Three Important Reasons You Should Speak With a Car Accident Attorney
According to statistics from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), there were 95,033 total traffic crashes statewide in 2022. In Colorado, auto accident victims may be entitled to pursue financial compensation for injuries and damages suffered by filing a claim or lawsuit. It’s crucial to hire an experienced car accident attorney when seeking damages for proper guidance.
With over three decades of extensive experience, our reliable attorney Mark A. Simon has what it takes to support and represent clients in their personal injury and auto accident claims. As your lawyer, he will review every aspect of your unique circumstances, explore your available legal options to seek compensation, and help pursue your rightful financial justice.
Ready to talk? Give us a call today. Our Denver firm proudly serves clients across Aurora, Englewood, Lakewood, Commerce City, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Centennial, and Thornton, Colorado.
3 Reasons to Speak With an Auto Accident Attorney
Getting hurt in a negligent accident can be emotional and unsettling. However, the steps you take after the accident can have a significant impact on your ability to seek compensation and every other aspect of your case. If you were recently the victim of an auto crash, here are some reasons to hire a car accident lawyer:
1: No-Fault vs. Fault State
In a no-fault state, traffic crash victims will file an injury claim with their own insurance provider (PIP policy) to recover medical benefits, lost income, and other out-of-pocket costs, notwithstanding who caused the accident.
In a fault state, the at-fault driver will be held civilly and financially liable for your physical injuries, property damages, and other accident-related expenses. However, you're required to prove fault and establish liability when seeking damages.
Colorado is a fault auto accident state. The driver who caused the incident will hold financial liability for the bodily injuries, property damage, and other accident-related losses sustained by the victims. To seek damages in Colorado, you must prove negligence by showing that:
The at-fault party owed you a legal duty of care.
The at-fault party breached that legal duty of care by acting negligently or carelessly.
The careless or negligent actions of the at-fault party caused your injuries.
You suffered bodily injuries, actual harm, damages, or losses due to the at-fault party's actions.
Proving negligence requires thorough documentation and investigation. Remember: you don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. A seasoned attorney can help file your claims and seek the maximum possible damages for your injuries.
2: Serious Injuries
Additionally, if you sustained catastrophic or serious injuries in a car accident, you're likely to need extended recovery periods and continued medical treatments. Generally, negotiating with the insurer or accepting their settlement offer before your recover fully is never advisable. While you need to document your injuries properly, you should only discuss the settlement after you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) or full recovery.
Maximum medical improvement (MMI) is a stage where your health can't improve further. Once you reach full recovery or MMI, your lawyer can assess the full magnitude of injuries and determine your case value. Also, your car accident lawyer can send a demand letter to the insurance provider and help negotiate a reasonable financial settlement. However, if they're unable to reach an agreement, your lawyer can take additional legal action.
3: Negotiations With the Insurance Company
Furthermore, negotiating a settlement with the insurance provider after an accident can be very complicated. Some dishonest insurance providers may try to deny, unnecessarily delay, or undervalue your claims by offering a ridiculous first settlement offer. Hence, having an attorney on your side is crucial.
Your lawyer can also handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance provider on your behalf. The insurance company will do whatever it takes to protect their own bottom line, including offering you a lowball offer for your claim. With extensive experience and adept negotiation skills, our attorney can help you secure the settlement you deserve—or file a lawsuit if necessary.
Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Attorney
Here are some crucial questions to ask a personal injury attorney before you hire one for your auto accident case:
Do you work on a contingency fee basis?
Do you specialize in personal injury law and auto accident cases?
How long have you been practicing personal injury law?
Who will be responsible for any case-related costs if I lose my claims?
Have you tried auto accident cases that are similar to mine previously?
How long do you think it will take to settle my case?
How much time can you dedicate to my case?
What is the estimated worth of my case?
What is your sincere evaluation of my case?
Who will handle my case?
Will you settle out of court or take my case to trial?
What is my role in the lawsuit?
If you're thinking about retaining a seasoned Colorado car accident attorney, do not hesitate to contact us at Mark A. Simon, Attorney at Law, today.
Risks You Take When You Don't Hire an Attorney
Having a knowledgeable attorney on your side can make all the difference in your recovery journey. Here are some possible risks of handling a car accident claim on your own without hiring an attorney:
You won't have enough evidence to establish fault.
You won't know how to file your claims.
The insurance provider won't take your claims seriously.
You won't be able to determine the long-term cost of your serious injuries.
You may face difficulties when negotiating a settlement with the insurer.
You may not get any compensation for your non-economic damages.
You may miss the statute of limitations – the deadline to file your claims.
You may settle for less than the actual value of your claims.
Get the Help You Need Today
Hiring a car accident attorney can ensure that you have objective representation in your injury claim. Contact Mark A. Simon, Attorney at Law, to schedule a simple case assessment with a trusted personal injury lawyer.
We will fight for your rights and the financial compensation you deserve. We're proud to serve clients across Denver, Aurora, Englewood, Lakewood, Commerce City, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Centennial, and Thornton, Colorado.