Important Steps After a Car Accident
Don’t Take a Backseat After Your Car Crash
After a serious car or truck accident, you are likely in shock from the situation and in pain from your injuries. You probably don’t feel like answering questions from insurance companies or filling out insurance forms. That's where an experienced personal injury attorney can step in and take some of this off your back.
However, even before you start interviewing accident lawyers, there are a few things that you can do right away to help your chances at a successful settlement later on.
Take photos of the accident and your injuries. After your car is moved and after your bruises heal, there's no way to document this evidence. If you are not too hurt, taking photos right away of the crash, the scene of the crash, and your injuries can significantly help your claim with an insurance company or in Court.
Get medical attention right away. Not only should you get evaluated by a medical professional right away, it’s important that you follow their recommendations. If you have health insurance, use that to pay for your medical bills in the meantime, because a settlement can take several months or even years. If you don’t have health insurance, Gama Law Firm works with medical providers who will agree to 'freeze' your bills until you get your settlement money.
Do not sign anything from an insurance corporation. This includes documents from your own insurance company. You may be signing away your rights to a full recovery. Wait until you’ve spoken with an attorney about it.
Minimize communication with the insurance corporation. This includes your own insurance carrier. If you must talk to an insurance company before you hire an attorney, do not let them record your conversation and do not answer questions about your physical injuries. Even a simple “I’m doing fine” can be taken out of context and used against you later on, so if you’re not sure how bad your injuries will turn out to be, it’s best just to say that you don’t feel comfortable talking about your injuries until you’ve been fully diagnosed and you’ve completed all your treatments.
Don’t post anything about the accident or injury on social media. This includes Facebook or Instagram. These are some of the first places insurance companies look for evidence that can later be used against you. Even private messages or photos are not safe, as a court can force you to turn those over regardless of your privacy settings.
Lastly, when you feel up to it, call an experienced accident attorney. And remember, you don't have to hire the first lawyer you talk to. Your relationship with a personal injury attorney can last months, sometimes years, so make sure you choose wisely and hire someone you trust.
"Small Firm Service. Big Firm Results."
Hire a law firm that takes a personal approach to your case. Some bigger law firms probably see you as just a case number, but at Gama Law Firm we see you as a friend in need of help. And we will never pass off your case to an inexperienced legal assistant or "case manager" like some other firms.
There are several advantages to hiring Gama Law Firm right away after a serious car or truck accident. Between our two attorneys, we have over 60 years of experience fighting these cases, so there's not much we haven't already seen. In that time, we've also developed good relationships with insurance adjustors, insurance attorneys, and Judges throughout Colorado.
Most cases are resolved with an out-of-court settlement. But if the insurance company refuses to compensate you fairly for your injuries, financial losses – such as medical bills and lost income, and pain and suffering, you may have to file a lawsuit. Although lawsuits are generally expensive and time-consuming, sometimes there is no other way to get you the compensation you deserve.
If we have to go to Court, you have two experienced litigation attorneys, one being a FORMER TRIAL COURT JUDGE (Joe Richard Gama) and the other being a 2020 "Litigator of the Year" and Colorado "Super Lawyer" (Richard Gama), on your side every step of the way.