Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer Who Gets Results
Your best interests always come first at our law firm after your injury
Dealing with a car accident injury caused by another driver can be overwhelming. You need proper medical care. But you also often have many other issues that need to be addressed right away. How will you pay your bills? Who pays for car accident compensation? How much is your injury claim worth? This is why it’s important to have an experienced car accident attorney on your side, fighting for your rights.
"After my car accident Stephen worked hard on my case, and with true integrity. He answered all my question and helped me to feel a little more at ease. I highly recommend The Longo firm and am glad I chose them to represent me." – Amy R.
Average Google rating: 4.9/5 stars, 89 reviews
Knowing what to do when faced with such questions after a bad car accident can be confusing. Even knowing where to turn for answers or help might not be clear. Fortunately, you’re not alone. We can work with you every step of the way and demand the money you rightfully deserve.
Case Result: $525,000 policy limits recovered for a car accident
Colorado Springs car accident attorney Stephen A. Longo and his talented legal team at The Longo Firm, LLC have the knowledge and the resources you need to succeed after your accident. We know what to do because we have been helping injury victims and their families for years. When you hire us, you can be confident we will thoroughly investigate and explore every opportunity available to you. You can count on us in a crisis.
FAQs about Colorado car accidents
- What should I do if the other driver's insurance company contacts me?
- What are my options after my crash?
- Who investigates car accidents?
- What evidence do investigators use to determine who was at fault?
- Who determines who was at fault?
- What are common causes of car accidents?
- Who can I sue after my crash?
- How much time do I have to file a lawsuit?
- How much is my accident claim worth?
- What can I be compensated for?
- Can I ask for more money?
- Should I accept a settlement offer?
- How can a lawyer help me after my accident?
What should I do if the other driver’s insurance company contacts me?
Don’t be surprised if the at-fault driver’s insurance company contacts you soon after your accident. Their questions might seem straightforward and simple, but they’re probably searching for information they can use to reduce or deny your claim. That’s why you should not talk to the other driver’s insurance company if they contact you after your accident. In fact, you do not legally have to talk to them, no matter what they say. If they want more information about your accident, simply tell them to talk to your lawyer.
What are my options after my crash?
If another driver clearly caused your accident, there are often several options available to you in order to obtain the financial compensation you deserve. In each case, you will likely need to deal with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
The most common options when dealing with the other driver’s insurance company include:
- Accept a settlement offer to resolve your case.
- Ask for more money and negotiate a better settlement offer.
- File a car accident lawsuit or take other legal action.
Whichever option you decide to pursue, an experienced car accident lawyer can help you deal with the other driver’s insurance company. Knowledgeable attorneys know how to negotiate effectively and can advise you on which course of action makes the most sense based on the specific circumstances surrounding your case.
Who investigates car accidents?
Several people and companies often investigate why your accident happened. The local or state police officer that responded to your accident is often the first one to investigate your crash. The investigating police officer will then fill out an official accident report. That report is then often used by insurance companies as part of their investigation. Along with insurance companies, you should have your own lawyer conducting an independent investigation as well. That way, you can make sure the facts about your case are properly presented in support of your injury claim.
What evidence do investigators use to determine who was at fault?
Investigators, especially ones working for insurance companies, often use a wide range of evidence when determining who was at fault for causing an accident. The official police report for your accident often serves as an important piece of evidence. Insurance investigators also often visit the crash site in search of clues. Another important part of an investigation involves reviewing or gathering statements from yourself, the other driver, any passengers or witnesses.
Who determines who was at fault?
Many states, including Colorado, have a fault-based insurance system. That means the at-fault party is responsible for compensating injury victims for their accident-related expenses. This is important since insurance companies are often the ones that determine who was at fault after an accident. However, it’s important to keep in mind that insurance companies often have a financial interest in who is at fault. That’s because they may be responsible for paying for everyone’s accident expenses if their policyholder is found to be at fault.
What are common causes of car accidents?
Accidents caused by other drivers often occur because the at-fault driver was behaving in a reckless or negligent manner. Some of the most common causes include:
- Distracted driving, which can include many different types of distractions, from looking up directions while driving, eating while driving or adjusting the radio. In particular, distracted drivers are frequently involved in rear-end accidents because they’re not paying attention.
- Texting while driving, which is one of the most common types of distracted driving, even though drivers cannot legally text in Colorado and many other states.
- Aggressive or reckless driving, which can cover a wide range of activities, from running a red light, tailgating to weaving in and out of traffic.
- Tired drivers who fall asleep at the wheel and crash into other vehicles, especially on rural roads where tired drivers sometimes veer into oncoming traffic and cause a head-on collision.
- Speeding, which remains one of the leading causes of car accidents nationwide.
- Drinking and driving or driving under the influence of drugs, including marijuana.
Every case presents its own distinct challenges. The circumstances surrounding each one are often unique. That’s why it’s critical that you have an experienced Colorado Springs car accident attorney on your side, thoroughly investigating your crash in search of evidence in support of your claim.
Who can I sue after my crash?
