Did you have a car wreck and think you were not seriously hurt, but the lingering pain and soreness will not go away? Did a doctor diagnose you with an injury connected to a car accident you had some time ago? If so, you may be wondering how long after a car accident can you claim an injury. Unfortunately, you have a limited time to file an injury claim.
There may be many reasons why you chose not to file an injury claim immediately after your car wreck. However, hiring an experienced car wreck attorney with a documented track record of success could help you overcome that hurdle to win just compensation for your claim. Attorney J. Todd Tenge and his team with Tenge Law, LLC have over 30 years of experience representing car accident victims like you. Contact our office today to find out how we can help you.
What is Colorado’s statute of limitations for Car Accidents?
Colorado’s statute of limitations for car accidents is three years from the date you suffered or the injury. In most circumstances, the date of injury is the date of the accident.
Colorado’s statute of limitations is clear: missing the three-year deadline is fatal to your claim. You lose your right to file a claim for damages if the statute of limitations runs out. While there are some limited exceptions, you should not put off talking to a lawyer because you assume an exception will apply to you.
Protect by contacting our office right away. We will review all the details of your claim and do everything we can to protect your rights, especially your right to file a legal action for damages. If you think you may have missed the deadline already, contact us anyway so we can assess whether an exception may apply.
We know from experience that the other driver’s insurance company will try to avoid paying you the damage award that will make you whole again. Insurance defense attorneys use the law to their advantage by trying to claim you either caused the accident or are partially at-fault for the crash.
Getting us involved right away could strengthen your case. We must visit the scene, perform our research, and hire the right experts as soon as possible. Aggressively preparing your case this way helps us win your maximum damage award.
What to Do When Injured in a Car Accident
The aftermath of an auto accident is chaotic, and it’s hard to know exactly what to do. Staying calm and thinking rationally is difficult, but try your best to stay as composed as you can.
The first step is to check for injuries and call for help immediately. You might not know you suffered an injury because the adrenaline rushing through you masks some pain. It’s essential that you pur your safety first, so take the time you need to assess your injuries. Seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t believe you were seriously injured.
Call for police assistance as well. You have a legal duty to render aid and call the police as a driver in Colorado, even though the accident was not your fault. Stay at the scene and get your driver’s license ready, along with proof of insurance.
Try not to speak too much at the accident scene. Don’t apologize for what happened—doing so could be misconstrued as an admission of guilt. Explain to the police what you saw when asked. Try to be thorough, but answer only the questions asked. Try not to volunteer information. The police officer will put your statements in a report that the other driver could use against you later.
Take pictures of obvious signs of injury, like cuts and bruises you suffered in the crash. Take photos of your healing. We need to document permanent injuries like scarring.
How to Prove Injury from a Car Accident
You are in the best position to document what happened. Take pictures of the scene and the vehicle damage if you can. Be sure to note traffic signals and signs, look for surveillance cameras, and note other witnesses in the area. The investigating officer might document this information depending on the nature of the incident. An officer will not investigate as thoroughly if your crash was routine compared to a collision involving a drunk driver. Consequently, the evidence may be lost if you don’t document it.
You should investigate your crash only if you can. Ask for medical help if you believe you suffered an injury. Additionally, seek medical help if you experience pain after leaving the accident scene. You are better off going to the doctor for a checkup than waiting until your injury worsens.
As your lawyer, we will gather all your medical records from the accident and ask a doctor to render an opinion about your injuries. We will want to know from your doctor how your injury occurred, how it affected your life, your likelihood of a full recovery, and whether you can return to work in the job you had before your crash. We might ask other doctors for opinions if we need them to prove the extent of your physical and emotional damages.
Over our firm’s 30-plus-year history, we have assembled an impressive team of medical professionals who help our clients heal from automobile accident injuries. We want to help you get the medical care you need to make a full recovery, if possible.
Who Covers My Injuries in a Car Accident?
The at-fault driver bears responsibility for paying damages to the injured party. Colorado law requires every motorist to drive an insured vehicle. At a minimum, the compulsory insurance must be:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death to any one person in an accident;
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death to all persons in any one accident; and
- $15,000 for property damage in any one accident.
You may purchase greater insurance limits than the legal minimum.
More than one person could have legal liability for your crash. We will examine your case to determine how many people should pay you for your losses.
Call an Experienced Colorado Car Wreck Lawyer Today
We are available 24/7 to schedule a free consultation. We will explore your options and start working on your case immediately to maximize your damage award.
Over the past seven years, we have won over $50 million for our clients, and we want to help you too. Contact an experienced Colorado car wreck lawyer today by calling 303-665-2929 to get started.