Property Damage Lawyers Colorado

Damage or Destruction to Your Personal Property?

/in /by

When most people think of property damage lawsuits, the first place their mind goes is some type of damage sustained to their vehicle in a car accident. Although damage to a vehicle is the most common type of property damage, individuals may also sustain damage to their house or commercial property. If your property has sustained damage or destruction by a third party, there are a few things to be aware of if you ever need to seek compensation.

What types of property damage should I be aware of?

The most common types of property damage people seek compensation for may result from negligent, reckless, or willful conduct, and can be for:

  1. Faulty repairs to your home or commercial property,
  2. Damage to your vehicle in a car accident,
  3. Destruction or vandalism to your property by a neighbor, tenant, or third party, or
  4. Fire, asbestos, wind, or hail damage to your property.

Even though finding yourself in a situation where your property has been damaged or destroyed is an unwelcome situation, it is important to remember that carrying a comprehensive insurance policy in many cases can help cover some costs of damage or destruction. It is highly recommended that you carry a comprehensive policy if you own or rent your property. In fact, it is likely required to have coverage by your mortgage company.

If you have been involved in a car accident, odds are that your vehicle will need to be repaired to the tune of thousands of dollars. The experienced attorneys at Alhasoon, Glidden and Glidden can help you file a claim to recover for damages not just to your vehicle, but to any injury and harm you may have sustained in the accident.

Although it’s always good to insure your property, the downside is that sometimes you won’t know who caused the damage to your property. This may be in the event of a hit and run, when you discover that one of your tail lights is broken after coming back to the parking lot without a note on your windshield, or waking up to find a broken window in your house. If you don’t know who damaged your property, you will likely be responsible for the deductible on your insurance claim, if you decide to submit one. Nevertheless, when the damage is discovered, take as many pictures as possible and document the damage in case you do submit the claim to insurance, or discover the individual responsible for the damage to your property.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

Knowing how long you have to file a lawsuit is important, as damage to property sometimes may not be discovered right away. According to the Colorado Revised Statute §13-80-102, a cause of action will begin on the date both the injury and its cause are known or should have been reasonably known by the owner. In Colorado, the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit seeking compensation for the repair or replacement of property damage is two years from the date that you find damage on your property. In the situation of damage to your motor vehicle, you have three years to file a lawsuit seeking compensation. There are other laws that may reduce the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit or that limit your right to recovery. It is important to contact an attorney immediately following any property damage situation to ensure that your rights are adequately protected and ensure you get the maximum compensation you deserve.

An exception to the statute of limitations is if the property owner is out of the state or away from the property and has not had the ability to inspect it in a while, or the defendant conceals such damage, the statute of limitations will pause, or “toll” as it is more commonly referred to in the law. This will give you more time to file the lawsuit, as it would otherwise be difficult to determine when the damage to your property originally occurred.

For lawsuits concerning damage or destruction to your property, whether commercial or personal real estate, a vehicle, or other personal property, contact the experienced attorneys of Alhasoon, Glidden and Glidden for a free consultation on your case. We don’t get paid until you get paid!

Denver Wrongful Death Lawyers

The Top Six Most Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Colorado

/in /by

A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil action brought by the member or members of a deceased person’s family for compensation. Wrongful death is a death that is caused by another person or company’s negligence, recklessness, willful disregard of the law, or the breach of a standard of care. For the basics of wrongful death lawsuits in Colorado, click here. The wrongful death of a family member is always a tragic event, and can often cost thousands of dollars in medical bills and property damage, funeral and burial expenses, not to mention the resulting emotional harm.

The experienced wrongful death attorneys at Alhasoon, Glidden and Glidden regularly deal with the following as the most common causes of wrongful death in Colorado:

Car Accidents

In Colorado, over 4,094 people died in car accidents in 2017 alone. This is the result of three factors.

  1. The first is a variation of reckless or negligent conduct by a driver. Things such as texting and driving, speeding, disobeying traffic laws, or driving under the influence of alcohol are common causes of injury or death to pedestrians.
  2. The second factor that lends to serious injury or death are defective road repairs or construction defects that cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and become involved in a car accident.
  3. The third factor is an automotive defect to the operator’s vehicle. Certain mechanical defects may cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and cause harm to themselves and others on the road.

