Getting the right compensation for your injuries after a serious car wreck is a priority. You will have to demonstrate that the other driver was responsible for the accident in order to successfully get that compensation through a personal injury claim. You know that the other driver was responsible for the accident, but proving fault requires more than just your account of the collision.
Insurance companies are often eager to shift blame to avoid paying out for injuries. As an injury victim, you need a compelling argument. Here is some helpful information for creating and supporting your claim.
Check the police report
Colorado police do not always report to car accident scenes. However, if an officer came to the scene of your wreck, then he or she probably filed an official report. An accident report can include information like:
- Injuries
- Tickets or citations
- Evidence of speeding
You can use the information and evidence contained within the police report to support your claim. Your own insurance company will probably need a copy of the police report, too. It is likely that your insurance company will not issue a car accident liability report until they receive a copy of the report. Having both a police report and your own insurance’s liability report should provide compelling support for your side of the story.
Amend information as needed
Police officers are only human, so mistakes are possible. When you are reviewing the police report, you may notice factual errors that are easily fixed. These kinds of errors include things like incorrect insurance or vehicle information. Unfortunately, some errors are harder to amend than others.
For example, if the officer who responded to the scene wrongly attributed fault to you instead of the other driver, getting that fixed can be difficult. In this situation, you can directly contact the department and ask about the procedure for disputing information in a police report. Most police departments will allow you to add your own statement to the report, although each department in Colorado will have its own procedure.
You are not alone
The period of time following a car wreck can be overwhelming and confusing. You may be dealing with injuries, insurance companies and vehicle damages all at the same time. What you should be doing is focusing on your recovery, and you cannot do that without the right help.
This means that you need the right compensation for your injuries. Pursuing a personal injury claim can be an effective approach for doing that. Proving fault is an essential part of successfully achieving compensation. Instead of letting insurance companies try to bully you into accepting a low offer or convince you that the other driver was not at fault, you should seek guidance from an experienced attorney. He or she can explain your rights in these situations and provide invaluable guidance throughout the process.
