Daniels & Scriven, P.C Daniels & Scriven, P.C 2026-10-07T13:29:23Z https://www.danielsscrivenlaw.com/feed/atom/ WordPress /wp-content/uploads/sites/1605288/2025/12/cropped-siteicon-32x32.png On Behalf of Daniels & Scriven, P.C. <![CDATA[How does fall semester affect bike safety near CU Boulder?]]> https://www.danielsscrivenlaw.com/?p=249869 2026-09-01T16:21:05Z 2026-09-01T16:21:05Z Busier streets and earlier sunsets When classes begin, more people use the streets and paths near campus. During class changes, you may encounter more cars and students crossing your path. With more people moving through the same areas, you have less time to react when someone stops or changes direction. As fall goes on, the sun sets earlier. You may spend more of your evening ride in low light. CU Boulder notes that city rules require a mounted front light and rear red reflector when you ride between dusk and dawn. These help you see the road ahead while making you more visible to other road users.

What to document after an accident

Even if you ride carefully, an accident may still happen. If it does, the details you gather afterward help show how the collision occurred. Photos can show where the crash happened and the damage to your bike. Contact information identifies the driver and anyone who saw what happened. If officers respond, their report adds another account of the scene. These details also matter if a dispute over fault develops. Your medical records show your injuries and the care you received after the crash. In Colorado, the court compares your share of fault with the driver’s if you bring a negligence claim. If your share is lower, the court reduces your damages by that percentage. If your fault equals or exceeds the driver’s, you cannot recover damages from that driver.

Keeping useful information together

If a crash happens, you may want to keep your photos, medical records and other accident information in one place. Writing down what you remember soon after the crash also helps preserve key details. Keeping everything together makes it easier to review an insurance claim and prepare for formal action.]]> On Behalf of Daniels & Scriven, P.C. <![CDATA[Holiday crash? What do CO injury victims get wrong within 72 hours?]]> https://www.danielsscrivenlaw.com/?p=249850 2026-06-30T05:31:36Z 2026-06-30T05:30:18Z Holiday weekends should bring celebration, but they often bring chaos on Colorado highways instead. If you survive a major collision, the choices you make during the immediate aftermath dictate the trajectory of your physical and financial recovery.  Insurance carriers understand human vulnerability during periods of shock, and they capitalize on specific errors that unrepresented individuals frequently commit. The three specific missteps outlined below occur regularly within that vital 72-hour window.

1. Postponing professional medical evaluation

Adrenaline effectively masks acute musculoskeletal trauma and internal injuries. You might assume your physical discomfort represents standard muscle soreness, yet severe conditions like whiplash, internal bleeding, and traumatic brain injuries take hours to manifest completely.  If you fail to visit a physician within three days, insurance representatives utilize that gap in care to argue that an unrelated event caused your condition, or that your injuries lack severity.

2. Providing recorded statements to insurance adjusters

Opposing claims adjusters frequently initiate contact quickly, presenting a compassionate persona to secure your trust. They want to minimize financial exposure for their employers by gathering damaging admissions.  The corporation can preserve statements like a casual remark that you feel fine, or guessing specific mechanical variables under the influence of stress to reduce your ultimate payout.

3. Posting accident details on social media

An innocent digital update can dismantle an otherwise legitimate injury claim. If you allege a debilitating spinal injury but publish a photograph of yourself attending a festive family gathering the next day, the defense introduces that image as evidence of fraud. Assume that adverse corporate investigators monitor your public profiles to find inconsistencies.

Asserting control over your recovery

The days following a highway wreck induce severe anxiety, and corporate claims handlers use this exact disorientation to advance their own financial interests. These entities maintain vast resources to systematically devalue your claim.  Having a dedicated advocate alters this dynamic by establishing a protective barrier between you and aggressive adjusters, allowing you to focus entirely on physical rehabilitation while a professional actively enforces your legal rights.  ]]> On Behalf of Daniels & Scriven, P.C. <![CDATA[The $1.5 million ceiling and Colorado’s 2026 damage caps]]> https://www.danielsscrivenlaw.com/?p=249814 2026-05-13T10:37:47Z 2026-05-13T10:25:10Z serious injury can change your daily life in ways that feel difficult to measure. Recent changes to Colorado law, including House Bill 24-1472, adjust the limits on non-economic damages. This update may affect how you view a potential personal injury claim if you or a loved one lives with a long term disability or permanent impairment.

