Denver Personal Injury Law Blog

What is a blind intersection?

On behalf of Tomazin, Hillyard & Clor, LLP posted in auto accidents on Friday, July 31, 2020.

Most of the time, when you get to an intersection, it's easy to look both ways and see if traffic is approaching. This is important at stoplights, but it's arguably more important at two-way and four-way stops. You need to know that the way is clear before proceeding into the intersection.

A blind intersection is one that makes this impossible. Remember the 100-foot rule. For the final 100 feet prior to entering the intersection, if you cannot see both ways for a minimum of 100 feet, that's a blind intersection. Your view could be blocked by natural features like trees and rocks or by man-made features like buildings or even large cars and trucks parked on the street.

Will you encounter an aggressive dog in Colorado this summer?

On behalf of Tomazin, Hillyard & Clor, LLP on Friday, July 24, 2020.

You may be one of many ski enthusiasts who hit the slopes of Colorado every winter. The cold weather amenities of the state definitely attract a lot of tourists and full-time residents alike. There's still a lot of fun things to do during summer months, however, especially if you love being outdoors.

Summer is also a time when there's an increased risk of injury. When there are more cars on the road, there's a greater chance for a collision. As a pedestrian, you're not 100% guaranteed to avoid injury either. In fact, many serious pedestrian injuries occur when motorists veer off the road and hit people on foot nearby. Cars aren't your only worry if you're traveling by foot in Colorado. Another concern is aggressive dogs -- a bite could cause you severe pain and serious injury.

Motorcycle risks and left-turn accidents

On behalf of Tomazin, Hillyard & Clor, LLP posted in auto accidents on Friday, July 17, 2020.

If you're driving straight down the road on your motorcycle, obeying the speed limit and just enjoying the open air, it feels pretty safe. The traffic is light and the road is open for miles to come. You can just settle in, knowing the risks are low.

Then, suddenly, there's a car in your lane. The driver was originally in an oncoming lane, but now he or she has turned directly in front of you. There's no time to react. This is a crash you can't avoid. That's all you have time to think about as you hit the brakes and careen toward the side of the car.

What will your life look like after a disability?

On behalf of Tomazin, Hillyard & Clor, LLP on Thursday, July 16, 2020.

In the moment it takes a car accident to happen, you could find yourself with irreparable injuries, perhaps even damage that will leave you with a disability. This will change your life in virtually every way possible, and you will have to make significant adjustments in your daily life. This may include your ability to work, drive yourself, take care of your own daily needs and more.

Learning to live with a disability will not be easy. If your accident was the result of the careless or reckless actions of another party, you may have the option to pursue damages through a civil claim. This can help you secure what you need to move forward in your new life, get the support you need and make adjustments that are necessary. This can be a trying time, but you do not have to walk through it alone.

Colorado collision: Are you in danger as a pedestrian?

On behalf of Tomazin, Hillyard & Clor, LLP on Friday, July 10, 2020.

You might be one of many people in Colorado who enjoy being outdoors. Especially if you happen to live in Denver, an active, outdoor lifestyle may have been one of many amenities that attracted you to the city. As part of your active social life, you might travel around town as a pedestrian on the weekends, visiting local shops or gathering at an outdoor cafe with friends to talk about brewing or another of your latest hobbies.

Traveling on foot can be a refreshing pastime, particularly if you have to spend a lot of time behind the wheel of a car during an average work week. When crossing roads or strolling along a sidewalk where traffic is nearby, however, you definitely have to be alert and adhere to traffic laws and safety regulations. The problem is no matter how safe you are a nearby driver's negligence could cause a pedestrian collision that results in injuries.

Tying your doctor's actions to the damages you face

On behalf of Tomazin, Hillyard & Clor, LLP posted in malpractice on Friday, July 3, 2020.

A medical malpractice case is a major step for some people to take because it means they're calling into question the care they received from someone who they thought they could trust. This is a challenging realization for many individuals because it has them wondering how they ended up in this position.

If you were harmed by your doctor, remember that this isn't your fault. Every doctor takes an oath to take care of their patients in the manner that best suits the patient. When they don't meet that oath, the patients are the ones who suffer.

Businesses must protect customers from slip and falls

On behalf of Tomazin, Hillyard & Clor, LLP posted in premises liability on Friday, June 19, 2020.

While many people look forward to the warmer weather in the summer months, businesses might not follow suit. The warmer months are often accompanied by safety hazards for companies that have hard flooring instead of carpet. The rainy season can lead to slip-and-fall accidents in stores and other businesses. The individuals in charge of keeping customers safe must ensure that they're taking adequate steps to minimize the risks of accidents occurring.

One of the primary ways that businesses can do this is to check the entryways of the establishment. This is the area most likely to be impacted by moisture on shoes as people walk in. There are a few things that can help to make them safer.

Use mats to provide traction for people coming into the building who may have moisture on their shoes.
Place wet floor signs near the entryways to alert individuals that there might still be slick spots.
Mop the floor frequently when it is raining or if there isl water puddled on the ground.
Install large fans or blowers that can help dry moisture on the flooring.
Ensure that any mat edges and cords used for power blowers or fans are properly secured to prevent tripping.

Was the Colorado driver who hit you distracted at the wheel?

On behalf of Tomazin, Hillyard & Clor, LLP on Friday, June 19, 2020.

You might have fond memories of your youth when you learned to drive. Maybe you took driver safety classes in school, or, perhaps, they didn't have such classes back in your day. In any event, you no doubt can recall who your instructors were (perhaps a parent, grandparent, older sibling) and the lessons you learned to help you become a skilled and safe driver in Colorado and beyond.

It's logical to assume that drivers face the possibility of many more types of distractions today than they did long ago. So much has changed. For instance, speed limits were much lower back then. There were less cars on the road overall, and there were not as many commercial vehicles, such as tractor-trailers. Nowadays, there are three main types of driving distraction that can quickly turn an uneventful road trip into disaster.

Understand what damages you should seek after a crash

On behalf of Tomazin, Hillyard & Clor, LLP posted in auto accidents on Friday, June 5, 2020.

When you head out on Colorado roads, you expect that you will arrive at your destination safely. You can do everything in your power to make this happen, but you're at risk of being involved in an accident if other drivers aren't driving safely. If you're struck by another motorist, you may suffer from catastrophic injuries.

We realize that your attention has to be on healing from your injuries right now, but state laws only give you a limited time to seek compensation. We can work on the legal case for you while you try to learn to live with the aftereffects of the crash.

How to know if you have a brain injury after a collision

On behalf of Tomazin, Hillyard & Clor, LLP on Wednesday, May 27, 2020.

When you get behind the wheel of your car to drive in Colorado, you can reasonably expect that other drivers you encounter on the road will obey the law. There's no guarantee, however, that you will arrive safely to your destination, especially if a distracted or intoxicated driver is nearby. Such drivers are menaces and cause thousands of injuries and fatalities every year.

If another vehicle slams into you, whether you're driving or riding as a passenger in another person's vehicle, you might suffer moderate to severe injuries upon impact. Injuries are not always immediately apparent, however, which is why it's a good idea to know how to recognize signs of brain trauma, a condition that doesn't always present symptoms right away.