The Information You Need After A Car Crash You Didn’t Expect
Almost every minute of every day in America, someone is involved in a car accident with injuries. Nearer to home, El Paso County averaged 10 plus car accidents each day involving injuries in 2019. But when you are the person suffering from the injuries, it becomes more than just a statistic.
A car accident with injuries is disruptive and traumatic, leaving victims hurt, worried, and uncertain about what to do next. If you recently suffered injuries in a car crash, you probably have a lot of questions and are wondering where to turn for answers. At King & Beaty, we offer free initial consultations for that very reason; to help Colorado Springs car accident injury victims understand their rights and the car accident claims process and to provide guidance and direction as to how to move forward.
We look forward to speaking with you at your free consultation. But until then, here are some of the most common car accident with injuries questions we get as Colorado Springs car accident lawyers:
What Should I Do After An Accident?
After a Colorado Springs car accident with injuries, try to do the following:
- Call 911 and get medical help, even if you don’t think you’re hurt.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers involved.
- Gather evidence, including pictures of the accident scene and the names and telephone numbers of any witnesses.
- Notify your insurer. (However, you should not give any statements about your accident to an insurance agent before consulting with an attorney.)
- Call a Colorado Springs car accident lawyer immediately. There are strict time limits for filing car accident injury lawsuits in Colorado, and a personal injury lawyer specializing in auto accidents can help protect you and your rights, evaluate your situation, and advise you of your options.
What If A Hit-And-Run Driver Injures Me?
If you have been injured by a hit-and-run driver who flees the scene of an accident you might mistakenly think you are out of luck, with no way to obtain compensation for your injuries. After all, if there’s no one to sue, there is no one to get money from. But if your auto insurance policy includes uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) coverage as part of your car insurance policy, you may be able to receive compensation from your insurer.
That being said, even though all insurance companies in Colorado must provide UM/UIM coverage in an amount equal to the level of the policyholder’s liability coverage for bodily injury, an insured individual can reject this optional coverage if they choose.
How Do I Know If I Have A Case?
The short answer is that you probably don’t know. Car accident lawsuits can be complicated. Establishing liability and proving damages in a car crash case are not easy tasks. There are no “slam dunks” in the law. This is one of the reasons why you need to contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. These experienced professionals will meet with you, listen to your story, thoroughly examine the facts and circumstances of your accident and injuries, and give you their honest assessment of your claims.
Further Reading: 3 Reasons Why Determining Blame Is Best Left To Your Car Accident Lawyer
How Much Time Do I Have To File A Car Accident Lawsuit In Colorado?
Under Colorado law, an individual injured in a car accident generally has three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for their injuries and losses. However, the time limits may vary depending on the exact circumstances of your accident. That is why it is critical to meet with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident. If you don’t file your car accident lawsuit within the applicable statute of limitations, you will lose any ability to recover damages from the negligent driver who caused your injuries. In addition, meeting with a car accident lawyer right away ensures that your recollection of the events surrounding your accident is recorded immediately. As the saying goes, the devil is in the details. Don’t allow a potentially faulty memory keep you from getting the compensation you deserve.
The Other Driver’s Insurance Company Made Me A Settlement Offer. Why Shouldn’t I Just Take The Money?
If there is one thing you should always remember, it is this: car insurance companies are in business to make money. Despite their advertising claims to the contrary, they are not your “good neighbor,” and you are not in “good hands” with them.
There is nothing altruistic about insurance company negotiation tactics. Every dollar an insurer pays out to a car accident injury victim is a dollar that reduces their profits. That’s why insurers will do everything they can to pay you as little as possible. This includes taking advantage of the challenging financial situation you may find yourself in after your accident. Insurance companies know you need money, and that any offer of quick cash can be very tempting. They also know that you may not have a full understanding of your rights or may trust them to do the right thing.
But that all changes when a car insurance company knows that they’re dealing with an aggressive and experienced personal injury attorney. The tactics they use become far less effective, if not useless.
Car Accident With Injuries? Speak With a Colorado Springs Car Accident Attorney Today
If a car accident with injuries has upended your life, make sure you have an experienced Colorado Springs car accident attorney on your side. At King & Beaty, we can help you through this challenging time and get you the compensation you need to recover and move forward with your life.
