Insurance Companies and Car Accidents in Colorado
Get help with your settlement or lawsuit from an experienced lawyer
Car accidents in Colorado might seem straightforward, especially if another driver clearly caused your crash. All you have to do is report your accident to the police, then call State Farm, Progressive, GEICO, or whichever insurance company you have a policy with in Colorado.
Unfortunately, many accidents turn out to be far more complicated than people expect, however. In most cases, that’s because of insurance companies. Instead of working with you to make sure you get the money you deserve, many insurance companies do everything they can to pay you less or nothing at all.
That’s not right. If another driver caused your collision, you deserve to be fairly compensated for your accident-related expenses. When insurance companies play games after your accident, you need a fearless attorney who will fight for your rights and demand the money you deserve. You need The Longo Firm, LLC.
Car accident insurance attorney Stephen A. Longo and his talented legal team know how to deal with insurance companies. We’re familiar with the rules and regulations governing them in Colorado Springs. We understand how the legal system works. That’s why we consistently obtain sizable settlements and verdicts for injury victims. Case results matter here.
We’re not like other law firms. We believe you’ll notice the difference the first time you deal with us. When you contact us, attorney Longo will personally answer the phone or call you right back. If you have a question about your case, you can contact attorney Longo directly on his personal phone. We do things different at The Longo Firm, LLC. We’re accessible on your terms.
What role do insurance companies play after an accident?
Insurance companies play a significant role when it comes to car accidents. That’s because they’re often responsible for paying for accident-related expenses. This is because many states have fault-based insurance systems. That means the at-fault party is responsible for paying for all accident expenses for injury victims.
Technically, the driver is the at-fault party since they caused the accident. In terms of fault-based insurance systems, it’s the at-fault driver’s insurance company that’s ultimately responsible for paying for injury victim’s expenses in most cases.
Colorado has such an insurance system. As a result, if another driver caused your crash in Colorado, their insurance company would be responsible for paying for your accident expenses, provided that the other driver was found to be at fault for causing your crash.
How do insurance companies determine who was at fault?
Determining who was at fault in a collision can often be a contentious legal matter. Even if the other driver was clearly at fault, their insurance company might try to claim that you actually caused the accident. That way, the other driver’s insurance company can avoid paying for your accident.
So how do insurance companies determine who was at fault? Often, they start with the investigating police officer’s official accident report. This is why it’s important to carefully review this report and make sure all the information contained in this official document is accurate.
Insurance companies also often conduct their own independent investigations. They’re often searching for any evidence they can use to blame the accident on anyone other than their policyholder. That way, the insurance company can avoid paying for the accident.
How do I file a car accident claim with an insurance company?
Filing a car accident claim in Colorado may seem simple but it can be stressful if you have never done it before. Knowing the right steps to take can help protect your rights and avoid mistakes that insurance companies might use to deny your claim. The process usually begins right after the crash:
- Report the accident to the police and get an official accident report.
- Collect as much evidence as you can at the crash site, including photos of the accident scene and contact information for witnesses.
- Notify your own insurance company about the crash as soon as possible.
- Keep records of all medical bills, repair estimates, and any other costs related to the accident.
- File a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
- Call a lawyer as soon as possible.
Filing a car accident claim can be confusing. Insurance companies often try to minimize your injuries. Staying organized helps you show proof of your losses. This is why it’s important to have an experienced, skilled attorney on your side who understands how the process works. That way, you don’t make any mistakes that could jeopardize your claim.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company after my accident?
Don’t be surprised the other driver’s insurance company contacts you after your accident. They might call you on the phone, show up at your house or contact you in writing. Their questions might seem straightforward. You might be tempted to talk to them or respond in writing.
Don’t answer their questions. Anything you say or write in response can be used as evidence to deny your accident claim. That’s why insurance companies often contact injury victims – to find information they can use to deny injury claims.
It’s also important to understand that you do not legally have to talk to the other driver’s insurance company. No matter what they write or say, you do not have to answer their questions. Simply tell them to talk to your lawyer if they want more information.
Should I accept a settlement from the other driver’s insurance company?
Another tactic insurance companies often try after an accident is to make a settlement offer to an injury victim. If you receive such an offer, it might be tempting to accept it, especially if you already have a lot of bills coming in related to your accident.
