Ed Smith Blog

Driving in today’s society comes with many distractions. Electronics such as cell phones, navigation systems, advanced audio equipment, television screens, and more have taken over the attention of drivers.

As a result, automobile accidents due to distracted drivers have increased significantly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration research, “nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted or inattentive driver, and more than half a million were injured”.

This statistic has brought many states to consider regulations regarding one of the main distractions- cell phones. Looking down to dial a number, becoming engrossed in a conversation, or even worse- texting a message while behind the wheel, all play a major role in creating an inattentive and distracted driver.

In hopes of preventing unnecessary automobile accidents from occurring, a number of states have enacted laws to prevent drivers from using hand held cell phones while operating a vehicle. Currently nineteen states have texting laws for drivers as well.

In 2009, more than 200 distracted driving bills were considered by State legislatures and the legislative activity is expected to remain strong in 2010. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has even developed a sample bill to aid states in creating a text banning law.

With many states adopting new cell phone laws, it is important to know your rights. Keep up to date with your own states regulations and be sure to research laws for other states that you might drive in.

Above all, stay safe. Do not put yourself in the position of becoming a distracted and inattentive driver. Using a cell phone while driving not only puts your life in danger but it puts everyone around you at risk too.

Labels: auto accident, colorado personal injury lawyer

The state of Colorado highly encourages and recommends its inhabitants to walk or use their bicycle whenever possible in order to support green efforts and to keep roadway congestion to a minimum.

It is important for cyclists and motorists to understand both parties need to share the roadways. The relationship warrants extra vigilance because negligence can result in bicycle accidents, injuries, and personal injury cases.

It is good to know Colorado accident injury attorneys are available if needed, but in order to facilitate safety, consider the following tips regarding sharing the road:

For cyclists

- Obey all traffic devices such as stoplights
- Use hand signals to let drivers know of eventual turns
- Wear a snug-fitting bicycle helmet
- Don't weave in and out of cars or ride between parked cars
- Wear brightly colored clothing at all times
- Use reflectors and lights for low-visibility situations

For motorists

- Reduce speed when approaching cyclists
- Don't tailgate cyclists
- Leave a five-foot cushion or more when passing cyclists on the road
- Don't expect cyclists to know all traffic laws or be cognizant of the above tips


It is very important for both parties to consider and implement these tips when sharing the road in Colorado. You want to avoid situations that call for Colorado personal injury attorneys.

Labels: colorado personal injury lawyer, personal injury attorney denver

Are you in need of a Colorado attorney? You can use the same method to find attorneys in any city, yet you'll want to modify your search terms when using a search engine. For instance, search for the phrase "Colorado personal injury lawyer" or "Colorado personal injury lawyer" or some derivative of those words in order to find an attorney in Colorado. Exchange Colorado for any city when making a local search.

Once you find potential attorneys in the Colorado area, you'll want to visit with several of them. Do not be deterred if some of them reject handling your case. Some Colorado personal injury lawyers will turn away from a case if the amount of settlement is too low or if there is not a very clear claim.

Many people decide to turn to friends or family members for references or to ask about lawyers they have used in the past. This is one way to find potential attorneys, but remember that all cases are different, so your friend or family member's experience may not be a great determinant regarding how your case or relationship with the Colorado lawyer will go.

Check an online Colorado lawyer directory. Some lawyer directories exist to help you with such a find.

You may be in the market for a personal injury lawyer in Colorado, but only know other varieties of lawyers personally. It is okay to ask wrongful death attorneys, bicycle accident attorneys, slips and falls attorneys, and the like for their suggestions. Most times, attorneys are very closely related and know a good deal about others in their field of work.

You'll want to ask the Colorado personal injury attorney some questions before making a final decision. Ask such things as:
- How long they have been practicing law in Colorado
- What percentage of their practice addresses personal injury cases
- If they most often represent defendants or plaintiffs
- Is the Colorado attorney you're speaking with going to handle your case or will they pass it along to a less-experienced lawyer

Labels: colorado personal injury attorney, colorado personal injury lawyer, personal injury attorney denver

The end of November came with a grave announcement for many Colorado drivers. On November 23rd, the state announced the switch from a no-fault jurisdiction to a tort jurisdiction. This changes the dynamic for payment in the event of a car accident and puts the onus on all drivers to protect themselves to the fullest extent of the law.

Under a no-fault system, medical bills, lost wages, pain-and-suffering monies and any other fallout claims would be collected from the injured party’s insurance regardless of fault. But under the new tort jurisdiction, the at-fault party’s insurance is responsible.

This announcement punctuates the need for uninsured/underinsured driver coverage. But many drivers are not aware of what their policy calls for. This may leave some motorists on the hook for hefty bills if they should happen to get into an accident.

This is also a word of warning for underinsured drivers with limited liability coverage. These smaller coverage plans may have worked great under a no-fault system. But one accident that causes long-term injuries can leave you on the hook for thousands of dollars in medical bills that your insurance may or may not cover.

Many drivers have expressed concern that a tort system may cause delays in damage payments after an accident, leaving innocent victims struggling to collect from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This is where personal injury attorneys can help you. Navigating the insurance minefield is tough enough without changing the whole system around. We can help make sure you don’t get the ‘tort’ end of the stick in the event of an auto accident.

If you or a loved one have been an unfortunate victim of an accident, and live in the Colorado area, contact Ed Smith Law. Edward Smith is an experienced personal injury attorney that knows how to fight for you. Check out his website www.edsmithlaw.com to see the many services offered.

Labels: auto accident, personal injury lawyer, tort