A serious car accident in Colorado leaves an injury victim facing painful injuries and sometimes an uncertain future, with disability interfering with their ability to work and accomplish daily routines. Added to this distress is the hassle and complexity of trying to obtain the compensation the injury victim deserves when someone else’s reckless, careless, or wrongful actions behind the wheel caused the accident.
Colorado’s fault-based car accident laws place the burden of evidence on an injury victim, making it a complex and often time-consuming process. Fortunately, a car accident injury victim in Colorado has the option of hiring an experienced, assertive Westminster car accident lawyer to represent them throughout the process at no upfront cost. Understanding the car accident claim process in Colorado is the first step.
The Colorado Car Accident Claim Process Begins at the Scene of the Accident
After an accident involving injuries, fatalities, or significant damage to vehicles, Colorado drivers must remain at the scene of the accident and call the police to report the crash. The police report becomes crucial to a car accident claim.
Although catastrophic injury victims may be unable to take any purposeful actions due to the severity of the injuries, an accident victim who can use their phone—or ask an uninjured companion to use it for them—can take additional steps to preserve evidence, such as photographing the damaged vehicles, the accident scene, and any visible injuries. Adding the contact information of any eyewitnesses is always beneficial, as they sometimes leave the scene without providing their information to the police.
Then, going to the hospital for treatment and a complete medical assessment not only addresses the critical care an injury victim needs, but it also provides another essential document for a successful claim—the medical report of their injuries.
Understanding the Legal Process of a Westminster, Colorado Car Accident Claim
Colorado is a modified comparative negligence insurance state, allowing car or truck accident victims to recover damages as long as they are less than 50% at fault for the accident. Then, the insurance company subtracts the injury victim’s percentage of fault from the amount they pay on the claim.
An insurance adjuster investigates the accident and assigns a portion of fault to all involved. Without experienced legal representation, the insurer may use this system to minimize the amount they have to pay on the claim or shift liability to the injury victim. To prevent this, a Westminster car accident lawyer does the following:
Investigates all aspects of the accident to compile evidence of the at-fault driver’s negligence, protecting the injury victim from liability
Carefully calculates the injury victim’s damages by examining the accumulated medical expenses and consulting with medical experts about the full impact of the injury, including future medical expenses, the victim’s level of pain, and the impact on the injury victim’s ability to work
Sends their findings to the insurance company
Begins evidence-backed negotiations with the insurer seeking the full amount of compensation available to their client through a settlement
Obtains an ample settlement or files a lawsuit petition for court within the state’s two-year statute of limitations
Nearly 95% of car accident claims for damages, including property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering, are resolved through settlement. However, a trial-ready personal injury lawyer in Westminster will execute a legal strategy in court to obtain a favorable verdict and a large jury award for damages.
How Can a Westminster, CO Car Accident Lawyer Help?
Insurance companies are not on your side. Instead of leaving your claim in their hands, contact Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. for experienced legal representation protecting your best interests throughout the car accident claim process in Westminster.
