Car Accidents

Car accidents change lives in an instant. They can be caused by drunk driving, distracted driving (texting, looking at Facebook, posting on Instagram),or simply not paying attention to the road.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a car accident, the medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses can be overwhelming. Colorado car accident lawyer Edward Smith understands this and has the experience and compassion you can trust. He will fight to recover all medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability, permanency, and out-of-pocket expenses related to your accident.

According to Colorado Revised Statutes section 13-80-101, you have three years to file an injury claim after your car accident. If the statute of limitations ends before you file a claim you will most likely lose your right do so, also losing your right to recover compensation. Exceptions that can change this three-year time period do exist so it’s important to speak to an attorney about your case as soon as possible. Call our firm today to learn more about how the statute of limitation may affect your case and how our firm can help you.

Most insurance settlements include in the agreement that no further compensation will be paid out after the initial settlement amount, so once you sign an agreement with an insurance company it’s usually difficult to recover anything else. This is true even if you discover your injuries are more severe than you thought initially. If you have been offered a settlement, or if you have already signed one, call The Law Offices of Edward Smith to discuss your case with our qualified attorneys today.

Accidents can happen in a split second, and even the most minor fender bender can leave you in shock. However, even when under stress, it’s important to take a few key steps to make the strongest case for yourself in the future.

If you are in a car accident, the first step is to not admit fault. To take this step even further, make sure you take immediate action to collect evidence backing up the fact that you are not to blame for the accident.

Take pictures of your car and its surroundings. Write down witness contact information and details as they will be clearest at the time of the accident. Compile the at-fault driver’s insurance information. All of these details will be crucial to your personal injury case down the line.

Never talk to the at-fault driver’s insurance company before speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney. In fact, it’s best to speak with an attorney before contacting your own insurance company following an accident, even if you’re not at fault.

Insurance companies do not have your best interest in mind. While they may seem friendly and helpful, it is in their best to pay you as little as possible. They will often reach out to you before you have an attorney so they can collect a recorded statement. They do this to get information that they will later use against you. They also know that once you have an attorney they can’t speak to you, so this is their one chance.

Insurance agents know what to say and how to say it so you feel comfortable and open up. You may say something that hurts or even destroys your case without knowing it. Don’t fall for this trap. Even if your case is small and you believe it isn’t one that requires the help of an attorney, call Edward Smith—he will talk to you about your claim free of charge.

While it may seem unfair, it is your auto insurance company that is first in line to pay your accident-related medical costs, even if you weren’t at fault. Under Colorado law you must have at least $5,000.00 in “medpay” insurance on your automobile insurance policy, unless you told your insurance company you didn’t want it.

Medpay is like a small health insurance policy on your car and each person in your car will have the same $5,000.00 in coverage unless you purchased more or rejected it. While medpay is pretty straightforward, there are ways Edward Smith can help you with your medpay so it is coordinated with your health insurance, so you pay nothing out-of-pocket.

It is extremely important to seek medical attention if you have been injured in an accident. Waiting to seek medical treatment will not only hurt your case, but it may also limit your ability to fully recover from your injuries which is the number one goal following any accident. By following up with necessary medical treatment you will improve your chances of a full recovery as well as document your injuries in a way that will help your case. If you wait to seek medical attention, the insurance company will claim you weren’t hurt, or that your injury isn’t related to the accident.

Also, be clear with your medical providers about all of your injuries. Take pictures of any bruising or visible injuries you have. For example, if you have a bruise caused by your seatbelt but your shoulder doesn’t hurt immediately after the accident, these pictures will help support your shoulder injury as accident-related should it begin to hurt days or even weeks later.

If you need help getting medical treatment for your accident-related injuries Attorney Edward Smith can help. He works with a network of medical providers so that you can get the medical attention you need and deserve.

Have you recently been involved in a car accident and suffered broken bones, back or neck problems, a brain injury, or other serious injuries? Be wary of the insurance’s initial offer, as they’re usually trying to get their clients the lowest payout possible to keep their profit margins high. Hire an experienced personal injury attorney who knows the ins and outs of the insurance business. Edward Smith is a former insurance company lawyer and knows how these companies think and what they do to keep the value of your claim down. Edward Smith will work hard to get you every penny you deserve.

With 30 years of personal injury experience, Edward can help with a number of common issues involved with car accidents.

Your health, safety, and well-being are our number one priorities, and we work to make sure you receive the legal and medical help you deserve.