaired or built, there may be lane closures, reduced speeds, or other changes that drivers need to be aware of. Failure to obey the signs and instructions put in place during road construction can lead to accidents.
10. Poor Car Maintenance
Failure to maintain a vehicle can also cause car accidents. If a driver’s brakes fail, the consequences could be dire. Other actions that constitute “failure to maintain” include: driving with bald tires or other worn-out parts, failing to change the oil regularly and properly, not having current tags/registration for a vehicle, etc.
Although Colorado Springs is a growing city, its drivers still need to be aware of the dangers on the road and take precautions to avoid accidents.
What to Do After an Accident in Colorado Springs
If you were involved in a car accident in Colorado Springs, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention if you need it. Once you’ve taken care of yourself and any passengers, there are some other steps you should take:
- File a police report – This is important to have in case of an insurance claim. A police report can help verify who was at fault.
- Contact your insurance company – If you have car insurance, the details of the accident should be reported to your company so that you can begin filing a claim. Your insurer may assign an adjuster to take care of the paperwork and deal with other drivers’ insurance companies as needed.
- Take photos of the damage to your vehicle – Before making any repairs or adjustments, make sure you document everything for your records. Take pictures from different angles, including closeups. If someone else caused the accident, their insurance company might request these photos to determine responsibility for damages/injuries.
- Get the contact information of any witnesses- Their testimony may be helpful if the accident is disputed.
- Contact a skilled personal injury attorney- If you have been injured as a result of the accident, you may need legal assistance to get the compensation you deserve. Your lawyer will help you in the following ways.
- Review your case- Your lawyer will analyze the details of your accident, looking at all possible causes.
- Obtain detailed police reports- If a police officer did not witness the accident, this report could help determine responsibility.
- File any necessary paperwork- An attorney can speak with other drivers’ insurance companies, file claims, and begin negotiations for settlement on your behalf.
- Represent you in court- If necessary, your attorney can represent you in criminal or civil proceedings to get justice for you.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact an experienced Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer to discuss your case and learn about your options for legal action.