Recognizing the impact of non-economic damages

Non-economic damages generally focus on the personal impact of an injury rather than direct financial losses. When you look at your situation, you might think about how the injury affects daily living and overall well being. These losses can include:
  • Physical pain that continues after treatment ends
  • Emotional strain such as anxiety, stress or depression linked to the incident
  • Loss of enjoyment in hobbies, family activities or normal routines
These harms do not come with bills or receipts. Even so, they often shape the most difficult parts of recovery and may influence how a claim develops over time.

Examining why the new limits matter

For families in communities like Aurora and Northglenn, serious injuries often bring both medical expenses and long recovery periods. The updated Colorado law raises the general cap on non-economic damages to $1.5 million for most personal injury claims filed on or after January 1, 2025. This marks an increase from the prior limit of about $613,760 under Colorado law. While these limits do not set a guaranteed result in any case, they may affect how people think about potential claims and settlements. In some situations, you might notice:
  • A broader allowance for the human impact of long term injuries
  • More room for negotiation during settlement discussions
  • A clearer framework for cases involving permanent impairment
These changes may shape expectations, especially in cases where injuries significantly affect daily life and independence.

Identifying how different claims are affected

These limits do not apply in the same way to every type of case. In many general personal injury claims, such as motor vehicle accidents, the $1.5 million cap applies only to non-economic damages. It generally does not limit recovery for financial losses like medical bills or lost income. However, different rules often apply in medical malpractice claims. Under Colorado law, those cases typically follow separate damage limits that may include lower caps on non-economic damages and structured increases over time. In some situations, courts may also consider whether an exception applies based on specific facts.

Preparing your next steps

Because each personal injury situation depends on individual details, the impact of these limits can vary from case to case. These updates to Colorado law may influence how courts and insurers view injury-related losses in civil cases. As you consider your options, a clearer understanding of these limits can help you evaluate how the legal framework fits your circumstances.]]> On Behalf of Daniels & Scriven, P.C. <![CDATA[Colorado 2026 road rules: What every cyclist and driver must know]]> https://www.danielsscrivenlaw.com/?p=249767 2026-03-27T14:28:13Z 2026-03-27T14:28:13Z Following the Safety Stop law In April 2022, the Colorado Safety Stop law took effect, but it requires extra focus in high-traffic areas like University Hill. This mandates cyclists and operators of low-speed conveyance vehicles 15 years and older to treat stop signs as yield signs. You may proceed without a full stop if the intersection is clear. As for red lights, you must come to a complete stop when encountering them. If there is no cross-traffic, you may proceed straight or turn right before the light turns green. Even with these rules, you must still yield the right-of-way to any vehicle already in the intersection.

Pedaling at the right speed

Colorado law has three e-bike categories:
  • Class 1: E-bikes with pedal assist up to 20 miles per hour
  • Class 2: E-bikes with throttle assist up to 20 miles per hour
  • Class 3: E-bikes with pedal assist up to 28 miles per hour
Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are permitted on most multi-use paths, provided you adhere to the 15 mph speed limit. However, if you are on a Class 3 e-bike, you must stay on the bike lane and refrain from entering sidewalks and soft-surface trails.

Sharing the road with cyclists

Drivers and cyclists carry the same rights and responsibilities, but specific statutes govern their interaction:
  • Cyclists should stay to the far right side of the road as is safe. They have the legal right to take the lane if the shoulder is narrow, contains hazards or are preparing for a left turn.
  • Drivers must allow at least three feet of separation between any part of their vehicle and the cyclist when overtaking.
Drivers may cross a double yellow line to pass a cyclist, as long as there is a three-foot distance. If there is oncoming traffic, it is best to wait rather than squeeze past a rider in narrow roads, such as Flagstaff Road and Boulder Canyon.

