Car accidents are unpredictable and a daily occurrence. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, accidents happen every 13 minutes across the United States. The crashes range from dents, scrapes, and minor fender benders to severe collisions that result in fatalities and permanent injury.
Colorado witnessed the highest rate of traffic fatalities in 2022. The Colorado Department of Transportation reported that there were 754 deaths, of which 95,000 were motor accidents statewide. Additionally, in the same year, there were nearly 95,014 car accidents. In 2023, there were nearly 183 car accidents.
The unpredictable nature of car accidents can cause both physical injuries and emotional trauma. It can also result in financial losses because car accidents eventually lead to property damage and unwarranted medical costs. When you face a car crash, it is necessary to get in touch with a personal injury lawyer who can help you file a legal complaint to cover the damages you have encountered.
However, most car accident victims often get disturbed after a car crash and don’t know what actions to take. In this article, we will discuss the steps that you can take after a car crash in Colorado Springs to ensure you get the help you need.
Stop and Evaluate the Surroundings
Ideally, you need to stop the car and park it. According to Colorado law, any car accident that involves property damage, death, or injury should halt the car close to the accident scene. That means if you are the at-fault party who failed to stop the car, then the accident can be interpreted as a hit-and-run case, which is considered a felony. Once you get to speak with a Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer, you will know better.
The only exception could be that you are in an unsafe or deserted place where there are chances of you getting attacked or robbed. In such a situation, you must visit the police station that is located close by. However, in case of any crash, you need to consider lighting flares or aim to mark your presence in case the cars block the traffic flow and can’t be moved securely.
After that, you should check for any injured people at the scene who need help. It can even include you. In that case, you have to seek adequate medical help. Here, you might have to call an ambulance or shift the injured person to a corner of the road. You can dial 911 for any emergency.
Exchange the Necessary Information
One of the crucial things that you should do after a car crash in Colorado Springs is to exchange the data with any other person involved in the accident. Irrespective of the fault, all parties must exchange the following data:
- Insurance data, especially the policy number and company data
- Full name and address
- Telephone number
- Driver’s license
- License plate numbers
File a Report
Colorado law states that motorists must report all kinds of accidents to the police without delay. When the police reach the scene, they will file a report on the accident. In case of any significant injury or damage, the other driver doesn’t have insurance, or they flee from the scene, or you feel it’s a case of drunk driving, you need to get in touch with the Colorado Springs Police Department or the Colorado State Patrol.
If you wish to get an accident report copy, you need to get in touch with the Colorado DMV and share your name, accident date, birth date, and mailing address, and also make a payment of $2.20. You need to wait for about eight weeks for the delivery.
Get In Touch with a Lawyer
If the accident caused you ample harm in terms of physical injury and emotional trauma, you need to get in touch with a personal injury lawyer to find out whether you can file a case or not. They will study the accident report and make the necessary analysis to determine your eligibility for the same.
Springs Law Group states that other than physical injuries, car crash victims often grapple with emotional trauma. It ranges from PTSD to mood swings, emotional distress, and sleep disorders that affect the quality of life of the victim. They must provide the evidence to their lawyer for them to build a strong case that will ensure the victim gets covered for all the economic and non-economic damages through fair compensation.
To sum up, no one knows when they are going to encounter an accident in Colorado Springs. Despite adhering to traffic laws and driving precautions, people face accidents and suffer immensely from them. If you encounter a car crash, you need to seek both medical aid and legal assistance to get compensated for the loss and suffering you’ve endured.
