Get the help of an experienced trial attorney on your side. As an experienced Highlands Ranch personal injury lawyer and criminal defense attorney, Matt Chaput will help advocate on your behalf and get you the best possible outcome for your case. Need help? Contact us now.
Getting injured in a car accident can be an upsetting, disruptive, and confusing event. Even a relatively minor incident can leave you with a lot of paperwork and hassle. More substantial accidents that cause steep medical bills and long-term recoveries are even more burdensome. As an injured party in a car accident, you may have a case for a personal injury lawsuit to help recoup some of your losses and get back on track with support.
Speaking with a Highlands Ranch personal injury lawyer is the first step to understanding your options and getting your case moving forward.
Colorado operates as an “at-fault” state, which means that a person injured in a car accident must file a claim with the insurance of the person who caused the accident. This also means that drivers in Colorado are legally required to cover insurance at minimum coverage rates. If you are injured in an accident, the other driver was found to be at fault, and the injuries were within the range of their insurance, you may get all of your expenses covered without having to do much beyond filing with the insurance company.
Unfortunately, that’s not always how it works out. Here are some of the times when having a personal injury lawyer look over your case might be beneficial:
Car accidents are among the most common causes of serious injury in the United States. The damages that can be included in a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident include the following:
Sometimes, a car accident case can be settled without the involvement of an attorney with an insurance claim. However, if the insurance company is not willing to negotiate an amount that fully covers your losses (and they often will not be — especially if there is a claim for pain and suffering or other more complex damages), then getting an attorney involved is the best way to get compensation.
Hiring an attorney is the first step to getting a case moving. An experienced attorney will help you with the next steps to make the process less overwhelming.
Any claim you make is going to require evidence. In this case, evidence is often proof of your damages and losses. An attorney can help make your case by assisting in gathering details about your medical expenses, vehicle damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This evidence will form the backbone of the case as the lawsuit proceeds.
Using the evidence gathered, your attorney will help you make a case for a settlement. You’ll make a demand for a certain amount, and the insurance company will probably counter with a lower amount. The stronger your evidence, the more likely that you’ll get a substantial settlement offer. You’ll get to choose whether or not to accept any settlement offer made. Getting an attorney involved and collecting evidence can help make a more substantial settlement offer than the initial one.
If the settlement offer is not acceptable, your next step will be to file an injury lawsuit. This is a civil case, and your attorney will be crucial to helping make your case.
The discovery phase allows both sides in the lawsuit to gather additional evidence. This may include interviewing witnesses, taking pictures, and getting testimony about the impact of the damages. The insurance company may attempt to demonstrate that the damages were not as substantial as claimed.
During mediation, a neutral third party attempts to help the parties in a lawsuit dissolve their dispute without going to trial. At this stage, you may receive yet another settlement offer and will once again have to decide if it is acceptable. Your attorney will be able to advise you on the likelihood that going to trial will increase your settlement offer or not.
If a settlement still cannot be reached, the next step is a trial. At this point, your attorney will likely advise that you opt to have a jury trial rather than present the evidence to a judge alone, but the details will depend on your individual case. The case could still settle at any point before a verdict is reached. If it does not, the jury or judge hearing the case will make a ruling that determines the outcome.
Chaput Law is a top-rated Colorado law firm that focuses on personal injury and criminal defense. We represent clients in Denver, Highlands Ranch, and Littleton, Colorado. As well as all surrounding cities in Arapahoe and Douglas Counties.
If you are looking for a Highlands Ranch Personal Injury Lawyer that will help you get the compensation you deserve, look no further.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Don’t make the mistake of settling for a low offer just because you want to get this behind you. You need to fight for your financial well-being and we can help.
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