What to Do After Suffering a Personal Injury in Colorado

Accidents happen fast. Everything can be fine in one moment, and in the next, your entire life can end up in shambles. Regardless of the type of accident you experience, it becomes even more stressful to deal with the aftermath when it’s caused by someone else’s negligence. Your hospital bills will start to pile up, you might not be able to work, and your insurance provider can be difficult to deal with.

If you’re wondering what to do after suffering a personal injury in Colorado, you’re not alone. It’s easy to make mistakes in the early stages of a claim that can jeopardize the compensation you need to move forward and recover. Knowing the right steps to take can make all the difference in your case.

You don’t have to figure things out on your own following an accident. Attorney Edward Smith can guide you through the legal process and help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Call (303) 682-2944 today to discuss your case.

First Things First: Protect Your Health and Your Case

Seek Medical Care as Soon as Possible

Even if your injuries don’t seem too bad, it’s vital that you see a doctor following your accident. Some injuries, like concussions and internal bleeding, are sneaky in that they don’t show up immediately. An evaluation from a doctor will ensure you get the care you need. It will also create records of your injuries, which will become valuable pieces of evidence later for your personal injury claim. Delaying medical treatment can hurt your case as much as it hurts your health; insurance adjusters, for instance, might try to argue that your injuries weren’t that serious if you felt like you didn’t need to see a doctor right away.

Collect Evidence If You Can

You might have to ask someone you trust to handle this task for you if your injury is too serious, but if you’re physically able, collecting evidence at the scene will strengthen your case.

Try to gather these items:

Pictures and video of the accident scene, your visible injuries, and any property damages
Names and contact info from any witnesses so you can reach out for statements later
A copy of the police report (if law enforcement was involved) or the accident report (if you had to report the accident to a property manager or boss).

If you (or the person you ask to do so) can’t collect all of this evidence right away, don’t worry — your attorney can help track it down later.

Be Careful When You Talk to Insurance Companies

You’ll likely receive a call from the at-fault party’s insurer shortly after the accident. Though the representative (known as an adjuster) might sound friendly over the phone, you can’t let that fool you. They don’t have your best interests in mind, and their true goal is to help the company they work for pay you as little as possible.

Adjusters often try to get recorded statements or convince victims to take quick settlements. The problem is, once you take an offer, you can’t go back to ask for more. As such, before you talk to an adjuster, contact an attorney. Better yet, once you have legal counsel, tell the adjuster to send any questions and statements to them. Doing so will reduce your chances of being taken advantage of.

Insurance companies might pressure you to settle quickly, but fast settlements rarely cover the full cost of your injury. Always talk to an attorney before you accept an offer.

Personal Injury Claims in Colorado

Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence system (Colorado Revised Statute 13-21-111), which means that the amount of compensation you get depends on whether your actions contributed to the accident. If you’re less than 50% responsible, you can recover compensation, but it will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re found to be more than half liable for the accident, you can’t collect compensation.

What Types of Compensation Are Available?

Every case will vary depending on the exact circumstances of the accident. However, most personal injury claims in Colorado involve compensation for . . .

Medical Costs: Hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, rehab, future treatment
Lost Wages: If you can’t go back to work for a while
Diminished Earning Capacity: If you can’t return to work in the same capacity (or at all)
Pain and Suffering: Both physical and emotional
Property Damage: If our vehicle or other belongings were damaged or destroyed
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If you become permanently disabled and can’t do the things you used to.

Your exact compensation value will depend on the specifics of your case. Your attorney can give you a better idea of what to expect for the full value of your claim during a consultation.

Why Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney Matters

After an accident, some people assume they can handle their claims on their own, but, as many quickly find out, personal injury cases in Colorado (or any state, for that matter) are rarely straightforward. The law is complicated for anyone who doesn’t work with it for a living, and it involves a lot more than just filling out paperwork.

Having a reputable attorney by your side means you have someone who can:

Investigate the accident to figure out liability and collect evidence
Talk to insurance adjusters so you don’t get pressured into accepting a low settlement
Help you understand the true value of your claim
Represent you in court if insurance refuses to offer a fair payment.

Additionally, Colorado has a strict timeline for filing personal injury lawsuits, known as the statute of limitations. In most cases, you have two years from the day you sustained your injury to file your claim. Car accident victims, however, have three years to file. If you wait too long to get started and allow the statute to expire, you will lose your right to pursue compensation and financial assistance. As such, it’s crucial that you get started and seek legal counsel as soon as you can.

Take Action Today to Get the Help You Need

If you’ve been hurt in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, don’t wait. The sooner you start on your claim, the better your chances of recovering fair compensation for your financial losses.

Attorney Edward Smith is ready to help. Call (303) 682-2944 today for a free consultation and take the first step toward getting the justice you deserve.