Boulder Car Accident Lawyer

Boulder Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents happen across the country every day for countless reasons. Each state has different legal systems in place for resolving car accidents and ensuring victims of other drivers’ negligence and misconduct are able to secure fair compensation for their losses. In the state, all drivers must have auto insurance that meets specific minimum requirements, but this may only go so far after a serious accident.

Legal Counsel for Boulder Car Accident Victims

You might need to file a personal injury claim against another driver if you or a loved one was recently injured by another driver’s negligence or intentional misconduct behind the wheel in Boulder, Co. However, even if you think you can resolve your accident simply by filing an auto insurance claim against the driver at fault, there are no guarantees that the compensation you secure through insurance will fully cover the results of a devastating car accident. Therefore, for the best chance of recovering as fully as the law allows, you need a Boulder car accident attorney you can trust to help you through your recovery efforts.

Filing Your Auto Insurance Claim in Boulder

Auto insurance is usually the first step toward recovery for anyone injured in an auto accident in the state. State law requires every policy to provide at least $15,000 in liability coverage for property damage that can cover a victim’s vehicle repair costs and lost property. The policy must also provide at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person injured in an accident caused by a policyholder and a $50,000 total accident minimum with this coverage.

You have a limited time in which to notify the insurance company after your accident, sometimes as little as 24 to 48 hours. Working with an experienced attorney will ensure you meet the applicable deadline and that your claim is as clear and concise as possible with all necessary supporting documentation. In addition, if the insurance company denies your claim or extends an unreasonably slow settlement offer, you will need legal representation from an experienced attorney to resolve such issues.

Once the insurance carrier receives your claim they are legally required to investigate it and handle all aspects of the claim in good faith. If the insurance company deems your claim legitimate, they will send a settlement offer for your claim. Your Boulder car accident attorney can review the responsible driver’s insurance policy and compare it to the insurance company’s offer to ensure you receive a fair settlement.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim for Boulder Car Accident Injuries

After you obtain as much compensation as possible through insurance, you can proceed with a personal injury claim against the driver who caused your accident if you have damages insurance can’t cover. Like your auto insurance claim, you must prove liability to succeed with your personal injury case. However, the standard of proof is higher for a civil claim, and a plaintiff must be prepared to prove liability and establish the full scope of their claimable damages to reach a positive outcome.

Your Boulder car accident attorney will be instrumental in filing your civil claim for damages against the defendant. They will help you gather whatever evidence you need to prove fault and clearly establish the scope and severity of your damages. If successful, your personal injury claim can help you obtain full compensation for all the economic losses you experienced as well as compensation for your pain and suffering. State law limits this form of compensation; however, if the plaintiff was permanently damaged during the incident, there are no limits on the amount of pain and suffering compensation you can seek from the defendant.

In the event a defendant caused an accident through any illegal misconduct, they could face criminal charges in addition to the victim’s civil claim for damages. If this applies to your situation, you will need legal counsel from an attorney you can trust. They will advise you as to how the criminal case filed by the state may affect your civil claim proceedings. You could potentially secure additional compensation reflecting the severity and/or illegal nature of the defendant’s behavior. You may also be asked to testify against the defendant in their criminal trial.

Compensation for Your Damages in a Boulder Car Accident Claim

State law enables the plaintiff in a personal injury case to seek full repayment of all the economic losses the defendant caused. For example, while an auto insurance claim may offer expedient relief from vehicle repair costs and medical bills, even if you exhaust the responsible driver’s insurance policy, it may still be insufficient to fully compensate your losses. As a plaintiff in a personal injury claim, you can seek recompense for your immediate and future medical expenses, lost income, and lost future earning capacity.

When it comes to pain and suffering compensation, there are no limits to the amount you could seek in your claim if the defendant caused permanent harm in any way. Alternatively, you are limited to $250,000 in pain and suffering compensation or $500,000 if you have clear evidence of fault. Again, your Boulder car accident attorney can help you maximize this portion of your recovery.

It’s also possible for a plaintiff to face partial fault for their claimed damages. In the event comparative negligence comes into play in your case, you will lose a percentage of your compensation equal to your percentage of fault for causing the accident. If your fault exceeds 50%, you lose the right to claim damages from the defendant. Your Boulder car accident attorney can help you determine if and how your partial fault could influence the outcome of your case.

Ultimately, any car accident victim could face a very challenging road to recovery. If you suffered serious injuries, you may not remember the details of your accident or be able to say who is responsible for causing it. You may also struggle to accurately assess the scope of all your claimable damages. For the best chance of recovering as fully as state law allows from your recent car accident, you need to reach out to a Boulder car accident attorney you can trust as quickly as possible after your accident.

FAQs About Boulder, CO Car Accident Laws

Q: How Long Do You Have to File a Claim for a Car Accident in Boulder?

A: You have a very limited time in which to file an auto insurance claim after a car accident in the Boulder area, and the state imposes a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims. The best way to increase the quality of your final recovery is to hire a Boulder car accident attorney as quickly as possible after the accident. They can assist you in filing your auto insurance claim and build a personal injury case on your behalf as quickly as possible.

Q: What Should I Do First After an Accident in Colorado?

A: Your first concern after any motor vehicle accident should be your personal well-being. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries before checking on the occupants of the other vehicles involved in the crash. If you are too hurt to move, call 911 if you are able to do so and wait for paramedics to arrive. Once you are allowed to leave the scene and address your medical needs, you should speak with a Boulder car accident attorney you can trust as quickly as possible.

Q: How Much Can I Claim in Compensation for a Car Accident?

A: When another driver is liable for your recent accident in Boulder, state law enables you to seek full repayment of all the economic losses their actions caused you to suffer. You also have the right to claim pain and suffering compensation, but state law limits the amount you can seek unless you suffer permanent harm. Your Boulder car accident attorney can provide an estimate of your case’s potential value.

Q: How Long Will It Take to Resolve a Car Accident in Brighton?

A: The time required to settle your car accident claim and obtain the compensation you need to recover depends on the clearness of fault for the incident and how well you can prove the scope of your damages. In a case in which fault is perfectly clear, and the plaintiff has reliable legal counsel advising them, it’s possible to resolve a car accident dispute relatively quickly. A good Boulder car accident attorney can give their client an estimate of their claim’s total potential value.

Q: Do I Really Need to Hire a Boulder Car Accident Attorney?

A: Technically, state law does not require you to hire legal representation after a car accident. However, if you secure the services of an experienced Boulder car accident attorney, they can significantly improve the results you reach in your recovery efforts. Therefore, when you choose Cheney Galluzzi & Howard to represent you after a car accident, we will do everything we can to maximize the final compensation you obtain from the defendant.

Legal representation you can trust can potentially mean the difference between securing fair compensation for your damages after a car accident and facing the aftermath alone. The attorneys at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard strive to help every client approach their case with confidence and maximize the results they reach. So, if you’re ready to explore your options for legal recourse after a car crash, contact us today and set up your consultation with a Boulder car accident attorney.