Car Accident Lawyer in Greeley
Tens of thousands of people are hurt in crashes across Colorado each year. Here in Greeley, countless accidents occur due to driver negligence. Serious accidents can result in life-altering injuries that require extensive medical care. If you have been hurt in a car crash, you need someone who can fight for your rights. An experienced Greeley car accident attorney can help you handle the aftermath of a car accident and seek the financial compensation you deserve.
At The Wilhite Law Firm, we handle cases like yours and are ready to stand by your side. Our entire legal team leverages extensive experience to secure maximum compensation for clients involved in personal injury and car accident cases. Call us today at 970-782-2392 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer in Greeley
After a car accident, you may feel overwhelmed by medical treatments, insurance claims, and financial losses. Having a Greeley car accident lawyer on your side can make all the difference. A personal injury lawyer understands personal injury laws and knows how to handle aggressive insurance companies. They can gather evidence, negotiate on your behalf, and fight for the maximum compensation possible.
Without legal help, you risk being pressured into accepting a low settlement that does not cover your medical expenses, lost income, or future care. You can benefit greatly from letting a car accident attorney in Greeley guide you through the process. Personal injury attorneys plays an important role in securing compensation and providing support during challenging times.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Greeley
Many different factors can lead to motor vehicle accidents, but some situations make crashes more likely.
Distracted Driving
Not paying attention to the road ahead can have deadly consequences. Even a split-second of distractions can lead to a severe accident. This is particularly true when traveling in heavy traffic or at high speeds.
Distracted driving accidents can also cause significant emotional trauma, affecting victims’ lives beyond physical injuries and property damage.
Drunk or Drugged Driving
Alcohol and drugs impair reaction times and decision-making, leading to dangerous collisions. Impaired drivers often struggle to stay in their lanes, misjudge distances, and fail to react to sudden stops or turns, putting everyone at risk. Such accidents can result in severe personal injuries, causing long-term physical and emotional repercussions for victims.
Speeding
Driving too fast makes it harder to stop in time to avoid a crash, often leading to severe injuries. High-speed accidents tend to cause more damage because the impact is greater, increasing the likelihood of life-threatening injuries or fatalities.
Motorcycle accidents are also a common result of speeding, often leading to serious personal injury claims due to negligence or wrongful actions.
Running Red Lights and Stop Signs
Failing to obey traffic signals can cause serious T-bone or head-on crashes. These accidents are especially dangerous at intersections, where cars cross paths at high speeds, leaving little time to react.
Reckless Driving
Aggressive behaviors like tailgating and switching lanes without signaling or leaving space can create dangerous conditions for everyone on the road. Drivers who take unnecessary risks put themselves and others in danger, as one wrong move can quickly turn into a major accident.
Drowsy Driving
Falling asleep at the wheel or being too tired to focus can result in devastating crashes. Fatigue slows reaction times and impairs judgment, making drowsy driving just as dangerous as drunk driving in many cases.
Types of Car Accidents Handled by Our Car Accident Lawyer
Different types of accidents can result in life-changing injuries. At The Wilhite Law Firm, our Greeley car accident lawyers handle cases involving:
- Rear-End Collisions – Even at low speeds, these crashes can cause painful injuries, especially to the neck and spine.
- Head-On Collisions – Often resulting in serious injuries or fatalities, these crashes can lead to long-term medical care and recovery.
- T-Bone Accidents – When one car hits another from the side, it can cause serious harm, especially to passengers sitting near the impact.
- Hit-and-Run Cases – Victims of these accidents are left to deal with medical bills and lost income, making legal assistance even more important.
- Truck Accidents – Skilled legal representation is crucial after a truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence. Our experience helps us understand the challenges faced by individuals who have suffered harm in such incidents.
Even if you don’t see your type of accident listed here, call our car accident attorney in Greeley to learn how we can help.
How Fault Is Determined in a Greeley Car Accident
Determining the at fault party in your car accident is an important step in getting the compensation you deserve. Police reports can play a big role. Officers investigate the crash, talk to witnesses, and sometimes assign fault in their report. Other evidence that can be used to establish who caused the accident includes:
- Pictures of the crash scene
- Video footage from nearby surveillance cameras or dashcams
- Witness statements
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to pay as little as possible after an accident. Here’s what you need to know:
When an insurance company refuses to provide fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress, it can be challenging to get the settlement you deserve.
