If you believe another party in Colorado Springs is responsible for harming you or a family member, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for the damages they inflicted. While this may sound straightforward enough, the reality is that even seemingly simple personal injury cases can evolve into complex legal battles. If you intend to pursue any type of personal injury case, it’s vital to know the value of having a Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer on your side.
The right attorney can help you navigate your case more easily, handle complex procedural issues for you so you can focus on recovery, and ultimately help recover more than you could likely manage on your own. It is always worth investing in legal counsel you can trust, but it is important to know what you need to evaluate in choosing your attorney.
Criteria to Consider When Hiring a Legal Representative in Colorado Springs
There are hundreds of personal injury attorneys representing clients, and you may have dozens of options in your local area. Taking time to research the most reliable candidates can pay off tremendously, so it is important not to rush your decision to hire an attorney. However, you must also prioritize your time. You face a strict statute of limitations for filing your case, and the quality of the evidence you will need to prove fault for your damages could deteriorate over time. It’s necessary to strike a balance between moving quickly to hire an attorney, starting the claim filing process, and taking the time necessary to evaluate each prospective attorney.
Research the highest-rated attorneys in your area and look up what past clients have to say about them. Once you narrow down your options to a few choices, arrange consultations with each attorney. Most personal injury attorneys offer free or low-cost initial consultations, and this is an opportunity to interview a potential representative to see what it would be like working with them.
During a consultation, ask the attorney about their experience with cases like yours, what their initial interpretation of your case is, and what they anticipate the outcome of your case to be. An experienced personal injury attorney should be able to quickly identify the most important challenges and opportunities you face in your claim and provide an estimate of what they expect in terms of the outcome.
Before you agree to have an attorney represent you, make sure you fully understand their billing policy so there are no surprises in terms of the cost of their services. Most personal injury attorneys accept clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only collect fees after winning clients’ cases. Once you have found an attorney with the requisite experience, resources, and demeanor you believe to be appropriate for your case, their billing policy is likely to be the determining factor as to whether you should hire them.
FAQs
Q: What Is a Contingency Fee for a Personal Injury Attorney?
A: A contingency fee is an attorney’s fee that is contingent upon the attorney’s ability to recover compensation for their client. With this billing arrangement, the client does not pay upfront or ongoing legal fees to the attorney. Instead, the client pays their attorney a percentage of their final case award. They only pay this fee if the attorney wins their case, and there is no fee at all if the attorney cannot recover compensation on their behalf.
Q: What Percentage Will the Attorney Take From My Case Award?
A: Attorneys who offer their clients contingency fee billing will typically choose a percentage based on the overall complexity of a case and the total amount of damages the plaintiff is claiming from the defendant. On average, contingency fees for personal injury attorneys range from 25% to 40%, but every attorney has a different policy. Be sure that you fully understand your attorney’s billing policy before signing a contract for their representation.
Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for Pain and Suffering?
A: Colorado law does not limit economic damages, so a plaintiff has the right to claim full compensation for all financial losses they suffered because of the defendant’s actions. However, state law does limit pain and suffering compensation. The baseline limit on pain and suffering compensation is $250,000, but a plaintiff may have this cap raised to $500,000 if they can show clear and convincing evidence of the defendant’s liability.
Q: Do I Really Need to Hire an Attorney for My Personal Injury Case?
A: You are technically allowed to file a personal injury claim on your own, but this is very risky for several reasons. You would be forced to contend with strict procedural rules while managing your recovery, and any errors could result in delays in your proceedings or losing the ability to claim compensation for your losses. Even if you were successful on your own, you would be unlikely to recover as much compensation as an attorney could potentially obtain for you.
Q: Will the Defendant Go to Jail for Causing My Personal Injury?
A: It is possible for a defendant to face criminal charges based on how they caused your personal injury. If the injury resulted from simple negligence, they would be liable for your damages but would likely avoid prosecution. However, if they broke a Colorado law in causing your personal injury, they not only face criminal charges but also more severe penalties due to the harm they inflicted.
The right attorney can help address the unique issues you might encounter as you seek recompense for a personal injury. Taking time to find the right legal representative will pay off tremendously in various ways, from making it easier for you to manage the stress of your case to helping you reach the optimal result. The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal is ready to provide the guidance and support you need in this situation, so contact us today and schedule a free consultation with our team to learn how we can empower your recovery efforts.
