Who Is At Fault in a Rear-End Collision in Colorado Springs?
The general assumption for folks involved in a rear-end collision is that the person driving the car in the back is at fault. This may often be the case, but it’s not always true. If you’re involved in a rear-end accident, you were seriously injured, and you don’t think you were at fault, you should always contact knowledgeable legal representation to help. Learn who is at fault in a rear-end collision in Colorado Springs, and discover why seeking help from an experienced Colorado Springs car accident lawyer is important.
Why the Rear Driver Is Usually Accountable
Colorado traffic laws as outlined in the state’s Revised Statutes require every driver to leave a safe space between them and other drivers to allow them to stop. The law, however, fails to provide specific distances but rather states that the driver must account for the road conditions, the speed of other cars, and their judgment of what is prudent and reasonable.
Who Is at Fault in a Colorado Springs Rear-End Accident?
The driver who is in the rear does not always hold responsibility for a rear-end accident. However, it’s true that they are held accountable the majority of the time because of the way the statutes are written, which places the burden for safety on the driver in the back. Nevertheless, if a driver doesn’t leave enough distance to adapt to sudden changes in conditions, they are responsible for the accident.
Certain situations can place liability on the driver in front. Exceptions to the rear driver responsibility assumption include:
- You are in front and you have a broken taillight.
- You suddenly brake for no apparent reason.
- You back into another car.
Colorado Laws vs. Other States
Most states have a similar idea in the books, but Colorado’s law specifically does not account for the need to come to a complete stop at any given time. In many other states, you must be able to come to a complete stop no matter what happens ahead of you. In Colorado, so long as they leave a reasonable following distance, the driver in back may not necessarily be responsible for a collision. This opens up the door for important gray areas in accountability.
Call an Experienced Colorado Springs Car Accident Attorney
Because the law is open to interpretation, it’s important to have well-versed and experienced legal representation on your side. Call the Colorado Springs car accident lawyers at Heuser & Heuser, LLP, for help collecting the damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and other harm you’ve suffered. Call us at (719) 520-9909(719) 520-9909 or fill out our online form for a free case evaluation.
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions Or Schedule A Free Appointment? Click To Call (719) 520-9909
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions or Schedule A free Appointment? Click to Call (719) 520-9909
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know What My Case Is Worth?
There are a variety of things we look at when evaluating your case and determining its value. We look at how the accident occurred. We look at what sort of injuries you sustained. Do you have a permanent injury that will last the rest of your life? Are you going to have future medical bills? We look at lost wages. Did you lose your job? If you have permanent work restrictions as a result of the accident, you may not be able to find a job very easily in the future. These are some of the factors that we look at in evaluating a claim. Every case is unique and different. That’s why at our law firm, every case gets personal attention from the lawyer when it comes time to evaluate.
Why is it Important to Hire a Lawyer?
Insurance companies are in business for a reason: to make money. Anytime they are paying money on a claim, it means less money to their bottom line. They have literally hundreds of adjusters and hundreds of lawyers who are on their side trying to figure out how to prevent money from leaving their checkbooks. Quite frankly, you do need a lawyer to help you through this because your lawyer will make sure you’re properly compensated.
Do Cases Settle Without Going to Court?
Cases settle before going to trial 80 to 90 percent of the time. However, that doesn’t mean there’s not a lot of work involved in getting a case settled outside of court. Sometimes you have to file a lawsuit and do a lot of what I call “legal maneuvering” to get a case settled. That means we take depositions from witnesses to the accident, from police officers, and from your doctors. But, yes, most cases will settle prior to trial.
Do You Get Good Results for Your Clients?
We do get good results for our clients. We have settled hundreds, if not thousands, of cases where we’ve had large settlements. We’ve had substantial verdicts. We go to the mat for our clients if necessary. We’ll appeal cases. We’ll do whatever it takes to make sure our client is taken care of.
See What Our Clients Say
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions Or Schedule A Free Appointment? Click To Call (719) 520-9909
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions or Schedule A free Appointment? Click to Call (719) 520-9909
Our Attorneys
Gordon J. Heuser, Esq.
As a Colorado Springs native, Gordon has been practicing in Southern Colorado for 35+ years.…
Barkley D. Heuser, Esq.
Barkley Heuser is a Colorado native, and has lived in Colorado Springs for over 59…
Brennan D. Heuser, Esq.
Brennan Heuser is a Colorado Native who graduated from the University of Miami, Fl with…
Ask a Question,
Describe Your Situation,
Request a Free Consultation
Contact Us And We’ll Tell You Everything You Need To Know!
Required Fields*
Your Information Is Safe With Us
We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used to answer your question or to schedule an appointment if requested.
Injured? Contact Heuser & Heuser. We’re on top of it!
Professional Associations
Our Recent Blogs
What You Need to Know About the Colorado Slip and Fall Law
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere—a wet store floor, uneven steps, uncleared snow, or…
Who Is Liable When Debris Causes an Accident with an Overloaded Truck in Colorado?
Driving near a commercial truck that’s carrying too much cargo can be dangerous. An overloaded…
Why You Shouldn’t Talk to a Workers’ Compensation Nurse Case Manager in Colorado Springs
If you’ve been injured at work in Colorado Springs, dealing with lost wages, medical treatments,…
Want To Learn More About Your Colorado Car Accident Case? Download Our EBook, On Us!
We wanted to find a way to make your car wreck case even easier for you. That is why we wrote this guide that will provide you with the critical information you need to know about your car accident case.
As car accident law professionals, we have seen too many individuals lose out on their maximum owed compensation. Don’t miss out on the settlement you deserve! In this book, you will learn how to:
- Avoid the key mistakes that can derail your claim.
- Know what you should and shouldn’t say if an insurance adjuster contacts you
- Understand the dos and don’ts of social media.
- Position yourself to collect full and fair compensation for your injuries.
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions Or Schedule A Free Appointment? Click To Call (719) 520-9909
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions or Schedule A free Appointment? Click to Call (719) 520-9909
Our Locations
Heuser & Heuser, LLP
Colorado Springs Office
Our Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter, and you’ll get the latest news, delivered right into your inbox every week.