If you were in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve compensation for your provable losses. You have legal rights as the victim of a car accident.
However, insurance companies are for-profit businesses focused on saving themselves money. Insurance adjusters will likely deny your insurance claim, shift blame for the accident, or offer you less money than you need to cover your accident-related injuries.
There are ways to build your car accident case to help ensure you are fairly compensated for your losses. These are discussed in the following article.
For case-specific advice and tips on winning your insurance dispute, consult with an experienced Denver car accident attorney.
Preparing Your Case for Compensation
The key to navigating an insurance dispute after a car accident is preparation. The insurance company will assign an adjuster to investigate your accident and determine who was at fault for the crash. If you retain a car accident attorney, your attorney will do the same.
During the accident investigation, the insurance company will:
- Interview eyewitnesses;
- Examine property damage;
- View the accident scene;
- Review any police reports and traffic footage;
- Inspect your medical records; and
- Assess your financial losses.
To ensure you are adequately compensated for your total losses, you must do your part and keep meticulous documentation starting at the time of your car accident.
Documenting Your Losses
It would help if you started documenting your accident-related losses as soon as possible. If you are able, collect the following after your crash:
- Get eyewitness contact information and statements;
- Take photos of vehicle damage and vehicle location;
- Exchange driver’s license information and insurance documentation with the other driver(s);
- Take pictures of traffic cameras and other potential sources of video footage;
- Ask the responding officer when and where to get a copy of the police report; and
- Seek immediate medical attention and attend a follow-up appointment with your doctor.
The above are vital primary sources of documentation should the insurance company dispute your car accident claim. In addition, you will want to continue documenting any accident-related activities, expenses, or effects on your life, such as:
- Physical therapy;
- Travel to and from the doctor;
- Car repairs;
- Pain or physical symptoms; and
- Time off of work.
Keep your accident documentation organized and dated in one large folder so nothing is misplaced or forgotten should a dispute arise.
Navigating an Insurance Dispute After a Car Accident
Insurance disputes after car accidents are usually over fault for an accident or the amount of compensation offered to settle a claim. When fault is apparent, and a settlement amount is unfair or fails to cover your accident-related expenses, you may choose to file a civil lawsuit and take the insurer to court.
If your claim is denied because you are found mostly or totally at fault for an accident, you may dispute the insurer’s finding. There may be an appeals process to do so, or you may qualify to file a bad faith insurance claim against the insurer with the Colorado Division of Insurance.
No matter your situation, the care you take in preparing your initial case for compensation will play a significant role in the outcome of your claim. Retaining an experienced car accident attorney immediately following your accident can help you avoid the necessity of an insurance dispute altogether.
Contact an Experienced Denver Car Accident Attorney Today
Learn your legal rights after a car accident by calling Dulin McQuinn Young. We are proud to fight for the injured in Colorado and will meet with you at no cost to review your claim.
Trial attorneys built Dulin McQuinn Young, and our record trial victories set us apart from other Denver personal injury firms. We do not let insurance companies push us around and are dedicated to getting you the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Speak with our legal team today by calling Dulin McQuinn Young at (303) 246-1111.