Sometimes, even when you are driving safely with care, you may end up in an unfortunate car accident. Such crashes, collisions, and accidents are not uncommon in Colorado Springs. In such circumstances, you must consider taking the right steps. In this post, we are sharing more on the car accident laws and when you should hire an auto accident lawyer in Colorado Springs.
The basic car accident laws in Colorado
Colorado is a fault state. If you were injured in a car accident caused by someone’s fault, you can file an insurance claim with their insurer and ask for compensation. However, in case you have a part in causing the accident, you may lose a part of the awarded compensation. That’s because Colorado is a ‘modified comparative negligence’ state. If your share of fault is more than 50%, you cannot recover anything at all.
Taking the right steps
Immediately after the car accident, make sure to call 911 and see a doctor. Even if your injuries don’t seem as serious right away, seeking medical help is still important. Next, call the local law enforcement agency, and wait for the police to arrive. Next, check for evidence. Take as many photos of the accident scene as you can, note down the contact details of other drivers, witnesses, and people at the site of the accident.
Do you need an auto accident lawyer?
If your injuries are minor and you believe that you can file and win an insurance claim on your own, you don’t necessarily need to hire an attorney. However, there are some circumstances when hiring an attorney is an absolute must. Call an auto accident lawyer, if –
- You suffered serious or debilitating injuries
- You are unsure of fault
- You believe that the other party was at fault
- There was a commercial vehicle or truck involved
- There were multiple parties responsible for the accident
- You have sustained significant losses
The statute of limitations in Colorado allows just three years to file a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident. You don’t have a lot of time, so make sure that you call an auto accident lawyer as soon as possible. Most lawyers take car accident cases on a contingency basis, so you don’t have to pay for their services right away. If the lawyer wins, they will charge a contingency fee, which is typically not more than 40% of the final settlement.
