Personal Injury FAQ
Were you or a loved one injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence in Denver, CO? If so, you may have the right to seek compensation from the party responsible for the accident. You might have many questions about your legal rights and options, and a free consultation with a knowledgeable Denver personal injury lawyer can help.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics says there are 826,300 lawyers in the United States. Completing a question-and-answer session with one or more local lawyers can help you differentiate between them. A free consultation will allow you to get to know the lawyer better, understand whether you have a viable claim, and learn how a lawyer can help.
When meeting with personal injury lawyers for the first time, you can create a list of questions to ask the lawyer, which might include the following.
What Types of Cases Do You Handle?
Some lawyers take various types of cases from different practice areas, including criminal, contract, and personal injury cases. Having a lawyer who focuses on one area of the law can be helpful. This focus allows lawyers to understand the area more in-depth and recognize potential complications in their cases.
When you hire a lawyer, you want to ensure your lawyer has the experience and skill to handle your case.
Personal injury lawyers can focus on a variety of areas, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bus accidents
- Slips and falls
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Dog bites
- Birth injuries
- Toxic exposure
- Oil and gas explosions
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Dangerous drugs
- Defective products
- Sexual abuse
- Wrongful death
For any personal injury case you are dealing with, you can trust that our team has the experience and knowledge to confidently guide you through the process.
How Were Cases Similar To Mine Resolved?
You will want to know how the attorney ultimately resolved cases similar to yours. Did the lawyer win the case? Was it settled, or did it go to trial? What was the award?
If the personal injury attorney hasn’t successfully resolved cases similar to yours, you may need to find someone else.
What Damages Can I Recover In a Colorado Personal Injury Case?
Personal injury victims can recover compensation for the economic and non-economic damages they suffered.
Economic damages are those that can be quantified, such as:
- Medical expenses, including emergency medical treatment and transportation, hospitalization, surgery, specialist visits, diagnostic tests, medication, and follow-up visits
- Future anticipated medical expenses, including skilled nursing care, in-home care, physical therapy, and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Costs to repair or replace damaged property, such as a car in a car accident
Non-economic damages are those losses accident victims experience but are more difficult to quantify, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Grief
- Loss of consortium
An experienced lawyer can review your case and determine the damages you might be able to seek.
How Do I Prove the Defendant Was at Fault?
Most personal injury cases are based on the legal concept of negligence. This means that the defendant did not intend to cause harm, but they did because they were careless.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, evidence that might help establish fault may include:
- Accident or police reports
- Witness statements
- Physical evidence
- Electronic records
- Maintenance records
- Employment records
- Pictures or photos of the accident scene or factors that contributed to it
Sometimes, personal injury lawyers might hire expert witnesses to provide additional evidence.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?
Colorado uses a modified comparative negligence system if the victim contributed to the accident. Under this system, an accident victim can still seek compensation for the damages they suffered as long as they were not more than at fault than the defendant. However, their compensation is reduced by their share of fault.
Suppose you are in a car accident. You were traveling just above the speed limit. The other driver was texting. The jury finds you 5% at fault for the crash. You can sue the other driver and recover 95% of the damages you suffered as a result of their negligence.
What Do You Charge for Your Services?
If you were hurt because of another person’s negligence, you should not have to shoulder the financial burden. This is why many personal injury lawyers work on contingency. The work is done upfront for you with no guarantee of payment.
Payment for services is conditioned on your attorney recovering compensation for your case. If the personal injury lawyer cannot secure compensation, you owe nothing. If compensation is recovered, your attorney will receive the agreed-upon percentage outlined in your fee agreement.
What Is the Deadline to File My Case?
All states have rules regarding how long a claimant has to file a personal injury case. In Colorado, the deadline is typically two years. If you do not file a lawsuit within this timeframe and you have not settled your case, you can lose your chance to recover compensation through the courts.
How Long Will My Case Take?
Personal injury cases are often complex and may require some time to resolve. Your lawyer will want to ensure that the necessary time and resources are used to determine an accurate value for your case and will not want to rush the process. They will do what they can to help you recover fair compensation as quickly as possible.
Each personal injury case is different. Various factors can affect how long a case takes to be resolved, including:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- Whether fault is clear
- How long your recovery takes
- The insurance company involved
- The number and identity of the defendant(s)
- Whether you are represented by an experienced attorney
If your case involves a lawsuit, it will generally take longer than if it is resolved through an insurance settlement.
How Can an Experienced Denver Personal Injury Lawyer Help?
Personal injury lawyers can investigate your case, answer your questions, and guide you through the claims process. Learn more about how we can help by contacting Zaner Harden Law at (720) 613-9706 and requesting a free consultation.
