18-year-old Pedestrian hit by driver under the influence in Brighton, Colorado

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On Friday, September 27, 2019, at approximately 10:15 a.m. in Brighton, Colorado an 18-year-old man was struck by a car. The victim was crossing North 11th Avenue, between Walnut and Strong when he was hit. The victim was taken to the hospital and his condition is unknown. 

Police say the driver, 30-year-old Adryan Chinn, was arrested for driving under the influence and booked into the Adams County Jail on the following charges: driving under the influence of drugs, vehicular assault, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no proof of insurance. (Credit: Denver 7 News)

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim and his family. 

In pedestrian accident cases, it is very important to hire an attorney as soon as possible to make sure your rights are protected and ensure that critical evidence is preserved. Our office represents injured individuals and families in cases that result in death all over the state of Colorado. If you or a loved one have been the victim in an automobile pedestrian accident, contact us now to get the dedicated and aggressive representation you deserve.

https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/teen-struck-by-vehicle-in-brighton-suspect-accused-of-driving-under-the-influence

What Victims Should do After a Motorcycle Accident

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Every year, thousands of victims die or sustain grievous personal injury as a result of motorcycle accidents in Colorado Springs, Colorado. These accidents usually occur as a result of driving under the influence, distracted driving, or speeding. Sadly, when a motorcycle collides or has a head-on accident with an automobile, the motorcyclist is 28 times more likely to be killed than those in the other vehicle.

Although a motorcycle accident can be an unsettling experience for victims, they should take the time to calm down, assess what happened and understand the next steps to take. The actions taken in the aftermath of a motorcycle wreck will have a significant impact on the outcome of settlement or litigation proceedings.

What to do After a Motorcycle Accident

After a T-bone or head on motorcycle accident, the police usually arrive to secure the accident scene, take statements, interview witnesses and document evidence. Victims should maintain their composure and keep calm, especially when interacting with law enforcement. Individuals should also contact the police in the event of personal injury, death or substantial vehicle damage. The police will interview all those involved in the accident as well as witnesses. Then, they use this information to create an incident report. It’s also important not to admit any fault for the motorcycle accident to avoid damaging one’s chances of receiving adequate compensation.

Seek Medical Attention

Victims of motorcycle accidents should access urgent medical attention. While some injuries are easily detectable, others like internal hemorrhaging, injuries to internal organs and concussions are not.

Take Photos of the Accident Scene

Since establishing the culpability of the at-fault party sets the stage for successful settlement negotiations, victims need to have as much evidence as they can get their hands on. As such, it’s great to have multiple photos of the accident scene (shot from various angles). Photo documentation can help motorcycle accident attorneys prove who was at fault for the accident. They can also obtain the insurance information, license numbers, name, phone number and address of the driver at fault. This is only if you have the capacity to take photos. Of course, if you are injured don’t move and wait for the ambulance to arrive.

Contact an Attorney right away

You should avoid speaking to the insurance companies, without talking to the experienced attorneys at AGG law firm first. Speaking with insurance companies alone can harm your case.

Why Victims Should Seek the Expertise of a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?

To avoid jeopardizing the case or inadvertently ruining their chances of receiving adequate compensation, victims are advised to engage the services of a personal injury and motorcycle accident attorney in Colorado Springs, CO.

In most cases, the insurer of the at-fault party will approach victims with a settlement offer. Insurance adjusters make lowball offers hoping that victims will take the bait, thus enabling them to close the case as quickly as possible. Since these offers are made when victims may still be suffering the shock and aftereffects of the accident, they aren’t in the best position to understand, assess and accept such offers.

Also, most victims do not understand their rights, the full extent of their injuries or the magnitude of settlement they are entitled to. As such, it’s best to consult extensively with a seasoned motorcycle accident attorney before accepting a settlement offer, no matter how attractive.

Wrapping Up

Health always comes first. Which is why victims of motorcycle accidents should focus on recuperating from their ordeal and hand over the job of obtaining adequate compensation to a motorcycle accident attorney. Such attorneys can take over the responsibility of obtaining supporting evidence, documenting injuries and damage to property and building a solid case to establish the fault of the responsible party.

