Checklist: What to Do After a Car Accident in Colorado Springs
When you’re involved in a car accident, whether minor or severe, it’s nothing short of terrifying. You feel confused, angry, and you may even be in pain. You know that the incident wasn’t your fault, but it can be hard to determine what you need to do first and next. Taking the right steps in those first few moments can be crucial to getting the compensation you’re surely going to need later on. Look over this checklist of what to do after a car accident, and why a Colorado Springs car accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.
1. Get Safe and Call First Responders
The first key step to take after an accident is to make sure everyone is okay and get medical attention for all those on-site, including yourself. Even if you don’t feel hurt, many injuries can take days to present, and adrenaline could hide the symptoms. In addition, getting police on-site will allow you to file a police report, which can be important later in helping you keep your story consistent. In addition, get your car off the road if you can, and if you can’t, get yourself and anyone else out of the path of traffic.
2. Exchange Information
Next, exchange information with the other driver. This should include contact information and insurance information. After this, get the contact information of any witnesses that are willing to provide it. Having witnesses that can back up your story may become very important in pursuing your claim later.
It’s important to remember that you should never apologize for anything while on-site, or even after. Apologies of any kind can be used against you later.
3. Document the Accident
Next, document the accident. Take photos of all the damage and of the accident scene in general, from as many angles as you can. The more evidence you can document, the easier it will be to support your case down the line. You can even draw a diagram of the scene and make handwritten notes to supplement the photos (or even in lieu of them, if you don’t have a smartphone).
4. Let Your Insurance Company Know
Even if the other driver was responsible, it’s a good idea to report the accident to your insurance company. Failing to do so could hurt your coverage. When you talk to your insurance company, be very straightforward and don’t editorialize the accident. This isn’t the time to make your case. Stick to the facts. It’s a good idea to have a copy of your police report handy so you can be as accurate as possible.
5. Don’t Sign Anything
When the other insurance company contacts you, don’t sign anything. They may even make an offer right up front and come off as very compassionate. The moment you question them, however, they’ll change. If they get harsh, strongarm, or bully you, refer them to your attorney. Signing anything could mean you sacrifice your rights to compensation.
6. Call a Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer
As soon as you can, contact an experienced Colorado Springs car accident lawyer. The right car wreck attorney can defend your rights and make sure that you get compensated for your medical bills, lost wages, lost enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and pain and suffering. Call us at (719) 520-9909(719) 520-9909 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation today.
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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Colorado Springs Office
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