FINDING A NEW NORMAL AFTER A SERIOUS MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
motor vehicle accident cases
At Hailey | Hart, we are more than just lawyers. We are Your Ally and Your Advocate. Our firm is built on a foundation of compassion and commitment to helping you find your new normal. The road to recovery is not just about legal claims – it's about restoring your life and well-being.
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Recent results
$1,100,000
AUTOMOBILE COLLISION
$1,350,000
TRUCK COLLISION
$1,000,000
TRUCK COLLISION
$7,600,000
AUTOMOBILE COLLISION
- Sedans and other family cars;
- Commercial trucks;
- Motorcycles;
- Rideshares;
- Scooters;
- Bicycles;
- Pedestrians; and
- Self-driving vehicles
NAVIGATING THE AFTERMATH OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS
EXPLORE THESE ACCIDENT TYPES
No matter what the circumstances are behind your crash, our experienced motor vehicle accident lawyers are here to guide you through the claims process, negotiate a settlement with insurance companies or take your case all the way to trial. We will advocate on your behalf so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
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WHAT TO KNOW AFTER AN ACCIDENT
What should I do if I've been in a car accident?
Gather insurance information from the other parties involved;
- Safely take pictures of the scene;
- Gather contact information from witnesses;
- Keep records of medical treatment and expenses; and
- Keep the documentation related to property damages.
DO I NEED A LAWYER AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT, OR CAN I HANDLE THE CLAIM MYSELF?
Not every crash requires a lawyer, but many people benefit from speaking with one early. The question isn’t whether you must hire a lawyer, but whether doing so will protect your rights, preserve important evidence, and maximize your net recovery.
Insurance companies handle thousands of claims a day. They are trained to minimize payouts and get statements that limit liability. A lawyer levels the playing field, gains the insurance company’s attention, and protects you from mistakes that cannot be undone later.
When you may not need a lawyer is when the collision is minor and liability is clear; your injuries are minor and typical of a car crash; and your treatment course is relatively short. In those cases, you may simply report the crash, submit repair estimate, provide your medical records and bills, and negotiate your own settlement.
You will want to speak with a lawyer if you have serious injuries, ongoing pain, functional limitations, lost time from work, medical treatment that spans beyond a few months, and/or a liability dispute. You should contact an attorney to talk through whether or not a lawyer can add value to your claim under these circumstances. In these situations, the value is typically optimized by engaging an attorney who knows how to document your injuries, report functional limitations, engage the appropriate experts, and gather the right evidence to maximize value. Lawyers are skilled at negotiating settlements in higher value cases.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO FILE A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT CLAIM IN COLORADO?
The statute of limitations for motor vehicle accident claims in Colorado is 3 years from the date of the accident.
The three-year period is set by Colorado law and applies to most car crash injury and damages claims. If you do not file your case in the appropriate judicial venue (i.e. the correct court district) within three years, then you will be barred from recovering from the liable parties. That’s why it’s important to file before the deadline expires.
Minor children car crash claims toll (are frozen) until the minor reaches the age of majority (18). On the date they turn 18, the statute of limitations starts to accrue and will run 3 years from the date of the minor’s 18th birthday (on the minor’s 21st birthday).
Claims involving a governmental entity have different statute of limitation periods and notice requirements which are nuanced and complex. Contact our firm to understand your rights relating to any accidents involving a governmental entity.
WHAT SHOULD I TELL THE INSURANCE COMPANY ABOUT MY CAR ACCIDENT?
If you were involved in an accident and were hurt, we suggest that you consult with an attorney before speaking to the involved insurance companies. We are here to help.
WHAT IF THE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT WAS MY FAULT AND I WAS PARTLY TO BLAME?
on working with elizabeth:
"Ms. Hart and her staff exceeded my expectations! I was apprehensive in seeking an attorney to represent me and am beyond grateful that I did and for the conscientious care that she devoted to my case. I sincerely appreciate Ms. Hart's genuine compassion, professionalism, confidence and knowledge."
- C.H.
on working with randy:
"Randy is an outstanding attorney who did an excellent job handling my personal injury case. He is highly experience and was very realistic in outlining how the case would proceed and what the likely outcomes would be."
- Sue
on working with randy:
"Randy is able to quickly assess a complicated legal situation and describe the pros and cons of the most advantageous method of constructively engaging a difficult situation. His work on our behalf was very efficient and positive given the extremely complicated nature of the situation."
- Royal
on working with elizabeth:
"I was the victim in a car accident while pregnant and I couldn’t have had a better lawyer to help me through the process. She was there for me during all my court proceedings, handled the details behind the scenes so I didn’t have to worry about them, and even located a medical professional who specializes in cases like mine to provide necessary information on my injuries."
- J.J.
on working with Melissa:
"I can't begin to say enough about the professional integrity, work ethic, and legal aptitude of Melissa Hailey. She recently handled an emotional case for me related to a house fire involving a large insurance company. She dealt with it with exceptional legal skill and tenacity, all the while constantly being aware and taking into account my personal well-being. Her mastery of an overwhelmingly complex set of circumstances was above reproach."