Personal Injury FAQ
Answers you can trust from Colorado Springs attorney Stephen A. Longo
Knowing what to do after a personal injury accident can be confusing. You probably have a lot of important questions. Knowing where to find accurate information can sometimes be a challenge. That’s why it’s critical that you talk with someone familiar with these types of cases and who truly understands how the legal system works in your state.
You can trust The Longo Firm, LLC to provide you with detailed information about the legal options available to you. Colorado Springs attorney Stephen A. Longo has extensive experience dealing with these types of cases. As a result, he’s familiar with the laws governing personal injury accidents and knows exactly what to do in such situations.
Below, you can find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about personal injury claims. If you don’t see your specific question listed below, don’t worry. We can personally answer your question during your free case evaluation. If you do see your question below, we still encourage you to contact us right away. Every case is different. That’s why we never take a one-size-fits-all approach. You can count on us to personally handle your case with the attention your injury deserves. We’re here for you when it matters most.
What is your question?
- What does a personal injury lawyer do?
- How do I know if I have a case?
- How soon should I contact a personal injury lawyer?
- Who’s responsible for paying for my accident?
- What can I be compensated for?
- How much is my case worth?
- Can I ask for more money?
- Is there a deadline for taking legal action?
- Why should I hire a lawyer?
- Why should I hire The Longo Firm, LLC?
What does a personal injury lawyer do?
A personal injury attorney represents someone injured in an accident due to someone else’s reckless or negligent behavior. Such lawyers make sure their clients fully understand their rights and work with them to obtain the maximum financial compensation for their accident-related expenses. This is why it’s important to carefully consider which attorney you hire to represent you after your injury accident.
How do I know if I have a case?
The best way to know if you have a personal injury case is to talk with an experienced attorney familiar with these types of cases in your state. A lawyer can review the details of your potential legal case, then explain all the options available to you. Often, a personal injury lawyer will provide such an analysis free of charge during a free case evaluation. That way, you don’t have to pay any money up front after your accident.
How soon should I contact a personal injury lawyer?
The sooner you contact a lawyer after your accident, the better. Keep in mind that the person who caused your accident and their insurance company have probably already started conducting an investigation into your accident. Insurance companies for the at-fault party (the person or company that caused your accident) also often hire attorneys to work with them after a serious accident. By having your own lawyer on your side, you can level the playing field and demand the compensation you deserve for your accident-related expenses.
Who’s responsible for paying for my accident?
Many states, including Colorado, have what’s known as a fault-based insurance system. This simply means that the at-faulty party is ultimately responsible for financially compensating all injury victims. The at-fault party can be many different people or businesses, including the owner of the property where your accident took place or the owner of the dog that attacked you. In addition, the insurance companies for the at-fault party might ultimately be responsible for paying for your accident-related expenses. This is why you should talk to a lawyer who can investigate your accident and determine who’s ultimately responsible for compensating you.
What can I be compensated for?
You deserve to be financially compensated for all your accident-related expenses. However, it’s important to realize that such expenses might be more than just short-term medical expenses related to emergency medical care. If you cannot work for several months or even longer and need additional medical treatment in the future, you should be compensated for all of these expenses and your lost income. That’s why it’s important to consult with a lawyer who can accurately estimate exactly how much your injury claim could potentially be worth.
There’s no set dollar amount when it comes to personal injury claims. Each one is unique. Sometimes, certain claims are worth a few thousand dollars. Other times, that figure can be significantly higher. The bottom line is you should be compensated for all past, present and future accident-related expenses. Remember, you didn’t do anything to cause your injury. You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s reckless or negligent behavior.
Many times, the insurance company for the at-fault party will make a settlement offer soon after your accident. While such an offer might seem tempting, it’s important to realize that many initial settlement offers often don’t come close to covering all your accident-related expenses. When this happens, you can – and should – ask for more money. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced attorney who knows how to negotiate effectively with insurance companies and who can demand additional money for you after your accident.
Is there a deadline for taking legal action?
Yes. In many cases, you only have a limited amount of time to take legal action after a serious accident. In the case of personal injury claims, most states have what is known as a statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit or taking other legal action. In Colorado, that deadline is three years from the date of your accident. If you miss that deadline, you could miss out on your only opportunity to obtain all the money you deserve for your accident.
When you have an attorney on your side after your accident, you can dictate what happens next. Instead of insurance companies, their lawyers or anyone else telling you what to do, your lawyer can make sure your accident gets the attention it rightfully deserves. The key to success in such cases often involves your attorney conducting an in-depth investigation into exactly what happened. That way, you will have evidence in support of your injury claim. Your lawyer can then present such evidence when negotiating a settlement offer on your behalf. If the insurance company refuses to negotiate, your attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf. The possibilities are endless when you have a highly skilled lawyer fighting for your rights.
Why should I hire The Longo Firm, LLC?
There’s no substitute for experience. This is especially true when it comes to the lawyer you choose to handle your personal injury claim. You need an attorney who understands how the legal system works. You need someone who’s not afraid to take a stand for you. You need someone who will go above and beyond in order to build the strongest possible legal case.
We believe our law firm will exceed your expectations. In case after case, we consistently obtain sizable settlements and verdicts for injury victims and their families. But it’s not just about the case results we secure for clients. It’s our approach which we believe sets our law firm apart from others.
You’ll notice the difference the first time you contact us. Attorney Longo will personally answer your call or respond right away. If you have a question, you can call him directly anytime on his personal phone. It’s no wonder we routinely get rave reviews and positive testimonials from clients. We believe we should be accessible on your terms. We believe your best interests should always come first.