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Being injured by a drunk driver is one of the most frustrating situations anyone can face. In addition to recovering from physical injuries, victims often discover that the at-fault driver's insurance policy may not fully cover their losses. Medical expenses, lost income, ongoing treatment, and pain and suffering can quickly exceed available policy limits.
If you were injured by an impaired driver in Denver, Colorado, you may be wondering whether you can recover compensation beyond the driver's insurance coverage. The answer depends on several factors, including the driver's personal assets, other available insurance policies, and whether additional parties may be held responsible.
Our Denver personal injury attorneys explain what injured victims should know about pursuing full compensation after a drunk driving accident.
Colorado requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but those minimum limits are often far too low to compensate someone who suffers serious injuries.
A victim of a drunk driving accident in Denver may face:
When these damages exceed the available insurance policy, additional legal options may exist.
Insurance does not necessarily limit your ability to recover compensation.
If the drunk driver's insurance is insufficient, you may pursue a personal injury lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver. If successful, a court may award damages that exceed the driver's insurance limits.
Whether collecting that judgment is possible depends on the driver's financial situation. Some drivers have significant personal assets, while others may have little beyond their insurance coverage. An experienced attorney can investigate whether additional recovery is realistic.
For injured victims in Denver, filing a lawsuit may be the only way to pursue compensation for the full extent of their losses.
Unlike many other car accident cases, drunk driving crashes sometimes involve punitive damages.
Punitive damages are not intended to compensate victims for their losses. Instead, they are designed to punish especially reckless behavior and discourage similar conduct in the future.
Driving while intoxicated often rises to the level of willful or reckless conduct under Colorado law. While punitive damages are not awarded in every case, they may be available when the driver's actions demonstrate extreme disregard for the safety of others.
Because these claims involve additional legal requirements, it is important to work with attorneys who understand how Colorado courts handle drunk driving cases.
Many people are surprised to learn that their own insurance policy may help cover losses after a drunk driving accident.
Depending on your policy, you may have:
Underinsured motorist coverage can be especially valuable if the drunk driver's policy does not fully compensate you for your injuries.
Our attorneys carefully review every available insurance policy to identify all potential sources of compensation for our clients in Denver.
In some situations, the drunk driver is not the only party that may be legally responsible.
Colorado's dram shop laws allow injured victims to pursue compensation against certain establishments that illegally serve alcohol under limited circumstances.
Potentially liable parties may include:
These cases are highly fact-specific and involve strict legal requirements. An attorney can determine whether a third-party liability claim may apply after reviewing the facts of your accident.
Drunk driving accidents frequently occur at high speeds or involve delayed braking, resulting in catastrophic injuries.
Victims may suffer:
These injuries often require years of treatment and rehabilitation while preventing victims from returning to work.
An experienced personal injury attorney will investigate every possible avenue for financial recovery.
This often includes examining:
Every case is different, and no assumption should be made that the driver's insurance policy represents the maximum amount available.
Strong evidence is essential when pursuing compensation beyond insurance coverage.
Important evidence may include:
The sooner an attorney begins investigating, the easier it is to preserve valuable evidence.
Insurance companies often attempt to resolve claims quickly, especially when policy limits are relatively low. Accepting an early settlement may prevent you from pursuing additional compensation if your injuries turn out to be more serious than initially believed.
Our Denver drunk driving accidents attorneys understand how to evaluate the true value of a drunk driving accident claim. We work with medical professionals, financial experts, and accident investigators to calculate both your current and future damages.
Whether negotiating with insurers or filing a lawsuit, our goal is to pursue the maximum compensation available under Colorado law.
If you were injured by a drunk driver in Denver, you should not assume that the driver's insurance policy is the limit of your recovery. Additional insurance coverage, third-party liability, or a personal injury lawsuit may allow you to recover compensation that more accurately reflects the full impact of your injuries.
If you are dealing with injuries caused by a drunk driver, our attorneys are here to help. Call us today or connect with us online to schedule a consultation.
