How Do Colorado Springs Car Accident Settlements Work?

Written by Jeremy D. Earle, JD

May 23, 2023

HOW CAN A CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER HELP YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SETTLEMENT?

Thousands of individuals are injured in car accidents each year around the nation, leaving them with mounds of medical costs that never seem to stop. Someone needs to pay, and it shouldn’t be the wounded person; it should be the one who created the disaster.

Your physical and emotional rehabilitation should be your primary focus if you or a loved one is wounded in a car accident. You don’t need to be concerned about anything else: your car accident lawyer, a trusted ally who can assist you in optimizing your financial recovery.

At the same time, you spend your valuable time, effort, and energy on recuperating should file a personal injury claim for your car accident.

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CAR ACCIDENTS AND THEIR CAUSES

Various factors may cause car accidents, occur at an alarming pace. Every two minutes, a person is harmed in an car accident. You or someone you care about might be the next victim at that rate. Be alert of your surroundings.

The following factors contribute to car accidents:

  • Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol

  • Speeding

  • Driving while texting

  • Driving too fast for the circumstances on the road

  • Failure to comply with the law

  • Disobeying a stop sign or a red light

  • Dangerous driving

  • Turning in the wrong direction on a one-way street

  • Tailgating

  • Rage on the road

  • Driving when drowsy

  • Racing in the streets

Whatever caused your car accident, you are entitled to a full physical, emotional, and financial recovery. Depending on the sort of accident you were in and the injuries you sustained, this might be difficult.

COMMON INJURIES

More than 3,000 individuals die in car accidents in the United States every day. Not every car accident results in death, but every car accident that causes injury is terrible.

The following are examples of common injuries:

  • Scrapes and cuts

  • Contusions

  • Burns

  • Bone fractures

  • Injuries to the spine

  • Head injuries from a traumatic event

  • Paralysis

  • Amputation

  • Accidents to the neck

  • Injuries to soft tissues

Some of these injuries are more visible than others in the early aftermath of your accident. Some might go undiagnosed for weeks, or adrenaline bursts mask the discomfort. If not addressed properly and promptly, these underlying injuries may cause further and lasting harm.

This is why, regardless of whether you believe you need to be, you should see a doctor as soon as possible following your injury.

OFFERS OF INITIAL SETTLEMENT

The at-fault driver’s insurance company may typically contact you shortly after your car accident and offer you a rapid payout.

BUT DON’T GET TOO EXCITED JUST YET

The insurance company will give you a modest settlement. In reality, it’s unlikely to pay all of the medical bills piled up on your kitchen counter. Insurance firms exploit unrepresented persons. Allowing them to pull the wool over your eyes is not a good idea.

You may be out of work momentarily or permanently due to your car accident. The insurance company is well aware of this, and it recognizes that you may be in a hurry for money, so it carefully gives you a low-ball payout.

Never accept this settlement without the assistance of an experienced car accident attorney who will ensure that the insurance company does not take advantage of you.

To get fair compensation, you must first estimate the whole cost of your medical bills, including those you haven’t yet received. You’ll need to budget for the following, depending on the sort of injury you’ve sustained:

  • Hospitalizations

  • Surgeries

  • Physical treatment and rehabilitation

  • Prescriptions

  • Additional doctor’s appointments

  • X-rays, MRIs, and other types of scans

  • Transportation

You may obtain a clearer picture of how much money you’ll need to completely recover by accounting for all of your future medical bills. If you accept the insurance company’s first low-ball offer, you risk losing out on all the money you need and deserve.

When you sign a settlement, you relinquish your right to sue the insurance company for this accident in the future. It’s awful, and it’s happened to folks who refused to employ an attorney to assist them. They wish they could do it!

HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE FOR ME TO GET THE FUNDS?

The time it takes to get your settlement money varies significantly. In general, you’re seeking money to meet the following expenses:

  • Health-care costs

  • The expense of rehabilitation

  • Disability

  • Disfigurement

  • Suffering and pain

  • Anxiety and depression

  • Wages lost

  • Companionship is lost

  • Loss of pleasure in life

Negotiating these conditions takes time, but it’s crucial to engage with a legal firm that has the resources to take on a large insurance company. We understand that you need funds, but we will not accept anything less than what is best for you. However, if a settlement has been reached, you should expect to receive your funds within a few weeks.

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE SETTLEMENT PROCESS?

Settlement outside of court, like other legal procedures, a settlement outside of court may be a beneficial alternative — under the appropriate circumstances. Here’s how it would proceed if you and your car accident lawyer decide that’s the best line of action for your case:

MAKE AN OFFICIAL CLAIM

After your car accident, you must make a formal claim with the negligent driver’s insurance carrier. After your car accident, you should file as soon as feasible.

AN INQUIRY BY THE INSURER

The insurance company will conduct its investigation once you register your claim. This includes recording all drivers and witnesses, including yourself. Insurance companies may be deceptive and downright manipulative; you’ll need an attorney to advise and defend you to ensure you don’t say anything that might get you into trouble.

