How Soon After an Accident Should I Call an Attorney?

The aftermath of a car crash is something unnerving to think about. The trauma of the crash: The pain if you have sustained injuries: The medical expenses. It is something none of us want to think about. 

Yet, staying prepared is fundamental, as personal injury car accidents can happen to anyone. You may follow all the rules and drive within the speed limit, all it takes is one rogue driver to turn things upside down. 

So, how soon after an accident should you call a Colorado personal injury attorney?

The Need for a Personal Injury Attorney Post-accident 

In any case, no one is stopping you from negotiating the case yourself. It is not against Colorado law. While it’s well within your rights, it's generally not recommended, and for good reasons. 

Insurance companies are businesses first, businesses that must make a profit. As such, they may use underhanded techniques to undermine your claim to get you to settle for a lower amount. 

A personal injury attorney will protect you from under-compensation by negotiating on your behalf. They will also start handling your claim by tracing witnesses, interviewing them, and compiling evidence,” says attorney Amy Gaiennie.

That said, how soon after the incident should you contact your attorney? 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how soon you should make that call. But generally, it is as soon as you are capable of doing so, whether you just regained consciousness or when you are stable enough to communicate in case of severe injuries.

Most of us don't have lawyers on retainer, so how do you choose the right one? Here's a set of metrics you can use to select the right personal injury attorney to handle your case: 

• Experience- The more the experience, the better. It means your attorney has led more cases like yours, and if they have high success rates, they are better positioned to win your case.

• Reputation- An experienced lawyer will have racked a reputation online. Take some time and do your homework. See what other clients have to say about the attorney.  A good reputation means working with them will be easier. 

• Communication skills- The ideal attorney should have effective communication skills to break down complex case details to you and also negotiate with insurance companies for maximum compensation

• Fee structure- Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, where you are not obligated to pay any fees upfront. They front all the costs and recoup them plus payment from a percentage of your compensation should you win the case. Be sure to check for their fee structure and whether it is something you can work with. 

• Extensive legal and financial resources- A lawyer with extensive legal and financial resources becomes crucial when you are filing a claim against a large company. Such companies have a team of lawyers on retainer. Hence, you need a lawyer backed by sufficient support staff and a good firm to handle your case. 

Conclusion 

If you are a victim of a personal injury incident, the advice and guidance of a personal injury attorney is important. Reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible. 

This will give your attorney ample time to work on the case by gathering evidence and documentation and interviewing witnesses. 

A personal injury attorney will also represent you in court should an out-of-court settlement prove futile. They will ensure the judge and jury know your troubles and advocate for maximum compensation for your injury.