Immediately after a car accident, you may feel too stressed and dazed to do anything. Sadly, fatal and serious crashes, accidents, and collisions are not rare in Colorado. The trauma is apparent, and it makes sense to consult someone with legal expertise. Not all attorneys are same, so you basically need a Colorado personal injury lawyer, who specializes in handling auto accident lawsuits. This brings to the important aspect – When and why do you need a lawyer? In this post, we are sharing more details about hiring an injury lawyer.
If you were also at fault
Most auto accidents are complicated and muddled. What happens when you also had a share in the fault? Colorado is a modified comparative negligence state. If your share of fault is more than 50%, you cannot recover anything at all. Otherwise, you can still file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver at fault, but your share of compensation will be reduced, by your fault in percentage. Insurance companies often do everything to minimize their financial liability, and that may mean pinning the blame on you. A personal injury lawyer will protect your rights and interests.
You don’t have a lot of time
Colorado’s statute of limitations allows three years to file an injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. The same deadline applies to cases, where one is suing for property damage. In case the accident resulted in someone’s death, the immediate family can file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years, from the date of death. However, the statute of limitations doesn’t apply to insurance claims. If you are filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurer, you have to do that within a reasonable time. Hire a personal injury lawyer, so that you don’t have to deal with deadlines and timelines.
How to find a reliable personal injury lawyer?
- Ask around. If you know people who have worked with personal injury lawyers in the past, references can help.
- Check online. Websites like Avvo are really handy for comparing attorneys in your area. Most law firms have their websites these days.
- Check reviews. Reviews can be really handy for finding local attorneys. Find a personal injury lawyer, who is accessible, has positive reviews, and works on a contingency fee.
Check online now to find more on Colorado car accident laws, and no matter the circumstances, always report the accident to your local police, or sheriff’s office.