The attorneys at AGG Law Firm are experts with years of experience in settling and litigating personal injury and accident cases. We thoroughly investigate motorcycle accidents to understand the root causes and the culpability of the at-fault party and use the evidence garnered to build a bulletproof case. Contact us today!

truck accident

What to do in the Aftermath of a Truck Accident

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Victims of truck accidents in Fort Collins, Colorado are usually emotionally vulnerable and may not know what to do after the incident. To help understand what happens and to get the maximum amount of compensation you deserve, you should engage the services of an experienced personal injury or truck accident attorney in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Truck accidents are usually different from collisions involving motorcycles, cars and SUVs. Not only do they result in more grievous injuries (due to the momentum and weight of the trucks), but they also have a higher rate of fatalities than other kinds of accidents.

Causes of Truck Accidents

The investigation, settlement proceedings and possibly, litigation of truck accident cases are far more difficult to execute owing to the wide range of factors that cause the collision.

These factors can range from texting & driving, distracted driving and DUI to negligent maintenance of the tractor-trailer, a shoddy repair job by a contractor or errors from the truck or parts manufacturer.

Most truck wrecks occur as a result of driver error. Such errors include:

  • Driver fatigue
  • Substance abuse
  • Speeding
  • Reckless driving
  • Records Falsification

However, even rule-compliant and prudent truck drivers can still get into an accident because of vehicle-related errors. Such scenarios are usually a result of

  • Design defects either on the part of the truck or parts manufacturer. The installing of faulty parts such as poorly designed brakes and tires on a semi-truck or 16-wheeler can dramatically increase the chances of an accident.
  • Improper or irregular maintenance on the part of the trucking company
  • Overloading and incorrect weight distribution

What to do in the Aftermath of a Truck Accident

By law, truck drivers and trucking companies are required to follow specific regulations. If the violation of these regulations caused the truck to have a head-on accident or T-bone accident, victims may be entitled to more compensation on their truck accident claim. To ensure proper documentation and chain of evidence, the following steps should be followed in the aftermath of a truck accident

  1. Call the police

It’s essential that an accident report be filed, even where there is little damage on the car and the injuries sustained aren’t fatal or grievous. An accident report is required by law and could become an important piece of evidence during settlement negotiations and litigation.

  • Medical attention

Even when victims think they sustained no injuries, they may suffer from internal hemorrhaging, concussions or other underlying injuries. Health always comes first and it’s advised to seek immediate medical attention. This is the only way to determine the existence and extent of injuries. Furthermore, victims that refuse medical attention endanger their case since the defendant’s counsel typically brings this up during legal proceedings. It’s also more difficult to prove that injuries sustained are a direct result of the truck accident if victims don’t seek immediate medical attention

  • Contact an attorney to handle the case

Truck accident victims should get an attorney as soon as possible after an accident. Evidence can disappear if not properly preserved and interviews with insurance companies and adjusters can damage your case. Hiring an attorney right away can ensure your case is handled properly from the beginning to get the compensation you deserve. Contact the experienced Truck accident attorneys at AGG law firm to see how we can help.

What’s Next?

Due to of all the possible scenarios and contributing factors, determining the party or parties responsible for a truck accident can be quite challenging. Which is why victims and their family members should contact the trusted attorneys at AGG Law Firm.  Our expert personal injury and truck accident attorneys will work with you in Fort Collins, Colorado. We are equipped to handle the unique circumstances of your personal injury case resulting from truck accidents.

pedestrian accidents

Pedestrian Blame: Are Drivers Always Responsible in Pedestrian Accidents?

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In 2016 in the U.S., nearly 6,000 pedestrians lost their lives by being struck by a car. On top of that, close to 129,000 pedestrians suffered injuries.

In many pedestrian accidents, the pedestrian has the right to claim compensation from the driver or their insurance company to pay for medical bills, lost wages, etc. That seems fair since the driver caused the pedestrian potentially life-changing damage.

But is it always the driver’s fault? What about when a driver is driving safely and defensively, and someone jumps out in front of their car? They can’t stop their car on a dime.

Let’s look at how the law in Arvada and Westminster, Colorado treats pedestrian accidents.

Are Drivers Always at Fault for Pedestrian Accidents?

No. Many people mistakenly believe that drivers are always at fault in pedestrian accidents. The law recognizes, however, that pedestrians can do something that makes it impossible for the driver to avoid hitting them. For example, stepping out from between parked cars only a couple feet in front of a moving vehicle.

