Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Colorado

Key Takeaway: Knowing what to do after a car accident in Colorado is crucial for ensuring you can receive compensation for damages. Steps to take follow a car accident include:

1. Contacting the police,
2. Seeking medical attention,
3. Creating a safe environment,
4. Exchanging information with involved parties and witnesses,
5. Taking scene photos,
6. Reporting the accident to your insurance company, and
7. Speak with an experienced lawyer

Time is of the essence, as there are legal deadlines for filing claims, so it’s essential to seek legal assistance promptly to ensure your rights are protected. Contacting experienced attorneys like those at Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. can provide valuable support and guidance during this challenging time.

Nobody wants to be involved in a car accident, but the bad news is that they happen every day, and there’s nothing much you can do about it. Even the safest drivers can get involved in an accident because they simply cannot control other drivers. Knowing what to do after a car accident is crucial to ensure you can receive compensation for your damages.

If you were involved in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, our attorneys can help you determine your next steps. Contact us today.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Colorado

Whether you have been involved in a car accident or just want to be  prepared for an unforeseen emergency, the following are some tips for steps to take after a car accident.

Contact the Police

You should always contact the police following an injury accident. Whether you need an ambulance or just need a police report to be taken, someone needs to contact the police from the accident scene. When the police respond, they will take statements from all involved parties and investigate what caused the accident. This report can help confirm your version of the events when pursuing a claim for damages.

Seek Medical Attention

Whether you have a minor or a serious injury, be sure that you seek medical attention – either at the scene of the accident or shortly thereafter. Serious injuries that require professional medical attention should not be ignored. If you need to go to the hospital, do it.

If you don’t require emergency medical treatment, you should still see a doctor right away. You might have internal injuries that are not immediately visible. Also, waiting to seek medical treatment can impact your future personal injury claim. The defendant’s insurance company will argue that something else caused your injuries rather than the car accident.

Create a Safe Environment

Be sure that nobody else is placed in danger because of your accident. If possible, move the vehicles out of the middle of the road so that nobody else ends up getting hurt. This is something that the local authorities might take care of for you. If you are able to get out of your vehicle do so, and wait for the police or emergency medical services to arrive on the scene.  Move away from the crashed vehicles and don’t stand in the roadway.

Exchange Information with All Involved Parties and Witnesses

The authorities will take down your and the other driver’s information, but be sure that you have a copy of the other driver’s name, address, phone number, insurance information, driver’s license number, and also the license plate numbers of the vehicles involved in the accident. Get witness contact information in case they cannot wait until the police arrive. Sometimes, witnesses have to be somewhere and are happy to relay what they saw, but they can’t wait at the scene.

Take Scene Photos

If you can do so safely and not further injure yourself, take photos of the accident scene. You want to get pictures of all vehicle damage, debris, skid marks, and anything else that can be important when determining liability in a car accident. Getting photos can be one of the most important steps after a car accident because this evidence shows what the immediate moments following the accident were like. If you are unable to take photos, you might ask someone else there with you who can help.

Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company to advise you were involved in an accident. Depending on your insurance company, the adjuster might initiate a claim with the other driver’s insurance or have you contact them directly. Be cautious what you say to the other driver’s insurance company. The adjuster for the other driver does not have your best interests in mind, no matter what they lead you to believe. Do not agree to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without speaking to a Colorado car accident attorney first.

Contact a Colorado Car Accident Attorney

When you’ve been in a car accident, contact a Colorado car accident attorney. When you don’t know what to do after a car accident, the skilled attorneys at Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. are here to help. We have years of experience representing injured parties, including those in Colorado car accidents. Our legal team can help you with your claim and seek reimbursement for your injuries. We will handle all communication and settlement negotiations as well.

Whether you have been in an accident or are just trying to be prepared, contact a car accident lawyer in Colorado so that you have the information on hand when you need it.

Legal Tips After a Car Accident in Colorado

You might be wondering why hiring a personal injury attorney is important following a Colorado car accident. Hiring an attorney is one of the most important tips for after a car accident. Having a legal advocate on your side is crucial when it comes to protecting your rights. Before you can collect any compensation, you must prove liability against the other driver. That can be a complicated process in many instances. Failure to prove liability means you won’t receive any money, regardless of how severe your injuries are.

You only have a limited amount of time to bring a claim for your injuries. In most situations, you have three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. Some situations could result in less time, such as a claim involving a government vehicle. Should you inadvertently miss the statute of limitations, the court will likely dismiss your case. When you hire Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, you never have to worry about missing a legal deadline. However, that’s why it’s important to hire a lawyer early on in the claims process. If you contact us once the filing deadline has passed, we might not be able to assist you.

Contact Us For A Free Consultation

If you have been injured in any type of motor vehicle accident, and are concerned about how you will cover your medical expenses and pay your household bills during recovery, make sure to discuss your case with experienced Colorado car accident attorneys. Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. offers a free consultation in all types of personal injury cases in Boulder, Erie, Lafayette, Longmont and throughout Colorado. Call 303-447-1144 today or contact us online to discuss your case with one of our personal injury attorneys and learn how we can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.