Car Accident Settlement in Colorado Springs
Even for the most seasoned and careful drivers, driving may be nerve-wracking.
Because of the unpredictability of the individuals we share the road with, bad incidents happen to decent people all the time.
Millions of car accidents occur each year in the United States, resulting in significant injury or death. Thirty-six thousand five hundred sixty people died in car accidents on American highways in only one year. These figures are enough to make you want to ride a cow to work instead of getting into your car (and hey, those two are about equal when it comes to emissions).
Despite this, most of us choose to continue with our cars and trucks since they are more convenient. This isn’t likely to change anytime soon. This implies that many of us will be involved in incidents that are not our fault yet leave us damaged and suffering.
But, after the accident, what happens? How long will it take you to get the compensation you deserve for the injuries you sustained?
You want to be paid as soon as possible, but several variables might influence the timeliness and effectiveness of your settlement. (Pro tip: Hiring a car accident lawyer to handle your claim will speed your receipt of the full settlement.) We’ll explain why further on.)
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HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT?
When two individuals disagree over money, things rapidly get difficult. Add another person, and another – no one wants to pay, and everyone wants to blame it on someone else. It may seem that resolving a quarrel like this is impossible.
You may be wondering why numerous parties are involved in a car accident claim. Because it’s possible that more than one party is to blame for it or that more than one party has legal responsibility for the conduct of someone who did.
A driver, the driver’s employer, the maker of failing brake pads, a roadside construction team, unlimited options, and each case is different.
When many parties are at fault, an experienced car accident lawyer understands that you stand to benefit more. The more persons or organizations owe money to a wounded accident victim, the more likely the victim will get the maximum compensation allowed by law. While having additional accountable parties might lengthen the time it takes to settle your claim, it can also improve your case.
WHAT IS THE SEVERITY OF YOUR INJURIES?
You’d think that the more serious your injury is, the more an insurance company would comprehend how much money and help you need. However, this is seldom the case. Insurance firms are frugal with even the most gravely damaged individuals to safeguard their interests.
The more money at risk due to an injury’s severity, the longer it takes insurance providers to give you a realistic offer. They will frequently dismiss, invalidate, and manipulate you in an attempt to persuade you that you will soon be “back to normal.”
It’s sometimes better to wait. You may learn how an injury affects your quality of life in many ways or how your physical or psychological traumas may deteriorate over time. This may result in a higher settlement amount.
ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT?
There aren’t many car accidents with simple, clear pictures of liability and damages. Car accident lawsuits may take a long time to settle, particularly if the drivers involved have conflicting memories of what occurred. When criminal conduct or other rising conditions are involved, the issue might become much more complicated.
Consider the following scenario:
DRUNK DRIVING
More than 10,000 individuals are killed in car accidents caused by alcohol every year. Drinking hinders a driver’s ability to make decisions and respond quickly.
If the collision causes significant injury or death, the driver may face criminal charges, and the victims’ damages claims may be better served by waiting until those charges are settled.
CLAIMS AGAINST A GOVERNMENT ENTITY
Government acts may sometimes result in an car accident. A municipal bus, for example, may collide with a passenger car. A construction staff may neglect to alert cars about a potentially hazardous road condition.
A government engineer might design a crossroads with dangerous sightlines. Regardless of the circumstances, a prospective claim against a government institution might confuse the timeframe of a car accident lawsuit.
HIT-AND-RUN
In a personal injury lawsuit, the ultimate aim is to obtain damages from the at-fault party. But what if the person who caused the accident escapes the scene? Your lawyer may advise you to file a claim against your uninsured motorist policy (if you have it), but persuading your carrier that you cannot identify the other driver might take some time.
These are but a few instances. The point is that dealing with a car accident is never simple, and you never know what type of unusual circumstance may derail a car accident claim’s development. That is why it is critical to find an attorney with sufficient expertise to deal with unexpected events and keep your case on track.
DETERMINING FAULT IN CAR ACCIDENTS?
In an car accident lawsuit, the notion of “blame” is very important. In the most basic sense, determining who was “at blame” establishes who is legally responsible for damages—but culpability also indicates that someone’s insurance rates are set to increase. People, understandably, are keen to prevent this outcome, even if they have negligently caused a collision.
Arguing who is responsible might cause a car accident settlement to take longer. After all, an insurance company won’t start calculating how much it owes an injured party unless it is certain that it is required to do so.
We recommend anybody involved in an car accident acquire as much evidence as possible at the spot to assist a case advance beyond blame issues. This includes the following:
PHOTOGRAPH THE VEHICLES
Photograph both automobiles — and their damage – from afar and up close.
PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE OTHER DRIVER’S LICENSE PLATE
You’d be surprised how many individuals say they weren’t even in an accident. If you have a photo of their license plate, though, their tale will fall apart in court.