Taking action in the face of an accident

Even with Colorado’s detailed road rules, accidents can happen. If a distracted driver ignores your right-of-way or an e-bike sidelines you, you may have grounds to file a claim against them. Determining fault with the updated regulations requires a sharp eye. Seeking counsel from an auto accident attorney can help you navigate the legal landscape.]]> On Behalf of Daniels & Scriven, P.C. <![CDATA[Debunking myths about divorce and child custody in Colorado]]> https://www.danielsscrivenlaw.com/?p=249760 2026-03-04T13:01:44Z 2026-03-08T12:01:03Z You need a reason to start the divorce process Colorado is a no-fault state, which means that you do not need to show cruelty or adultery as a reason why you are ending the marriage. The courts allow one spouse to file for divorce without the other’s consent, provided that the marriage is irreparable.

Mothers automatically get custody

Mothers do not get automatic custody. The courts start with the premise that frequent and continuing contact with both parents is ideal. A judge believes that this meets the best interests of a child.

A 12-year-old child can choose where they live

A child cannot decide on their own parenting time. In Colorado, the courts may consider a child’s wishes, provided they are sufficiently mature to express a reasoned opinion. But at the end of the day, the judge will have to consider multiple factors before the parenting schedule.

All assets and liabilities are split 50/50

You might assume everything you own will be divided in half. However, Colorado follows the rule of equitable distribution. This does not always mean a 50/50 split, but rather a fair split based on the financial circumstances, the contribution of each spouse and the value of the marital property.

A court battle is inevitable

High-conflict TV dramas make it seem like every divorce ends in a courtroom shouting match. Thankfully, this is not your only path. Many couples successfully use mediation or uncontested filings to reach an amicable agreement without ever setting foot in front of a judge.

Moving forward towards a better future

Understanding the legal standards of divorce and family law in Colorado is the first step toward your next chapter. If you decide to file for a divorce now, it would be advisable to seek legal guidance from an experienced attorney. Their experience can help you navigate the nuances of state law, which can help protect your family from potential issues in the future.]]> On Behalf of Daniels & Scriven Injury and Accident Lawyers <![CDATA[Denver’s most dangerous winter driving hazards]]> https://www.danielsscrivenlaw.com/?p=249461 2026-01-12T15:47:41Z 2026-01-12T15:47:41Z What makes car accidents in winter so deadly? In Denver, snow often falls from September to May, making these months extra deadly for drivers as snow slicks the road and water freezes over the asphalt. The most dangerous months include February and March due to heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, both of which create hazards on the road:
  • Slush: Partially melted snow reduces traction and tire grip, causing hydroplaning
  • Black ice: Ice that freezes over pavement is slippery and hard to spot
  • Snowstorms: Blizzards and fog greatly reduce visibility
  • Potholes: Holes on the road that make rides bumpier and potentially damage your car
Other cars on the road are also potentially dangerous because they are just as likely to skid out of control as you are. Drivers might also rush due to schedule and circadian rhythm changes brought about by daylight savings, making them stressed, fatigued and more likely to get into accidents.

Avoiding car accidents in winter

Getting into a car accident can be a mortifying ordeal, especially in winter. The best way to avoid putting yourself in harm’s way is to pick up defensive driving habits. Slowing down is one of the best ways to avoid skidding out of control and staying vigilant is important if you want to avoid hazards like black ice. By driving steadily and cautiously, you can make the road a safer place for you as well as the people around you.]]> On Behalf of Daniels & Scriven Injury and Accident Lawyers <![CDATA[Understanding Your Compensation After a Car Accident in Boulder]]> https://www.danielsscrivenlaw.com/?p=46260 2025-12-16T22:09:06Z 2025-02-28T22:03:40Z car accident attorney in Boulder can review your case to determine the damages you may be able to seek and pursue maximum compensation for your claim. Call us at [nap_phone id="LOCAL-CT-NUMBER-1"]  for free consult with an expert attorney from Daniels & Scriven, P.C. today.

