1)
Do I have a case?
That depends upon a number of factors including: who
was at fault in the accident, the extent of the injuries, medical
expenses and lost income.
2)
How long do I have to make a claim?
An attorney should answer this question because the
answer varies from case to case. Claims are limited by the
Colorado Statute of Limitations, which is usually three years for
automobile accidents and two years for other injuries. There are however,
situations where shorter time limits apply including a requirement of
notice to governmental entities within 180 days.
3)
How do I pay the lawyer?
Most personal injury attorneys are willing to work on
a contingency basis and are paid a percentage of the amount that is collected for
the client.
Clients are, however, responsible for certain costs, but these
costs are usually advanced by the attorney and paid from the recovery.
4)
Who will pay my medical bills?
This depends upon the type of injury, when the
accident occurred, and whether there was insurance in force at the time of
injury. In many cases, insurance is available to pay medical expenses, but
in other cases payment would have to wait until the claim is resolved.
5)
Can I get a rental car?
If another party is at fault and they are insured,
most insurance companies will provide a rental car for a reasonable period of time.
6)
Should I get additional medical coverage under my car insurance?
We recommend that everyone purchase medical payment
coverage. If you have health
insurance, a small amount of "med pay" may be enough.
If you do not have health insurance, we recommend buying the most
medical payment coverage your insurance company offers.
7)
Should I give the insurance company a recorded statement or sign
papers they send me?
We generally recommend that you do not give a
recorded statement and you do not sign the release forms sent to you by
the other person's insurance company. Although
you are required to cooperate with your insurance company, you should
limit communication to the other person’s insurance company.
8)
How long should I wait to consult an attorney?
It is best to consult an attorney immediately after
the accident. The attorney may want
to see you right away, may advise you to wait until you know the extent
of injuries or may be unwilling to represent you, but because there is no
cost or obligation involved, it is always a good idea to contact an
attorney sooner than later.
9)
Should I negotiate with adjusters myself?
In some cases we advise our potential clients to
negotiate themselves, but in most cases the client is better served by
having the attorney handle the negotiation.
Insurance adjusters are experienced professionals working for
the insurance company’s best interest and not yours.
10)
What do I need to consider when I retain an attorney?
As a general rule, attorneys with experience and who
specialize in particular areas of the law are well qualified to represent
their clients.
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