Filing a personal injury claim in Aurora Colorado is a legal process that allows someone who’s been hurt by another person or business’s carelessness to seek compensation for their losses. Personal injury claims can arise from many everyday situations, such as car accidents, bicycle or pedestrian crashes, slip and fall incidents, dog bites, faulty or dangerous products, and work injuries caused by someone who isn’t your direct employer (like a subcontractor or property owner).
No matter how you were injured, if your harm was the result of someone else’s actions or failure to act, Colorado law lets you seek financial recovery for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Steps To File a Claim
Understanding the personal injury claim process in Aurora, Colorado can ease stress after an accident and help you know what will happen next. While your attorney will handle the legal and practical details, it’s comforting to have a sense of the path ahead.
1. Initial Consultation
At this first meeting, a personal injury lawyer reviews the circumstances of your injury – whether it was a car crash, bike accident, slip and fall, dog bite, or anything else. They’ll answer questions about your legal rights and outline possible next steps.
2. Investigation
Your lawyer will immediately start gathering evidence such as incident reports, photographs, witness statements, and detailed medical records. This groundwork is critical for building a convincing claim that’s supported by facts.
3. Filing The Claim
After assembling strong evidence, the law firm will file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company or directly with the court if needed. This step often includes an official demand for particular damages.
4. Negotiation
Most Colorado personal injury claims are resolved through settlement instead of a drawn-out trial. Your attorney deals directly with insurance adjusters so you don’t have to, aiming for a full, fair settlement that compensates you for all your losses.
5. Litigation (If Necessary)
If settlement isn’t possible, your case might go to a court, where a judge or jury decides on compensation. Your attorney takes care of filings, appearances, and advocacy in the courtroom so the process isn’t overwhelming or confusing.
Although the system can be complicated, a skilled Colorado personal injury lawyer makes the journey as smooth as possible so you always know what’s happening and what to expect next.
Make Sure You Understand The Statute of Limitations
In Colorado, it’s important to know there are strict time limits for filing a personal injury claim, known as the statute of limitations. For some personal injury cases, like slip and falls and dog bites, you usually have just two years from the date of the injury to start your claim.
(1) The following civil actions, regardless of the theory upon which suit is brought, or against whom suit is brought, must be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrues, and not thereafter:
(a) Tort actions, including but not limited to actions for negligence, trespass, malicious abuse of process, malicious prosecution, outrageous conduct, interference with relationships, and tortious breach of contract; except that this paragraph (a) does not apply to any tort action arising out of the use or operation of a motor vehicle as set forth in section 13-80-101 (1)(n);
However, for injuries from car, motorcycle, or other motor-vehicle collisions, the deadline is typically three years. There can also be exceptions that shorten or extend these deadlines.
For example, if your case involves a government entity, the window to take action can be as short as 180 days. On the other hand, some claims may be extended, like if the injured party is a minor.
Because these technical details can seriously affect your right to recover compensation, you should always reach out to an experienced legal team as soon as possible. We offer free consultations and can make sure your claim is on track from the start. Contact us today to learn more about your options (720) 812-1047.