Injured in a Colorado Car Accident? You need The Strong Arm®
At Franklin D. Azar Accident Lawyers, we understand how devastating and difficult a car accident can be. We believe every car accident victim deserves a knowledgeable, tough, and personable attorney. Over the past 30 years, our Colorado car accident attorneys have recovered billions on behalf of injury victims.
We can take care of your car accident case so that you can start focusing on healing.
Contact us today for a FREE consultation. A car accident lawyer from our firm can personally review your case, help you understand the best steps to take, and guide you through your legal options. Our goal is to help you receive the maximum amount of compensation for the losses you have suffered and help you to get your life back on track.
What Are My Rights After Being Injured in a Car Accident?
What to do After a Car Accident
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you may be wondering how to proceed to best protect your rights. To do so, the first step is knowing what exactly those rights are.
Call 911: You have the right to file an official police report about the accident. Colorado law requires that accidents must be reported if they result in personal injury or death or cause any property damage. The police report is usually a key piece of evidence to support a personal injury claim.
Talking to witnesses: If you can, you should talk to any witnesses to the car accident and ask for their name and contact information. You can also ask them to write down what they saw or direct them to talk to the police directly.
Documenting the accident: If you can, take pictures of the accident scene, and the damage to your vehicle as well as the other vehicle(s) involved. If anyone was injured, take photos of the injuries.
Remaining silent: While you should exchange basic contact and insurance information with the other driver and cooperate with the police, you are under no obligation to discuss the circumstances of the accident with other parties. You should avoid making statements that could have adverse legal consequences and resist the urge to post your version of what happened on social media.
You also have the right to legal assistance and representation. Call us at 855.637.1268 to receive a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced car accident attorney. We are available 24/7 and will fight hard on your behalf.
After an accident, remind yourself not to apologize to anyone. You may feel the need to express sympathy and say “I’m sorry”, but the other driver or the insurance company may use it as an admission of fault. You have no obligation to talk to an insurance company until you are ready. In case you are pressed to make a statement, you can say something like “Before I give any official statements, I need to speak with my personal injury attorney.”
Who Is at Fault in a Car Accident?
When it comes to car accidents, it is common for one party to be held more responsible for causing the collision than another. The process of determining who is at fault in a car accident is an essential step in figuring out which driver might have to pay for any damages.
In many cases, a law enforcement officer will be dispatched to the scene of an accident to investigate, and the police officer’s opinion of who was at fault will be accepted by the parties involved and their insurance companies.
But in other instances, the investigating police officer will be unable to reach a decision on fault, or the officer’s decision will be questioned or even disregarded by one or more of the parties or insurance companies.
Too many times our Car Accident Lawyers see an accident where the police were never called.
In those situations, the assistance of a local Colorado car accident lawyer can be invaluable.
In Colorado, evidence of the particular traffic citation that anyone received in an auto accident is not admissible evidence at trial on the civil claim, although the investigating officer may still be allowed to express an opinion on who caused the accident.
The on-site investigation performed by the police officer, sheriff’s deputy, or state trooper is not always exhaustive. It must be kept in mind that they have varying degrees of training and experience and their main job is to attempt to secure a criminal conviction of the person who they believe is primarily at fault.
The more serious auto accidents receive more attention from law enforcement, but even in those cases, there may be evidence that is not obtained or considered. If warranted, an outside accident reconstruction expert may be retained to provide a more thorough analysis and report.
Colorado has a comparative negligence law, which means that in a civil case a jury may be asked to consider whether more than one person was at fault for the accident. The injured person may not recover a certain portion of an award for compensation if the jury finds that they contributed in some way.
For example, if the injured person is found to be 10% at fault, they can recover 90% of the amount the jury awards them. If the injured person is found 50% or more at fault, they will not recover anything. Insurance companies often assert that the injured person was partially at fault for an auto accident and reduce their offers by the extent they believe the injured party to be at fault.
An experienced Colorado car accident lawyer often can uncover evidence and argue effectively on your behalf should comparative negligence be asserted as a defense against you.
Importance of Having an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Colorado
After a car accident, you may want to handle everything yourself. You may feel ready to contact the insurance companies and follow their process to file a claim. You may even feel prepared to deal with the other driver’s or insurer’s lawyers…
However, it is a daunting task to evaluate and negotiate for the right amount of compensation you deserve. Insurance companies often have a team of lawyers who will work hard just to pay you nothing or as little as possible.
It is highly recommended to find an auto accident injury attorney with experience of dealing with many injury cases. When you speak with a lawyer, try to gather as much information related to the car accident as you can.
Below are seven questions you should ask before hiring an accident lawyer:
- What Experience do you have regarding my specific type of accident / injury?
- How do you charge?
- Is there any upfront fee that I need to cover? What other expenses will I have to pay?
- What percentage of my case will you be responsible for handling, and what responsibilities are they?
- What factors are involved in settling a case rather than going to trial?
- What is the best way to reach you?
- How quickly do you typically respond?
The majority of car accident injury cases are processed on a contingency basis, meaning that you will not have to pay the attorney if he or she cannot win the case on your behalf. If the case is won, you will pay the attorney a pre-set amount of the personal injury award. The average contingency fee is set between 30 and 40 percent, and is typically more expensive if a case goes to trial rather than reaching a settlement before a lawsuit if filed.
Our Personal Approach
Colorado Car Accident Lawyer, Franklin D. Azar
Our car accident attorneys and staff offer a personal approach to winning your case. We know what a serious injury or death can mean to you and your family. We evaluate each case to understand the impact the car crash has had on you, your loved ones, your ability to work and your quality of life. We will discuss all aspects of your case with you, advise you of your options and involve you in the decision-making process. Helping you through this difficult time is our commitment. We are always available to answer your questions and will always keep you informed. We will do everything to ensure that you receive the highest compensation for your injuries.
Our clients expect results, and we have the confidence to deliver. As a client of Franklin D. Azar Accident Lawyers, you will not only receive highly-skilled legal representation, you will also be given first-class treatment. Our results, spanning over three decades, are well recognized, and most of our clients come from client referrals. Further, numerous law firms, many of them accident law firms, refer their injured clients to us because of our reputation. Our goal is to do everything for you, so that you can focus on your recovery.
Our proven track record and expertise have allowed us to grow into the largest personal injury law firm in Colorado, with offices in Aurora, Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, Greeley, Grand Junction, Pueblo, and Thornton.
Franklin D. Azar Accident Lawyers – Colorado Office
14426 E Evans Ave
Aurora, CO 80014
P: (303) 757-3300
What can Franklin D. Azar Accident Lawyers do for me if I'm involved in a car accident in Colorado?
Why is it important to have an experienced car accident lawyer in Colorado?
What should I ask when hiring a car accident lawyer in Colorado?
What Experience do you have regarding my specific type of accident / injury?
How do you charge?
Is there any upfront fee that I need to cover?
What other expenses will I have to pay?
What percentage of my case will you be responsible for handling, and what responsibilities are they?
What factors are involved in settling a case rather than going to trial?
What is the best way to reach you?
How quickly do you typically respond?