Types of Damages in Car Accident Cases

Damages in Colorado are generally divided into the following categories:

Economic Damages

Economic damages provide compensation for financial losses the car accident caused. Common examples of economic damages awarded in motor vehicle accident cases include:
  • Medical expenses – Car accident victims may incur various medical bills for the treatment they receive. They can receive compensation for emergency medical treatment, the ambulance ride, long-term care costs, rehabilitation, and medicine.
  • Lost wages – You can recover compensation for wages you lost from missed work and employment benefits you had to use due to the accident.
  • Lost earning capacity – If you cannot work due to injuries, you can seek compensation from the at-fault driver for the permanent reduction in your earning capacity.
  • Property damage – You can also seek compensation for your vehicle repairs or the value of a totaled car.
Economic damages are typically calculated using financial records, such as invoices, receipts, and estimates. Sometimes, experts must testify about future losses.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages provide compensation for personal or emotional losses that accident victims suffer that are not easily quantifiable. These losses may include:
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Discomfort
  • Mental anguish
  • Emotional distress
  • Psychological trauma
  • Lost quality of life due to injuries, physical disabilities, and impairments
  • Scarring and disfigurement
Due to the subjective nature of these losses, they can be challenging to calculate, but an experienced attorney can help document and pursue maximum compensation for your non-economic losses.

Exemplary Damages

Exemplary damages or punitive damages may be awarded in some car accident lawsuits. These damages do not compensate injury victims for losses. Instead, they penalize at-fault parties for willful, wanton, or malicious misconduct and seek to deter similar conduct in the future. A personal injury attorney in Boulder will be able to go over all of these damages you can be compensated for with you and guide you through every legal step along the way.

How to Calculate Damages in Car Accident Claims

Calculating damages depends on the type of damages. For economic damages, you add up all of the quantifiable losses. You can use receipts, invoices, bills, estimates, pay stubs, and other objective information. Medical, vocational, and economic experts may evaluate future damages. When a case goes to trial, juries are instructed to use their personal experiences to determine the value of non-economic damages. Similarly, courts consider the defendant’s conduct and its egregiousness when awarding exemplary damages that sufficiently punish the at-fault party and deter similar conduct. Non-economic damages and punitive damages are capped by state law. This amount is adjusted every two years for inflation. An experienced attorney will work to maximize the value of all your damages.

Contact Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers for Legal Guidance and Representation

Car accidents can have a significant impact on your life. You deserve to be fairly compensated for your losses. For a free consultation, contact Daniels & Scriven, P.C. today at [nap_phone id="LOCAL-CT-NUMBER-1"] .]]> On Behalf of Daniels & Scriven Injury and Accident Lawyers <![CDATA[The Top 10 Worst Insurance Companies in America]]> https://www.danielsscrivenlaw.com/?p=46257 2025-12-16T22:06:57Z 2025-02-28T22:03:35Z American Association for Justice (AAJ) undertook a comprehensive investigation into the nation’s leading insurance companies to identify the ten worst. This review included reviewing thousands of court documents, SEC records, FBI records, state insurance department investigation and complaint records, news accounts, and testimony from former insurance agents and adjusters to develop this list of the ten worst insurance companies in America. If you are involved in a collision, contact a Boulder car accident lawyer to deal with insurance companies that may try to delay or deny your claim — call [nap_phone id="LOCAL-CT-NUMBER-1"] today.

Allstate

Allstate is considered the worst auto insurance provider in the country by AAJ and other organizations. AAJ cites a systemic policy of prioritizing profits to shareholders over policyholders’ interests. It has a record of denying and delaying claims. It also uses Colossus, a claim-evaluation software program, to calculate unjustifiably low payments for claimants.

