Drunk drivers are a serious threat to public safety in Colorado. Impaired and intoxicated drivers drive recklessly, often resulting in high-speed collisions and other serious accidents. If you or someone you love was recently hurt by a drunk driver in Fort Collins, help is available at Hadfield Stieben & Doutt, LLC.
Our Fort Collins car accident lawyers are passionate about holding reckless drivers accountable for causing driving under the influence (DUI) accidents. Contact us today to find out how we can help you pursue justice and the maximum possible compensation. Initial case consultations are always free.
Why Choose Hadfield Stieben Doutt?
- We have years of experience working as automotive accident lawyers in Colorado. Our team understands drunk driving accidents and how to navigate relevant state laws.
- All of our lead attorneys have extensive litigation experience against insurance companies. We have secured multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts for past clients.
- You won’t pay your drunk driving accident lawyer in Fort Collins anything unless we win your case. We operate on a contingency fee basis for all car accident cases.
When Can Hiring a Fort Collins Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Benefit You?
If an intoxicated driver has caused a major accident with far-reaching consequences on your life or livelihood, it is important to speak with an attorney about how they can help your case. A lawyer can handle insurance companies for you so that you can maximize your compensation without the stress.
A law firm will have the resources to thoroughly investigate your car accident and find evidence of impaired driving, such as police reports, footage, witness statements, and any criminal charges brought against the other driver for DUI. An attorney can use aggressive negotiations to achieve a fair case result and reach a settlement on your behalf.
Although most cases settle, a trial lawyer will also have the ability to litigate your drunk driving accident case in court in Fort Collins, if necessary. Having a Fort Collins injury attorney representing you can make a major difference in the financial compensation you receive from the drunk driver. It can also make it easier to rebuild your life and move forward with peace of mind.
Injuries Frequently Associated With Drunk Driving Accidents in Fort Collins
Drunk driving collisions in Colorado often result in serious and life-changing injuries. Intoxicated drivers are likely to make reckless and dangerous driving mistakes, such as driving at high speeds and driving the wrong way. This can lead to severe motor vehicle accidents.
Injuries often associated with DUI crashes include:
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Disk herniation
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Soft-tissue damage
- Sprains and strains
- Lacerations
- Burn injuries
- Amputations
At HSD Law, our lawyers can direct you to top medical providers in Fort Collins to make sure you get the care that you need. Then, we can help you prove your injuries to an insurance company, judge, or jury to maximize your settlement or judgment award.
How Do DUI Accident Cases Work in Colorado?
Driving under the influence and causing an accident can lead to civil consequences as well as criminal charges in Colorado. As someone who was hurt in a DUI crash, you may be eligible for financial compensation from the drunk driver’s car insurance company. However, you may also have the right to seek compensation from a dram shop, depending on the circumstances.
Holding a Drunk Driver Responsible for a Crash in Fort Collins
Since Colorado is a fault-based state, if a driver is at fault for causing an accident due to intoxication, his or her car insurance policy should provide coverage for victims’ injuries, medical costs, and property damage.
You or your car accident lawyer in Fort Collins will be responsible for proving fault. The burden of proof is “based on a preponderance of the evidence, which is less than the burden of proof in a criminal DUI case. For this reason, even if the driver is not convicted of DUI, he or she may still be held liable for your car accident.
Colorado’s Dram Shop Laws
In Colorado, state law (Colorado Revised Statutes §44-3-801) allows the victim of a drunk driving accident to hold an alcohol vendor liable for knowingly selling alcohol to a minor under the age of 21 or someone who was already visibly intoxicated. In these circumstances, victims can file “dram shop” claims against a bar, restaurant, liquor store, or another vendor if the individual served subsequently causes a DUI accident.
Evidence to Collect for a Fort Collins Drunk Driving Accident Case
If you get involved in a car accident and believe the other driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, call 911 to report the crash right away. Explain your suspicions to the police officer at the scene. During your case, do your best to collect evidence that can help you establish fault and your injuries.
Common examples include:
- A police car accident report
- Statements from the drunk driver and witnesses
- Photographs from the crash scene
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage
- Breathalyzer, urine, or blood test results
- Field sobriety testing
- Police bodycam footage of the traffic stop
- An officer’s statements regarding the driver’s appearance and behaviors
- Testimonial evidence from experts, such as crash reconstructionists
- Medical records proving your injuries and showing their severity
- Hospital bills, vehicle repair estimates, and other proof of losses
Always get medical care immediately after any auto accident in Fort Collins. Then, take your case and evidence to a free consultation at Hadfield Stieben & Doutt, LLC to discuss your legal rights and options.
Compensation Available for a Drunk Driving Accident Case in Fort Collins, CO
Holding one or more parties accountable for your drunk driving accident in Fort Collins could lead to a financial recovery that helps to make you whole again. A settlement or jury verdict in your favor could reimburse you for various crash-related losses, such as:
- Present and future medical bills
- Lost wages and capacity to earn
- Property damage
- Disability or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages, if a loved one died
DUI accident cases in Colorado may also result in punitive damages to punish the defendant for egregious wrongdoing. Determine the value of your case with help from our attorneys before accepting a quick insurance settlement.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation About Your Legal Rights After a DUI Accident in Fort Collins
Getting into an accident with a drunk driver in Fort Collins can be overwhelming enough without the added stress of dealing with the legal process that comes next. At Hadfield Stieben Doutt, we help crash victims and their families seek justice and hold those responsible for causing DUI accidents accountable in Colorado.
Find out how we can help you with a drunk driving accident claim today. Request your free consultation at (970) 221-2800 or by sending us a message 24/7 for a prompt callback.