Many initial settlement offers from insurance companies don’t even come close to covering all your accident-related expenses. That’s because most insurance companies only take into account short-term expenses. Your settlement should include money for all future anticipated expenses.
If you don’t take into account future expenses and accept a settlement offer, you will have to pay for future bills related to your accident out of your own pocket. That’s why it’s critical that you carefully consider any settlement before agreeing to accept it.
What tactics do insurance companies use to minimize payouts?
Insurance companies often focus on one thing – protecting their profits. After a car accident, many companies play use tactics to lower the amount they have to pay. These strategies can leave victims without the money they truly need to recover. Such tactics include:
- Questioning the seriousness of your injuries to reduce medical payments
- Offering quick settlements that only cover short-term expenses
- Blaming you for part or all of the accident to avoid paying full damages
- Calling you and asking confusing questions designed to make you say something that weakens your claim
- Delaying the claims process to pressure you into accepting less money
- Using complicated paperwork or requests to frustrate you
Understanding these tactics is the first step to fighting back. Victims often find it difficult to deal with insurance companies alone. An experienced car accident insurance lawyer who knows these strategies can counter them with strong evidence.
What should I do if an insurance company denies my car accident claim?
Having your car accident claim denied can feel overwhelming. Many people aren’t sure what to do next when an insurance company refuses to pay. Knowing your options can give you the power to take back control.
- Speak with an experienced lawyer who can review your case and take legal action if needed.
- Review the denial letter carefully to understand the reason for rejection.
- Collect all evidence that supports your claim such as medical records and accident reports.
- Contact the insurance adjuster to clarify mistakes or missing information.
- File an appeal if the insurance company allows you to challenge the denial.
A denial is not always the end of your case. Many claims can be saved with strong evidence and professional help. Insurance companies count on people giving up too quickly. Working with a skilled car accident insurance lawyer can give you the best opportunity for success.
Can I sue an insurance company after my car accident?
Yes, it’s possible to sue an insurance company after a car accident in Colorado. This usually happens when the company refuses to pay a fair settlement or acts in bad faith. Bad faith means the company is not dealing with you honestly or fairly, such as denying a valid car accident claim without reason or making a lowball settlement offer and refusing to negotiate.
Suing an insurance company is not something most people can do on their own. It requires knowledge of state insurance laws and a careful review of how the company handled your claim. A lawsuit can cover the original damages (compensation for financial losses) from the accident and sometimes extra penalties (punitive damages) for the company’s bad behavior.
Taking legal action against an insurance company can be intimidating. Still, many victims find that it is the only way to hold the company accountable. An experienced lawyer can guide you through the process and fight for every dollar you deserve. Having legal support puts you in a stronger position against powerful insurance companies.
How can a lawyer help me deal with insurance companies?
An experienced attorney can help you in many different ways when it comes to insurance companies. If you have been injured in an accident caused by another driver, some of the steps attorneys can take to help you include:
- Help fill out forms sent to you by insurance companies.
- Deal directly with insurance companies on your behalf.
- Review any settlement offers you receive from an insurance company.
- Negotiate a better settlement offer if you believe you deserve more money.
- File a lawsuit or take other legal action against the at-fault driver, especially if their insurance company acts in bad faith, meaning they did not make a fair settlement offer, refused to negotiate or wrongly denied your claim.
Don’t let insurance companies dictate what happens after your accident. Hire a lawyer who can help you take them on and demand the money you rightfully deserve.
Demand the money you deserve. Contact our law firm.
Experience matters when it comes to choosing the right lawyer to represent you after your accident. That’s why so many people consistently choose The Longo Firm, LLC to fight for them after their accident.
In case after case, we consistently obtain sizable settlements and verdicts for injury victims. The key to our success comes from our experience and in-depth knowledge of how the legal system works.
It isn’t just what we know. It’s our approach that often makes a difference. Insurance companies don’t intimidate us. Car accident insurance attorney Stephen Longo thrives on challenging legal cases and will work tirelessly to hold insurance companies accountable after your accident.
Get the law firm that will fight for your rights. Contact us and schedule your free case evaluation today.