Unum

Founded in 1848, Unum is one of the oldest insurance providers in the country. It is one of the leading disability insurers in the United States, but it has a high rate of disability claim denials.

AIG

American International Group, Inc. (AIG) operates in over 80 countries and jurisdictions and offers commercial, personal, life, and retirement policies. Customers have reported many mishandled claims.

State Farm

State Farm is the largest property casualty insurance company in the United States. However, AAJ notes that the company has engaged in deny and delay tactics, especially post-disaster. Its tactics have included forging signatures on earthquake waivers after the Northridge earthquake and altering engineering reports after Hurricane Katrina damage. The United States Supreme Court recently upheld a verdict against the claim for fraud following Hurricane Katrina.

Transamerica

Transamerica is a leading life insurance provider, but policyholders have complained about issues when filing claims and misleading policies.

Elevance Health

Formerly Anthem, Elevance Health has issues on both sides of its policies. Customers report having canceled policies when they got sick, while some medical centers have removed themselves from the providers’ network due to many unpaid claims.

Farmers Insurance

Farmers offers homeowner’s insurance and auto insurance. Unfortunately, the company has a history of denying and lowballing claims. In one notable case, the company denied a claim for a 60-year-old woman who was injured in a multi-vehicle accident to the extent she was in a coma for nine days. It claimed that the precipitating event that caused the crash was another driver’s road rage, so it wasn’t an accident. The company continued to deny the claim until the state insurance commissioner threatened the company with legal action.

United Healthcare

UnitedHealth focuses exclusively on health insurance. Consumers have reported delayed health claims that target the elderly. Physicians report that reimbursement rates are so low and delayed that patient health is compromised. Additionally, money that should have been spent on policyholders’ medical treatment went instead to pay the former CEO millions of dollars, who faced criminal and civil charges for backdating stock options.

Assurant

Assurant customers complain about poor handling of their property and renters’ claims, especially after disasters.

Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual is another leading auto insurance provider known for using deny, delay, and defend tactics. Its vendors say the insurance company’s cost-cutting has resulted in poor claims processing and a spike in lawsuits, leading them to sue Liberty Mutual.

Call Our Car Accident Lawyers to Protect Your Rights

Unfortunately, insurance companies do not always act in the best interests of claimants. They are for-profit companies that want to rake in more money in premiums than they pay out in claims. If you need to make an insurance claim, you need an experienced Boulder personal injury attorney on your side who can protect your rights. Contact Daniels & Scriven, P.C online or call us at [nap_phone id="LOCAL-CT-NUMBER-1"]  for a free consultation.]]> On Behalf of Daniels & Scriven Injury and Accident Lawyers <![CDATA[How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?]]> https://www.danielsscrivenlaw.com/?p=46256 2026-08-25T13:11:34Z 2025-02-28T22:03:19Z Boulder car accident lawyers provide free initial consultations so you can learn about our contingency fee arrangements at no cost or obligation to you. Call [nap_phone id="LOCAL-CT-NUMBER-1"]  today.

How Contingency Fee Works

Most personal injury lawyers in the Boulder area work on a contingency-fee basis. Under this fee arrangement, your attorney only collects a fee if they secure compensation for you. This fee agreement allows you to secure a lawyer’s legal services without paying upfront costs or fees. Because your attorney’s fee is a percentage of the recovery they make for you, there’s a built-in incentive for them to strive for the best possible outcome. Here’s an example of how a contingency fee arrangement works: Suppose you were involved in a car accident. You sign a contingency fee arrangement in which your lawyer receives 33.33% of whatever recovery they make for you. If they secure $100,000 in compensation, they would receive $33,333, and you would receive the remainder. You may also have case-related costs to pay, too. However, if your lawyer wasn’t able to recover any compensation for your claim, you would not owe for attorney fees.

