The accident reportedly occurred during the morning hours of May 9. The 92-year-old was driving eastbound in a Ford Bronco when a bus going north suddenly crossed her path. According to police, the bus driver had previously come to a stop but continued through an intersection even though the woman evidently had the right of way.
]]> It may be important to note that police also do not believe that the woman was driving at an excessive speed. Drug tests have been performed on the bus driver, although the results of those tests were not available at a time of a local news report about the accident. Nonetheless, no charges have yet been filed, although the fatal crash remains under investigation.Even if no charges are ultimately filed in connection with the Colorado car accident, the family of the elderly woman may nonetheless consider the possibility of filing a wrongful death suit. With the help of a professional, it may be possible to successfully navigate the court system and obtain monetary compensation for the woman's tragic death. Such compensation might go toward funeral costs, medical costs and toward compensating the family for their pain and suffering.
Source: Boulder Daily Camera, "92-year-old Boulder woman involved in RTD crash dies at hospital," Mitchell Byars, May 10, 2012
]]>According to a news report, the accident happened on the night of May 4 in Colorado Springs when a 14-year-old boy was crossing an intersection. He tripped and fell while doing so, and he had managed to pick himself up just before he was forcibly struck by the pickup truck. Emergency responders transported the young teen to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
]]> In this case, one eyewitness said that the truck was "barreling down the street" just before it struck the teen. After stopping very briefly, the driver fled the scene of the accident. Once he or she is apprehended, they will almost certainly face substantial criminal charges.The family of the teen may also want to seek to hold the driver accountable for his or her actions through a wrongful death suit in connection with the Colorado Springs car crash. A wrongful death is a legal term referring to the type of death caused by the negligent or willful conduct of another. A successful suit in the appropriate civil court would entitle the teen's family to monetary compensation, which may go toward covering their funeral expenses in addition to compensation for their pain and suffering.
Source: CBS Denver, "Search On For Driver In Deadly Hit & Run In Colorado Springs," May 5, 2012
]]>The 66-year-old SUV driver sustained minor injuries from the fatal accident and was also transported to the hospital, though no further word on her medical condition was disclosed. She was also ticketed by Colorado Springs police for a potential charge of careless driving causing death, a class-one traffic misdemeanor. The cyclist was wearing a safety helmet.
]]> Sadly, the fatal accident was the sixth one in Colorado Springs in 2012. As the victim's family members attempt to cope with their grief and sudden loss, they will probably want to know and understand exactly what occurred to cause such a senseless and horrific tragedy. Both the sports utility vehicle operator and the victim's next of kin may wish to review the official accident investigation report once it is issued. Colorado personal injury law provides the next of kin civil remedy options for a fatal accident on behalf of their deceased relatives when the fatality resulted from the negligent actions of another party. A successful claim typically includes reimbursement for medical bills and property damage claims and other damages, including pain and suffering.Source: Colorado Springs Gazette, "Motorcyclist dies of injuries from Wednesday crash," Maria St. Louis-Sanchez, April 26, 2012
]]>The woman had suffered a stroke and was wheelchair bound for the vast majority of the month immediately after her stroke. Presently, she is paralyzed throughout the right side of her body, though previously she was a very active person, skiing and snowboarding. After the stroke, she had to give up her interests such as in-line skating and cycling.
]]> In the fall of 2008 she sued for medical malpractice and attended the depositions and court proceedings during the following years. The court proceedings elicited emotions from her family and from some of the jury members as well, with several of the jurors said to be openly sobbing during the victim's testimony.Following a month-long trial in 2011, the jury found that her emergency room doctor had committed physician negligence. Thereafter, the physician sought a new trial, which was ultimately denied, leading to payment of the $3.9 million judgment. The amount of the judgment is said to be the largest Colorado jury-verdict award in Larimer County since at least 1989, when a jury-verdict reporting service began tracking that information. Though it has been a long road for the woman and her family since the hemorrhagic stroke in 2006, the woman succeeded in holding the doctor accountable for his physician negligence while also achieving reimbursement for the substantial damages she has and continues to suffer.