Sometimes, the best way to get the money you deserve for your accident-related expenses is to file a lawsuit or take other legal action. If you decide to take this route, there may be several different people or companies you can take legal action against, including:
- The at-fault driver.
- The bar, restaurant, liquor store or cannabis dispensary that sold alcohol or marijuana to the driver who caused your accident, especially if the driver was clearly under the influence when they bought drugs or alcohol, then caused your accident. In such cases, you may be able to file what’s known as a “dram shop” claim.
Keep in mind you only have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit or take other legal action.
How much time do I have to file a lawsuit?
Most states have strict deadlines for taking legal action after a car accident. These deadlines are known as the statute of limitations. In Colorado, victims have three years from the date of their car accident to take legal action.
Three years might seem like a long time, but if you wait too long to file a lawsuit, the evidence you need to build a strong legal case might no longer exist. Eyewitnesses might move away or forget what happened. Debris can get lost or destroyed. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to demand the money you deserve. Talk to a lawyer right away.
How much is my accident claim worth?
There’s no set dollar amount when it comes to car accident claims. Similar accidents might be worth significantly more depending on a wide range of factors, including the severity of someone’s injury and the length of their recovery. The bottom line is injury victims should be financially compensated for all their accident-related expenses. As a result, your claim could be worth thousands of dollars or perhaps significantly more. The best way to know the true value of your claim is to talk with a lawyer with experience obtaining sizable settlements and verdicts for injury victims. Case results matter.
What can I be compensated for?
The bottom line is you should be paid for all your accident-related expenses. Even if such expenses occur years from now, you should be financially compensated. Such past and future expenses often include:
- Pain and suffering.
- Emergency medical care.
- Ambulance fees.
- Surgical procedures.
- Diagnostic medical tests, including X-Rays and MRIs.
- Follow-up surgical procedures.
- Physical therapy for chronic pain or other medical conditions.
- Full compensation to repair or replace your vehicle.
- Replacement income if you need time to recover and cannot work.
- Lost future income if you cannot return to work due to a permanent disability.
Expenses can add up fast after an accident. This is especially true if you cannot work for several weeks or months while you recover from your injuries. This is why it’s critical that you talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney can help you understand how much your claim may be worth, then work with you to obtain the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Can I ask for more money?
Just because an insurance company makes a lowball settlement offer does not mean you have to accept it. You have the right to ask for more money for your accident. Insurance companies might give you a hard time and insist their first offer is their best offer, but many insurance companies are willing to negotiate. You often simply need an experienced lawyer who knows how to negotiate effectively and who can demand the money you rightfully deserve.
Should I accept a settlement offer?
In many cases, the insurance company for the at-fault driver will contact you soon after your accident and make a settlement offer. While it might be tempting to accept such an offer, it’s important to carefully consider the pros and cons before giving them an answer.
The reality is such offers often only include money for expenses immediately after your crash. Such settlement offers rarely take into account additional bills (particularly for medical expenses) and loss of income if you cannot work in the future due to your injury.
What you might not realize, as well, is if you agree to accept a settlement offer, you cannot go back and ask for more money in the future, even if your accident-related expenses increase significantly. This is why it’s important to discuss any settlement offer with an attorney before making such an important decision.
How can a lawyer help me after my accident?
Car accident claims often present many different legal challenges. When you have an experienced attorney on your side, you can deal with them in an effective legal manner. Your lawyer can also make sure your case receives the attention it rightfully deserves. Many times, insurance companies will try to downplay the seriousness of your injuries. They do this because they’re hoping they can pay you as little as possible. When you have an aggressive attorney on your side after your accident, you can demand the money you rightfully deserve. You can dictate what happens next. You are in charge.
Why should I choose The Longo Firm?
Many law firms might seem the same. We believe we stand out for many reasons when it comes to handling your accident claim. Such reasons include:
- Our personalized approach – We never take a one-size-fits-all attitude when it comes to injury cases. We develop a strategy that suits your specific needs.
- Our accessibility – We are available when you need us on your terms. If you need to speak with attorney Longo, you can call him directly on his personal phone.
- Our attention to detail – We carefully investigate, including reviewing your official accident report.
- Our negotiating skills – Insurance companies don’t intimidate us. We know how to negotiate effectively with them and can demand the maximum financial compensation on your behalf.
- Our courtroom skills – If insurance companies or anyone else responsible for compensating you refuses to negotiate in good faith, we will not hesitate to file a lawsuit on your behalf for the money you deserve.
- Our drive to win – Your case is about more than just money. It’s about holding whoever’s responsible for your accident accountable for their actions.
There’s a reason why people regularly choose our law firm to represent them after a serious accident. We get what’s at stake. We understand the seriousness of your case. Don’t just take our word for it. Read our testimonials. Review our case results. We’re the law firm you want when you need us most.
Demand justice after your accident. Contact our law firm.
Learn more about how we can help you. Contact our law firm and schedule your free case evaluation with Colorado Springs car accident attorney Longo. He can answer your questions, explain your options and outline which legal strategy makes the most sense based on your specific circumstances.
Schedule an appointment with a skilled car accident lawyer at The Longo Firm today. We would be honored to represent you and to have the opportunity to earn your trust.