Boulder, Colorado Personal Injury Law Blog

Summer’s “100 Deadliest Days” a dangerous time to be on the road

On behalf of Purvis Gray Thomson, LLP on Friday, May 17, 2019.

When high school classes end for the year and teenagers start making their way to the streets and highways across Colorado, the number of car crashes involving teenage drivers increases as a result. So, too, does the number of fatal car wrecks involving drivers from this age group, which is bad news for you and everyone else on the roadway.

In fact, the influx of teenagers who drive the state's and nation’s roads during the stretch of time between Memorial Day and Labor Day makes driving during this time so dangerous that it became known as summer’s “100 Deadliest Days.” Regardless of when they are on the road, teenagers lack experience, making them more prone to crashes than older drivers. However, with so many inexperienced teenagers traveling the roads at the same time during the summer months, this period becomes a particularly dangerous one for all drivers and passengers. Just how much more dangerous is it to drive during summer’s 100 Deadliest Days?

Brake failure a frequent cause of commercial truck crashes

On behalf of Purvis Gray Thomson, LLP on Friday, May 17, 2019.

As someone who travels Colorado’s roadways with regularity, you have probably spotted those runaway truck ramps along the sides of some highways that are supposed to give truck drivers a place to go in the event that their brakes fail. These truck ramps should undergo use by truckers only as a last resort, however, and today’s truck drivers should typically know that they may need to rely on more than just brakes in order to navigate downhill trips safely.

Regrettably, Transport Topics reports that many wrecks involving commercial trucks result from brake failure. In fact, one study involving 967 commercial truck crashes revealed that brake failure was a factor in nearly 30% of them. While many such incidents are preventable, inexperience is a common factor in crashes involving brake failure, indicating that increased training could potentially help reduce the number of them occurring across Colorado and the rest of the United States.

Tips for talking to witnesses after a car accident

On behalf of Purvis Gray Thomson, LLP on Thursday, April 18, 2019.

Car accidents can result in serious injuries. Two people suffered severe injuries after a three-car crash on Highway 7 in early April. Equipment was used to retrieve one of the individuals affected.

It is vital to start mounting a car shortly after the car crash. There is a lot of evidence you can gather, including photographs and a police statement. However, you should not overlook the importance of witness testimony. In the event anyone on the sidewalk saw what happened, you need to talk to them right away after the crash.

Colorado seat-belt rates are decreasing

On behalf of Purvis Gray Thomson, LLP on Monday, March 25, 2019.

Wearing a seat belt seems like such common sense, and yet so many people fail to buckle up. The rates in Colorado are among the lowest in the nation, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The rate for 2017 was 83.8 percent, slightly down from the year before and well below the national average of 89.7 percent.

Why do people fail to wear seat belts? Does this simple precautionary measure even make a difference?

4 questions to ask your doctor after a car accident

On behalf of Purvis Gray Thomson, LLP on Thursday, March 21, 2019.

If you think there are more drivers than ever on metro-area roadways, you are correct. About 80,000 people move to Colorado every single year. With more drivers on already crowded roadways comes a greater risk of an automobile accident. Eventually, you may find yourself in either a minor or serious collision.

Motor vehicle accidents often cause serious injuries. As such, even if you think you feel fine after a wreck, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Talking to doctors, though, can be intimidating. Still, if you do not communicate effectively, you may receive an incorrect diagnosis. You may also not know how to recover from your injuries. Here are four questions to ask your physician after a car accident:

How to know if you have whiplash after a car accident

On behalf of Purvis Gray Thomson, LLP on Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

Whiplash can occur in a variety of ways. However, most people experience it after a car accident. Ford recently issued a recall for 1.5 million F-150 pickup trucks due to a transmission issue that can cause the vehicles to lurch forward when downshifting. This can lead to whiplash.

Whiplash occurs when a person's head violently jerks forward and then backward. In the minutes after the collision, you may not realize your head or neck is in any pain due to the rush of adrenaline. It could take several days to realize something is wrong. That is why you need to see a doctor right away and remain vigilant of common whiplash symptoms.

3 common mistakes to avoid after a car crash

On behalf of Purvis Gray Thomson, LLP on Friday, January 25, 2019.

It is vital to realize no car accident case is simple. Even a minor two-car crash, such as what transpired at Boulder Canyon on January 14, can lead to lane closures and injuries.

There is a lot you need to do after a motor vehicle accident. However, there is also much you need to avoid. The wrong actions can harm your claim, so you need to be careful you do not do any of the following.

Manufacturer knew baby powder contained cancer-causing substance

On behalf of Purvis Gray Thomson, LLP on Tuesday, January 22, 2019.

Many have long suspected that a link exists between baby powder and cancer, with thousands of women coming forward over the years to assert that they developed cancer after prolonged use of the product. Now, a recent investigation has revealed that the manufacturer of the talc powder in question not only knew about its risks and neglected to inform its consumers, but also had knowledge of them for quite some time.

USA Today details the story of a recent Reuters investigation that revealed that doctors, company executives and others working for the product manufacturer were aware of a link between talc powder and asbestos since 1972 or even earlier. Despite having this knowledge that their product showed traces of asbestos, company executives failed to alert the public about the possible risks associated with long-term use, and now, thousands of users have filed suit against the product maker.

Avoid these 3 mistakes after a car accident

On behalf of Purvis Gray Thomson, LLP on Wednesday, December 19, 2018.

Car accidents are serious. Even if they do not result in any injuries or deaths, they can impact people's lives significantly. In one recent accident, 20 cars piled up, forcing roadways to close temporarily. Only minor injuries occurred from this instance.

Auto accidents are dangerous, and you need to protect yourself and your finances immediately after. Part of this involves avoiding common mistakes many Colorado drivers make after car collisions. Here are some of the most common missteps you need to avoid at all costs.

What to do after a car accident in the winter

On behalf of Purvis Gray Thomson, LLP on Monday, December 3, 2018.

Getting in a motor vehicle accident is a stressful and confusing circumstance no matter what, but extreme weather exacerbates the situation. If you are in a car crash in the middle of the freezing winter, you have unique concerns. First, it is ideal to keep a winter emergency kit in your vehicle, including these items:

Windshield scraper
Gloves
Blankets
Road flares
Flashlight
Cell phone charger
Notepad with a pen or pencil
Cat litter or safety absorbent
Portable shovel
Gloves
Beanie

If you store these items in your vehicle, you will be much readier to handle the aftermath of a collision. Here is what to do if you get into a wintertime wreck.