Being involved in an accident can be exceedingly stressful and anxiety-inducing. No one wakes up in the morning and plans their day accordingly, scheduling in time for a personal injury accident to occur. Instead, accidents are always obtrusive, obnoxiously time-consuming things that can seriously injure you.
In the moments immediately following a personal injury, your mind will undoubtedly be spinning, attempting to process everything happening concurrently. The first step after sustaining an injury is to take inventory of yourself and properly evaluate your health and safety. Call for help or promptly remove yourself from the situation if you find yourself still in harm’s way. However, once you are verified safe from further damage, contact a Colorado Personal Injury Lawyer.
When you sustain an injury, it isn’t your job to keep everything straight regarding what happened, how it happened, and how things will be compensated for. That is the job of your personal injury lawyer; someone who knows the ins and outs of the legality surrounding such situations and can help you navigate in the best and most effective ways possible. Working with a personal injury lawyer is essential for maximizing compensation, navigating legal complexities, and successfully filing claims within strict deadlines.
The Nature of a Personal Injury
Awareness is one of the most crucial elements that a personal injury lawyer brings to the table. For example, if you slip and fall inside a restaurant, your first instinct will almost certainly be to pull yourself up and brush the incident off as if it were not a big deal. This is human nature, first and foremost, and often a self-defense mechanism utilized to avoid prolonged exposure to emotions like shame or embarrassment.
However, these initial concerns may give way to far graver ones in the near future, as you may not realize the full extent of the injury you have suffered from such a fall until hours or even days later.
In hastily attempting to remedy the situation, there would be countless details that you might have missed, such as what you slipped on, how it happened, and more. A personal injury lawyer can guide you through this process, assist you in taking a more objective inventory of the circumstances that led to your injury, and prepare you all the better for a legal case regarding the incident.
Statute of Limitations
Most personal injury cases have a statute of limitations that stretches to two years from the time of the injury. [Nolo, 2025] You have two years to take legal action before your opportunity is null and void. Notably, this timeline is expanded to three years in motor vehicle accidents.
While that may sound like ample time, it’s crucial to understand how much work has to go into actually taking legal action. It isn’t as if you could push off calling a personal injury attorney for a day shy of two years, then call them up on the last day to get things rolling. It takes time for such efforts to result in actual legal action.
Furthermore, the longer the period between the event and when the legal action is taken, the less chance of success. Details will inevitably grow fuzzier and more subjective, so prompt action is the best course.
Fee Structure
A contingency fee basis means the lawyer only gets paid if they win. A typical contingency fee is often between 33 and 40% of the total awarded, which can vary greatly depending on the lawyer. [Bloomberg, 2024]
Tips for Selecting a Lawyer
Look for experience in Colorado personal injury law. Inquire about fee structures, including contingency percentages and whether upfront costs are covered. Ensure transparent communication regarding timelines and responsibilities.
FAQ Section
What does a Colorado personal injury lawyer do?
A Colorado Personal Injury Lawyer manages legal claims arising from injuries; collecting evidence, negotiating with insurers, and representing the client in court if needed.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Colorado?
- General cases: 2 years from the date of injury.
- Motor vehicle accidents: 3 years from the crash.
How much does a Colorado personal injury lawyer cost?
Most work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case. Depending on complexity, typical percentages range from about 33% to 40%.
What if I were partially at fault for the accident?
Colorado uses a modified comparative negligence system; if you’re less than 50% at fault, you may still recover damages (though your percentage of fault will reduce them).