Truck Accidents

Although trucking accidents are often similar to car accidents, they are placed in a different category for wrongful death lawsuits due to the specialty of care and skill required to operate and maneuver the size and weight of large vehicles, such as semi-trucks. Consequently, truck drivers are held to a different standard of care than regular vehicle drivers. Regardless of the heightened standard of care, truck drivers can be held liable for negligence, recklessness, and drunk driving. Driving under adverse weather conditions that are riskier for semi-trucks or driving with an overweight load is an example of negligence. Doing such things that are against the norm for truck drivers is referred to as breaching the standard of care, because it may put themselves, and others in harm’s way.

Motorcycle Accidents

Because motorcycle drivers are very exposed and have limited protection, motorcycle accidents often result in very serious brain, back and spinal injuries, and sometimes even death. Similar to car accidents, a few causes of serious injury may result from defective helmets and riding gear, mechanical issues in the motorcycle, or most commonly, from distracted or reckless auto drivers.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice results from negligence by medical professionals breaching their standard of care. Such negligence may result from a misdiagnosis, pharmaceutical errors, birth injury, improper treatment, medical device defects, or surgical errors. A breach of that standard of care can result in serious injury or death to a patient and may be grounds for medical malpractice or even a wrongful death action.

Defective Products

Defective products vary from the small to the large – from a design defect in a faulty motorcycle helmet, an air bag defect in your vehicle, a defect in your child’s toy, or the food and drinks you consume. Product defect lawsuits are a very important tool for holding manufacturers and companies accountable, as they sell and profit from goods sold to public consumers.

Workplace Accidents

In certain industries, such as manufacturing and construction, it is important for the company to observe certain laws, rules, processes, and standards of care for employees that work in hazardous or dangerous workplaces. For example, a worker on a heavy construction site should always be required to wear their hard hat to avoid the potential that objects may fall on them from above. If a company fails to enforce such safety standards, they can be held liable for not providing direction in the workplace. It is particularly important because the employer and the company have the knowledge, ability, and the duty to prevent known injuries to workers and employees.

Of course, a wrongful death lawsuit is not limited to the above listed causes. There may be more nuanced causes of serious injury or death that were preventable. Wrongful death lawsuits are important for holding individuals and companies accountable for their actions. If you are suffering from the loss of a loved one because of someone else’s negligence or recklessness, we extend our deepest condolences. Call the experienced Denver wrongful death attorneys of Alhasoon, Glidden and Glidden for a free consultation on your options for pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit to hold the responsible parties accountable. We will work hard to get you the compensation you deserve for the loss of your loved one.

Hit-and-run in Denver

What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident in Denver?

/in /by

Every day in Colorado and throughout the United States, a pedestrian is involved in an auto/pedestrian accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that there were nearly 6,000 pedestrian fatalities in 2016 – which made up 16% of traffic deaths that same year. The severity of an accident may vary from minor injuries to fatal. If death is the result, this may be a case for a wrongful death action. Regardless of whether you are a pedestrian, bicyclist, or driver, a hit and run is an issue that requires serious attention.

Colorado does not take a hit and run lightly

Unfortunately, in recent years, the number of drivers fleeing the scene of an accident has increased. Fortunately, however, Colorado has become increasingly serious about prosecuting and charging individuals involved in a hit and run. Under the Colorado Revised Statute §42-4-1601, a hit and run may result in any of the following:

  1. A Class 1 misdemeanor conviction, punishable by up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine;
  2. If the victim suffered serious injuries, the driver may face up to a Class 5 felony, punishable by 1 to 3 years in prison, and fines that can reach up to $500,000;
  3. If the accident results in death, the driver may face a Class 3 felony and up to 12 years in prison and fines.

The severity of the punishment depends on the facts of the situation.

To further reduce the number of hit and run accidents for pedestrians, aside from enacting strict hit and run laws, Colorado has enacted right-of-way laws that require Colorado drivers to stop and yield for pedestrians. Many other states have followed suit in implementing such laws. According to the Colorado Driver Handbook at section 10.2, the most important points to take away regarding pedestrians are:

  1. When driving, you should yield the right-of-way to pedestrians under all conditions.
  2. Be particularly watchful for children, elderly and blind persons.
  3. Pedestrians have the right-of-way at all intersections and crosswalks.
  4. Drivers must come to a complete stop and let the person pass safely.

