Car Accidents

Chalat Hatten & Banker’s Auto Accident Attorneys Are Your Ally

People injured in auto accidents sometimes feel like they’ve been blindsided, not only by an accident they never saw coming but also by the complex insurance claims process that follows. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, you and your family have difficult months ahead. You will need to decide about your legal options while also focusing on your physical and emotional recovery. These decisions will be easier to make wisely if you have an experienced Denver auto accident attorney by your side.

Let Chalat Hatten & Banker be your ally. Our Denver-based personal injury lawyers have represented victims in virtually every type of traffic accident across Colorado for the past three decades. Our practice is focused on people with serious or catastrophic personal injuries, and our lawyers have extensive experience with both the mechanics and the medicine. We are here to investigate, litigate, and negotiate on your behalf. Contact us today to get started with a complimentary initial consultation.

Insurance Companies

It is common knowledge that insurance companies are not on your side. They make money by taking in as many premiums as possible, holding and investing funds for as long as they can, and paying out as little as possible. As soon as an insurance company is notified of a car accident, they are working with an army of attorneys to figure out how to devalue your claim. Without legal representation, you are at the mercy of the insurance company and their settlement tactics.

Negotiation

The vast majority of personal injury cases – around 95% – are settled before trial. However, hiring a lawyer with a successful history of taking cases to court creates great leverage. Why? Insurance companies do not want to go to court and they will keep track of attorneys who will take cases to trial and those who will settle at a discount. When you work with an attorney known to win in the courtroom, you immediately have strength in negotiating power. Thus, increasing your chances of recovering maximum compensation. 

Liability & Medical Knowledge

One of the greatest responsibilities of a personal injury attorney is establishing and proving the harm suffered. An experienced car accident lawyer will also recognize harms you may not have even realized. They are skilled at compiling, preserving and presenting evidence to prove the other party’s liability for the accident, subsequent injuries, and the economic and non-economic damages lost and will be lost because of the accident.

Legal Network

A reputable car accident lawyer has access to resources such as expert witnesses and accident investigators which can be advantageous for receiving the full and fair value of your case.

Distracted Driving

Claiming 2,841 lives in 2018 alone, distracted driving has become a leading cause of car accidents. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving: talking on the phone, texting, adjusting the radio, applying makeup, eating or drinking.  

Drunk & Drug-Impaired Driving

Over a 25% of all traffic-related deaths result directly from alcohol impairment, according to the US Department of Transportation. Alcohol and drug impairment compromises the skills and abilities a person needs to safely operate a motor vehicle including judgment, concentration, coordination, comprehension, clarity or sharpness of vision and reaction time.

Reckless Driving

Colorado law forbids driving a vehicle in a way that shows a wanton or willful disregard for the safety of other people or property. Driving is considered reckless if it willfully disregards the safety of others. Wanton behavior is a conscious choice to do something dangerous. These can include: not adhering to stop signs or traffic lights, swerving into oncoming traffic, making dangerous traffic maneuvers such as weaving or tailgating. 

Drowsy Driving/Fatigue

Being sleepy at the wheel affects a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. Drowsiness makes drivers less attentive, slows reaction time and affects a driver’s ability to make decisions. 

Speeding

Speeding poses many dangers, including: losing control of the vehicle, reduces the effectiveness of the vehicle’s occupant-protection features, increases the time and distance a driver needs to safely stop a vehicle, reduces the driver’s reaction time, increases the severity of an auto accident and the resulting damage and injuries 

Defective Auto Parts

Car accidents can be caused or made worse by a defective part. Manufacturers and distributors of auto parts must ensure parts are safe when used as instructed. Those who fail to do so can be found liable for the injuries and deaths that result from the part’s malfunction. 

Poor Maintenance

Vehicle maintenance is the complete responsibility of the car’s owner and driver. If the vehicle owner or driver knows or should have known their vehicle had maintenance issues that could cause an accident, they could be held liable if the vehicle causes injuries to others on the road. 

