What The Tort Auto Insurance System Means For Colorado Springs Drivers
There are about a dozen states that currently follow the no-fault car insurance system. Colorado is among the majority of states that moved to a traditional tort-based system. In 2003, the state decided to eliminate the high premiums associated with the no-fault system, leading to less expensive coverage overall. But this switch has changed things for those who are injured in a car accident in the state.
It’s important to know the differences between the laws so you can understand your rights if you’ve been involved in a collision. Additionally, a qualified car accident lawyer can help you receive adequate compensation for your injuries, so you can focus on what’s important — your recovery. Continue reading to learn more about Colorado’s specific laws and what they may mean for you.
No-Fault Auto Insurance
Covering losses and injuries after a car accident is a major concern. Oftentimes, compensation is obtained through an insurance policy. So what are the differences between no-fault and tort-based auto insurance?
With a no-fault system, an individual injured in an accident could receive personal injury protection (PIP) benefits using their own policy. Under a PIP claim, the injured person may receive coverage for medical expenses despite who was at fault for the accident.
This system allowed injured parties to file claims under their own car insurance policies, which, as a result, prevented them from having to wait for a determination of fault.
Tort Auto Insurance
Under Colorado’s tort-based system, those injured in a car accident usually don’t have the option of covering medical bills with their own insurance policy if they were not at fault. Instead, they must seek coverage from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
The Consequences of Tort-Based Auto Insurance
The consequences for having tort-based auto insurance laws versus no-fault laws is far-reaching. First and foremost, injured passengers or drivers will now have to deal with the other party’s insurance company. Additionally, once fault is determined, the insurance company of the at-fault driver may not even grant the entire amount of requested compensation. In fact, it is very common for the requested amount to be disputed.
Another issue may arise if the at-fault driver doesn’t have sufficient insurance to cover the injured party’s medical costs. They may not even have insurance in some cases. When this happens, the injured driver may use their own coverage or file a lawsuit to receive the necessary compensation. We’ve covered the steps you should take under these circumstances in another one of our blogs.
Why You Should Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Colorado
As you can see, things can become very complicated under Colorado’s tort-based auto insurance laws. Dealing with insurance companies and the at-fault driver can be a real headache, and many are left without the compensation they rightly deserve.
By consulting an attorney at Heuser & Heuser, you can learn your rights and take the proper steps to have your expenses covered and get on with your life. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a consultation by completing our online contact form.
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions Or Schedule A Free Appointment? Click To Call (719) 520-9909
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions or Schedule A free Appointment? Click to Call (719) 520-9909
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know What My Case Is Worth?
There are a variety of things we look at when evaluating your case and determining its value. We look at how the accident occurred. We look at what sort of injuries you sustained. Do you have a permanent injury that will last the rest of your life? Are you going to have future medical bills? We look at lost wages. Did you lose your job? If you have permanent work restrictions as a result of the accident, you may not be able to find a job very easily in the future. These are some of the factors that we look at in evaluating a claim. Every case is unique and different. That’s why at our law firm, every case gets personal attention from the lawyer when it comes time to evaluate.
Why is it Important to Hire a Lawyer?
Insurance companies are in business for a reason: to make money. Anytime they are paying money on a claim, it means less money to their bottom line. They have literally hundreds of adjusters and hundreds of lawyers who are on their side trying to figure out how to prevent money from leaving their checkbooks. Quite frankly, you do need a lawyer to help you through this because your lawyer will make sure you’re properly compensated.
Do Cases Settle Without Going to Court?
Cases settle before going to trial 80 to 90 percent of the time. However, that doesn’t mean there’s not a lot of work involved in getting a case settled outside of court. Sometimes you have to file a lawsuit and do a lot of what I call “legal maneuvering” to get a case settled. That means we take depositions from witnesses to the accident, from police officers, and from your doctors. But, yes, most cases will settle prior to trial.
Do You Get Good Results for Your Clients?
We do get good results for our clients. We have settled hundreds, if not thousands, of cases where we’ve had large settlements. We’ve had substantial verdicts. We go to the mat for our clients if necessary. We’ll appeal cases. We’ll do whatever it takes to make sure our client is taken care of.
See What Our Clients Say
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions Or Schedule A Free Appointment? Click To Call (719) 520-9909
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions or Schedule A free Appointment? Click to Call (719) 520-9909
Our Attorneys
Gordon J. Heuser, Esq.
As a Colorado Springs native, Gordon has been practicing in Southern Colorado for 35+ years.…
Barkley D. Heuser, Esq.
Barkley Heuser is a Colorado native, and has lived in Colorado Springs for over 59…
Brennan D. Heuser, Esq.
Brennan Heuser is a Colorado Native who graduated from the University of Miami, Fl with…
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Want To Learn More About Your Colorado Car Accident Case? Download Our EBook, On Us!
We wanted to find a way to make your car wreck case even easier for you. That is why we wrote this guide that will provide you with the critical information you need to know about your car accident case.
As car accident law professionals, we have seen too many individuals lose out on their maximum owed compensation. Don’t miss out on the settlement you deserve! In this book, you will learn how to:
- Avoid the key mistakes that can derail your claim.
- Know what you should and shouldn’t say if an insurance adjuster contacts you
- Understand the dos and don’ts of social media.
- Position yourself to collect full and fair compensation for your injuries.
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions Or Schedule A Free Appointment? Click To Call (719) 520-9909
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions or Schedule A free Appointment? Click to Call (719) 520-9909
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