You might need to hire a lawyer after a car accident, especially if it wasn’t your fault. Many people falsely assume that everything will work out in their favor since they didn’t cause the accident. However, you might still need to prove that the other party was at fault for causing the accident, not you. Seeking legal counsel is sometimes the best way to file a claim against the negligent party and hold them accountable.
When asking yourself whether or not you need a lawyer, remember that you might need to prove you are not at fault to get compensation. Insurance companies often attempt to discredit or deny claims to get out of paying high settlements. Not every accident warrants hiring legal representation. But in some instances, it’s necessary. If any of the following circumstances apply to your case, you might want to lawyer up:
- The insurance company is not offering you a fair settlement
- You sustained substantial property damage and injuries from the accident
- It’s unclear who is at fault or questionable who has more percentage of fault
Car accidents are upsetting for everyone involved. It can be emotionally, physically, and psychologically draining if you’re dealing with injuries after a traumatic and unexpected accident. The last thing you want to be doing is battling with insurance adjusters. Most people find that they save themselves a tremendous amount of stress by hiring an excellent lawyer to handle their claims.
Focus on Recovering While We Focus on Your Case
Your health and well-being should be your top priority after an accident. Therefore, seeking medical attention is good even if you feel fine. In addition, medical records can help you file a claim with the insurance company later.
Remember, you don’t have to accept the settlement from an insurance company. If you are too quick to accept the initial offer, you might get less than you deserve. You might lose your right to take further legal action in the future. Let’s say you later discover that your injuries are worse than you’d initially thought. Then you can file a lawsuit to get fair compensation for your injuries.
An attorney can help build your case and negotiate with insurance companies. That way, you can focus on recovering and restoring your life. If we cannot reach a fair out-of-court settlement agreement with the insurance company, we can take your case to court. Then, a judge or jury can decide how much to award you.
Is It Worth It to Hire a Lawyer for My Car Accident Case?
Yes. First, you should not have to pay any out-of-pocket expenses for property damage or injuries caused by someone else. The liable party should be held accountable and compensate you for your losses. A lawyer can help you do the following as well:
- Gather crucial evidence like a police report
- Speak to witnesses and get their testimonies
- Enlist the help of experts and get their testimonies (e.g., accident reconstruction, medical experts, etc.)
- Get medical records from your hospital or doctor
Proving Negligence After a Car Accident
Your attorney can help you clearly establish the other party’s negligence. To prove the other party’s negligence, you need four elements.
- Duty of care: the other motorist had a duty of care to drive reasonably.
- Breach of duty of care: if they failed to drive in a reasonable manner, they violated their duty of care.
- Causation: in failing to uphold their duty of care, the other driver caused you to suffer damages
- Damages: any losses and injuries you incurred for which you can seek financial compensation.
Establishing these crucial points will make it clear that the accident was preventable.
Damages You Can Recover After a Colorado Car Accident
You can recover for both economic and non-economic awards. Economic awards are those you can objectively calculate. Non-economic damages are more abstract and harder to calculate, but an attorney can help you with that.
Examples of economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Physical therapy
- Car repair costs
- Lost wages
Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
Why Might You Need a Lawyer Even if an Accident Wasn’t Your Fault?
After a car accident, insurance companies will contact you and might use cunning tactics to avoid a big payout. They might try to find inconsistencies in your account to lower the value of your claim. They almost always offer an unfairly low initial settlement. Therefore, it’s best to let your Denver car accident lawyer handle negotiations and dealings with insurance companies.
Does a Police Report Show Who Was at Fault for the Accident?
A police report might contain information about different accounts of the accident. For example, the officer who initially arrived at the scene might have documented the accident as they saw fit. However, your attorney could make a case against the officer’s findings if the information is inaccurate. Furthermore, if the officer arrested or issued a ticket to the other driver, that could serve as evidence for your case later.
Contact a Denver Car Accident Lawyer Today
Our legal team fights hard to protect the rights of every client. For example, if you were involved in a car accident caused by someone else, we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free case review.
