Start by contacting either the at-fault party's insurer or your own insurance
company if the motorist is uninsured. If you have an attorney, you can
also have him or her deal with insurers.
You will need to provide evidence to support your claim and the compensation
amount you need, including medical records, photographs of damage to your
vehicle, and paperwork required in your claim. Make sure that you file
your claim on time as there are statutes of limitations for car accident claims.
The statute of limitations is the period of time an injury victim has to
file a claim before the court will refuse to hear their case. According
to the Colorado Revised Statutes section 13-80-102(1)(a), the statute
of limitations for car accident cases in Colorado is two years. This means
you only have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim. Once this time frame passes, you will lose your right to take your claim
with the court and are no longer eligible to recover compensation.
During this time, it is important that you follow through with your physician's
treatment plan and do not miss any appointments. Insurers usually try
to find any excuse to deny a claim.
Sometimes insurance companies will settle a case fairly and quickly; however,
this is not often the case. In many cases, you will have to negotiate
a fair resolution using evidence of your accident and the subsequent expenses.
When an insurer refuses to offer a favorable settlement, you may consider
taking the case to court with the help of a legal team.
In either situation, you can prepare in advance by
keeping detailed records and seeking medical treatment. Take photographs at the scene of a collision, record any and all expenses
related to the wreck, and never admit fault. The more information, the
better. Whatever you do, do not admit fault and consult with a legal professional
before making any legal choices concerning your case.