Fort Collins Personal Injury Lawyers

Who Can Be Held at Fault?

As many circumstances cause injuries, there’s an extensive list of potentially responsible parties depending on the case:

• Auto accidents: A driver’s negligent vehicle operation, distracted driving, and driving under the influence often cause accidents. Knowingly allowing an unsafe driver access to a vehicle is an act of negligent entrustment. A manufacturer is liable when a defect causes or contributes to an accident.
• Truck accidents: A truck drivers’ negligent operation, loading, and other acts make them legally responsible for the damages they cause. Their employer/motor carrier is responsible for their actions and also for negligent entrustment and supervision. Truck manufacturers and maintenance contractors are responsible for injuries caused by defective products or services.
• Sports incidents: When an organized sports participant sustains injuries, league organizers, promoters, and school districts are often liable. They often fail to warn of dangers, create an antagonistic environment, and push youthful athletes beyond the point of exhaustion and harm.
• Construction: A general contractor is responsible for job site safety. Subcontractor actions, heavy equipment operators, and defective equipment can cause or contribute to injuries. Architects are responsible for injuries caused by defective design and site planning.
• Slip and fall accidents: Owners, lessors, maintenance, and security contractors are liable for injuries caused by premises conditions, pool safety, and maintenance issues or failure to warn of known hazards.

What Kind of Damages Can an Injured Person Recover?

When we negotiate our clients’ cases, the settlement or award often includes economic damages and general damages. Fort Collins courts sometimes award exemplary or punitive damages when evidence proves the responsible party’s actions demonstrate fraud, malice, or willful and wanton conduct.

We calculate economic damages based on incurred and projected future out-of-pocket costs. 

Economic damages include these and other expenses:

General damages are more complicated, as they involve the injured person’s feelings, emotions, experiences, and responses to lifestyle changes. We help our clients recognize their mental and emotional issues. We evaluate how their injuries affect their lifestyle. 

General damages include these and other considerations:

How Do Liable Parties Defend Against Claims?

To avoid liability, negligent parties often report accidents in a way that makes them seem negligence-free. General contractors, property owners, and other commercial entities execute contracts that transfer some of their legal liabilities to other parties before an incident occurs. Even when liability is clear, responsible parties, their insurance companies, and defense attorneys may negotiate unfairly. 

They try cases hoping to eliminate or reduce the damages by asserting these and other affirmative defenses:

• No Negligence: The negligent party refuses to acknowledge fault.
• Comparative Negligence: If a defendant proves the injured person is 50% or greater negligent, Colorado’s comparative negligence statute prevents the plaintiff from recovering damages
• No Defect: When a vehicle, product, or other defect causes an injury, manufacturers defend themselves by denying a malfunction or defect exists. They also allege product misuse.
• Damage dispute: When a defendant can’t defend liability, they often dispute damages to try and minimize their losses.

How Much Does a Fort Collins Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?

If you or a family member sustained a serious injury or you’re struggling with your loved one’s wrongful death, our firm wants to hear your story. We invite you to participate in a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. Our Fort Collins personal injury attorney will review your case and determine if we can help you. We never charge our clients attorney fees until we resolve their case, whether through settlement or a trial award.