No matter how careful and well-prepared you are, accidents can happen. Whether driving in a car, working on the job, or doing a home construction project, dangers are lurking that can cause injury, some minor and others life-altering. Getting hurt can cause anxiety and, especially if there is a head injury, can make it difficult to think straight about what you need to do to get the help you need and ensure that you have everything you need for recovery. In Colorado, snow and slick roads can be a contributing factor when it comes to life-threatening accidents. Ensuring that you find the best injury lawyer in Denver can make all the difference when it comes to getting the compensation you deserve.
This is particularly crucial if you are not at fault for your injury, as you will likely need compensation to take care of any medical bills or other expenses resulting from the accident. You deserve that remuneration, but if you do not take the appropriate steps, there can be problems, such as your insurance company denying your claim. However, if you know what to do, you can improve your odds of achieving a fruitful settlement and pursuing a successful lawsuit in Colorado.
If You Get Injured in a Car Accident
Car accidents are one of the most common causes of injury in Colorado and the United States at large. Many times these injuries are severe or even fatal. If you do suffer a collision, here are some steps you should take:
Get Medical Help
Your priority should always be your health and that of any others in your car or on the scene. Call 9-1-1 and let them know you need an emergency services team to tend to injuries. Even if you think you are OK, you should have a team look at you; some injuries, such as whiplash, may only present themselves a day or two later.
While on the phone, request the police to document the accident. This way, if your injuries are too severe to remain on scene and collect evidence yourself, you know the police will investigate and write a report, including interviewing appropriate witnesses.
When you are able, be sure to call your doctor, who can help you by recommending treatment plans and local personal injury chiropractors such as Governor’s Park Chiropractic. While the most common form of injury is whiplash or back pain, be sure to describe your accident in detail so that your doctor can document pain points and diagnose you appropriately.
Document the Scene If Possible
If you can, you should collect as much evidence as you can. Even though the police will file a report, if you can take photos of the scene, it will help you support your cause with your injury company or when you pursue damages.
Some actions you will want to take during your evaluation include photographing:
- damage to vehicles
- the scene itself (including skid marks), which can help rebuild the sequence of events
- any injuries
- road damage or other detrimental environmental factors that may have played a role in the accident
In addition, you will want to exchange insurance information with others involved in the accident. When you do so, you may wish to assess the driver to determine whether or not they are under the influence of alcohol or another substance. If you believe this is the case, you should make the police aware of this during your interview and the reasons behind it. If the other driver is at fault, this will help your case and may also result in criminal charges.
Finally, see if you can locate any witnesses who can support what happened. They can be invaluable and can relate what they saw to the police. When they arrive, cooperate fully and stick to the facts of what happened.
Suffering an Injury at Work
You can suffer an injury at work in several ways, from slips and falls to repetitive movement injuries to machine-related accidents. When you are the victim of personal damage, your first concern should be your health.
Here is what you should do if this happens to you in Colorado:
Seek medical treatment
Immediately inform your supervisor to seek proper medical treatment, whether that includes basic first aid or a call to 9-1-1.
Make a written report
If you can, provide a written account of what happened, as this serves as essential evidence of the accident and its circumstances. This is crucial, even if you do not believe you are injured, as if symptoms present themselves later and you do not submit a written report, the employer may attempt to deny medical coverage and compensation for missed work.
File a claim with the Division of Workers’ Compensation
Do this as soon as you can, especially if you will have to miss work due to the injury; this action will back the insurance company into a corner, forcing them to either accept your claim or make a denial. If they refuse, you can appeal. Having an attorney in your corner can help you pursue a settlement or take further action.
Getting Hurt on Private Property
If someone invites you onto private property and you get hurt due to negligence on the owner’s part, you may be eligible for compensation.
The steps to pursue here are not that different from a car accident:
Get medical assistance
Call 9-1-1 or take appropriate steps to evaluate and treat your injury.
Document the situation
Take photos of any dangers or potential negligence that led to the injury and prepare a written explanation of what happened and the extent of any damages.
Locate a skilled personal injury lawyer
Medical bills can be expensive, and you may be unable to work if the injury was severe or affected crucial body parts involved in your job duties. For best results, employ the services of an attorney to guide you through the process and ensure that you get the remuneration you need to get back on your feet.
What Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Do For You?
No matter the situation, if you are hurt because of the actions or negligence of others, you may be eligible for reimbursement for associated expenses. However, employers, insurance companies, and even some individuals can be cagey when it comes to approving claims and will do everything they can to get out of paying your claims.
An attorney will know the best methods to ensure you get the money you need and will shoulder the lion’s share of responsibility in making that happen. They will protect you from insurance companies and stand up for you while taking appropriate steps to prove liability that will strengthen your case.
A lawyer will know appropriate valuations for injuries and related expenses, so they understand what compensation will suit your needs. Furthermore, they have a vast knowledge that they can use to pursue a settlement on your behalf. Most personal injury claims are settled out of court, so just because you file a lawsuit does not mean you will have to go to court.
If you do, you know you will have a trusted professional in your corner to protect you and argue your case using solid evidence and effective techniques.
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I'm Alice and I live with a dizzying assortment of invisible disabilities, including ADHD and fibromyalgia. I write to raise awareness and end the stigma surrounding mental and chronic illnesses of all kinds.
