How to File a Car Accident Claim in Denver

Car accident victims are often unaware as to how a claim or lawsuit is filed after a crash. For many car accident victims, this claim or lawsuit is their first experience with the legal system. It is often overwhelming and confusing.

Beware of Deadlines

First, car accident victims should be aware of the deadlines that may affect their cases. In general, there is a three-year deadline to resolve a claim for damages that result from a car accident in Colorado. This deadline is called the statute of limitations.

Accident victims who fail to resolve their claim or file suit before the statute of limitations expires may be barred from obtaining any relief in the court system. This means that these victims will be responsible for their medical expenses and other damages caused by the accident.

The deadline is shorter if a government vehicle is involved in the accident. An experienced Denver motor vehicle accident attorney is able to advise you on the applicable deadlines in your claim.

Make Sure a Police Report is Filed

Immediately following an accident, you should call the police to ensure a report of the accident is filed. You should tell the police what happened and seek medical attention if you are experiencing any pain.

You should also exchange insurance information and driver’s license information with the other drivers involved in the crash.

Consult a Personal Injury Attorney

One of the most important steps you should take after being involved in an accident is to consult a Denver personal injury attorney. These attorneys know how to present evidence to insurance companies, negotiate settlements, and conduct court hearings and trials.

Personal injury attorneys at Donaldson Law, LLC are able to file accident claims with the at-fault driver’s insurance policy on your behalf and deal with the insurance company so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries and getting your life back to normal.

Your attorney will provide several pieces of information to the insurance company, such as:

The names of the drivers involved in the accident
Insurance policy numbers
The nature of the victim’s injuries
Photographs of vehicle damage and injuries
A copy of the accident report
Repair bills

It is best to let your attorney speak with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Insurance companies may use your statements against you in your claim. In addition, insurance adjusters may try to pressure you to settle your claim too soon for far too little money.

What is a Demand Letter?

When you have completed your medical treatment, your attorney will send a demand letter to the insurance company. The demand letter lays out the details of the accident, as well as how the accident impacted you—financially, physically, and emotionally.

The insurance company will be given a deadline to respond to the demand letter. Once they respond, your attorney will begin the negotiation process.

The choice to accept or reject the insurance company’s offer is yours. Your attorney will advise you during the settlement process, but, ultimately, it is your decision whether you settle your claim with the insurance company or move forward with filing a lawsuit.

If you decide to reject the insurance company’s offer, it will be necessary to file a lawsuit.

File a Lawsuit

To file a lawsuit, your attorney drafts a complaint. This document includes details about the accident and how the at-fault driver is responsible for your injuries and losses.

After the complaint has been filed in the appropriate court, the at-fault party must be served with it. At this point, the at-fault party will respond to the lawsuit and the lawsuit will move through the court system.

Regardless of whether the claim is handled solely through insurance or requires the filing of a lawsuit, Denver car accident attorneys are able to provide valuable advice and guidance through this process. Your attorney will make sure that your legal interests remain protected throughout your case.

Contact Denver Car Accident Attorney Jennifer Donaldson Today

Attorney Jennifer Donaldson has represented car accident victims in Denver and the surrounding areas for three decades. To schedule a free consultation with Ms. Donaldson to learn about your legal options, contact us at 303-458-5000.

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CLIENT REVIEWS

My husband was rear-ended and his head broke through the back window of the truck. We decided to give things time to see if he improved. The other insurance company dragged things on forever. That’s when we decided we needed an attorney. We did not fully understand the statute of limitations and called a few attorneys thinking we had enough time. We quickly found out that in the land of the law, we were cutting it very close. The other attorneys we called passed saying that they just didn’t have the time to handle our case; we didn’t even get a chance to speak with anyone but the receptionist. Then I called Jennifer Donaldson and spoke to Melanie who is part of Jennifer’s incredible team. – Jackie G.

I was hit by a car while I was in a crosswalk. Afterward, I underwent multiple surgeries and occupational therapy. I was out of work after losing the use of my hand for a period of time. I knew that I couldn’t deal with the insurance companies on my own. After some research, I found Jennifer and Melanie. They were amazing through the whole process and the result was a very generous settlement. They were also able to get my health insurance to waive their subrogation claim. They have both been great to work with. Throughout my claim, they communicated with me and kept me updated. I would definitely recommend using Jennifer Donaldson if you ever need an attorney for a personal injury case.– Zander O.

Jennifer and her team were fantastic. They guided me through the whole process after getting into a car accident. She fought for me, and gave me and my family the best support. I don’t think I could have made it through the whole process without Jennifer and her team. Their knowledge of the insurance industry was very helpful and was a key factor in the outcome of my case.– Tony D.

My wife was involved in a serious auto accident where she sustained serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury. Ms. Donaldson was professional, compassionate and very thorough from beginning to end. Her focus was to make sure that we were made whole. Her thorough work resulted in a settlement that provides for our needs for the rest of our lives. Ms. Donaldson is a great attorney.– Tony D.

I was hit by a car while riding my bicycle, causing me serious and permanent injuries. Ms. Donaldson handled my case in a very professional manner with outstanding results. She worked hard to make sure we got a settlement without the need for litigation while still getting the maximum recovery available. She and her staff were very thorough and stayed in constant communication. Overall, Ms. Donaldson was outstanding during the entire case. I highly recommend her to anyone in need of representation for their personal injury claim.– Leigh C.