How Do You Know When to Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm?
According to one personal injury study, plaintiffs who had legal representation recovered an average of $77,600 in financial compensation, compared to an average of $17,600 for those who proceeded on their own. When involved in an accident, having legal representation can make a significant difference in your personal injury case. A skilled Colorado personal injury attorney can evaluate your unique circumstances and determine the best way to proceed with your claim.
With more than three decades of extensive experience, we have the resources and diligence to guide you in your personal injury case. Our dedicated team can review your unique situation and help you understand how a personal injury lawyer can advocate on your behalf. As your legal counsel, we will fight compassionately to protect your rights and help pursue your rightful compensation. We're proud to represent personal injury victims across Denver, Aurora, Commerce City, Englewood, Arvada, Lakewood, Centennial, Wheat Ridge, Thornton, and the rest of Colorado.
Common Personal Injuries
Personal injury is a legal term used to describe a situation whereby a person sustains bodily harm, injury, property damage, or loss due to the negligence, recklessness, or wrongful act of another person. Some common personal injuries include:
Auto accident injury
Premises liability
Product liability
Wrongful death
Medical malpractice
Animal bites
Workplace injury
Slip and fall accident
Repetitive strain injury
Defamation – libel and slander
Dental accidents
Assault, battery, and other intentional torts
If you or someone close to you has been injured in a negligent accident, it is absolutely important that you retain a skilled lawyer right away.
Knowing When to Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm
There are no laws or rules guiding when to retain an attorney following an accident. However, for injured victims, we recommend hiring an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. This is because trying to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company or speaking with the claims adjuster without detailed guidance or experienced representation can inadvertently affect your ability to seek damages and the amount of compensation you may recover.
Fault State vs. No-Fault
In a no-fault auto insurance state, the injured victims are not required to prove that another person was at fault for the accident or injury. However, the damages that may be recovered will be limited based on your own personal injury protection (PIP) policy.
Conversely, in a fault auto insurance state, the party who caused the accident (the at-fault party) will be held responsible for injuries and damages suffered by the accident victims. Colorado is an at-fault state. To recover damages, the claimant must prove negligence by showing the following elements:
The at-fault party owed you a legal duty of care.
The at-fault party breached – or failed to act in accordance with – the duty of care.
The at-fault party's breach of duty of care was directly responsible for your injury.
You suffered actual harm, bodily injury, damages, or losses due to the negligent act.
An experienced Colorado personal injury attorney can investigate the facts surrounding your unique situation and help prove fault and establish liability.
Your Injuries are Serious
If you have sustained serious injuries in the accident, it is crucial that you hire a lawyer to advocate for your legal rights. Your legal representative can evaluate the full magnitude of your injuries and property damage and help you seek financial justice.
You Don't Know Your Options
The moments following an accident can be unsettling. Coupled with the injuries and damages you have suffered, you may feel confused about the next steps to take. Additionally, you may not know your options regarding filing personal injury claims. An attorney can review your situation and help you understand your options.
Dealing with Insurance
Insurance providers are all-too-ready to delay or deny your injury claims due to any number of reasons. It is essential that you have experienced representation when dealing with the insurance company or claims adjuster. Your attorney can handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance provider on your behalf. The insurer will take your injury far more seriously if you're represented by a skilled advocate.
Proof of Negligence Isn't Easy
You are required to prove negligence before you can seek damages for your injuries in Colorado. Even when you know how negligence works in the state, proving all four elements in court—duty, breach, causation, and damages/harm—can present various challenges. The legal team of the insurance company or at-fault party will raise defenses against your arguments in order to undermine or invalidate your claim. Hiring an experienced lawyer is imperative to improve your chances of the best possible outcome for your case.
Things to Ask a Personal Injury Attorney
Before hiring a personal injury attorney for your case, here are some vital questions to ask:
Have you previously handled cases similar to mine?
What are your honest assessments of my case?
What is the estimated value of my case?
Do you work on a contingency fee basis?
If I lose my claim, will I cover the attorney fees and other case-related costs?
Will you give my case the personalized attention it deserves?
Do you have enough time to dedicate to my case?
What is my role in the lawsuit?
How long will it take to resolve my personal injury case?
Will you take my case to trial?
Asking these questions can guide you in hiring a lawyer to handle your personal injury claim in Colorado.
Getting the Experienced Legal Counsel You Need
Filing your personal injury claim in Denver—or anywhere else in Colorado—usually involves many complicated procedures. Determining the severity of your injuries, filing insurance claims and submitting the supporting documentation, proving negligence, and dealing with the insurance company can make the entire process even more daunting. That’s why immediately retaining an experienced personal injury attorney is imperative.
At Mark A. Simon, Attorney at Law, our attorney is committed to providing experienced legal guidance and vigorous representation to personal injury victims and their loved ones. As your legal counsel, Attorney Simon will review all of the facts surrounding your case, conduct a thorough investigation, and explore your options for compensation.
Contact us today to schedule a one-on-one consultation with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. We offer you the detailed counsel and strong representation you need in your personal injury case. We're proud to represent victims across Denver, Colorado, as well as Aurora, Commerce City, Englewood, Arvada, Lakewood, Centennial, Wheat Ridge, Thornton, and the rest of the state.