Even when an accident clearly was not your fault, you may still need to hire a lawyer for your personal injury claim.
The more serious the injuries and the higher the value of the claim, the more likely it is you’ll need a Boulder personal injury attorney to help you recover full compensation.
A lawyer becomes especially important when:
- You suffered serious or long-term injuries
- The at-fault party is disputing liability
- Multiple vehicles or parties are involved
- The insurer denies your claim or makes a lowball offer
- You are forced to rely on your own coverage, such as underinsured motorist benefits
In these situations, the money at stake is significant, and a professional advocate can make a real difference in the outcome.
When You Might Not Need an Attorney
Not every accident requires an attorney. If the crash caused only minor property damage, you have no injuries, and fault is clear and undisputed, you may be able to manage a small claim on your own.
However, you should know the full extent of your injuries before you attempt to settle. Injuries that seem minor at first can worsen over time. If you sign a settlement agreement before you are fully healed, you could risk losing valuable compensation for ongoing medical bills and other damages.
Even if you believe your claim is minor, you may still benefit from consulting an attorney who can provide an estimate on your claim’s value and caution you against an early settlement if it’s not in your best interest.
When You Will Likely Need a Lawyer
That an accident wasn’t your fault does not mean compensation will be automatic. Insurers have several ways to reduce their liability, even for a driver who did nothing wrong.
For example, they may:
- Dispute or shift fault. The other insurer may argue you were partly to blame for the incident. Colorado’s comparative fault rules (C.R.S. § 13-21-111) allow the insurance company to reduce your compensation to account for your share of fault — or deny your claim if you are mostly at fault (i.e., 51% or more).
- Undervaluing your claim. Insurers may undervalue your claim to protect their bottom line. An insurer may overlook future medical care, lost earning capacity, and the full value of pain and suffering.
- Pressuring a quick settlement. The insurance company may send a fast, low offer before you know the true extent of your injuries or can consult an attorney.
- Delaying or denying. Some claims are stalled or denied in the hope that you will simply give up and settle.
In these scenarios, having an attorney who can push back and hold the insurer accountable is critical.
What a Lawyer Does for You
Hiring an attorney after an accident puts an experienced advocate between you and the insurance company.
Here is what an attorney can do for you:
- Investigate the crash and gather evidence. Your attorney collects the police report, photos, video, witness statements, and, when needed, accident reconstruction analysis to build clear proof that the other driver was at fault.
- Handle all communication with the insurers. Your lawyer will manage every conversation, letter, and recorded-statement request from the insurance companies.
- Calculate the full value of your losses. A lawyer helps you account for your current medical bills, future treatment, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering, so no part of your claim is left on the table.
- Negotiate for a fair settlement. Your attorney can push back against lowball offers and work to secure the compensation you actually deserve.
- File a lawsuit and go to trial if necessary. When an insurer refuses to offer a fair amount, your lawyer can file suit and present your case in court. Your lawyer may even be able to use the court process to leverage a better offer before trial.
If you were injured in an accident that was not your fault, contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Purvis Thomson, LLC for a free consultation to learn what your claim may be worth.