In some cases, pedestrians can even be held responsible for damages to the driver’s car. If the driver struck another vehicle or damaged property trying to avoid the pedestrian, the pedestrian can be responsible for those damages as well.

Driver’s Duty of Care

Drivers do have a responsibility called the duty of reasonable care. Operating a vehicle is not without risks and drivers are responsible for reducing that risk as much as possible.

Not all circumstances are the same while driving. The duty of care refers to what a reasonable, prudent person would do given the specific circumstances.

For example, a driver going 30-mph in a 30-mph zone is not breaking the law. However, if the driver spots a person walking erratically near the edge of the road, a prudent person would slow down. If they fail to do so, they could be held liable for a resulting pedestrian accident.

How Does the Law Assign Blame?

During a lawsuit for a pedestrian accident, the court and jury will examine the evidence to determine fault. This includes the testimony of the pedestrian, driver, eyewitnesses, expert witnesses, the police report, and more.

Drivers can be held liable for reckless driving, texting and driving or engaging in other types of distracted driving. Pedestrians can be held liable for distractions like talking on their phone or for crossing the street where there is no crosswalk.

Nearly half of fatal pedestrian accidents involve alcohol for either party. About a third of pedestrians killed are legally drunk.

Contributory Negligence

The old way of assigning blame was rather harsh. If an injured party was found to share even a tiny bit of fault for the accident, they could not claim compensation.

There are only five states that still follow this rule. Thankfully, Colorado is not one of them.

Comparative Negligence

The rest of the states use the comparative negligence rule. There are two types of comparative negligence.

The first, used by 13 states, is pure. Each party is assigned a percentage of the blame. Any damages awarded are reduced by the injured party’s share of the blame.

For example, let’s say the court finds that the driver is 60% at fault and the pedestrian shares 40% of the blame. They can claim compensation, but the amount awarded will be reduced by 40% — their share of the blame.

The 33 remaining states (including Colorado) use a modified version of comparative negligence. If the injured party is 50% or more at fault for the accident, they are barred from recovery. If the injured party is less than 50% at fault, then any award is  reduced by their percentage of responsibility.

Proper Representation in Arvada and Westminster

Don’t handle a pedestrian accident case alone. From dealing with insurance companies to filing a lawsuit in court, an experieced attorney can make all the difference in your case and the amount of compensation you recover.

For this reason, you need proper representation. A solid attorney knows how to present the case in the best light, so the insurance company or jury assigns you as little blame as possible.

Contact us here at Alhasoon, Glidden & Glidden Law Firm by calling (720) 487-1050 for a free consultation today!

car accident colorado

Highway 350 serious car accident in Colorado

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There was a bad accident south of La Junta on Highway 350. One burned out car was visible on the side of the road, 16 miles south of La Junta, one mile north of Timpas. Injured had already been transported.

Chief Ray Gonzales of Rocky Ford Fire and EMS said four helicopters and the Rocky Ford Fire, EMS were contacted. Bystanders had pulled the people from the automobile before it exploded into flames. Rocky Ford called La Junta, Manzanola and Fowler for mutual aid. Manzanola firefighters helped to put out the grass fire that was started by the automobile burning. Fowler ambulances stood by at Rocky Ford to take calls while the other ambulances were out. La Junta ambulance transported one to Arkansas Valley Medical Center, Rocky Ford transported one and Med Trans transported one to AVRMC.

Care Connect transported one to Parkview in Pueblo and Flight for Life took one to Penrose in Colorado Springs. The other two helicopters took patients from AVRMC where they were stabilized to another trauma center. More information will be available when the Colorado State Patrol issues its news release.

Source: AG Journal Online

car accident not your fault

Man killed in car crash on Highway 96 west of Pueblo

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Colorado State Patrol is investigating a crash that killed a Pueblo man on Friday.

Troopers say Nissan had been traveling west on Highway 96 when the driver attempted a left-hand curve but failed to make it.

The Nissan first traveled off the right side of the road before going off the road’s left side and rolling three and a half times ejecting the driver.

Police identified the driver as 59-year-old Frank Sandoval who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sandoval was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.

Source: Fox 21 News

Colorado Springs man survives elk vs. car collision

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A Colorado Springs man was driving early in the morning near Moffat when he struck an elk, totaling his car. Fortunately, the man survived.

