Injuries can happen anywhere at any time. Whether you are driving to work, visiting a business, or having a medical procedure, there is always a chance for things to go wrong. If you or a loved one sustains an injury due to the negligence of another person, it could wreak financial and emotional havoc on your life.
The Evergreen injury lawyers at Gerash Steiner Blanton, P.C., know how difficult it is to pursue a claim alone. We tirelessly work to help clients and their families after serious accidents so they can achieve financial peace of mind.
Cases Our Evergreen Personal Injury Attorneys Handle
At Gerash Steiner Blanton, P.C., our Evergreen personal injury lawyers represent a wide variety of personal injury cases. This includes:
- Car accidents,
- Trucking accidents,
- Motorcycle accidents,
- Bicycle/Pedestrian accidents,
- Premises liability,
- Product liability,
- Railroad injuries,
- Construction injuries, and
- Wrongful death.
Our full-service trial law firm also practices criminal defense law, civil rights, employment law, appellate work, estate planning, fiduciary & estate litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury
No matter what type of injuries you have, our attorney Eric Steiner, M.D., has the medical knowledge necessary to bring the fight to the insurance companies. With 20+ years of experience working in the medical field, Eric Steiner can identify the full extent of your injuries and fight for the compensation you need to recover.
After being injured, it’s common to have a lot of questions about filing a claim. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions our Evergreen personal injury attorneys get from potential clients.
What Should I Do After Being Injured?
Regardless of what type of accident you’re in, make sure you seek medical attention as soon as possible. This should be your top priority after any type of accident, even if your injury doesn’t seem serious. If you refuse to get medical help, the insurance company you file your claim with may use it as an excuse to minimize or deny your claim.
If it’s safe to do so, make sure you gather as much evidence as you can. For example, if you get into a car accident, take pictures of the damage to your vehicle and see if there are any witnesses. Even small pieces of evidence may make a difference in your case.
Finally, if you contact the insurance company before retaining a lawyer, we advise clients to not admit any fault or offer a recorded statement. Anything you say to the insurance company may be used against you in your claim, so it’s best to let an experienced lawyer handle any communication with them.
How Does Negligence Affect My Evergreen Personal Injury Case?
Colorado follows a comparative negligence rule, which means that a victim may recover compensation even if they are partially at fault. Under CRS 13-21-111, a plaintiff may receive damages as long as they are less than 50% at fault for their injuries.
In cases where the court finds the plaintiff partially at fault, the court reduces the total damages based on the plaintiff’s percentage of fault. For example, if a plaintiff asks for $1,000,000 in damages but the jury finds them 20% at fault, they may only receive $800,000.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Colorado?
The amount of time you have to file a personal injury case depends on the type of accident you had. Under CRS 13-80-101(n), victims have three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury case for motor vehicle accidents. According to CRS 13-80-102, a plaintiff for any other type of personal injury case, including wrongful death, must file within two years of the date of injury or death. For medical malpractice, this is two years from the discovery of the injury.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover in a Personal Injury Claim?
When it comes to personal injury cases, there are three types of damages you may recover in Colorado: economic damages, non-economic damages, and exemplary damages.
Economic damages, also known as special damages, include any quantifiable losses you incur as a result of your injuries. In other words, the damages must be calculable. This typically includes medical bills for treatment, prescriptions, lost wages, decreased earning capacity, property damage, and more. If you have any bills or receipts related to your claim, make sure to keep them as evidence of your economic damages.
Non-economic damages, often referred to as general damages, are much more difficult to determine. This specifically applies to unquantifiable losses which can’t be determined using a bill or receipt. For example, if your injury prevents you from enjoying previous hobbies or gives you chronic pain, you may ask for non-economic damages. This includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, loss of quality of life.
The final type of damages, known as exemplary or punitive damages, are incredibly rare. In Colorado, plaintiffs may not ask for exemplary damages. Instead, the court decides whether the defendant’s conduct requires punishment. Generally, Colorado courts only award exemplary damages if the defendant acted in a malicious or wanton manner. An example of this is if a court punishes a drunk driver with multiple DUI offenses for causing a catastrophic injury in a drunk driving accident.
Why You Should Choose Our Practice
With over 100 years of combined experience, our lawyers strive to provide an individualized, professional approach to every case. We not only offer a free consultation to all potential clients, but also keep in touch with you every step of the way. In fact, our firm has an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell for our high ethical standards and client communication. Our passion for the well-being of our clients sets us apart.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
Being injured in an accident can be a traumatic experience, but you don’t have to fight alone. At Gerash Steiner Blanton, P.C., our Evergreen injury attorneys dedicate themselves to helping clients get the compensation they need. To set up a free consultation with one of our attorneys, give us a call at 720-542-9336 or contact us online. We serve clients throughout Colorado from our offices in Denver and Evergreen.