4 Common Mistakes to Avoid Following a Colorado Accident
The very nature of an accident means that it is a sudden and unforeseen event. Victims generally have no warning and must quickly respond to sudden physical and psychological trauma. In short, it is not the type of situation where a person is likely prepared to stop and think about the steps they need to take should they need to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person (or legal entities) that caused their accident.
That is why it is important to educate yourself now before something happens. As experienced Colorado personal injury lawyers, we commonly see clients make basic mistakes following an accident that end up having a significant impact on their ability to seek proper financial compensation for their losses. Here are just four of the more common errors that we see:
1. You Do Not Seek Immediate Medical Care
If you are involved in any kind of accident, you should always seek medical treatment as soon as is practicable. Even if you do not require emergency attention from first responders at the accident scene, you can still take the time to go to a nearby urgent care clinic or even ask to see your primary care physician. The reality is that many accident victims walk away from the scene “feeling fine” only to later discover they sustained a serious and potentially life-threatening injury. That is why you should never hesitate to seek medical attention, even after what you might otherwise dismiss as a minor accident.
2. You Do Not Involve the Police
Colorado law requires any driver involved in an accident that results in death or serious bodily injury to immediately notify the local police. Calling the police to an accident scene helps to ensure a proper investigation. More to the point, an official police accident report provides valuable information in the event you need to sue the other driver for negligence. For example, it can provide the name of any witnesses who saw what happened.
3. You Admit Fault
Many people have a natural tendency to apologize for an accident even if they know it is not their fault. Such instincts can be problematic following an auto accident. If you reflexively apologize or admit fault to the other driver, that could be cited against you if you need to bring a personal injury claim. Keep in mind, even if you think you were responsible for the accident, the real cause may not be known until the police (or the insurance companies) have a chance to conduct a proper investigation.
4. You Don’t Speak to a Grand Junction Personal Injury Attorney
Even if your accident was fairly straightforward and you expect insurance to cover most or all of your losses, it is still in your best interest to contact a Grand Junction personal injury lawyer as soon as you can following an accident. At Killian, Davis & Richter, PC, our attorneys can review what happened with you and advise you on what steps to take moving forward. Call us today at 970-241-0707. We serve clients in Grand Junction, Montrose and Mesa County, Colorado.