Is it Worth Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer in Denver, CO?
After being hurt in a car crash, you have a lot of questions. What’s the best way to deal with the insurer? Will the other driver pay for my expenses? Do I need a car accident lawyer?
The best way to have your questions answered is to reach out to an attorney who handles car crash claims every day. Our Denver auto accident lawyers at Zaner Harden Law want to talk with you. More importantly, we want you to have accurate information to make the best decisions for you and your family.
After most car crashes that cause injury, hiring a personal injury lawyer is the best way to move forward with a claim and fight for the maximum amount of compensation possible. Get in touch with us at (720) 613-9706 or contact our Denver law office online to set up a free, no-risk consultation.
What Are 5 Ways a Car Accident Lawyer Will Help You?
After a car accident, an attorney is there to offer you assistance and guidance for tasks that would be difficult for you to approach on your own. The following are five ways an attorney can help:
- Explain Your Rights
- Calculate Your Damages
- Protect You From Insurance Company Tactics
- Gather Evidence
- Negotiate the Maximum Settlement Possible
1. Explain Your Rights
Over the years, we’ve found that most car crash victims aren’t sure about their rights. You aren’t alone if you don’t know what you can or can’t do or say. That’s normal. The point of hiring a Denver car accident lawyer is to have a knowledgeable and experienced professional explain your legal rights and options.
Most importantly, you need to know whether you have a claim for damages. In other words, do you have the right to demand money through an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit? We’ll sit down with you, listen to what happened, ask some questions, and assess your rights.
If the evidence suggests the other driver caused the crash, then we’ll talk with you about the best way to pursue compensation. Usually, that’s through an insurance claim that we can handle.
We’ll also explain when filing a lawsuit might be necessary. Two possibilities are that the insurance company denies your claim, or your injuries are worth more than the at-fault driver’s policy limit.
2. Calculate the Value of Your Damages
If Colorado law entitles you to damages, how much are they worth? Most car crash victims ask that question, and we understand why. After a car wreck, you’re dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs or replacement. It’s expensive.
We’ll explain the types of damages and how much they might be worth in your circumstances.
Economic damages cover your actual expenses and losses. Those usually include medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, and employment benefits. It’s our job to make sure we calculate each cost you take on because of the crash.
Non-economic damages cover your non-financial injuries, such as pain and suffering and emotional distress. Determining these types of damages is a complex and nuanced process. As such, there are various methods we use to determine a fair amount. It’s also important to know about Colorado damage caps, which may limit how much money you can win.
Punitive damages are available in only specific situations. We’d have to prove the other driver was reckless or acted willfully and wantonly. But most car accidents involve only ordinary negligence. An example of more severe behavior is when a drunk driver causes a DUI crash.
Damages can also depend on the type of accident involved. For instance, damages awards can be different for cases involving truck accidents, or for cases where distracted driving is a factor.
After a car accident, an attorney is there to offer you assistance and guidance for tasks that would be difficult for you to approach on your own.
3. Protect Against Insurers’ Tactics
One of the hardest parts of dealing with the aftermath of a car crash is the insurance claim process. Insurers are big businesses that protect their bottom lines. That means they’ll only pay out when they absolutely have to. And even then, they’ll try to minimize how much they owe you.
We are deeply familiar with insurance companies’ tricks and maneuvers. We understand how they try to save money when they should offer fair settlements. It’s our job to protect you from these tactics and work with insurers to get you the best car crash settlement possible.
What if the Insurance Company Tries to Deny My Claim?
One possible scenario is where an insurance company denies your compensation claim altogether. You should receive a letter with the specific reason for the denial. If this happens, we can guide you through the insurance company’s appeal process. Or, when necessary, we can take your case to court.
What Are Waivers & Releases?
After a car crash, insurance companies may send you various paperwork. Never sign any of it without speaking to a lawyer first. One of those forms could release someone from liability. Or, another form could allow the insurance company to dig into your entire medical history. Let our car accident lawyers in Denver handle the insurance company’s paperwork.
What if the Insurance Adjuster is Using Aggressive Tactics?
Insurance adjusters can get pushy. They may try to get you to answer questions you don’t have to answer. They might try to get you to do something you don’t have to do, like take your damaged vehicle to a certain repair shop. By hiring an auto accident lawyer, you have someone else communicating with the insurer who knows better and won’t put up with these tactics.
4. Gather and Use Evidence
To win a car accident settlement, you have to prove someone else caused the crash. You need evidence showing the other driver was entirely or mainly at fault. (You can recover compensation if you’re less than half responsible under Colorado’s comparative negligence law.) You also need evidence to establish your physical, emotional, and financial injuries. That’s essential if you want to win maximum compensation.
While you’ll play an important role in gathering evidence, your lawyer will guide you and take on much of this burden themselves. We know how to collect proof about the crash and your injuries. Better yet, we know how to use that evidence during an insurance claim or, when necessary, at trial.
5. Negotiate a Fair Settlement
Once the insurer approves your claim, the next step is negotiating. You don’t have to accept an insurer’s first offer. If the offer is less than what your car accident damages are worth, then you can reject and counter with a different amount.
Negotiating is often the only way to get the most compensation for your injuries. But it’s tough to do on your own. You probably aren’t used to negotiating, and without experience, it’s hard to back up why you’re demanding a certain amount. We have the negotiation skills and experience necessary to stand firm and demand a fair car accident settlement.
Why Should You Choose Zaner Harden Law to Fight for You?
The point of hiring a car accident lawyer isn’t to make the situation more contentious. It’s to give yourself a chance at the best possible outcome. Let our Denver car accident lawyers fight for you and your family during these tough days.
If you’re still curious about how a lawyer can help after a car crash in Colorado, contact Zaner Harden Law online or give us a call at (720) 613-9706. There’s no fee or obligation in talking with us. We’ll get to know you and talk about the next steps.
Contact our Denver Car Accident Law Firm Today For Help
For more information please contact Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation with a Denver car accident lawyer.
Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers
1610 Wynkoop Street, Suite 120. Denver, CO 80202
(720) 613 9706
24/7
