Getting into a car accident is frightening. Things can happen very suddenly, and there can be a lot of damage. Most people feel rattled after experiencing a collision.
Fortunately, with the help of a qualified attorney, you can take steps to ensure that you are protected after a car accident. In many situations, having insurance is not enough to cover everything you need. In some situations, insurance will work to avoid paying anything at all. Having an attorney on your side protects you from these situations and gives you the best chance of getting the compensation that you deserve.
Fort Collins Car Accident Attorney: Free Consultation
When it comes to car accidents and personal injury claims, no firm is more qualified to take your case than our team at the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal. For over a decade, we have been providing the people of Colorado with high-quality legal representation in a variety of personal injury areas. We know how difficult these times can be, which is why we strive to give you the best possible advice.
Unlike many other attorneys, we specialize in personal injury law. This means that your car accident claim is our bread and butter, and we have the experience and confidence to support you throughout the process. Because we can focus on this topic, our clients feel confident that we can properly support them in court.
No other firm in the area can give you the all-inclusive legal support that we can.
Car Accident Claims and Insurance
When you get into a car accident, it’s typical for damage and injuries to occur. Most people have insurance to cover these things, meaning that the money should not come out of your own pocket. However, this isn’t always the case.
Insurance companies are always looking out for their own bottom lines and frankly do not care about the well-being of the individuals they serve. Their aim is to settle your claim as quickly and economically as possible, which puts you at a disadvantage. What’s more, insurance companies often engage in predatory tactics when they deal with claims. They do everything in their power to get victims to admit fault or forfeit their rights because that means that the company does not have to pay.
It’s common for an insurance company to harass a victim, even if they’ve done nothing wrong in the situation. They want you to make a statement quickly, so they can be absolved of any responsibility for injuries that may show up later. They make it seem as if you have to speak with them when you are under no obligation to do so. They may even go so far as to have you followed by a private investigator to see if your activities coincide with your injuries.
Why Do I Need a Fort Collins Car Accident Attorney?
It’s essential to protect yourself against these tactics and ensure that you get what you deserve. Without an attorney, insurance companies will take advantage of you. If you have an attorney, on the other hand, you can direct the insurance company to the attorney for any questions or statements. The proper Fort Collins car accident attorney will handle communications with the insurance company, so you can concentrate on your recovery.
The purpose of this process is to get proper compensation for your injuries, which means that you must be in recovery following the collision. A person who is healing from a significant traumatic event should not try to assemble and argue their own legal case. These situations are rife with stress, and adding stress to a fresh injury only results in slower recovery times and improper healing.
Having an attorney allows you the time and space to heal while also giving you the best chance at a proper settlement. Individuals who represent themselves often end up with small settlements, if they earn one at all.
Colorado Is an At-Fault State
Because Colorado is an at-fault state when it comes to car accidents, it’s imperative that you have someone to advocate for you.
An at-fault state means that one driver’s insurance pays for the damage to both parties. This is different from a no-fault state, where each driver goes to their own insurance for compensation. In at-fault states, therefore, the guilty party must be determined before settlements can be issued.
In some situations, it’s easy to determine who was at fault. However, most of the time, it is hard to determine who the guilty party is. This means that the insurance companies will argue with one another as long as they can, just to avoid having to pay. As the victim, you may not see a settlement for months, meaning that you initially may have to pay your bills out of pocket. This is an expense that few people can afford.
This kind of delay is unacceptable and abusive. When you have an attorney to fight for you, the process usually goes much faster. An attorney can build a case on your behalf and convince the other driver’s insurance to pay for the damage that their client caused.
Types of Car Accident Damages
When you fight for a settlement, there are a few factors that go into the settlement sum. It’s important to know what kind of compensation you may be eligible for. Your settlement sum should include:
- Medical expenses. You should not have to pay for your own medical attention if you did not cause the accident in the first place.
- Long-term medical expenses. The settlement should also factor in the fact that you may need medical support in the long term. Follow-up appointments, physical therapy, and mobility aids should all be considered.
- Lost wages. You should not suffer financially because someone else caused an accident. Your compensation should include an amount that makes up for the time you need to take off work to heal.
- Diminished earning capacity. If the accident caused permanent or ongoing issues that do not allow you to do your job as you once could, you should get compensation for that. For example, if you are an artist and an accident causes permanent damage to your hand, your settlement should compensate you for the work you can no longer do.
Insurance may not cover all these things without a fight. With the help of a car accident or personal injury attorney, you can push for everything that you deserve.
What to Look For in a Car Accident Attorney
When you are vetting attorneys after a car accident, it’s important to know what to look for. Expertise is a primary factor, and it’s important to be sure that your attorney has industry-specific experience. Simply working in personal injury law does not make an attorney automatically qualified for a car accident case.
You also need to be able to trust your attorney. You should be able to speak freely with them and trust that they hear you and are considering your feelings and experiences.
Fort Collins Personal Injury FAQs
Is It Worth Getting an Accident Lawyer?
It is absolutely worth getting an accident lawyer for both the mental and economic benefits that we provide. Financially, you are much more likely to get the settlement that you deserve when you have an attorney. Mentally, you are able to relax and focus on making a full recovery. Both are beneficial assets and make hiring an attorney well worth it.
When Should You Call a Lawyer After an Accident?
It’s best to call your attorney right after an accident so that we can spring into action right away. We can cover any statements that you need to make to insurance companies, and we can begin to build your case while the evidence is still fresh. The faster we can begin, the more airtight your case is likely to be.
How Long After an Accident Can You Sue in Colorado?
The statute of limitations for car accident claims is three years. However, it’s vital that you begin building your case as soon as you can. If you wait too long, it will be more challenging to assemble evidence and show that your injuries were caused by the accident and not something else.
What Should You Ask When Hiring an Accident Attorney?
Ask potential attorneys about their qualifications and whether they’ve been successful in cases like yours. Ask them to outline what they think your odds may be and how they plan to build your case. This information will give you a comprehensive idea about whether they’re a good fit for you.
You also need to ask about their fee structure and costs, so you can be sure that you can afford them through the entirety of your case.
Contact an Auto Accident Personal Injury Lawyer
For trusted legal services following a car accident or other personal injury incident, trust the attorneys at the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal. We’ve been in this industry for many years, and we’re confident we can help.
For more information, please contact us online today and learn how we can help you during our free consultation.