Other Fee Arrangements

While many car accident lawyers work on contingency, some lawyers may use different fee structures. For example, they may charge by the hour. In such cases, they would charge their hourly rate times the number of hours they worked on your case. Typical hourly rates in the area are $200 to $500. Another fee arrangement lawyers may use is a flat fee. In these arrangements, the attorney charges a set amount, regardless of how many hours they spend on the case. While these options may be available, they may not be as attractive to car accident victims who were not anticipating this and other expenses. Under a contingency fee agreement, you don’t have to pay attorney fees upfront.

Is It Worth Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer?

Many independent studies have shown that car accident victims tend to receive higher settlements when they are represented by experienced personal injury lawyers than if they try to handle their cases on their own, even factoring in the attorney’s fee. This is because lawyers understand the law and know how to effectively negotiate for fair compensation. Additionally, car accident lawyers serve many roles that provide significant assistance to injured individuals, including:
  • Explaining legal rights and options
  • Investigating the accident and identifying all at-fault parties
  • Accounting for all accident-related damages (vehicle damage and personal injuries such as head trauma)
  • Negotiating for fair compensation
  • Representing the victim at court, if necessary

Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers Today

If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you should not have to navigate the legal complexities of a car accident case alone. An experienced Boulder personal injury lawyer from Daniels & Scriven, P.C. can guide you through the process and safeguard your rights. Contact us today online or call [nap_phone id="LOCAL-CT-NUMBER-1"]  to discuss your legal options, our contingency fee arrangement, and how we can help.]]> On Behalf of Daniels & Scriven Injury and Accident Lawyers <![CDATA[What Should You Do If Your Car Starts to Skid?]]> https://www.danielsscrivenlaw.com/?p=46253 2026-08-25T13:10:33Z 2025-02-28T21:59:47Z Boulder car accident lawyer at [nap_phone id="LOCAL-CT-NUMBER-1"]  to schedule a free consultation today.

Common Causes of Skidding

Skidding can happen for various reasons, including:
  • Weather conditions, including rain, snow, and ice
  • Speeding, as drivers traveling too fast for conditions are more likely to lose control of their vehicle
  • Hard acceleration, which occurs when a driver applies more acceleration that can cause tires to spin and the vehicle to skid
  • Oil and other slick surfaces on the road
  • Poor tire treads, which decrease the traction with the road and make the vehicle more likely to skid
  • Excessive braking or slamming on the brakes, which can cause the wheels to lock up

Steps to Take If Your Car Starts to Skid

If you find yourself in the terrifying situation of your vehicle skidding, try to follow these steps to control the skid and regain control of your car:
  • Take your foot off the pedals. Don’t brake. Don’t accelerate.
  • Turn the steering wheel in the direction you want to go.
  • Steer in the other direction as the vehicle turns back.
  • Don’t jerk the steering wheel as this can cause you to overcorrect and fishtail.

Controlling Your Vehicle in Different Skidding Situations

Road conditions and why your car starts to skid can require you to follow condition-specific tips, such as:
  • Skidding in the rain – Avoid slamming on the brakes and take your foot off the brake. Turn your car in the direction you want to go. Once you regain control, return to the appropriate path of travel.
  • Sliding on ice – Immediately remove your foot from the accelerator. Slowing down may help prevent your vehicle from sliding out of control. Turn your wheel in the direction the vehicle is sliding. Don’t overcorrect your steering. Return your steering wheel to the center once your vehicle straightens out.
  • Front wheel skids – If your front wheel skids, remove your foot from the gas or brake pdeal. Slowly and gently turn the steering wheel in the direction you want to travel. Gently tap the brakes to regain control.
  • Rear wheel skids – Remove your foot from both pedals. Slowly turn the steering wheel in the direction you want to travel. Tap the brakes as your vehicle slows down.

Call Our Car Accident Lawyers If You Were Hurt in a Skidding Accident

If a skidding driver failed to take these steps and crashed into you, an experienced personal injury lawyer in Boulder from Daniels & Scriven, P.C. can investigate your accident, establish the other driver was at fault, and negotiate for fair compensation. Contact our law firm today for a free, no-obligation case review at [nap_phone id="LOCAL-CT-NUMBER-1"] .]]>