The last few years have seen a dramatic increase in Denver car accident rates, with many resulting in serious bodily harm or fatalities.
But where do car accidents most occur in Denver, and how can injured victims protect their rights to secure maximum compensation for damages? Reach out a experienced Denver car accident lawyer to fight your case legally.
Common Places Denver Car Accidents Occur
Intersections
Facilitating the flow of traffic, intersections are the most common place for car accidents in Denver. Drivers often run red lights or fail to yield while turning, leading to serious collisions.
Though any intersection poses a risk, these locations regularly see the most car accidents:
- Colorado Boulevard and East Colfax Avenue
- West Mississippi Avenue and South Santa Fe Drive
- North Tower Road and East 56th Avenue
- Kalamath Street and West Colfax Avenue
- Market Street and 20th
- Martin Luther King Boulevard and Central Park Boulevard
- Quebec Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
- Colorado Boulevard and East 40th Avenue
- West Evans Avenue at South Federal Boulevard
- Colorado Boulevard and East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
These intersections average dozens of car accidents daily, with many resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.
Highways
Denver is a major transportation hub, with multiple highways intersecting and running through the city. The high volume of big trucks, cars, and motorcycles sharing the road at high speeds increases the likelihood of serious car crashes, resulting in significant injuries or deaths.
Some of the most dangerous highways in Denver include:
- I-25 and I-70 Interchange
- I-25 from Alameda Avenue to 20th Street
- I-25 from Speer Boulevard to Broadway
- US 36 between Church Ranch Boulevard and Federal Boulevard
The site of multi-chain collisions, rollovers, and drunk driving accidents, these highways are known for thousands of collisions every year.
City Roads and Streets
Denver’s steadily growing population means more activity on city roads and streets. With car, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic all converging, car accidents occur frequently and at any time.
Some of the most dangerous roads in Denver include:
- Federal Boulevard
- Colfax Avenue
- Alameda Avenue
- Broadway
These roads are heavily used by commuters, tourists, and residents, who aren’t always focused on the road. Whether it’s distracted driving or reckless behavior, accidents on these roads can result in severe injuries and fatalities.
Residential Neighborhoods
Denver’s tight-knit communities and residential neighborhoods may seem like safe havens, but they see their fair share of car accidents. With narrow streets, limited parking, and a mix of pedestrians, bicyclists, and city vehicles sharing the road, the risk of serious injuries from even slow-moving cars is high.
Some of the most accident-prone neighborhoods in Denver include:
- Central Park (formerly Stapelton)
- Sunnyside
- Five Points
- Lincoln Park
- Overland
- Montebello
These residential neighborhoods lack the safety precautions and proper road infrastructure seen in other areas of Denver, so drivers extra care to prevent auto accidents.
Commercial Areas
Denver is a bustling city with many commercial areas, such as shopping centers, malls, and business districts. These areas see heavy traffic and distractions from stores and restaurants, leading to many car accidents.
Some of the most dangerous commercial regions in Denver include:
- 16th Street Mall
- Cherry Creek Shopping Center
- Belmar Shopping Center
- Colorado Mills Mall
- Downtown Denver Business District
Furthermore, commercial loading and unloading zones at warehouses, factories, and construction sites also pose a risk for car accidents due to heavy equipment and large vehicles maneuvering in tight spaces.
Parking Structures
Parking structures have limited space and poor lighting, forcing drivers to navigate tight turns in low visibility. These conditions, combined with distracted or reckless driving, create a high risk for catastrophic car accidents.
Some of the most dangerous parking structures in Denver include:
- Denver International Airport Parking Structure
- Downtown Aquarium Parking Garage
- Mile High Stadium Parking Lot
- Denver Pavilions Parking Garage
The setting of these accidents makes them difficult to avoid, and the injuries sustained can often be more severe due to the confined space and lack of safety measures. To ensure you receive maximum compensation for your damages, contact an experienced car accident attorney in Denver.
Private Property
Car accidents on private property don’t indemnify at-fault drivers. Property owners must ensure that their roads and lots are well-maintained, with proper signage and traffic control measures to mitigate the risk of accidents.
Frequent sites of car accidents on private property include:
- Driveways
- Apartment complexes
- Private roads
- University campuses
- Industrial zones
While these areas may not seem like high-risk locations for car accidents, they can pose significant dangers to drivers and pedestrians if proper safety measures are not in place. Car accident attorneys in Denver can help you navigate the complexities of private property car accidents to receive fair compensation for injuries sustained.
School Zones
School zones see a high traffic volume during peak times, with parents dropping off and picking up their children, school buses loading and unloading students, and pedestrians crossing the streets.
With so much activity in a confined space, car accidents can happen quickly and result in serious injuries or fatalities.
Denver school zones with the highest frequency of car accidents include:
- 5280 High School
- Downtown Denver Expeditionary and Emily Griffith
- Morey Middle School
- Sewall Child Development Center
- Rise Up Community School
Children are at even greater risk of severe traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and broken bones in a car accident. With the potential for millions of dollars in medical bills and a lifetime of pain and suffering, it is essential to contact a personal injury attorney in Denver after a school zone car accident.
When Do Car Accidents Occur Most in Denver?
