Grand Junction Catastrophic Injury Lawyers

Causes Of Catastrophic Injuries In Grand Junction

The causes of catastrophic injuries vary, though the unique geography of Grand Junction does contribute to certain catastrophic injuries more than others. Some common causes of these types of injuries include:

• Motor vehicle accidents, specifically accidents involving semi-trucks
• Motorcycle and bicycle accidents
• Medical malpractice cases
• Workplace and industrial accidents
• Premises liability accidents

If you or a loved one have been involved in a catastrophic injury, the experience of a Grand Junction catastrophic injury attorney can be invaluable. Contact the dedicated attorneys at Bachus & Schanker for a free case evaluation, so you can understand your legal rights and options.

What Qualifies As A Catastrophic Injury In Mesa County?

All states have their own specific legal definition of what a catastrophic injury is and, in many states, there is no formal definition at all. In Colorado’s Mesa County, a catastrophic injury is a sudden or severe injury that results in long-term and/or permanent consequences. 

These types of injuries typically result in lifelong extensive treatment, and have the potential of lifelong incapacitation.

Common types of catastrophic injuries can include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries that result in paralysis
• Severe burns
• Loss of limb (amputations) 
• Loss of sight or hearing
• Severe organ damage

How Can A Grand Junction Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Help Recover Compensation?

Catastrophic injuries are some of the most complex types of personal injury cases because of the many layers involved in catastrophic injury claims. For example, there may be several negligent parties involved, as well as insurance companies, and even third parties that could be held liable.

Working with a catastrophic injury attorney in Grand Junction ensures you have a legal representative who will help identify all liable parties, build a strong case that can prove negligence, and allows you to recover the maximum compensation you may be entitled to. 

Types Of Compensation Available

When pursuing a catastrophic injury claim, victims can recover both economic and non-economic damages. In extreme cases where gross negligence has occurred, victims might also be able to pursue punitive damages.

Economic and non-economic damages are classified as compensatory damages and are designed to help victims recover monetary and non-monetary losses. Punitive damages on the other hand are designed to punish negligent parties.

Economic damages include calculable losses like: 

• Loss of income
• The cost of medical bills, both current and future
• Property damage

Non-economic damages refer to incalculable losses including:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

How To Prove Negligence In Accidents Causing Severe Injuries In Grand Junction

To prove your catastrophic injury claim in Colorado, you must be able to prove that a defendant was negligent in their actions. Negligence is made up of four different elements, and all elements need to exist to prove negligence. 

Those four elements include:

• Duty of care: This is the notion that a defendant had a duty to your safety. 
• Breach of duty: This is the notion that the defendant violated their duty of care toward you. 
• Causation: Often the hardest element to prove, this is a critical element when proving a catastrophic injury case. You must prove that the at-fault party’s breach directly caused your injuries. When proving causation, an experienced attorney might call on a medical expert or the testimony of other professionals to prove causation.
• Damages: Finally, you must have suffered actual damages, including but not limited to medical expenses, lost wages, and other economic and non-economic losses.

Steps To Take Immediately After A Catastrophic Accident In Grand Junction, Colorado

If you or a loved one has been involved in a catastrophic accident in Grand Junction, Colorado, it is critical that you take immediate action. Follow these steps to ensure that your legal rights are protected and that you take the necessary steps that will help you build a strong claim when you pursue legal action.

• Seek immediate medical attention: Call 911. Catastrophic injuries like internal bleeding or spinal trauma require immediate care and delaying care can worsen your condition. If you are unable to move, don’t. Instead, wait for medical professionals to arrive.
• Report the accident: If police don’t arrive at the scene to file a report, contact the Grand Junction Police Department or Mesa County Sheriff’s office to report the accident yourself. This will establish an official record of the incident.
• Document the scene: If you are physically able, take photos and videos of the scene, your injuries, the surrounding area, and any visible hazards.
• Gather witness information: Get the names and contact information of any witnesses. If vehicles are involved in the accident, get the driver’s information, as well as the driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance information.
• Do not admit fault: Never admit fault, apologize, or say things like “I didn’t see you,” as it could be misconstrued as an admission of guilt.
• Follow all medical advice: Keep up with appointments and complete prescribed therapies. Gaps in treatment can be used against you by insurance companies to minimize the extent of your injuries.
• Speak to a catastrophic injury attorney immediately: Schedule your free case evaluation with our team to understand and ensure your rights are protected as you move through the legal process.

Why Choose Bachus & Schanker For Catastrophic Injury Cases In Grand Junction?

At Bachus & Schanker, our catastrophic injury attorneys in Grand Junction have decades of experience serving and representing victims just like you. Through our free case evaluations, you and your family will have a stronger understanding of your legal rights and options as you decide what legal avenue you want to pursue.

If you do take legal action, you’ll have an experienced legal representative on your side who will:

• Identify all liable parties.
• Gather essential evidence, as well as relevant expert testimony.
• You’ll get a team based approach to your legal needs so that all elements of your case get the attention they deserve.
• Aggressively fight and negotiate with all legal parties involved to recover the maximum compensation you may be entitled to.
• Give you access to our Victim’s Advocates team who will be by your side the entire time.

Our attorneys do not take a fee until we win your case, giving you and your family the full confidence that you have legal representation you can count on when you need it most.

Common Challenges In Catastrophic Injury Claims And How An Attorney Can Help

Because catastrophic injury cases can be complex by the very nature of the types of accidents and injuries they involve, the right attorney is essential in helping you tackle and address challenges when they arise. 

Common challenges victims often face include:

• Liable parties minimizing their responsibility/role/liability or your injuries after the accident.
• Complex medical evidence.
• Dealing with insurance bad faith.
• Pressure to settle quickly.

An experienced attorney will know how to identify and build a strong claim against liable parties. They’ll also be able to push back against pressure from insurance companies to settle quickly. 

Additionally, they’ll collect and build the case using expert testimony and evidence that helps make it clear for judges and juries to understand complex medical evidence if your case goes to trial.

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