Source: Colorodan.com, "Fort Collins woman wins $3.9M malpractice suit against former PVH doctor," Robert Allen, April 20, 2012
]]>The cyclist was wearing a helmet when his motorcycle collided with the front left section of the SUV. He passed away at the accident scene. The man was the only person in the SUV and sustained no injuries from the car accident. Drugs or alcohol are not believed to have played a part in the crash, and there was no immediate word as to whether or not Colorado authorities intend to file criminal charges or issue any citations related to the fatal collision.
]]> The family of the motorcycle operator suffered a great tragedy through his untimely passing. While the victim's death from the car accident will be mourned by his family and friends, they will likely want to know exactly what occurred that resulted in the seemingly senseless crash. Depending on the findings contained in the official report of the accident and other accumulated evidence, there may be civil remedies the deceased man's family can pursue against the at-fault party or parties.Colorado personal injury law provides for the right of surviving family members to seek monetary damages in the form of a wrongful death claim against negligent parties whose actions caused or contributed to the fatality. Nothing can undo the tragedy that has occurred, but a successful wrongful death claim may provide some solace to a grieving family by holding negligent parties fully responsible while also providing financial reimbursement for expenses related to the fatal collision and other damages.
Source: ABC 7 News, "Motorcyclist Struck By SUV Dies," Justin Adams, April 1, 2012
]]>The accident involved a 62-year-old man from Grand Junction who was driving a pickup truck northbound on Colorado 69, pulling a camping trailer. The second car involved in this fatal accident was a Toyota pickup, also northbound on the same highway, operated by a 60-year-old man from Gardner.
]]> Authorities indicate that as the Toyota was decelerating to turn left into a private driveway, the operator of the first vehicle attempted to pass the vehicle in the southbound lane. While attempting the pass, the vehicle's right front corner hit the left side of the Toyota pickup.Once contact was made, the pickup truck kept traveling northbound and veered off the left side of the road. The Toyota spun counterclockwise and also veered off the left side of the road, rolling and eventually coming to rest with the car flipped over. Its driver was declared dead at the fatal accident scene, while the other driver was said to have escaped injury.
The Colorado legislature and court system have established laws and legal procedures for car accident victims and families of fatal victims. These legal remedies are avenues afforded to those parties seriously injured in a car accident through the negligence of another. The surviving family of a fatal accident victim can elect to pursue a wrongful death claim against negligent parties as well. A successful personal injury claim typically includes compensation for medical and related expenses as well as other damages, including pain and suffering occasioned by the injuries received.
Source: KRDO.com, "State Patrol Investigates Deadly Huerfano County Crash," April 2, 2012
]]>Eyewitnesses report the fatal accident started when the Trailblazer swerved and rolled over into the westbound lane as it was travelling eastbound. The car stopped approximately 30 yards north of westbound Interstate 70 in the trees. The 39-year-old female operator, from Commerce City, was pronounced dead at the accident scene. Her 65-year-old female passenger died from massive head injuries. Authorities have ordered an autopsy for the driver, and the investigation into this fatal accident is said to be ongoing.
]]> Other injuries include a 17-month-old toddler, who sustained undefined, critical, but non-life threatening injuries after being ejected from his unbuckled car seat. The toddler was later transported to The Children's Hospital in Aurora. A 40-year-old male received serious injuries as well and was rushed to St. Anthony's Hospital in Lakewood. The last injured person was a 17-year-old male passenger who was treated and released from the Children's Hospital in Aurora.According to authorities, a dark-red sedan, possibly a Toyota or Hyundai, is reported to have been involved in the fatal accident. State Troopers are seeking more information regarding this car that was last reported to be travelling eastbound on Interstate 70. Authorities believe this car did not physically hit anything, but was a contributing factor to the rollover crash. There is no other identifying information about the driver, license-plate, or the vehicle itself except that it apparently did not incur damage.