THE RESULTS OF YOUR INQUIRY

When you choose a knowledgeable and experienced car accident injury attorney, they will perform their investigation. Why? Because the insurance company’s inquiry focuses on determining who is at blame.

APPROVAL OR REJECTION

When the negligent driver’s insurance company accepts your claim, it signifies the business recognizes that its insured was at fault. This little triumph does not guarantee that you will be completely paid for your injuries; there is still work to be done.

If the insurance company declines your claim, it must provide you with a well-documented justification for doing so.

Offers of settlement You’re under no obligation to accept a settlement offer. You owe yourself to hire a reputable auto accident settlement attorney to ensure that any settlement offer you get is reasonable.

LAWSUIT

In the worst-case situation, if the insurance company refuses to give a reasonable settlement, you may need to take your case to court to get proper compensation.

AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Your potential to collect damages from the at-fault motorist is influenced by the actions you take immediately after the collision. To get the most out of your recovery, follow these guidelines:

CALL 911

Call 911 as soon as possible after your car accident. (Yes, even if the collision seems small and there are no evident injuries.) The cops will file an accident report whenever they arrive. They are unlikely to apportion blame in this study; that is a matter for the insurance companies to debate. The police report, on the other hand, will include a diagram of the collision, which is crucial to your claim.

REQUEST MEDICAL AID

Calling 911 also provides emergency medical assistance. Don’t say no to these services. Your adrenaline is pumping, and you may not even know you’ve been hurt. Internal injuries are often difficult to detect. If you refuse to visit a medical expert, you endanger your own life.

PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE

Photograph the accident site and any damage to your car, other vehicles, or your surroundings with close-ups and broad views. Take pictures of your injuries as well.

If there are bruising or swelling, they may not show up immediately away; take photographs at home over the following several days to document the situation.

All of this is critical evidence for a favorable conclusion in your case.

You may not be able to take photographs depending on the severity of the accident you were involved in. If this is the case, enlist the help of a trustworthy family member, loved one, or witness to capture the photos. Always keep in mind that a picture is worth a thousand words!

DO NOT ACCEPT FAULT

The police will talk with witnesses and all of the drivers involved in the collision, including you, while compiling their reports.

Simple remarks like “I glanced down for a second” or “maybe I was driving too fast” might have a negative influence on your case or lead to you being blamed. The insurance company may use these remarks as confessions of guilt, and they can be used to reject your claim or lower the amount it pays you. Keep in mind that anything you say may and will be used against you!

KEEP A PERSONAL INJURY JOURNAL

As your health improves, you will likely forget about the everyday battles you experienced to get there.

Keeping a personal injury notebook in which you record how you’re feeling each day, what improvements or setbacks you’re experiencing, and your degree of discomfort can assist you in remembering your agony and suffering if you need to retell it for your case.

This will also assist your car accident lawyer get the most money out of your compensation.

Contact a car accident lawyer: You deserve to be guided through this tough procedure by an experienced and professional car accident lawyer. You’ll need an ally and an advocate. When you contact, be sure to inquire whether a lawyer gives free consultations.

WHY SHOULD YOU HIRE A LAWYER?

A widespread fallacy is that you don’t need a lawyer to manage your legal difficulties or that if you do, it would be prohibitively costly. This could not be more untrue!

Too many bewildered, afraid, and confused people have attempted to manage their cases in the hopes of saving money, only to be taken advantage of by insurance companies and continue to struggle.

Make sure that doesn’t happen to you. Don’t leave this bad position with more regrets than when you arrived. Take advantage of the legal advice and professional knowledge you deserve, and you’ll come out on top.

It might be difficult to find the correct lawyer for your case. You generally don’t spend much time in the courts, and injury lawyer commercials on TV and radio might appear spectacular and impersonal. So you’ve found your way to this page on the internet!

The easiest method to discover the perfect attorney for your case is the online research. When you eventually reach out to them, you’ll want to ask them a few questions regarding their experience, such as:

  • Have you dealt with any situations similar to mine?

  • How many cases have you successfully resolved?

  • Will you be my attorney, or will my case be handled by someone else?

When you work with a legal firm, you’ll be dealing with several people, but you should feel confident in the main attorney on your case. After all, it’s in their hands that your future will be decided. You could also check whether they’ve dealt with issues similar to yours previously. The legal procedure will be more complicated the more complicated your accident and injuries are. It is important to have prior experience. You don’t want someone fresh out of law school managing your case, no matter how excellent their intentions are.

SPEAK WITH A CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY RIGHT NOW

You need a strong team of attorneys and legal specialists on your side who will fight for every cent you are owed and go to whatever length to maximize your recovery. You have the right to expect someone to thoroughly investigate your accident, analyze all medical and police documents, interview witnesses, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if necessary, take your case to trial.

Suppose you still have concerns regarding a car accident settlement or your circumstances. In that case, a car accident lawyer can answer your questions and help you plan your next steps toward the compensation you deserve!

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