Being the victim of a DUI accident is an overwhelming experience, one that involves navigating police investigations and questions from insurance companies – all while trying to recover from your own injuries. When dealing with the repercussions of an accident, the last thing you want to worry about is the technicalities of insurance coverage for DUI accidents.
At Springer & Steinberg, our car accident attorneys encounter a handful of extremely common questions about DUI insurance coverage, including:
- Does car insurance cover drunk driving accidents?
- Does car insurance cover DUI accidents if I am the victim?
- How do you file DUI accident insurance claims when the other driver was at fault?
As trusted legal experts, we are well-equipped to support accident victims in various circumstances, including DUI crashes. Partnering with a Denver drunk driving accident attorney is the best way to ensure you are prepared to navigate the complexities of seeking compensation for your injuries in a DUI accident.
Let’s take a closer look at drunk driving insurance in Colorado and how it works to protect your rights after an accident.
Does Insurance Cover DUI Accidents in Colorado?
Yes. If you were the victim of a drunk driving accident in CO, the at-fault driver’s insurance provider is responsible for the resulting damages. So, in addition to being held legally accountable for breaking state laws, the at-fault driver is also financially liable.
Does full coverage insurance cover DUI accidents?
Again, if you were the victim of a DUI accident, the insurance company of the at-fault driver can be held responsible for financial expenses associated with your injuries and/or property damages. Full coverage insurance vs. other policy types should not affect whether or not there is any coverage offered; rather, it will impact how much damages the insurance policy company will pay.
Does car insurance cover drunk driving accidents if the at-fault driver is uninsured?
In most cases, if you are hurt in an accident caused by an uninsured drunk driver, your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) benefits should provide coverage. This largely depends on your own policy limits.
Understanding DUI Accident Insurance Claims
As a DUI accident victim, you have legal options to pursue fair compensation from the drunk driver’s insurance company to cover the following:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical costs
- Rehabilitation
- Long-term medical care needs
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
However, it is important to note that the driver’s insurance company will only pay for damages up to the maximum liability limits of their policy. For many accident victims, this can result in a significant gap between their expenses and the insurance provider’s willingness to cover them.
This is why it is crucial that you work with a skilled DUI accident attorney. An experienced drunk driving accident lawyer will know which routes will lead to the best possible outcome for your case, whether that means filing a personal injury lawsuit against the driver or another at-fault party. Every case is unique, so your attorney will help guide you toward the options that are most likely to result in maximum financial compensation.
What is Dram Shop Liability in Colorado?
Most people are aware that drunk drivers should be held responsible for their actions, including being considered liable for the accident they caused due to impaired driving. However, many people don’t realize that it may also be possible to assign a certain level of responsibility to the person(s) that served alcohol to the drunk driver.
This is known as the dram shop liability law in Colorado and is explained in detail in the Colorado Revised Statutes section 12-47-801. Essentially, it states that any Colorado business that is licensed to sell alcohol can be considered liable if they provide alcohol to a minor and/or visibly intoxicated individual who then goes on to cause injury to another person. This Colorado state law also applies to individuals that knowingly served alcohol to underage minors in their homes.
Under dram shop liability, both civil and criminal charges can be pursued. Additionally, if it was a business that sold/served the alcohol, the Colorado state liquor board can opt to investigate and revoke its liquor license.
Why Do I Need a DUI Accident Lawyer?
Whether a DUI accident is relatively minor or extremely serious, hiring a skilled DUI lawyer is a must. Once your injuries have been treated, you should take quick action to contact an experienced Denver accident attorney, like Springer & Steinberg – ideally, before interacting with any insurance company representatives.
In Denver, our DUI accident attorneys can help you with the following:
- Review your case for key details
- Collect valuable evidence, including police report details, BAC test data, medical information, etc.
- Avoid missing deadlines for filing a DUI accident insurance claim
- Protect yourself from accidentally jeopardizing your claim in conversations with insurance adjusters
- Establish liability (prove the other driver was at-fault)
Perhaps most importantly, the role of a trusted accident attorney is to serve as your advocate in and out of court. Our lawyers will fight for maximum compensation on your behalf, taking care of all pertinent details so that you have the freedom to focus on your recovery.
Without the right DUI accident lawyer, you may be shortchanged by the insurance company – which can end up leaving you and your family in a financially strained situation that you do not deserve to deal with. When another driver makes the devastating decision to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they must be held responsible for the consequences of their actions.
A Drunk Driver Hit You – Now What? Contact Springer & Steinberg
There is no question that being involved in a DUI accident is an extremely difficult experience, particularly because it can be challenging to know what steps to take after a crash. After you have received medical attention and alerted the authorities, your next call should be to the experienced legal team at Springer & Steinberg.
Our goal is to alleviate the burden of dealing with the intricacies of insurance claims and legal reports so that you can be completely confident that you are in the best hands. Your accident attorney will be with you every step of the way.
For more information about what to do after a DUI accident, contact the Denver attorneys at Springer & Steinberg today.
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