We can't count the number of times a potential client calls us weeks or months after a car accident only to realize they should've talked with a personal injury lawyer sooner. Why? Because the insurance companies capitalize (literally) on unrepresented claimants. How do they do that and why should you talk to a lawyer right away? This post explains why and provides a few essential tips you should follow after being in a car crash.

How soon should I talk to an injury attorney? As soon as possible! 

Why? I'm not a litigious person and don't want to sue anyone as long as my bills are taken care of. That's a common reaction from a lot of people we talk to. But just because you may not want to sue someone for an accident doesn't mean you shouldn't have representation throughout the process. And the faster you get legal counsel the easier it is to ensure your claim is handled correctly. Because the insurance companies literally handle injury claims all day, every day. That's their business (other than taking premiums of course). 

The insurance carriers know the game and they know it is to their great benefit to talk to a potential claimant early and offer them a low, arbitrary amount to settle their case. Once a personal injury lawyer gets involved, the power to dictate the pace of the claim goes away. And, they can't use the fact that you hired a lawyer right away against you later in your case. It's not relevant to your claims and the fundamental right to counsel is protected by the Constitution.

There are important things that must happen early on in your claim. And unless you've been down this road before, you simply won't know what should happen to preserve your ability to recover full compensation for your injuries. A personal injury lawyer will protect you from making an early and incomplete statement to the bodily injury adjuster. Because once they have you on record talking about what happened and your preliminary injury complaints, they will latch onto that for the rest of the case. Even if your symptoms get worse or you need more invasive treatment down the road, they will point to your first statement days after the crash.

It's also important to get the at fault driver's insurance coverage and policy limits right away. The adjuster will often keep that information from unrepresented claimants because people don't know they are entitled to the liability insurance policy. Or, they will tell the victim "there's plenty of coverage here, we'll make sure your medical bills are taken care of." Don't let them get away with that.

Tips after being in a car accident. First, do not speak with the liability insurance adjuster about your injuries. As mentioned above, they want to pin you down on the injuries without having the full picture and then try to resolve your case as quickly and for the least amount of money as possible. Call a personal injury lawyer as soon as you can. Most, if not all, injury firms in Colorado offer free consultations. Finally, take pictures of the vehicle damage and your injuries. Pictures are worth a thousand words and are great evidence of your injuries down the road.

If you've been hurt in a car accident in Colorado and need help, contact Kane Trial Law at 303-919-7777 today for a free consultation.