What Should I Do After Being Involved in a Car Accident in Colorado?

If you are involved in a car accident in Colorado, you have the right to pursue legal action against a driver who caused the crash. Colorado is an at-fault state, which means that the driver who causes an accident can be held legally responsible for resulting losses, regardless of whether your injuries meet any specific severity threshold.

It is up to you to pursue legal action to recover compensation, though. That means you need to understand what to do after a car accident to protect both your health and your right to pursue a legal claim. 

Hadfield Stieben & Doutt, LLC  has decades of experience representing car accident victims, and we’ve been recognized among America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys. We can guide you through the process of recovering compensation and help you maximize your chances of being paid the money you deserve after a crash.

To find out more about how we can help you, give us a call today to schedule a free consultation with a Loveland car accident lawyer. You can also read on to learn more about the steps you should take after a car crash, so you’ll know what to do in the aftermath of an accident. 

1. Get Prompt Medical Attention

After an accident, it is crucial that you receive prompt medical attention. When you or anyone else is badly hurt, you will need to contact 911 and call an ambulance so emergency services can come to the crash scene. But even if you do not feel like you are seriously hurt, you should still get medical help.

Many injuries have delayed onset symptoms, like whiplash, internal organ damage, or concussions. What may seem like a minor headache could actually be a major and life-threatening brain injury, so you need to ensure you get a thorough medical exam after a collision.

You should also be certain that your doctor documents all of the injuries you suffered. You want to be able to prove that the injuries were directly related to the collision so you can recover compensation for your losses. 

2. Document the Scene

Documenting the scene of the accident is also crucial in case a dispute arises about fault or the severity of the accident. This process involves:

• Taking photos of the crash scene
• Taking photos of any injuries
• Taking pictures of the surrounding areas, including road signs and traffic signals
• Making a note of any businesses in the area that might have security camera footage
• Taking pictures and noting the location of debris in the road

All of this evidence can paint a picture of the events leading up to the accident and can help an accident reconstruction specialist to investigate the collision and determine the cause of the crash. 

3. Obtain Contact Details of the Other Driver and Witnesses

You will need the contact details of the other driver, especially if they are at fault and you want to pursue a claim against them. 

You should also get the contact details of witnesses to the crash. They may be able to provide testimony that sheds light on how the accident happened in case there is a dispute over who is liable for the collision. 

4. Report the Accident

You should report the accident to the police. In some cases, this is required, but even if it is not mandatory, it’s still a good idea to alert law enforcement about the accident so the police can conduct an investigation.

The police report and any citations the police issue to the other driver could help build your case and help you to prove that the other driver should be held liable for losses. 

5. Avoid Making a Statement to the Insurance Company

You should report the accident to your insurance company, and the other driver should do the same. But you do not have to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer, and you most likely shouldn’t, at least not until you talk with a lawyer.

Insurance companies don’t want to pay damage claims, so they often do everything they can to try to avoid liability. This can include taking a statement in the aftermath of an accident when you’re stressed and frightened, and then using any discrepancies in that statement against you if you say anything even slightly different later. 

Insurers may also try to get you to admit fault, share liability, or downplay your injuries so they can avoid paying the full amount you deserve. You should have a Loveland personal injury lawyer looking out for your interests before you talk with an insurer, so you can protect your claim.

6. Keep Records of Your Damages

When you pursue a car accident claim, you will need to demonstrate the extent of your loss. Your compensation is based on your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

The more documentation you have to prove your damages, the greater the compensation you can often collect because you can show how badly you were harmed. You should keep track of:

• Medical bills you pay
• Transportation costs to appointments
• Missed work time, vacation, or paid sick leave
• Limitations on your ability to perform work duties 
• Pain and suffering you endure
• The emotional distress you experience
• Modifications you have to make to your home due to your impairments 

Any losses that you experience should be carefully documented so you can maximize the chances that you are provided with compensation for those damages.

7. Contact a Car Accident Lawyer

You should also contact an experienced car accident lawyer who can help you to gather evidence, talk with insurance companies, negotiate a settlement, or pursue a claim in court. 

Reach Out to Hadfield Stieben & Doutt, LLC to Schedule a Free Consultation

Hadfield Stieben & Doutt, LLC is here and ready to help when an accident occurs. 

With decades of experience representing clients in car accident claims, we can stand by your side at every step and help ensure you build the strongest claim possible.

Give us a call or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation and find out more about the help we can offer.