Accidents caused by someone else’s carelessness can leave you with mounting medical bills, property damage, loss of wages, and other financial losses. You may be able to receive compensation for your injuries by settling a personal injury lawsuit through the at-fault party’s insurance company. Still, it can be difficult to decide whether it’s better to settle out of court or go through the civil lawsuit process and, ultimately, whether or not you need a lawyer.
Continue reading to discover everything you need to know when settling a personal injury lawsuit in Colorado Springs.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Seek?
Compensation for personal injuries is awarded to cover the costs related to your injury. Here are the types of compensation you may be entitled to:
- Medical expenses: Hospital bills, ambulance rides, emergency room visits, therapy costs, medication costs, and adaptive equipment necessary to diagnose and treat your injury are the primary component of personal injury claims.
- Lost wages: If your injury prevents you from working, whether temporarily or permanently, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost paychecks. This compensation might include the time you missed because of doctor’s appointments and therapy sessions, lost vacation and sick days, and lost commissions. If you can no longer work the same job or are permanently disabled, you may be compensated for lost earning capacity.
- Other losses: Depending on the circumstances of your injury, you may also receive compensation for property damage, emotional distress, and other types of losses.
Settling a Personal Injury Lawsuit With the Insurance Company
Personal injury lawsuits can be time-consuming and stressful, so it may be tempting to accept the insurance company’s offer and move on. However, it’s critical to know that insurance companies are looking out for their own interests and may offer you a lower settlement than you deserve for your injuries. Their goal is to get the case settled quickly and inexpensively, rather than deal with settlement negotiations or a court case. Hiring a personal injury lawyer can take negotiating for a fair settlement off your plate so you can focus on recovering.
Personal Injury Lawsuit Time Limits
To receive compensation for your losses, you must follow Colorado’s statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is the window of time you have to file a lawsuit in a criminal or civil case. In Colorado, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of the injury. This time frame applies to wrongful death, slip-and-fall cases, dog bites, and other accidents resulting in injuries. Regarding car accident injury cases, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident or the discovery of the injury. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to file a lawsuit. There are also exceptions to this law based on the circumstances of your case, so it’s important to talk to a lawyer to understand your rights and deadlines.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
While any person can file a personal injury lawsuit on their own, it’s beneficial to have a lawyer handle your case. The insurance company has a team of lawyers at its disposal to put themselves in the best position, and so should you. Lawyers also know all the nuances of the laws surrounding personal injury claims and have experience gathering evidence and building a winning case. They will negotiate with the insurance company or represent you in court so you can focus on getting better.
Call Heuser & Heuser, LLP. It’s Just That Easy!
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s recklessness, the team at Heuser & Heuser, LLP, can help! Our experienced team of lawyers will focus on settling a personal injury lawsuit in order to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Call us at 719-520-9909 or fill out the online form to get your free case review. It’s just that easy!
