In 2021, Colorado’s roadways experienced over 92,000 car wrecks. As a Colorado driver, you take many steps to get from Point A to Point B safely. Part of that process includes ensuring you are adequately covered through your insurance company. In the unfortunate event that you have been injured in an auto accident, Cave Law is here to help you. It is our mission to make sure you receive the compensation you may be entitled to.
In this blog post, we will discuss five things you should know about the car insurance claim process and dealing with your insurance provider.
1. Required Coverage for Colorado Automobile Owners
As an automobile owner in Colorado, you are required to carry insurance coverage called Liability Insurance. Liability insurance covers the damage you may cause in an automobile accident, both bodily injuries and property damage.
Although you can purchase higher coverages, here are the baselines required by Colorado state law that an Automobile owner must carry:
- $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
When purchasing insurance, you may want to consider purchasing more than the minimum, as it is recommended you have coverage to protect you and your assets from financial harm.
2. Make Sure You Know What To Do After an Accident
If you have been involved in an accident, you know it can be overwhelming. You may feel overcome with a state of shock after such an incident and not be able to think clearly. Therefore, we recommend familiarizing yourself with what to do if you have been involved in an accident prior, so you’re prepared if one were ever to occur. We’ve prepped a checklist for you here. Being familiar with these items can help your case if you ever need to file a claim with your insurance provider or go to court over a personal injury matter.
3. Understand the Statute of Limitations
According to Colorado Revised Statute 13-80-101(1), you have three years to file a lawsuit regarding injuries sustained in a car accident. This timeline of three years starts from the date of the occurrence of the accident.
Some circumstances may allow you to delay filing. Often, the courts will typically deny your claim automatically if it is past the statute of limitations.
4. Reach out to a Personal Injury Attorney Immediately
If you were hurt or lost a relative in the crash, there’s much more at stake—for you, the other driver, and the insurance companies. It’s during these critical claims that a lot can go wrong. In addition, you might have a hard time receiving a fair settlement. To ensure that you are receiving the maximum compensation you’re entitled to, we recommend reaching out to a personal injury attorney. You should do this immediately after any incident. Before contacting your insurance company, it is best to take advantage of a free consultation that most personal injury attorneys offer. A lawyer can help you with a variety of things including:
- evaluating your potential claim
- providing you with the legal advice you need and
- going over the legal options you can pursue
5. Is It Better To Settle Or Go To Court
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you weigh the pros and cons of taking a settlement or determine if it is in your best interest to go to court. If you go to trial and a court rules in your favor, you will likely receive a higher financial reward. Settlements will typically offer a lower financial reward. However, a trial can be risky. Your case may not have enough evidence in your favor to win. Above all, an insurance company may prefer to settle a case rather than having a case go to trial and possibly have to pay out more.
Some other considerations include:
- Settlements typically take less time to reach a resolution – often in as little as six months.
- A trial can take over a year to finish depending on the complexity of the case.
Have you been involved in a car accident? Do need help with a car insurance claim? At Cave Law, we have a team of experienced personal injury attorneys who are ready to help. We value our clients and handle each case with utmost care and professionalism. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with a Colorado Personal injury Attorney.
