Personal injury cases differ depending on the severity of sustained injuries. Victims considering filing a personal injury lawsuit in Colorado may wonder how long they have to wait for their case to go through. You can contact a reliable Colorado personal injury lawyer to obtain a rough estimate of the timeline for your lawsuit.
Personal Injury Timeline
The timeline for resolving personal injury claims varies depending on several factors. The process involves the following:
Recovery
A personal injury claim only sees the light of day if you have adequate proof of injury. Obtaining medical care as soon as possible following an accident is crucial. Timely treatment connects the victim’s injuries to the accident, aside from documenting an official record of your condition. Victims should follow their doctor’s orders to the letter while recuperating. Work with reliable personal injury lawyers at Fuicelli & Lee Injury Lawyers to deal with the insurance company on your behalf.
Investigation
Proof of injury is crucial, but so is proof that the at-fault party is responsible for your injuries and owes you compensation. Your lawyer must investigate the circumstances that led to the accident’s occurrence aside from collecting adequate evidence to support your claim. Examples of evidence that help substantiate your claim include witness statements, police accident reports, photographs, physical evidence, medical records, and electronic data.
Filing the Claim
Once you organize and collect the evidence, you must file a claim with the party responsible for your injuries and their insurance company. A reliable personal injury lawyer helps you file a successful claim to improve your chances of securing fair compensation. The claim includes a letter detailing your injuries and the compensation you’re demanding in return. From here, the victims enter a negotiation to assess whether a settlement is agreeable.
Settlement
Most personal injury claims get resolved outside court via a settlement with the liable party’s insurance company. Victims usually give up their right to file a lawsuit for compensation in the future in exchange for a guaranteed payment via settlement. Make you understand the terms of the insurance settlement before signing it to minimize the possibility of a lowball settlement.
Trial
Some personal injury cases go to trial if disagreements occur with the responsible party or their insurance company. If you fail to secure a settlement, your lawyer recommends filing a personal injury suit in civil court. The responsible party and your attorney present the evidence to a jury or a judge who decides whether you require compensation for your injuries.
Personal Injury Claims in Colorado
Not all types of injuries qualify for a personal injury claim in Colorado. Victims must prove that their injuries or illnesses are due to the negligence of another party to have a valid claim in Colorado. Negligence means that the entity or the person who led to the injuries had a duty of care and failed to act responsibly either by failure to act or via their direct actions. A standard instance is the case of an accident due to drunk driving. Drivers who cause an accident due to intoxication are held liable for the injuries sustained by their victims. Some other personal injury cases include:
- Pedestrian accidents
- Semi-truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Motorcycle accidents
- Premises liability injuries
- Defective products
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases in Colorado
The statute of limitations entails the deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Victims who file a lawsuit after the passing of the deadline lose their right to compensation forever. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Colorado is usually two years. Victims who sustain injuries following a car accident have up to three years from the time of the accident to file a lawsuit. Utilize the given period well with the assistance of a reliable Colorado attorney to build a solid case to improve the chances of securing fair compensation.
Work with a personal injury attorney who has extensive knowledge regarding your case. Getting assistance from a seasoned lawyer enables you to make the right decisions. Hire a lawyer who works on a contingency basis, as you only pay a fee upon winning the case.
