Colorado Auto Accident Attorneys

The most common personal injury cases in Colorado arise from auto accidents. This is unsurprising when you consider that in 2005, motor vehicle accidents were the leading cause of death nationally for teenagers and young adults under the age of 35. In Colorado alone, 535 people died in 2006 as a result of motor vehicle accidents.

Serious car accidents require the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney, familiar with Colorado laws regarding traffic accidents, motor vehicle insurance and medical insurance benefits. At Chalat Hatten & Koupal PC, we have years of practice and an impressive track record representing people who have suffered significant injuries in car accidents throughout Colorado.

We are not a high-volume, "fender bender" firm. We represent auto accident victims who have suffered complex, catastrophic injuries with long-term implications. Our in-depth understanding of Colorado automobile, insurance and liability laws means we know the different sources of recovery available to Colorado car accident victims. We have represented a multitude of automobile accident victims over the years, and we thoroughly understand accident-related injuries. We work with physicians and other health care providers to assess and review all the short and long-term medical aspects of your case to make sure the full extent of your injuries is clear.

We are committed to treating each case with the seriousness it deserves in order to ensure that all of our clients receive the compensation they deserve.

If you have been injured in an auto accident and you wish to discuss your situation with an experienced Colorado attorney, please contact us or call 1.866.701.7292.

More About Car Accidents

A simple auto accident case is one where liability is clear - fault for the accident is not disputed - and the injuries suffered by those involved are easily identified and explained. Having at least one physician who can describe the injury as resulting from the accident is critical, and significant body-damage to the vehicles helps persuade a jury of the severity of the collision. We frequently handle this type of case on a discounted fee basis.

A complex auto accident case may involve a plaintiff with pre-existing medical conditions, little damage to the vehicles, or a wide range of care providers. Few cases fall completely within the simple category, and most require thoughtful analysis and presentation of the damages to recover fair compensation for the victim.

At Chalat Hatten & Koupal, we have the experience to determine whether an accident reconstruction engineer may be needed to analyze the physics of an accident, or a biomechanical engineer to analyze the forces acting upon an injured victim. Working with medical experts, these technical experts detail the injuries suffered by an accident victim. If necessary, we work with all of these experts to develop a clear statement of the cause of the accident and your resulting damages.

Typically, recovering compensation for damages - whether they be medical expenses, loss of wages, pain and suffering or permanent impairment - involves an auto insurance company. Colorado law requires auto insurance. To learn more, visit our discussion of Colorado auto insurance coverage.

Reserve Police Officer Suffers Spinal Injuries

In June, 2007, Officer Gomez was involved in a high speed, near head-on collision on Federal Boulevard. Mr. Gomez was traveling south on Federal when another vehicle made a sudden left hand turn into his path of travel. The force of the impact propelled Mr. Gomez's vehicle (a three-quarter ton pickup truck) across the roadway, where it collided into a light pole before coming to a stop in the middle of the street.

In the collision, Mr. Gomez suffered a constellation of severe injuries to the thoracic, cervical and lumbar spine, and to his knee, chest, wrist, hand, shoulder and arm. He had to undergo months of medical care, including spinal injections, extensive physical therapy and, eventually, surgery. His medical bills exceeded $50,000.00. According to his physician, he would suffer a permanent physical impairment. The case settled in April, 2008.

Failure to Yield

Around noon on a summer's day Brianna Ross, a 28 year old critical care nurse, and her husband Daniel, an education doctoral candidate, were driving Ms. Ross' grandmother's 1995 Saturn northbound on Riverdale Road. At the same time, Crystal Bradford was driving her brand-new Mustang southbound. As the Ross' car was passing through an intersection, Ms. Bradford made a sudden left turn and collided head on with the Ross' Saturn.

Brianna was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance for treatment of several severe cervical spine injuries. She was placed in a halo brace under 40 pounds of traction. Brianna remained in intensive care for seven days, then four more in general care before she could leave the hospital. She faces serious residual medical issues for the rest of her life.

Chalat Hatten & Koupal successfully demanded maximum policy limits from each of three insurers, totaling $200,000.00.

High Impact Collision on I-25

Susan and Anthony Slade were driving northbound on I-25 in central Denver on a September morning. As traffic slowed to a standstill, the Slades sat in their Ford Explorer, stopped behind the car ahead of them. Suddenly, Roger Koester slammed into the back of the Slades' car at about 50 m.p.h. The impact slammed the Slades' Explorer into the car ahead of them. Mr. Koester was cited by Denver Police for following too closely.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Slade suffered severe spinal injuries. Mr. Slade required immediate surgical intervention. Mrs. Slade was able to recover, but with the specter of necessary future surgery hanging over her head. Chalat Hatten & Koupal agreed to handle the Slades' case for a reduced fee, and negotiated a combined settlement of $185,000.00.

Contact an attorney at Chalat Hatten & Koupal PC today.