What Every Colorado Springs Parent Needs to Know If They Are in a Car Accident With Their Children
Car accidents are incredibly quick and disorienting, especially when your child is present and might be injured. Here are some things to keep in mind so that you know what to do if your child is involved in a motor accident.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even seemingly minor injuries can turn out to be serious, especially if you or your child is disoriented and does not realize the extent of the injury. Very young children may be too shaken to convey what they are feeling, and children or teenagers with head injuries typically do not notice that anything is wrong. Many other types of injuries will not begin to hurt until several minutes or hours have passed, and injuries to the spine, joints, and muscles may not become painful enough to notice for several weeks. Get to a hospital or another medical provider to be examined as quickly as possible.
Try to Document Everything from the Car Accident
As with any car accident, make sure you document everything relating to the accident and any resulting injuries. Keep a record of all medical attention that you or your child receives, including the date, attending physician, and costs of any follow-up appointments. Collect medical bills and records of injuries and treatment from the hospital, the doctor and, if physical therapy is required, the therapist. Ask your medical providers to document any injuries, since a medical professional’s report is more credible in court than personal accounts.
If a doctor recommends follow-up treatment, whether physical therapy or check-ups, it’s best to accept and attend every appointment, since insurance companies frequently try to argue that skipped appointments prove that the injuries were not as severe as you claim.
If your child has been injured in an accident when you were not present, either because he or she was driving or because another adult was supervising, it may be difficult to get hold of all the relevant information and documentation relating to the accident. In these cases, collect whatever you can and make sure you have contact information for everyone who was involved, and consider contacting an attorney to help you determine and acquire any information you may need.
Seek Legal Assistance
There are a number of complications that may arise when your child is in a car accident. Whether you were present or not, you are considered responsible for the actions of your child for as long as he or she is a minor. In addition, if your child was driving your car or a family vehicle, you are liable for any supposed negligence, recklessness or inexperience on the part of the child. If your child is involved in an accident while he or she is driving, it is a good idea to seek legal advice right away.
On the other hand, in most states, the statute of limitations for a personal injury suit can be extended if the injured person is a minor. Frequently, the suit can be filed at any time until two years after the child turns 18.
Contact Heuser & Heuser!
Regardless of the circumstances, if your child has been involved in a car accident, you can contact Heuser & Heuser, LLP for advice on your options or for a free consultation.
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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