A: As soon as possible after the auto accident, you should photograph any visible injuries (i.e. cuts, bruises, broken bones, etc.). Before repairing your car, photograph the damage from all angles. Provide your attorneys with the prints (and negatives) of all photographs pertaining to your claim.

A: You can receive compensation even if you were partly at fault. The amount of the other person’s responsibility is determined by comparing his or her negligence with yours. So long as you are less than 50% at fault, you can recover for your injuries to the extent of the other party’s negligence. For example, if the other party is 70% at fault and you have injuries and damages totaling $100,000, you can recover up to $70,000. This is known as comparative negligence.

A: Since the lapse of no-fault in Colorado, you are responsible for your own medical expenses from an auto accident—until you get compensated by the other driver’s insurance company. Many people have medical payments coverage through their own auto insurance. Others have health insurance, which will pay their medical bills. If you don’t have either of these, you may be able to arrange for your doctors to be paid through a medical lien. They will get reimbursed with once your case is resolved. We can help with that process.

A:The person who is at fault for the accident is responsible for your lost wages. Since Colorado is an at fault State, those lost wages, your medical bills, your pain and suffering, and your loss of enjoyment of life are all covered by the at fault party’s insurance. The sooner you initiate your claim, the sooner you get paid back by the other driver’s insurance company.

A: You can receive compensation even if you were partly at fault. The amount of the other person’s responsibility is determined by comparing his or her negligence with yours. So long as you are less than 50% at fault, you can recover for your injuries to the extent of the other party’s negligence. For example, if the other party is 70% at fault and you have injuries and damages totaling $100,000, you can recover up to $70,000. This is known as comparative negligence.

A:Over 30% of Colorado drivers are uninsured. This means there is a good chance the at-fault driver in an accident will be uninsured. In these cases, you can usually collect from your own insurance under your uninsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage if you have it. Fortunately, most auto insurance policies are sold with this coverage.

A: In Colorado, the minimum liability coverage a driver must carry is $25,000 per person, $50,000 per incident. Just a few days in the hospital can eat up this amount. The good news is that you can recover from your own UM/UIM coverage, again if you have it. For example, if the at-fault driver pays you the minimum $25,000 for your injuries and you have $50,000 in UM/UIM coverage from your own policy, you can collect another 50,000 from your own insurance company.

A: The length of time it takes to settle a case depends on a variety of factors. These factors include the nature and severity of the injuries, the course of treatment, when you submit your claim (through an attorney or on your own), and whether it’s clear the other party is at fault. Also, there are many factors unique to each case. On average, cases settle within 6 months to a year.

A: Most cases are settled without the need to set foot in a courtroom. Our attorneys and staff have extensive experience presenting cases to insurance adjusters and mediators before the need for an expensive trial. The idea is to let the adjuster or mediator know that the case is not one they want to go to trial and that the injured party’s attorney is ready and willing to take the case to court.

A: Claims are limited by the Colorado Statute of Limitations and vary from case to case. For automobile accidents this is usually three years and for other injuries this is usually two years. However, there are situations when shorter time limits apply.

A: Although you are required to cooperate with your insurance company, we generally recommend that you do not agree to a recorded statement or sign release forms from the other driver’s insurance company.

A: There are times when we would advise a client to negotiate themselves, but generally the client is better served having an attorney handle the negotiations. Insurance adjusters are usually experienced professionals working for the insurance company’s best interest.

A: It is always best to consult an attorney as soon as possible after the accident. Sometimes an attorney may advise you to wait until you know the extent of your injuries, but sometimes they may want to see you right away.

A: If the at fault party has insurance then their insurance company will usually cover the use of a rental car for a reasonable period of time.

A: The vast majority of cases are settled without going to trial. It may be necessary to file a lawsuit, but usually the cases settle before going to trial.

A: Unless other arrangements are specifically made with our clients, fees and litigation expenses are handled as follows:

• Payments for legal fees are computed as a percentage of the total cash recovery you obtain.
• If no cash recovery is obtained, you owe us nothing. However, certain costs, such as previous medical expenses, remain your responsibility.