Why Insurers Try to Minimize Payouts
Their goal is to save money, not to ensure you receive full compensation. They may downplay your injuries, shift blame, or delay the process to pressure you into accepting a lower offer. Understanding this can help you stay patient and avoid settling too soon. Securing a fair settlement is crucial to ensure you are adequately compensated for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages.
What to Say (and What Not to Say) to Adjusters
Be careful with your words during the insurance claim process, as anything you say can be used against you. Even a simple statement like “I’m feeling okay” might be used to argue that your injuries aren’t serious. Stick to the facts, avoid guessing, and never admit fault.
How a Lawyer Can Negotiate for You
A car crash lawyer knows how to seek compensation by pushing back against unfair settlement offers and fighting for what you deserve. Hire a lawyer who can gather evidence, calculate the true value of your losses, and handle all negotiations so you don’t have to deal with the stress of the insurance company’s tactics to minimize your claim’s value.
Injuries Commonly Sustained in Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, including:
- Whiplash injuries that cause pain and range of motion problems
- Traumatic brain injuries that cause mood problems, pain, and potentially debilitating changes in function
- Broken bones that require surgeries and long recovery times
- Back injuries that make daily tasks difficult
- Soft tissue injuries that lead to lasting discomfort
- Internal injuries that can be life-threatening
- Spinal cord injuries that limit mobility and independence
- Facial injuries that require reconstructive surgery
- Psychological trauma that affects daily life
- Burn injuries from airbag deployment or vehicle fires
These injuries can be painful and costly to treat. Taking legal action after you have suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing is in your best interest.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
After an accident, you may be eligible for compensation for damages incurred, including:
- Medical bills so you are able to get the care you need for your injuries
- Property damage to cover the costs of repair or replacement for your vehicle
- Lost wages from missed work
- Pain and suffering for any resulting emotional and physical hardships
- Future medical expenses if ongoing treatment is needed
- Diminished quality of life caused by injuries impacting your daily activities
- Rehabilitation costs for physical therapy and other recovery needs
When to File a Lawsuit Instead of Accepting a Settlement
While settlements are common, sometimes filing a personal injury lawsuit is a better choice. Here’s why:
- If the offer doesn’t cover all your costs, a lawsuit may be necessary.
- If the at-fault driver’s insurance policy doesn’t have high enough limits to cover your losses, you may be able to get complete compensation through a court award.
- If multiple parties are at fault, taking your case to trial will allow the court to apportion liability among all responsible parties.
Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident
Many people make mistakes that hurt their ability to recover compensation in a personal injury claim. Avoid these common errors:
Admitting Fault at the Scene
Even a simple apology, like saying “I’m sorry,” can be held against you later. It may seem like a natural response, but health insurance companies can twist your words to make it look like you caused the accident. Instead, stick to the facts when speaking to the police or others involved. Remember, admitting fault can undermine your ability to seek compensation for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence.
Accepting the First Settlement Offer
It’s usually much lower than what you actually need. Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible, and their first offer rarely covers all your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Take time to review any settlement offer with a lawyer before agreeing to settle to ensure you secure fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Failing to Get Medical Treatment
Some injuries take time to appear, so always see a doctor. Even if you feel fine, conditions like whiplash or internal injuries might not be obvious immediately after an accident. Seeing a doctor also creates a medical record, which is important if you need to prove your injuries later. Additionally, consulting a personal injury lawyer can be crucial in securing appropriate compensation for your medical and financial challenges.
Posting About the Accident on Social Media
Anything you post could be used to discredit your claim. Even an innocent comment or picture could be taken out of context by the other party’s insurance company. Legal professionals emphasize the importance of careful communication during the claims process, so it’s best to stay off social media until your case is resolved.
How Long Does a Car Accident Case Take?
The timeline for a case depends on different factors:
- The severity of injuries, the circumstances surrounding fault, and the insurance company’s willingness to negotiate all play a role.
- Settlements can take months to achieve. If your case goes to trial, it can take years.
- Gathering evidence early and having a local car accident lawyer in Greeley, CO handle negotiations can help move things along.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Greeley Today
If you have been hurt in a crash, you don’t have to go through this alone. At The Wilhite Law Firm, our team is ready to fight for you. Our law firm offers free consultations, and you won’t pay unless our team of lawyers win your case. Call us at 970-782-2392 today to speak with a car accident settlement lawyer and learn how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.