Were You Hit by a Car While Jogging in Colorado?
Were You Hit by a Car While Jogging in Colorado?

Were You Hit by a Car While Jogging in Colorado?

Streets connect us and can foster health, happiness, and opportunity. But that's only true if they are safe for everyone, including joggers and pedestrians.
  • Denver Personal Injury Lawyers® has over six decades of experience helping injured people. We have a proven track record of success for our clients. Our law firm has been around for a long time because we get great results and don’t take advantage of people.
  • Our lawyers are featured in The Best Lawyers of America 2024 Edition for Personal Injury is an honor that reflects our excellence in the field. This recognition is based on a rigorous peer-review survey, where leading attorneys evaluate the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area. Other lawyers in the field confirm our reputation for delivering outstanding legal representation to our clients.
  • Our personal injury lawyers have achieved a 10.0 AVVO rating, the highest possible score, signifies our attorneys’ substantial experience and successful track record. This rating considers various factors, including years of practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements, and peer endorsements. Attorneys with a history of winning complex, high-stakes cases are more likely to achieve this rating, which serves as a benchmark of excellence and reliability in the legal profession.
  • Our attorneys are members in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum is one of the most prestigious acknowledgments a trial attorney can receive. Less than 1% of attorneys in the United States are members of this elite group, which is reserved for those who have won million-dollar or multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. This exclusive membership demonstrates our lawyers’ exceptional skill and success in handling significant personal injury cases.

Denver Personal Injury Lawyers® stands out due to our commitment to client success and our extensive expertise in personal injury law. Our attorneys have consistently secured favorable outcomes for clients, earning reputations for diligence, compassion, and legal acumen. Simply put, they are the toughest around, but also fair. Our firm is dedicated to providing personalized service, ensuring that each client receives the attention and support they deserve throughout their legal journey. You can count on Denver Personal Injury Lawyers® to have your back.

Streets connect us and can foster health, happiness, and opportunity. But that’s only true if they are safe for everyone, including joggers and pedestrians.

​​Colorado is a scenic running state with some of the most sensational views for runners. Unfortunately, anyone who runs or jogs outside must contend with the real danger of getting struck by a vehicle. Even in a runner-friendly state like Colorado, many drivers are oblivious to pedestrians. As endurance events gain popularity, there is a growing competition for pavement space for runners and cyclists. When you pair that with the growing concern of distracted driving, you have a recipe for disaster.

Getting hit by a car is a traumatic experience. If you are lucky, your story might end on a reasonably upbeat note, but that’s not usually the case. If a runner or jogger gets hit by a car, they will most likely suffer serious injuries or even die.

Jogging Accidents on the Rise in Colorado

According to data from the Governors Highway Safety Association, In 2020, fatal accidents involving pedestrians have risen in the USe by 21%. Colorado is also observing a rise in pedestrian deaths on the roadways.

The National Road Safety Foundation reported 92 Colorado pedestrian fatalities in 2020. That’s a 21 percent increase from the previous year (76), surpassing the national average.

A KRDO report said that the El Paso County Coroner’s Office reported 920 deaths in El Paso County, 13 of which were pedestrian deaths. Five of them were killed by a negligent driver. So far, in 2022 in El Paso County, there have already been 15 pedestrian deaths. The most recent one was a fatal crash in Fountain.

Statistics From Previous Years:

  • In 2019, there were 76 pedestrian fatalities in Colorado.
  • In 2019, pedestrian fatalities accounted for nearly 13% of all Colorado traffic fatalities.

The Most Dangerous Counties for Joggers and Runners in Colorado

The top five counties for pedestrian fatalities in 2020 were:

  1. El Paso
  2. Denver
  3. Adams
  4. Jefferson
  5. Arapahoe

Other counties with pedestrian deaths included Larimer County, Weld County, Pueblo County, Delta, Garfield, Montezuma, and Pitkin.

October Is National Pedestrian – Drive Safe Month

In October 2021, a driver hit a pedestrian near Medicine Bow Ave. on Fountain Mesa Rd., killing the pedestrian at the scene. Police say that pedestrians are not as visible when walking in an area with no sidewalk, roadway, or scant lighting. As well, it’s very easy to blend into the darkness if someone is walking or running at night.

