Compassionate Grand Junction Auto Accident Attorney Ready To Fight For You
If Justice Will Not be Offered, It Must be Demanded
How much you are entitled to is a consideration. How much you receive is another matter entirely. That depends on your skill in dealing with the opposing party – typically, a streetwise auto insurance adjuster. Unfortunately, the amount of your compensation is likely to reflect your negotiating skills as much as it reflects the actual merits of your claim. Speak with a highly experienced Grand Junction car accident lawyer today. Let us fight for your rights and the compensation that you deserve.
I Know How to Handle Stingy Insurance Companies
To better grasp the benefits that a Grand Junction auto accident attorney can bring to your case, it is helpful to understand insurance companies’ motivations. Insurance companies are corporations that exist solely to make a profit. While insurance companies want you to think they are on your side, that isn’t the case. From the moment you file a claim, the insurance company is looking for ways to either deny the claim or settle it for as little money as possible.
Most of my clients’ claims are resolved by settlement, not by trial. In 25 years of representing injured victims just like you, I have negotiated more claims than I can count, and I have brought home millions of dollars for my clients. The reason why insurance companies prefer to settle with me rather than go to court is that they know my reputation, and they don’t want to face me in court. Often, the moment the insurance company hears that I am involved in a case, they immediately change their tune.
When you bring me into your case, the insurance company will know they are in for a fight and will not be able to take advantage of you. I will immediately begin preparing a compelling case for maximum compensation. Retaining a Grand Junction car accident attorney is one of the best moves you can make to adjust the attitude of a stingy insurance company.
More About Grand Junction and Mesa County, Colorado
Grand Junction and Mesa County boast some of the world’s most spectacular scenery. I spend a lot of time here since one of my offices is located in downtown Grand Junction. I find the lure of the outdoors irresistible whether I am horseback riding through the Colorado National Monument, hiking in the Grand Mesa National Forest, or rafting down the Colorado River.
Fortunately for me, the Grand Junction/Mesa County area is easily navigable by Interstate 70, U.S. Highway 6, U.S. Highway 50, SH 340, and myriad other smaller roads and byways. The beauty of this area, however, often masks a dangerous reality – your life could be instantly transformed by a serious auto accident, no matter how safe of a driver you are.
Testimonial
“I want to thank you for doing a great job of representing us on this matter. This experience has been a good lesson but I realize it could have been much worse without your guidance and work on our behalf. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your help.” – G.B.
Auto Accident Claims
Semi-Truck Accidents
Commercial truck accidents are among the most devastating of all personal injury accidents. A truck, after all, can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and it often carries hazardous materials such as petroleum. Fortunately, almost all truckers are very well insured, meaning that there is almost certainly enough money available to pay your claim.
Wrongful Death Claims
Traffic accident deaths are all too common, especially when a commercial truck or a motorcycle is involved. Obviously, a deceased victim cannot file a lawsuit. In Colorado, however, a close relative can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of family members and the victim’s probate estate.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Accidents caused by drunk driving (and other forms of intoxicated driving) are perhaps the most avoidable, and most culpable, form of auto accident. Most people don’t realize that in addition to the driver, you can file a claim against an alcohol vendor under certain circumstances.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted driving accidents have increased dramatically over the past two decades due to the prevalence of mobile phones. Other forms of distraction can also cause accidents, including eating while driving, shaving while driving, etc. Even arguing while driving can be a distraction that could result in a negligence claim.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles are among the most dangerous vehicles on the road because of their complete lack of frame protection. An accident that might not even injure an automobile driver could kill a motorcyclist. Furthermore, motorcycles are difficult for other vehicles to see.
No matter what type of accident you were involved in, a Grand Junction auto accident attorney can make all the difference in the world, not only to whether you win or lose your claim, but also to how much money you end up with.
Types of Auto Accidents
Some of the most common types of auto accidents include:
- Rear-end accidents;
- Side-swipe accidents;
- Construction zone accidents;
- Head-on collisions;
- Backing-up accidents;
- Pedestrian accidents;
- Bicycle accidents; and
- Hit-and-run accidents.
If you have been injured in a Grand Junction car accident, let a highly-skilled Grand Junction car accident lawyer handle your case. You only get one chance to bring a case after a serious accident, and there is too much on the line to risk falling victim to the many pitfalls that await unrepresented accident victims.
Common Causes of Grand Junction Car Accidents
Car accidents don’t just happen out of nowhere—they are almost always caused by driver negligence. When drivers do what they are supposed to, the vast majority of accidents are avoided. However, history has shown that, for a variety of reasons, motorists don’t always exercise the best judgment when behind the wheel. In my experience as a Grand Junction auto accident lawyer, most car accidents are caused by the following actions.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving involves a motorist engaging in any activity that removes their attention from the road. For example, texting and talking on the phone are two of the most common types of distracted driving. Other examples include eating or drinking, changing radio channels, reaching for something in the car, talking with passengers, or scrolling social media.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving is especially common these days, with drivers always seeming to be in a rush. The most common form of aggressive driving is speeding. However, other types of aggressive driving include frequently changing lanes, cutting other drivers off, and running stop signs and stop lights.
Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol seriously compromises a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. Yet, despite decades of public-service campaigns making the dangers of drunk driving clear, motorists continue to get behind the wheel after having too much to drink. In fact, between 2009 and 2018, 1,548 people were killed in DUI accidents in Colorado.
Drowsy Driving
Given Grand Junction’s relatively isolated location, many of the driver’s entering the city are only passing through on their way to somewhere else. However, when drivers stay on the road too long during an extended road trip, they run the risk of becoming drowsy. According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowsy driving makes drivers less attentive, slows their reaction time, and compromises their decision-making abilities.
Slick Road Conditions
Driving on slick roads generates the responsibility to drive slowly and to pay more attention to the road. Especially in a rear-end accident, the driver in the rear is likely to be negligent despite the fact that they are not responsible for road conditions.
Ignoring Another Driver’s Blind Spots
You’ve probably seen the bumper sticker before: “If you can’t see my mirrors, I can’t see you.” Take heed, because you wouldn’t want another driver to change lanes into the side of your vehicle. This is especially true if you are riding a motorcycle.
Vehicle Defects
Sometimes an accident is the fault of a mechanical defect, not a mistake made by another driver. In this case, you might be able to sue the manufacturer of the defective auto part. Auto parts manufacturers typically have the financial ability to pay large claims. The main danger is that the manufacturer may have already gone out of business.
Tailgating
Tailgating, or following another vehicle too closely, is a reckless driving habit that commercial truckers are particularly famous for. They are not the only drivers that commit this offense, however. It is better to allow yourself to be “bullied” than to “stand your ground” against a tailgating driver.
Common Injuries in a Grand Junction Auto Accident
Motor vehicle accidents have the potential to result in serious, lifelong injuries. Some of the most common injuries in auto accidents include:
- Broken bones;
- Head and brain injuries (including traumatic brain injuries);
- Internal organ damage;
- Back and spine injuries;
- Lacerations and contusions;
- Soft tissue damage; and
- Whiplash and other neck injuries.
Regardless of the type of injuries you sustained in an accident, an experienced Grand Junction auto accident attorney can help you pursue a claim for compensation from the at-fault driver.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are my secrets safe with you?
Yes. As a Grand Junction auto accident attorney, I am subject to professional ethical standards that require me to keep our communications confidential unless you authorize me to release them. In fact, it is against the law for me to divulge a client’s confidential information. I would never do that anyway.
Can I win even if the accident was partly my fault?
Yes, unless you were more than 50% or more responsible for causing the accident. Colorado uses a system called modified comparative negligence to determine which parties are entitled to recover for their damages after a car accident.
Under Colorado’s modified comparative fault analysis, the court will calculate your damages based on your percentage of fault. However, if you were 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything for your injuries.
Negligent drivers and their insurance companies routinely claim injured drivers are partially at fault for the accident in an attempt to limit their liability. This is why it is incredibly important to bring me onto your team as quickly as possible. I have more than 25 years of experience handling Grand Junction car accident cases and can help you minimize your role in the accident to obtain a higher damages award.
Can I win even if the accident was partly my fault?
Perhaps. Under Colorado’s comparative fault principles:
- If the court determines that your fault was more than 50 percent, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault;
- If you were 50 percent or more at fault, you will receive nothing.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
The general deadline is three years from the date of the accident, for both personal injury and property damage. It can be extended if you didn’t discover your injury until after the accident. If you sue the government, you will have to file a claim with the government within a much shorter time.
What kinds of damages might I be eligible for?
The three main types are:
- Economic damages: Quantifiable damages such as medical bills and lost earnings.
- Non-economic damages: Intangible damages such as pain and suffering and mental anguish.
- Punitive damages: Awarded to punish a defendant for outrageous behavior (rare).
Statutory maximum amounts apply to non-economic and punitive damages.
My Services Are Free Unless You Win
Because I almost always win my cases, as a Grand Junction auto accident lawyer, I am willing to offer you a win-win payment arrangement. In the unlikely event that I fail to win compensation for you, your total legal fees for the entire case will be precisely $0.00.
Take Action Today
Contact Me Today – Proven Grand Junction Car Accident Lawyer
Call Mark S. Rubinstein, P.C. directly (Rubinstein Law Offices); otherwise, contact me online. Either way, I will be happy to schedule a meeting in which I will present you with a free initial evaluation of your case. If you are seriously injured, I can even meet you in the hospital. To schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable Grand Junction car accident attorney, and to learn more about your rights as an accident victim, call Mark S. Rubinstein today. You can also reach us through our online contact form.