Greeley Car Accident Lawyer

Were you recently hurt in a car accident in the Greeley area? Now is the time to call a car accident lawyer to explore your legal options. The financial consequences of a car accident can add up quickly. Between medical bills, lost wages, and property damage, a car accident could end up costing you a great deal.

If someone else caused your accident, you can sue them to recover your damages in court. When a Colorado driver acts negligently and causes an accident, they are responsible for the injured victim’s damages stemming from the crash.

If you were hurt in a car accident, consider calling an experienced Greeley car accident lawyer. Call now to discuss your questions and concerns with an attorney, and learn how a skilled personal injury lawyer can help you. En Español.

When is a Driver Liable for an Auto Accident in Greeley?

All Colorado drivers have the duty to act reasonably to avoid causing an accident. When a driver fails to uphold this responsibility, they are considered negligent if they do cause an accident.

While this definition of negligence may seem clear-cut, determining negligence in a car accident can be complex. Colorado state law considers any negligence on both drivers’ side. This standard is called the modified comparative fault standard.

This means that the actions of everyone involved in the accident are weighed against others’ action. For example, if an intoxicated driver crashed into another vehicle that was exceeding the speed limit, each driver’s negligent misconduct would be compared to the other’s.

Determining Fault

Driving while intoxicated and speeding excessively could both be considered negligent acts if they result in an accident. However, because the intoxicated driver in this scenario crashed into the other driver, it is likely they would be considered more at fault for the accident.

Under Colorado’s negligence laws, an accident victim can sue the other driver if the victim was less than 50 percent at fault for the crash. Greeley car accident victims should contact a seasoned lawyer for help proving who was caused their accident.

What Damages Could a Person Recover from a Car Accident Claim?

If a car accident victim can prove the other driver was more negligent, they can file a civil lawsuit in court. In such a lawsuit, the injured victim can sue for the financial compensation related to the damages they sustained. Often, car accident victims suffer significant financial losses due to:

• High medical bills
• Long-term care costs
• Lost wages
• Lost future earnings
• Vehicle damage

The at-fault driver is liable for these and other damages resulting from the car accident. However, under the state’s modified comparative fault standard, a victim’s negligence can limit the financial award they receive from a lawsuit.

For example, if the negligent driver can prove the injured victim was 20 percent at fault, the court will decrease the victim’s financial award by 20 percent. A Greeley car accident attorney can help an injured victim fight in court for the compensation they need and deserve.

Appealing a Car Accident Case

When someone appeals the decision of a car accident claim, they should know that they are arguing that the trial court somehow legally mishandled the case, resulting in a decision in favor of the defendant. For example, perhaps testimony was admitted that was prejudicial and unfair to the plaintiff. The argument would be that the findings of fact were biased by the introduction of certain evidence by the judge.

However, plaintiffs should understand that they cannot appeal a decision just because they received an unfavorable decision. In the absence of an unfair admission of evidence or interpretation of the law by the judge, a plaintiff does not get another shot just because they are unhappy with the findings of the jury. The plaintiff only gets a new trial or an appeal if it is found by a higher court that the lower court somehow made a legal mistake that prejudiced the jury.

Could an Appeal Impact the Amount of Damages Owed?

When an appeal is filed, one element of damages that would change is the interest on a verdict reached by a jury. This means that if there was an earlier finding where the plaintiff did not win, not only the verdict but interests on the verdict might carry forth from the previous trial, making the potential compensation award substantial. A skilled Greeley attorney could explain car accident case appeals in more detail.

Call a Greeley Car Accident Attorney Today

If you were recently hurt in a car accident, contact a Greeley accident lawyer now. Your attorney can help you hold the negligent driver responsible for the damages you suffered in the accident. To learn more, call now to discuss your situation with an attorney.