The law states who must yield the right-of-way. It does not give a driver the right-of-way, even if the driver’s traffic signal is green.

What if a car hit me and fled the scene?

If you have been involved in a hit and run in Colorado, try to remain calm, stay at the scene immediately following the accident, and do the following:

  1. Contact emergency medical services if the injury is serious or you think you may require medical attention or seek medical attention as soon as possible even if you think your injuries are minor;
  2. Contact the police. It is the law to remain at the scene of the accident. It will also be important to file a police report of the incident for your insurance company. Provide the police with as much information about the driver, vehicle, license plate, etc. as possible. This information may help police locate the hit and run driver.
  3. If possible, try to move your vehicle out of traffic to the side of the road.
  4. Take pictures of the scene of the accident. Any damage to your car, the weather conditions, the intersection, and anything that may be relevant to the accident.
  5. If any witnesses were present, ask whether they can provide you their contact information and any information they may have regarding the accident.
  6. Write down every bit of information you can recall shortly before or during the accident. It will be much harder to recall this information at a later time.
  7. Contact your insurance company to file a claim and see what your insurance policy covers. If you have underinsurance and uninsurance coverage, it may help you cover some damage that resulted from the accident.
  8. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney to handle your case. Call the experienced personal injury attorneys of Alhasoon, Glidden and Glidden for a free consultation to see how we can get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

If you are a witness, it is important to provide support and help to an individual who has been harmed. Providing any information that may be useful for a hit a run will greatly help to hold those who may be responsible for an individual’s injuries and harm.

A hit and run is a serious crime – the law treats it as such and we certainly do, too! If you are a pedestrian, bicyclist, or driver in Colorado that has suffered damages or injury from a hit and run, call the experienced personal injury attorneys of Alhasoon, Glidden and Glidden for a free consultation on your options for compensation We get paid only when we recover compensation for you!

colorado springs car accident

Has your Automobile Been Damaged in an Accident?

/in /by

Being involved in an auto accident can lead to many issues few are equipped to deal with. To name a few, the trauma of the experience, the potential medical issues that can last for months or even years, and of course, the damage your vehicle suffers. A damaged vehicle is no small issue for individuals who rely on their vehicle to get to work every day, or who use it for work. Although property damage insurance covers the costs associated with damage to your vehicle, the amount of coverage you’ll receive to repair or replace your vehicle depends on the automobile policy you have.

What you should do immediately following a car accident

Immediately following the accident, contact the police to report the accident and wait for them to arrive at the scene. Once the police arrive, they will take your statement, the other driver’s statement (if present), and any witnesses that were present during the accident. All this information will go into the police report that the attending officer will file. If the other party is still present at the scene, make sure to exchange contact and insurance information with them. If there is a witness that is willing to make a statement in your favor, take their contact information as well.

Second, document all evidence at the scene of the accident. This includes taking multiples picture of the damage to both vehicles from various angles, taking pictures of the stop lights or traffic signs, and pictures of the intersection. This type of documentation is extremely important, as it may be used in the future to prove fault to the insurance company or in the event the case is not settled, it can be used in court.

After the accident, you should expect to hear from the other driver’s insurance company. It is important to consult the experienced personal injury attorneys at Alhasoon, Glidden, and Glidden as soon as possible to discuss your options.

Demand Fair Compensation!

In Colorado, victims who are injured in an automobile accident can recover damages from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If this is the case, you can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company for compensation to repair the damage to your vehicle. Because Colorado drivers are required by law to carry liability insurance to cover physical injuries and property damage, you should make a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company for compensation.

If the other driver does not have insurance coverage and was at fault, then you may still recover from your insurance company for your bodily injuries if you have an uninsured motorist policy coverage. As an alternative, you can also take the driver to court to seek compensation for damages. If you have collision coverage and you were at fault, your insurance company should cover your vehicle damage, regardless of fault.

In Colorado, each driver is required to purchase an insurance policy with a minimum of $15,000 for damage coverage. Many drivers opt to purchase a higher policy limit as it provides huge benefits in the event of an accident.

Get the Care and Attention You Deserve!

Our attorneys have years of experience representing clients in a variety of personal injury and property damage cases and understand the severity and challenges you may be facing. You deserve to be compensated and made whole after an accident, contact the attorneys at the Denver-based firm of Alhasoon, Glidden and Glidden to help you fight to recover every dollar you are owed.