Time of Year
Hundreds of Denver drivers get into a car accident every month. Some leave them with serious injuries, and others with expensive property damage. The time of year often dictates the frequency of these crashes and the damages sustained.
For example, winter months create dangerous conditions for cars on the road. Snow, ice, and other inclement weather can cause accidents due to reduced visibility and slick roads. These accidents often result in multiple car pile-ups, extensive property damage, and serious injuries.
Car accident frequency increases during the summer months of May through August when school is out, and more people travel for leisure activities. The increased number of tourists in Denver also adds to the congestion of city roads and highways, resulting in a higher risk for fender benders and catastrophic collisions.
The highest frequency of Denver car accidents occurs throughout September when students return to school, people are back from summer vacation, and the city is bustling with events and activities that congest roads.
Day of the Week
Any day of the week poses the potential for a car accident in Denver, but certain days show higher rates than others.
Friday typically sees the most car accidents in Denver. With drivers eager to start the weekend rushing to get home from work and an increased number of cars on the road coming or going to popular destinations, it is easy to see why accidents are more likely on this day.
Saturdays and Sundays also have a high frequency of car accidents, as people are likely to go out or run errands. Additionally, the risk of drunk driving car accidents is higher on weekends due to increased social gatherings and parties.
Weekdays still see their fair share of car crashes, with Monday and Wednesday showing slightly higher rates than Tuesday.
Time of Day
Many auto accidents occur before dawn, between 12 am and 6 am. Factors involved in these accidents commonly include driver intoxication, fatigue, or reduced visibility due to darkness.
Early morning rush hour, between 6 am and 9 am, also sees an increased risk of car collisions as people hurry to work or school. The most common causes of accidents during this time include distracted driving, speeding, and failure to obey traffic laws.
However, afternoon rush hour between 4 pm and 7 pm has the highest rate of car collisions in Denver. With people leaving work or school, the roads become congested, and drivers may become impatient or aggressive behind the wheel, causing accidents.
What Type of Accidents Occur Most In Denver?
Failure To Yield
Failure-to-yield accidents occur most at intersections and are typically caused by drivers not following traffic signals or signs. Both new and experienced drivers can be guilty of this mistake, which often results in T-bone or head-on collisions.
Injuries sustained from these accidents frequently cause hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars worth of medical bills for TBIs, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and property damage.
Rear-End Collisions
The most common type of car accident in Denver is rear-end collisions. These accidents are often caused by distracted driving, such as texting while driving or fiddling with the radio. These collisions can involve two or more vehicles, and the injuries sustained can range from minor whiplash to severe spinal cord injuries.
Treating head and neck injuries associated with rear-end collisions is a long and challenging process, requiring years of physical therapy and ongoing medical care. It is essential to consult a personal injury attorney in Denver to ensure an insurance company or the responsible party covers the current and future costs of these injuries.
Rollovers
Rollover accidents occur for many reasons, including speeding, reckless driving, or inclement weather. These types of accidents often result in severe injuries and fatalities due to the violent nature of the crash.
Rollover car accidents don’t just affect the flipped vehicle. Colliding with big trucks or cars turned over on the road causes serious injuries and fatalities. Life-long effects of injuries sustained can include paralysis, loss of limbs, or long-term brain damage.
Drunk Driving
Unfortunately, drunk driving remains a significant cause of Denver car accidents despite strict laws and public awareness campaigns. These accidents often result in serious injuries or fatalities and can have long-lasting effects on the victims and their families.
Drunk driving accidents occur most in the evening and early morning hours, with a higher frequency on weekends. Seek legal representation from a Denver drunk driving accident attorney to hold impaired drivers accountable for their actions.
Hit-and-Run
A common occurrence at parking lots, rural roads, and highways, hit-and-run accidents can happen at any time and leave victims with significant injuries and property damage. Furthermore, these accidents are emotionally traumatizing, leaving victims feeling helpless and violated by the responsible driver’s actions.
Fleeing the scene of a car accident is not just a major crime in Denver; it’s also the responsible party’s biggest mistake. Denver has strict hit-and-run laws, and legal consequences can be severe for those who choose to leave the scene of an accident.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Denver?
A car accident’s immediate and long-term effects are overwhelming. Still, staying calm and taking the necessary steps to ensure your right to justice and fair compensation is paramount.
After a car accident in Denver, be sure to:
- Contact a Denver car accident lawyer
- Seek medical attention to assess hidden or delayed injuries for any injuries
- Gather evidence, including photos of the accident scene and contact information for any witnesses
- Document all expenses related to the accident, including medical bills and car repairs
- Avoid discussing fault or making statements to anyone other than law enforcement or your personal injury attorney
The accident’s severity may require additional follow-up with the Denver Police Department or your insurance company.
Considering you may be experiencing physical and emotional stress during this time, having a trusted and experienced personal injury attorney ensures efficient filing, document collection, negotiation, and legal representation for your car accident case.
Safe Travels in the Mile High City
Knowing when and where car accidents most occur in Denver won’t help you avoid every potential danger on the road. However, it does help you understand that car crashes can happen anywhere at any time.
When they do, hire an experienced personal injury attorney in Denver to recover compensation for your injuries. Failure to do so could result in financial burden and prolonged suffering, affecting your ability to work and enjoy life.