Personal injury refers to any damage done to the body, mind, or emotions of a person. Different parts of the country describe the compensation owed in different terms, but it typically covers the medical costs, loss of wages, damage to property, or any emotional damages incurred by the victim.
In 2022, there were 95,014 car accidents in Colorado. These numbers show that accidents are a common occurrence in Colorado.
If you or your loved ones have experienced any injuries in the state, Colorado personal injury lawyers can help you through the tedious and often complicated process of obtaining fair compensation.
Some of the main categories under Personal Injury Law are:
- Premises Liability
- Dog bites
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Construction Accidents
Victims are entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Loss of wages
- Emotional damage
Complications in Personal Injury Cases
There are several steps to filing and obtaining claims in personal injury cases, and complications can arise at any stage. Here are some of the common complications faced by victims:
Statute of limitations
There is a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, which is 2 years in most parts of the country, including Colorado. The exception is motor vehicle accidents, which have a 3-year time limit.
The average American is unaware of such legal constraints and may miss out on compensation if they file for damages too late. The process of filing a claim itself is time-consuming, and deadlines may be missed if the victim isn’t aware of the proper procedure to follow.
Proving liability
Proving liability is difficult without the proper evidence. In order to claim damages, the victim needs to be able to prove that the negligent party caused them harm through their actions.
Depending on the case, the evidence may involve medical records or eyewitness statements, which can be tedious and confusing for a layman.
Compensation from insurance providers
Insurance providers are a business, and like most businesses, their goal is to increase profits and cut costs. Their agents are trained to avoid payouts as much as possible. Without proper legal assistance, you may be cheated out of fair compensation.
Pain and suffering
By nature, psychological damages are subjective and difficult to equate to a monetary value. That also makes them difficult to prove. How do you measure the distress caused by being in an accident?
For example, a car accident victim may experience immeasurable emotional damage because they are no longer able to walk down the road to their favorite park.
How Lawyers Tackle Common Complications
Personal injury lawyers are well-versed in personal injury law and have years of experience dealing with relevant cases. This is how they handle the common complications:
Proving liability
Depending on the case, lawyers will be able to obtain the necessary evidence to prove the negligence of the at-fault party.
For example, in the case of a dog bite, they can obtain security footage, interview witnesses, obtain medical records, etc., to prove that the at-fault party was negligent in their handling of their pet.
Compensation from insurance providers
Personal injury lawyers are trained to understand the tactics used by insurance providers and will be able to guide you through the process of obtaining damages.
For example, if you say “I’m fine” in a passing conversation, insurers may use those words against you.
Having a lawyer present will ensure that you use the right language in a negotiation with insurance providers.
Pain and suffering
Lawyers will be able to guide you through obtaining the right medical records to support your claims of emotional damage. This varies depending on your case and may include things like notes from a counselor to evaluate your mental state, etc.
If you are ever injured, don’t hesitate to reach out and get the help you need to obtain fair compensation. Know your rights, and stand up for yourself!