EVIDENCE OF PROPERTY DAMAGE
Did the collision cause a street sign or a fence to fall over? If necessary, you’ll want to collect enough evidence to replicate the scenario.
INFORMATION FROM WITNESSES
If other individuals saw your collision, don’t simply let them drive away! Inquire about their contact details. Witnesses may explain any differences in the drivers’ claims.
Strong proof like this might assist you in expediting the process of settling your damages claim. If you were too hurt or agitated to do so, get a car accident lawyer as quickly as possible, and write down what you remember before it fades.
WHAT IS YOUR LEVEL OF URGENCY IN SETTLING THE CASE?
Another factor that influences how long your lawsuit takes to resolve is the parties’ willingness to bargain, and that includes you.
Decide if a timely resolution or a greater compensation is essential to you.
Thanks to your car accident lawyer’s hard work, and a settlement offer may start modest and climb over time. The less time they have to perform their magic and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, the less likely you are to get the best possible compensation.
The timeframe is partly determined by the insurance company’s willingness to negotiate. Everyone has a different approach to negotiation. Some insurance companies want to work out a bargain.
Others only wish to compete for a few rounds. Although you have no control over who is on the other side of your car accident claim, it is unfortunate that this may impact how long it takes to reach a fair and acceptable settlement.
ISN’T THERE A STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS?
The statute of limitations refers to the time restriction for filing a lawsuit for damages.
To put it another way, the statute of limitations governs how long you have to file a lawsuit for compensation.
It has nothing to do with the length of time that procedure will take once it begins. Keep in mind that investigating and gathering evidence takes time, and much of it might be lost if you don’t move promptly. The earlier you contact a car accident attorney, the better.
This legislation differs from one state to the next. Accident victims in Colorado, for example, have two years to file a car accident injury lawsuit, but they only have one year in Colorado to submit a complaint.
A car accident lawyer can assist you in determining the statute of limitations in your state as well as the appropriate line of action.
Ignoring the statute of limitations may result in your case being dismissed. You normally lose your legal rights to damages if a statute of limitations term ends before filing a lawsuit. Contact an expert car accident attorney as soon as possible to avoid this from happening.
DO YOU HAVE A LAWYER WHO HAS HANDLED CAR ACCIDENTS BEFORE?
An expert car accident attorney might make the difference between misery and celebration when dealing with the aftermath of a collision. You may not realize what you’re due, but it’s their duty to figure it out!
A car accident injury lawyer understands how to deal with insurance companies to obtain the most compensation you are entitled to as promptly as possible. Don’t just contact the first lawyer you come up with on Google. Choose a lawyer who has represented car accident victims for a long time.
OTHER FACTORS THAT COULD AFFECT YOUR CASE’S LENGTH
A personal injury case’s purpose is to obtain your money as soon as possible. However, there are instances when events emerge that entirely disrupt the timetable. This might involve the following:
PRE-EXISTING INJURIES
You may still file a personal injury lawsuit if you have pre-existing injuries. Even if you have pre-existing ailments, you may still earn a fair payment. On the other hand, prior injuries give the insurance company something to fight about. Pre-existing conditions are the golden ticket for the insurance company searching for ways to pay you less. You may expect the insurance provider to use your pre-existing condition against you if you have one.
FRAUD
Sometimes, persons escape the scene of an accident, conceal evidence, or tell lies about what occurred. They didn’t avoid you, but they are now attempting to avoid blame. This may cause delays in settlement of your case.
WITNESS AVAILABILITY
Your attorney may wish to utilize the testimony of an expert witness to support your case in certain situations. These experts often have hectic schedules and may book months in advance – but their knowledge may be worth the wait.
Consultation with a professional car accident injury attorney near you is the best method to deal with these unanticipated issues that might cause a schedule to be dragged out.
WHAT WILL MY FINAL SETTLEMENT AMOUNT BE?
If only we had a crystal ball, we’d be able to tell you how much your case is worth. Unfortunately, there’s no way to know how much money you’ll get from a car accident lawsuit without first having a lawyer look at the specifics of your case, such as:
The whole cost of your medical expenditures includes doctor visits, hospital stays, rehabilitation, medication, and surgery.
Wages lost: You were unable to work as a direct consequence of the accident for any period.
The extent of your pain and suffering, including physical and emotional distress.
Loss of life pleasure due to the accident; when your injuries prevent you from doing the things you used to love before the accident.
Personal connections are harmed when physical or mental impairments make it difficult to maintain regular interaction with persons close to you.
DON’T PUT OFF GETTING THE ASSISTANCE YOU DESERVE
Obviously, the sooner you file a claim for damages after a car accident, the faster you will get a payout. There are few guarantees in a car accident lawsuit, but we can assure you that nothing will happen until you take action. So, what do you have to lose? Contacting an expert car accident injury attorney for a free case examination may help you get the aid you need.