Personal Injury FAQ’s
For your personal injury case it is critical to make absolutely sure that you choose a Colorado personal injury lawyer who will not only fight to get you every penny you need to get your life back, but also one whose sense of integrity and justice matches up with your own. Toward that end, it’s important to get yourself acquainted with some of the most frequently asked questions regarding personal injury law.
QUESTION:
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A COLORADO PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER?
ANSWER:
The attorney you choose should have substantial experience in representing individuals on personal injury and/or insurance bad faith claims, and proven results.
In addition, the attorney you choose must be willing and able to file and litigate your case in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached. Many attorneys heavily advertise for personal injury claims but rarely file the cases in court, choosing instead to settle at whatever the insurance company is offering. Often times, this is only a fraction of the fair value of the claim.
Our attorneys take cases to trial when necessary and have proven results. See our Results page for examples of the results we have achieved on behalf of our clients.
QUESTION:
DO I NEED TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY FOR MY CLAIM?
ANSWER:
Serious injury claims should be handled by an attorney. Early on, there are things that need to be done in order to preserve the evidence from your accident. Almost everyone needs the help of an attorney to investigate the facts of their injury, interview witnesses, collect photographs of the scene and automobiles involved in the accident, to gather and coordinate insurance information, and to assist them with medical expense and other issues. Many people seek an attorney to help them with the valuation and negotiation of their injury claim.
A competent attorney will provide assistance with gathering and preserving evidence, evaluating medical expenses, negotiating liens, and identifying experts. If the attorney can assist the client in getting necessary medical treatment, the client can often reduce their pain, get better more quickly, and be more productive at work. Ensuring a fair recovery is equally important.
In this day and age, it is foolish to think that an automobile insurance company will offer a fair settlement to a person who is not represented by an attorney. These companies often are profit driven and give bonuses to adjusters who keep the settlements low. These adjusters often have special training in claim evaluation and negotiation. A person without experience in this area is often like an innocent lamb asking the hungry wolf to be fair with her.
QUESTION:
HOW ARE ATTORNEYS FEES PAID?
ANSWER:
There are various types of attorney fee arrangements, including hourly, contingent and fixed fees. In the personal injury context, the contingent fee arrangement is the most common. The attorney does not get paid unless he is successful in recovering compensation for the client. If a recovery is obtained, the attorney is paid a percentage of the recovery obtained for the client. The percentage often depends on the complexity, risks, timing and other factors of the case.
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