Who Is Liable After a Car Accident?

Most people understand that drivers have a duty of care to others sharing the roadway. Included in that duty is the responsibility to drive carefully, obey traffic laws, and behave reasonably behind the wheel. So, when a driver is careless or breaks a traffic law, they’re considered negligent. The “at-fault” driver will be held legally responsible for the harm they cause. No matter how obvious the other driver’s fault is to you, the liability for your accident will likely be disputed. Our Denver auto accident attorneys at Chalat Hatten & Banker are skilled at compiling, preserving, and presenting evidence to prove the other party’s liability. We’ll promptly visit the accident site, contact involved law enforcement, and examine the vehicles involved. We will put in the hard work to maximize the value of your car accident claim.

While police reports and traffic tickets are essential evidence in a car accident claim, liability is not solely determined by these citations. Law enforcement officers aren’t always present when an accident occurs. Sometimes, the official report is inaccurate or records misinformation. Other times, there may not even be a police report. Likewise, traffic citations are handled separately from insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits. A traffic ticket doesn’t necessarily determine someone’s liability for damages after a crash, nor does it always tell the whole story. Other kinds of evidence may need to come into play.

Serious auto collisions often result in significant expenses. Your right as a car accident victim is to seek compensation against the at-fault party for harm and losses caused by the accident. In addition to medical bills and property damage, a car accident victim may also suffer from lost wages and other intangible losses that are much harder to identify and calculate. Our auto accident attorneys in the Denver area have decades of experience to help you recover compensation for any of the following:

• Medical expenses (present and future bills)
• Property damage (repair costs, diminished value, other personal property damages)
• Lost income and wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Common Injuries from Car Accidents

A car accident can inflict injuries to any part of the body, ranging from minor to the most severe. The immense force involved in some car accidents can cause serious, lifelong injuries and disabilities. Even minor collisions can cause devastating injuries, which may cause substantial medical bills for which the liable party should be held responsible. Some of the most common car accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Whiplash
• Broken bones
• Neck and back injuries
• Loss of limbs
• Burns
• Soft-tissue injuries
• Blunt force trauma
• Internal injuries

This is one of the most common questions we hear at our Denver car accident law firm. Every car accident claim is different, making it nearly impossible to calculate without knowing the facts and circumstances involved. However, generally, the value of an automobile collision case is determined by the injuries sustained, medical bills incurred, whether or not the claimant was employed, had lost wages, can work again, and suffered from any other psychological injuries or pain and suffering. We only get paid if you receive a settlement or verdict, which means getting you the highest settlement possible is our focus. Browse our case reviews to see how we have helped countless car accident victims.

Our auto accident attorneys take a comprehensive approach to car crash claims, pulling all of our resources and identifying all potential sources of compensation to get the best value possible for your claim. When you work with us, our process includes investigating and documenting the following:

• The at-fault driver’s insurance policy and personal assets
• The liability of the manufacturers and sellers of mechanically defective parts
• Medical expenses
• Your need for future medical treatment and long-term care
• Lost income and wages
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent injury costs
• Punitive damages
• Funeral and burial expenses

How We Help

• Offer a 100% free, comprehensive initial consultation
• Explain your rights and the legal process and answer important questions about your case
• Fully investigate the car accident
• Carefully assemble all relevant evidence
• Provide the resources needed to build a strong claim
• Work directly with crash reconstruction experts, physicians, and any other relevant experts
• Handle the paperwork
• Assess and pursue the full extent of your damages
• Negotiate a full and fair settlement with the insurance company
• If necessary, represent you in court

Your Trusted Auto Accident Attorneys in Denver, CO

The personal injury attorneys at Chalat Hatten & Banker understand that a car crash can turn your life upside-down. For over 30 years, we’ve protected the rights of car accident victims and will fight to do the same for you. Contact our Denver auto accident attorneys today to discuss your rights.