WHY DO YOU NEED A LAWYER AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT?
When you are seeking compensation after a car accident you need an experienced auto accident attorney to represent you. A 2004 study by the Insurance Research Council concluded that claimants who are represented by a car accident attorney get 3.5 times higher the amount of compensation that they would get without a lawyer.
A vehicular accident attorney is a trained negotiator and familiar with how accident cases work, so they will be able to work with your insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company to make sure you get the compensation you need.
At Baumgartner Law in Denver, CO, we have unique experience that allows us to take special care of your case. Birk Baumgartner used to work as an attorney for insurance companies, so he is specially equipped to negotiate for you.
ACCIDENT CHECKLIST
If you’re in a serious accident, you need to take certain steps to help ensure a positive outcome for your personal injury case. We’ve put together the following checklist that you should adhere to immediately following a car or motorcycle accident:
- If hurt, seek immediate medical treatment. Go in an ambulance if one arrives at the scene and you think you may be hurt. Often, injuries from auto accidents aren’t immediately apparent and get significantly worse over the next few days. If you refuse medical treatment at the scene of the accident, this may reduce the amount of compensation you receive. If you don’t seek medical treatment and later start feeling pain, go to the emergency room immediately-the sooner the better.
- If you’re not critically injured, take a few photos of the scene of the accident. Try to capture skid marks from tires, fluids leaking on the road from other vehicles, license plates of other vehicles involved, and take a few pictures of surrounding businesses. These businesses may have cameras that have captured footage of the accident, and the insurance companies know to look for these things and will request the footage.
Birk Baumgartner, having worked as an attorney for insurance companies, will also get the same footage to level the playing field for his clients. - Never admit fault to anyone-whether it’s the police or someone else. If they press you for details, say “I’m not sure.” Wait until you talk to your attorney.
- Don’t disclose any of your insurance policy details with the other driver, or even with the police. Show them proof of insurance and let them know your attorney has advised you not to share additional information regarding your policy.
- Call attorney Birk Baumgartner prior to talking with any insurance companies, even if it’s your own and you believe you’re not at fault.
- Hire an attorney immediately to begin working on your case-don’t delay, because critical evidence disappears quickly after an accident.
MAKING A CLAIM AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT
Each accident is different, and the compensation amount will vary depending on its severity. A car accident lawyer can go over the particulars of your case and help determine the amount of compensation you are entitled to based on your accident. An attorney also understands the personal injury claim process and the deadline or statute of limitations associated with it in the state of Colorado (three years).
General Information:
Whose Insurance Do You Use After a Car Accident?
What Steps Should I Take If I Have Been Injured In An Auto Wreck In Colorado?
How Common Are Auto Accidents Involving Large Semi-Trucks In Colorado?
The dollar value of these damages can add up. Thankfully, Colorado law requires every automobile owner to buy a minimum amount of car insurance to pay for them. In Colorado, there are two mandatory car insurance types: property damage liability coverage and bodily injury liability coverage. A car accident attorney in Colorado can help you file a personal injury claim, allowing you to obtain the compensation you deserve as a result of your damages and injuries.
CALL NOW FOR A FREE CONSULTATION WITH A TRAINED CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER
If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto accident, a personal injury lawyer can help. At Baumgartner Law, we have years of experience and knowledge of personal injury law to represent you when you need legal counsel by your side the most. We’re always available for a professional legal consultation with potential clients, so don’t hesitate to call today. Call our law office at (303) 529-3476. We serve Denver, Lakewood, Aurora, Douglas and Boulder, Colorado.
UIM COVERGE: What if the Other Driver is Uninsured or Undersinsured?
You’ve been in a car accident that was not your fault. You’re injured, and you want to get all of the money to which you are entitled. If the driver that hit you does not have insurance, or his insurance is not sufficient to pay for your injuries, you might not know what steps to take next. The attorneys at Baumgartner Law know the laws that apply to “Uninsured” or “Underinsured” motorists, and we can help you take the steps you need to protect your rights and maximize your claim.
In Colorado, the “at fault driver” is responsible for paying for the damage to your vehicle and compensating you for your accident-related injuries and losses. However, not all drivers are adequately insured, and some do not have insurance at all. If this happens to you, you have the right to make a claim with your own insurance company for compensation of your accident-related injuries and damages – if you have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage, called UIM coverage.
In fact, in Colorado insurers must provide UIM coverage at the same level as your liability insurance, at a very small additional fee, unless you specifically sign a waiver of UIM coverage. UIM coverage pays for accident-related damages caused by a person who either does not have liability insurance or does not have enough coverage to pay for the damages caused. This coverage also applies if you are involved in a hit-and-run collision that is not your fault. If you have UIM coverage, you may file a claim with your insurance company. Your auto insurance company will pay for accident-related damages up to the limits of your policy.
Many people will wonder whether making a claim for UIM coverage will increase their insurance rates. Under Colorado law, making a UIM claim will not affect your insurance rates. The Code of Colorado Regulations 3-CCR 702-5 prohibits insurance companies from increasing premiums on a policy based on making, or payment of, a UIM claim.
UIM coverage is a valuable type of insurance coverage, and you can purchase additional coverage for added protection. In Colorado, before any policy is issued or renewed, the insurance company must offer UIM coverage in an amount equal to liability coverage. C.R.S. § 10-4-609.
However, insurance companies don’t always treat their insured fairly in UIM cases and it is important to have attorneys well-versed in UIM insurance law and Bad Faith Insurance Practices.
Remember, UIM coverage is important to protect yourself against uninsured and underinsured drivers, and most importantly, making a claim for UIM benefits will not increase your rates.
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