Aurora Car Accident Attorneys
After a motor vehicle accident, you have many things to take care of. Medical bills, doctor visits, and calls from insurance agents trying to get you to settle your claim. When you’re worried about getting over your injuries and back to work, you need help from an Aurora car accident attorney.
Smith & Weidinger PLLC has been fighting for personal injury victims in Aurora for decades. We understand that you have medical expenses and other bills and need to settle your case. We also know that insurance companies pressure accident victims to accept the first offer.
We’re here to help you get fair compensation for your accident. We handle most personal injury claims and fight to get you the settlement you deserve. Contact us at 720-996-2600 or make an appointment online. The initial consultation is free.
Who We Are and How We Can Help
When you call Smith & Weidinger, we don’t make wild claims or promises. We can’t make any guarantees. We give you our personal attention and a proven track record of excellent legal work.
When you come to us, you will get our full attention. We understand that each accident is unique, and we take the time to evaluate your case. Our attorneys will review the case during your free consultation and determine if you have a valid personal injury claim. Once we know all the facts, we will give you our best legal advice on proceeding.
You won’t leave until you understand the legal process of your case. A car accident claim can take some time to develop and file, and we answer all your questions before moving to the next stage of the claim.
Aurora Car Accident Laws
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, it seems only fair that the other party should pay for your injuries and damages. After an auto accident, Colorado’s car accident laws require drivers to exchange insurance information.
What is “At-Fault” Liability?
In Colorado, insurance companies use an “at-fault” standard for personal injury cases. The driver most responsible pays for the car accident injuries and property damage. Insurers determine fault by reviewing the claim forms and documents the drivers submit.
Under Colorado law, all drivers must carry minimum liability insurance. Liability insurance covers injuries and property damage up to the policy amount. Drivers must report any accidents with injuries, fatalities, or damage over $1000 to any property (including personal property).
Comparative Negligence
Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If the insurer finds a car accident victim partially at fault in their accident, they can seek compensation, depending on their percentage of fault. You cannot recover for a car accident if you are 50% or more at fault. If you are less than 50% at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
For instance, if you are 20% responsible for the accident, and the total award was $100,000, you can still recover $80,000. An experienced Aurora car accident lawyer is essential to maximize your chances of recovery after an accident.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Aurora
Minor accident claims may not need legal help to recover compensation. Major accidents resulting in severe injuries need a good legal team. The team at Smith & Weidinger will help you through every step of your car accident claim, beginning with your initial intake.
Investigating Your Claim
After your consultation, we begin a thorough investigation of the case. We gather the medical records, police reports, photos of the scene, and witness statements.
We can request information from other parties involved, such as surveillance camera footage and additional reports. According to insurance industry statistics, most insurance claims are denied or delayed due to incomplete documentation. We ensure your claim is complete and ready for filing before it leaves our office.
Strong Negotiations
You are entitled to fair compensation for all your damages. In Colorado, your settlement should include:
- Medical expenses, including any future costs from serious injuries
- Lost wages and loss of future income
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
Our personal injury lawyers know what you need and ensure any fair settlement offer includes all the compensation you are entitled to receive, not the minimum payment for your injuries.
Types of Car Accident Injuries
After a car accident, your injuries can range from minor to life-altering. Some injuries may take weeks or months to appear. Smith& Weidinger’s approach includes helping you seek medical treatment for any injuries. Common car accident injuries with lingering effects include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or closed head trauma may develop hours or days after an accident. These injuries can affect memory, ability to work, and personality if not treated immediately.
- Spinal cord injuries ranging from whiplash and lower back pain to paralysis and chronic nerve damage. Like brain injuries, this damage can be slow to develop and sometimes overlooked by patients who think it’s just “neck pain.”
- Emotional trauma is not just “hysteria” but a real issue that may linger throughout a victim’s life. Victims deserve compensation for pain and suffering, emotional harm, and loss of enjoyment as much as any other catastrophic injuries.
- Wrongful death is a legal action by the survivors of an accident on behalf of the victim. Spouses, children, and other family members can file wrongful death claims.
When You Need an Aurora Car Accident Attorney
Local personal injury law firms are as knowledgeable as the big-name national firms. Car crash victims often benefit from local law firms because they know the local rules. An Aurora personal injury lawyer lives in the same town as the victim and the perpetrator. They know the court rules and the city ordinances.
If a car wreck happens on a nearby highway, the car accident attorneys at Smith & Weidinger know Colorado distracted driving laws, personal injury lawsuit requirements, and state statutes of limitation. More importantly, we’re local and know what our clients need immediately.
The personal injury attorneys at Smith & Weidinger want to see our clients get fair compensation for their car accident injuries. The initial consultation is free. Contact us at 720-996-2600 or make an appointment online.