Colorado law offers those seriously injured by the negligence of others to seek reimbursement for their damages. In the case of a fatality, the deceased victim's survivors may bring a wrongful death claim if evidence indicates the death was caused by the negligent or reckless conduct of another. In the meantime, it is hoped those injured recover fully.
Source: Vail Daily, "Two killed in hit-and-run accident in Frisco," Janice Kurbjun, March 26, 2012
]]>According to news reports, a hit-and-run car accident occurred on March 10 at about 10:45 p.m. The unfortunate victim entered the crosswalk at the intersection of South Tejon and East Cimarron Streets. While making his way across the intersection with the light, a pickup truck struck him.
]]> The victim suffered broken bones and internal bleeding, requiring over 25 cranial staples. Because of this car accident, the struck pedestrian is now crippled and must use a walker and leg braces simply to get himself a glass of water. According to police reports, the driver fled the scene and was still at large as of the date the news article was published.This unfortunate experience underscores how quickly a car accident can occur and change a person's life forever. On occasion drivers in our state have run red lights, disregarded intersection crosswalks, and failed to give pedestrians the right of way. Having situational awareness, following the rules of the road and watching traffic are three simple, yet effective actions one can take to minimize the risk of personally experiencing a pedestrian accident. For those who still end up victimized by a negligent driver, Colorado courts are open to hear claims for monetary damages for injuries sustained by the negligence of one or more parties.
Source: KRDO News Channel 13, "Swann Says Come Forward," Eric Singer, March 19, 2012
]]>Recently, a 47-year-old woman was ticketed for careless driving causing injury. She was operating her vehicle when it collided with a motorcycle driven by a Colorado sheriff's deputy. The police officer was taken by ambulance to a local hospital to treat his injuries, although he appears to have suffered only minor injuries from the crash.
]]> The woman's car had a shattered windshield. Though it was not clear how many occupants were in her motor vehicle, initial reports indicated that no one in the car was hurt. Authorities indicated the deputy was on his way to investigate reports of a brush fire when the collision occurred. An unconfirmed report suggested that smoke from the fire may have clouded the view of the driver, but the Colorado State Patrol did not confirm the report.Regrettably, automobile accidents caused by careless and even reckless drivers occur on Colorado roads and highways every year. Staying vigilant and driving defensively are two actions drivers can take to avoid becoming another statistic in yet another automobile accident. For those who are not as fortunate, the law in our state provides some relief in the form of a monetary claim to recover damages from injuries suffered through the negligent actions of others. A successful claim may include relief for medical expenses, lost time from work as well as an award for pain and suffering endured in relation to the injuries sustained.
Source: KRDO NewsChannel 13, "Deputy Injured In Crash On US 24," Scott Harrison, March 14, 2012
]]>The district court granted summary judgment against Mr. Strauch by imposing proof of proximate causation -- that is, reasonable foreseeability -- as an element of the claim even though the legislature abolished common law tort actions in this area and imposed limited liability upon alcohol vendors for injuries caused to third parties by their intoxicated patrons under Colorado Revised Statute 12-47-801(1) & (3) [2009].
Wills & Adams, LLP appealed the decision to the Colorado Court of Appeals where it successfully argued that the trial court was in error because a plaintiff must only prove that the vendor's improper service of alcohol caused the patron's intoxication and that the patron's intoxication caused the injuries, but not that the vendor should have foreseen those injuries.
The Colorado Court of Appeals agreed with Wills & Adams, LLP and reversed the judgment of the trial court.
The Defendants pursued a Writ of Certiorari to the Colorado Supreme Court where the case was also successfully argued by Wills & Adams, LLP.
On June 6, 2011, the Colorado Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Colorado Court of Appeals returning the case to the trial court for further proceedings.
]]>We established this blog to provide valuable information to people in Colorado Springs and throughout southern Colorado who have been injured in a car crash or other type of accident. We will regularly update this blog, posting on a wide range of personal injury topics, including:
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