Should I Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident?

Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

It depends on your specific situation. Sometimes, a minor fender bender might seem straightforward. You were not injured, and only your vehicle was damaged. The other driver even admitted fault at the accident scene. However, things can quickly go from simple to complex.

The other driver might recant and say you were at fault. They may say they were injured. On top of that, insurance companies will want to close out any claims as soon as possible.

Should disputes arise, it could impact the amount of your settlement if they apply Colorado’s modified comparative negligence statute. In the event that the other driver is convincing enough, your claim could be denied. 

What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident?

Call 911, report the accident, and request emergency medical care for any injuries. Then, if possible, document the crash with plenty of photos and videos and obtain witness contact details. After you are medically stabilized, contact a Colorado car accident attorney for a free consultation.

When Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

You should hire a car accident attorney any time there are personal injuries sustained. Even if your injuries seem minor, they could have long-term impacts on your ability to work or require ongoing physical therapy.

If you settle quickly without a lawyer, you cannot go back and ask for more money if you need continued medical care, surgery, or if you are unable to return to work full-time.

You should also hire an attorney if the insurance company is attempting to lower or deny your claim. Additionally, having help from an attorney is beneficial if the other party is now claiming you were partially or entirely at fault for the crash.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer After a Crash?

Some of the benefits of choosing a car accident lawyer in Colorado to represent you include:

• Free case evaluation and consultation.
• Evidence gathering.
• Obtaining police and medical reports.
• Obtaining sworn statements from witnesses.
• Filing your injury claim on time for the maximum compensation allowed.
• Opening a case with the appropriate court and filing all necessary documents.
• Negotiating your settlement and, if necessary, litigating the case at trial.
• Allowing you to focus on healing and recovery rather than dealing with insurance companies.

Can a Lawyer Help With Insurance Claims?

Yes, your lawyer will manage all aspects of filing your insurance claim, including negotiating a favorable settlement. Allowing your attorney to represent your interests frees you up to focus on healing and recovery, rather than dealing with insurance adjusters and their tactics.

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

Hiring a car accident attorney should not cost anything up front. At Bachus & Schanker, we take car accident injury cases on a contingency basis.

If we are unable to settle your claim or obtain a favorable verdict at trial, you owe us absolutely nothing. Once we win your case, we will collect a percentage of your total settlement. We will inform you of this amount during your initial, free consultation.

What Happens If I Don’t Hire a Lawyer?

If you decide not to hire an auto accident lawyer, you will have to manage all aspects of the claim process yourself, while recovering from your injuries, including:

• Gathering all evidence to support your case, such as police reports, medical records, and witness statements.
• Filling out all claim forms and the demand for payment with the insurance companies.
• Possibly forgetting to claim specific damages you might be entitled to, like pain and suffering, future medical expenses, and lost wages.
• Having to obtain any estimates for repairing your vehicle.
• Being offered lower settlement offers that tend to be between three and four times less.
• Having to deal with any disputes about fault on your own.

When Can I Handle a Car Accident Claim on My Own?

You can handle a car accident claim on your own when there has been minor vehicle and property damage and no personal injuries. However, you should still consult with an attorney first to understand your legal rights.

How Can a Lawyer Help Maximize Compensation?

Finding the right personal injury lawyer in Colorado can help secure a favorable settlement for the maximum amount allowed under the law.

Some of the ways your attorney does this include:

• Performing an accurate assessment of all possible damages, including property damage, pain and suffering, and current and future medical bills and lost wages.
• Understanding all of the types of compensation you can include in your insurance claim.
• Being fully aware of the tactics insurance companies use to make low-ball settlement offers.
• Having full knowledge of Colorado’s at-fault system and comparative negligence laws.
• Gathering sufficient evidence to clearly prove negligence.
• Providing access to expert witnesses in complex cases.
• Understanding the impacts catastrophic injuries or wrongful death can have on you and your family.

How Can Bachus & Schanker Help With My Case?

Bachus & Schanker understand the financial impacts a car crash can have on you. From medical bills and lost wages to pain and suffering and vehicle damage, the impacts of the accident can be overwhelming.

Our car accident lawyers fully understand how stressful it is to attempt to file your claim while injured and dealing with insurance companies, who may not always be as empathetic as they seem.

Some of the ways we help you include in the following:

• Free case evaluation and consultation, we can even come to you at home or in the hospital.
• Available 24/7.
• Empathetic, supportive, and truly caring for you and your family.
• A dedicated legal team to represent your case.
• Access to our Victim’s Advocates for catastrophic injuries and wrongful death cases.
• Personalized attention beyond the legal aspects of filing a claim.
• We only get paid when we win your case.
• Law offices throughout Colorado.
• Detailed investigation and evidence gathering.
• Clear explanation of your legal costs once we settle your case.
• Handling all negotiations with the insurance companies.
• Aggressively litigating your case at trial, if needed.

Whether you had a minor fender-bender or a more serious car crash with injuries, it never hurts to obtain free legal advice before speaking to the insurance company. Find out your legal rights, options, and potential compensation from one of our experienced Colorado auto accident lawyers. Reach out now to schedule your free consultation.

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