Saguache County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a car vs. elk accident at approximately 6:30 a.m. They posted the aftermath of the collision on Facebook, showing the smashed front of the man’s sedan.

The Sheriff’s office cautioned drivers to slow down and be aware of animals on the road.

source: KRDO

car accident case

Three Things You Can Do To Ruin Your Car Accident Case Compensation and How to Properly Handle It

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Roughly 3 million people are injured each year in car accidents in the U.S. What do you do if it happens to you?

The first thing is to seek the medical attention that you need. Once you’re safe, it’s time to enlist the services of an experienced attorney to seek the compensation you deserve.

Many car accidents are caused by someone’s irresponsible behavior. For example, engaging in texting and driving or other types of distracted driving. When you are injured in an accident that someone else causes, they are responsible, and you are entitled to compensation.

You might think that this process may be straightforward. Unfortunately, it is not. Insurance companies pray on unrepresented individuals and often cheat them out of compensation they deserve and are entitled to because they know unrepresented individuals don’t know the law. Do NOT be fooled insurance companies and insurance adjusters are not your friends and they are not willing to pay what you deserve without an attorney.

Let’s look at some mistakes you should avoid when it comes to your car accident compensation case. Then we’ll learn how to handle your case correctly so that you get the recompense you deserve.

1. Ask for Too Little Compensation

The costs of a car accident can add up quickly. The average person doesn’t realize how expensive it can be.

First, there is the cost of repairs to your vehicle. If the car wreck was bad enough, you may even need to buy a new car.

Next, there are medical bills, lost wages from work, pain and suffering, and more. These are all compensable and most people are unaware of what they are entitled to. However, there are a few more types of compensation that you could be eligible for that you may not be aware of. These are:

  • Loss of enjoyment: If your injuries are bad enough you may be unable to continue participating in activities that you enjoy. You can get compensation for that.
  • Loss of consortium: This legal term refers to the companionship enjoyed by a husband and wife. If your injuries leave you unable to enjoy physical intimacy, this is compensable.
  • Punitive damages: In some cases, you may be awarded punitive damages. This amount serves purely to punish the responsible party for actions that led to the accident. This can include reckless driving, drunk driving, etc.

This is not an all-inclusive list. As you can see, there are many things you can get compensation for that you probably never would have thought about. In fact, many clients are often surprised at the amount of compensation they receive when their case is handled by the experienced attorneys at AGG law firm. At AGG law firm we fight to get you the maximum compensation that you deserve. Call today for a free, no obligation consultation.

2. Let the Insurance Company Trick You

Insurance companies are notorious for not wanting to pay proper compensation. It is not beneath them to outright lie to you. They deal with car accident claims all the time and are skilled in avoiding responsibility for them.

It’s not uncommon for them to pressure victims into accepting a low settlement early on to avoid paying what the victim is legally entitled to. Usually, too late, the victim finds out that they were entitled to far more compensation but they signed those rights away by accepting the insurance company’s initial offer. Insurance companies may also deny your claim or put some of the fault on you, where an experienced attorney can challenge this. Further, insurance companies are notorious for undervaluing and undermining your injuries to avoid paying.

This is not an all-inclusive list of the tricks insurance companies play. In order to protect your interests and get the most compensation you deserve, it is important to get an attorney to handle your case as soon as possible as many people make statements that damage their case. Call AGG law firm today to see how we can help.

3. Trying to Handle the Car Accident Case On Your Own

As mentioned in one and two above, those are just a few ways to ruin your case. Although it may appear easy to handle the case on your own, it is not. Insurance companies bank on your inexperience and take advantage of the statements you make, documents you provide, and inexperience with the law and inexperience with insurance companies to pay below what your case is worth. Don’t ruin your case by trying to handle it on your own. Contact AGG law firm today and let us get started on your case right away to ensure your case is handled properly from the beginning to maximize your compensaion.

AGG Law Can Help

What do you do when you don’t want to ruin your car accident case?

Turn to a car accident lawyer who prides themselves on helping people. At AGG Law, in Denver, Colorado, we focus on helping people injured in car wrecks to receive the compensation they deserve with someone by their side who they can trust. Let us be your advocate and we’ll take the stress out of a trying situation by handling everything while you focus on recovering from your injuries. Contact us today at (720) 487-1050 for your free consultation!