Learn How to Protect Your Legal Rights After a Collision from Colorado Car Accident Lawyer Chadwick McGrady
This free accident checklist for Colorado drivers and passengers covers the most important steps to take after a car accident to protect your legal rights. Not only has medical care become incredibly expensive, but accident-related personal injuries can lead to other financial and non-financial costs as well. By taking the steps discussed below, you can help maximize your chances of recovering the financial compensation you deserve.
In Colorado, car accident victims are entitled to full compensation when they suffer personal injuries due to someone else’s (or a company’s) negligence. But, while injured drivers and passengers have clear legal rights, it is up to injured drivers and passengers to assert their legal rights effectively.
This starts with taking several important steps in the immediate aftermath of the accident. While it can be difficult to focus on the future when you are in pain and trying to figure out what to do in the short term, it is critical to make informed decisions with your long-term best interests in mind.
Our Free Accident Checklist for Colorado Drivers: 7 Steps to Take After a Car Accident
With this in mind, here is a free accident checklist for Colorado drivers and passengers to follow after a car accident:
1. Report Your Car Accident to the Police
Reporting your car accident to the police will establish a record of where and when the accident happened—and this will be important when dealing with the insurance companies. If the police responded to the scene of the accident, you should not need to do anything further. If the police did not respond to the scene of the accident, you can file a report through the Colorado State Patrol’s Online Crash Reporting System. If your accident happened within Grand Junction or Montrose, you can also request an official copy of the crash report directly through the Grand Junction Police Department or the Montrose Police Department.
2. Keep as Much Documentation as Possible
Proving your legal rights will require documentation of why the accident happened as well. Once you hire a lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation focused on gathering the evidence needed to assert your legal rights effectively. But, if you have any documentation in your possession (i.e., photos, videos, or a copy of the police report), you should be sure to keep as much documentation as possible.
3. Get the Treatment You Need
Getting the treatment you need is important for protecting your health and your legal rights. If you are in pain or experiencing any other symptoms, you should see a doctor promptly, and you should follow your doctor’s advice going forward (or seek a second opinion if necessary).
4. Report Your Car Accident to Your Insurance Company
Along with reporting your car accident to the police, you will also need to report the accident to your insurance company. But, when contacting your insurer, you need to be very careful. You should stick to the basic facts (i.e., where and when the accident happened and who was involved), and you should avoid making any assumptions about fault.
5. Take Detailed Notes About Your Car Accident
You should also take notes about your car accident while the details are still fresh in your mind. You should write down everything you can remember; and, here too, you should avoid making assumptions about why the accident happened or who was to blame.
6. Start Documenting Your Accident-Related Losses
Going forward, it will be important to document your accident-related losses as thoroughly as possible. To start, you can make sure you keep copies of your medical bills, employment records, receipts, and any other records of your out-of-pocket losses.
7. Get Advice from a Lawyer Who Represents Injured Drivers and Passengers
From proving why the accident happened to proving the financial and non-financial losses you are entitled to recover, asserting your legal rights effectively will require experienced legal representation. Hiring a lawyer costs nothing out-of-pocket in this scenario, and you can get started with a free, no-obligation consultation.
While this free accident checklist for Colorado drivers does not cover every step you may need to take, taking these steps promptly will help preserve your ability to seek the full financial compensation you deserve. Once you hire an experienced lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will be able to guide you through your next steps, calculate full compensation for your losses, and deal with the insurance companies on your behalf.
Request a Free Consultation with Western Colorado Car Accident Lawyer Chadwick McGrady
Were you injured in a car accident in Western Colorado? If so, contact Chadwick McGrady right away. To discuss your legal rights with experienced Colorado car accident lawyer Chadwick McGrady in confidence as soon as possible, call 970-644-5599 or get in touch online today.