Drivers are not always the cause of fatal pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians should focus on their surroundings and avoid distractions while walking, running, or jogging. Looking at your phone can be especially dangerous while entering or crossing a roadway. Even if you are looking down for one second to change the song on your running playlist, that second can have dire consequences.

Following the accident last year, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has dedicated October as National Pedestrian-Drive Safe Month.

Cabot’s “Left Behind” Campaign Remembers Pedestrians Killed With Display of 76 Shoes

As a tribute to the 76 pedestrians who lost their lives in 2019, the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Denver Streets Partnership joined at Union Station to remember their lives. Their mission was to remind all drivers to use caution near pedestrians on Colorado roads.

CDOT also launched the “Left Behind” safety campaign to raise awareness about pedestrian safety and decrease pedestrian crashes in Colorado. They continue to strive to keep Coloradoans safe on the roadways, whether driving, jogging, or walking.

Colorado featured the campaign on billboards in Colorado Springs and the Denver Metro area, the RTD Bus and Rail, bus shelters, and social media.

It was an emotional reminder highlighting the tragic aftermath and devastation of pedestrian crashes. In addition, they used personal items left behind by pedestrians as symbols of reminder.

What To Do if You Are Hit by a Car While Jogging in Colorado

Get a Police Report

Be sure to get a police report. This will document the accident details and can help if you need to file a claim later.

The police report will also help establish liability if the driver was at fault for the accident. In addition, it should include the name and information of the driver and a detailed report of the incident.

If you decide to file a personal injury claim, the police report will serve as evidence. Other evidence your attorney may use includes pictures of your injuries, the vehicle, and the accident scene.

Try to get contact information from any nearby witnesses and take down the driver’s license plate in case the driver tries to flee the scene. While it may be challenging to stay calm, especially if you have injuries, try not to argue with the driver. You’ll want to communicate with them calmly and get their insurance information. That way, you can seek compensation for the damages and the injuries you sustained.

Get Medical Treatment

You may need emergency medical attention if you have a severe or catastrophic injury. Even if you think your injuries are minor, get checked out by a doctor.

Some injuries may not present immediately or fully right after you get hit by a car. Getting proper medical treatment will help document your injuries and prevent further damage. If or when you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit, you will need medical documentation for your claim.

Keep a strict record of all your medical records and bills, as they will be critical evidence in your case. Also, document all the days you were unable to work because of accident injuries. Your attorney can help you determine the value of lost wages.

Consult with a Personal Injury Lawyer

After getting medical treatment, the final and perhaps most crucial step is to consult with a Denver personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer can advise whether or not you have a case and help determine the value of your claim. Furthermore, they can guide you through the legal process and help you get the best possible outcome.

Lawyers know how to negotiate with insurance companies and handle complex legal proceedings. Letting an experienced professional handle the paperwork and represent you in court will relieve the stress you already have from being hit by a car.

Contact a Denver Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you or someone you know has been hit by a car while jogging, it is essential to take action to protect your rights. Follow the steps outlined in this blog post and contact a Denver personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

No family should ever have to bury their loved ones at the hand of a negligent driver. However, if you lost your loved one to an accident caused by someone else, you might be able to file a wrongful death suit.

With the help of an attorney, you have the best chance of winning the compensation you deserve. Thank you for reading, and good luck!

We hope this blog post was helpful. Call (720)500-HURT or schedule your free consultation online if you have further questions.

Sharing is Caring....
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Email

Free Consultation

Fill out the form below and one of our attorneys will get back to you as soon as possible.





    Find What You're Looking For

    Denver Personal Injury Lawyers®

    Tel: 720-500-HURT
    Tel: 720-500-4878
    Fax: 720-265-9998

    Denver Office
    1001 Bannock St #8
    Denver, CO 80204

    Arvada Office
    5610 Ward Rd #300
    Arvada, CO 80002

    Centennial Office
    9200 E Mineral Ave #100
    Centennial, CO 80112

    Lakewood Office
    355 S Teller St #200
    Lakewood, CO 80226

    Free Consultation





      Don’t Go Before Getting Help With Your Injury Claim!

      We provide an experienced team of lawyers who deal solely with personal injuries cases. We get results quickly so that you can move forward with your life.