Grand Junction Injured Passenger Lawyers

How We Protect Injured Passengers in Colorado

Whether you are a passenger on public transport, in a taxi, or in a privately owned vehicle such as a van, car, or motorcycle, you may be able to make a personal injury claim if you are injured due to someone else's negligence or reckless driving.

There is a lot to sort out following a serious auto accident, including who was at fault. Police file a report, but insurance companies often conduct their own investigation and make their own conclusions, which do not always match the police report—or have your best interests in mind.

The legal team at Veritas in Grand Junction protects the rights of injured passengers. Our injured passenger lawyers and staff will take care of every aspect of your legal claim to remove the stress and anxiety involved, so you can focus on recovering from the injuries you have wrongfully suffered.

Work with our experienced and compassionate legal team—call (970) 292-7171 to set up a free initial consultation.

Who Is at Fault?

If you or someone you know has been involved in an automotive accident as a passenger, this can be a confusing time. Your situation is further complicated when insurance companies cannot agree or determine which driver is liable for the accident.

The first issue that insurance companies will address is which party was at fault. Insurance companies will launch an investigation to determine guilt by working with the police reports, taking statements from parties involved, and speaking to witnesses who saw the accident.

Filing a Claim Against the Other Driver's Insurance

If the other driver is found at fault, the passenger can then pursue a claim against that driver's insurance coverage. Guilt applies even if the other driver was less at fault than the driver you were riding with. You still have the right to collect compensation from the other driver because that driver shared in liability. However, the amount of compensation a passenger can receive is no more than the overall value of the claim.

Filing a Claim Against the Driver

If the driver was at fault, you have a legal right to file a claim against the driver's insurance. This allows you to receive financial compensation for injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Liability coverage usually comes with limits per person.

Some unique rules may be applicable if the driver is related to you. The insurance policy may not cover injured family members because the claim would be covering its own driver. Most insured drivers can't file a claim against their own liability coverage.

What Remedies Might Be Available?

Many passengers who are injured in car accidents do not realize they can file a personal injury claim, but you can—even if the driver of the vehicle you were riding in was at fault. Some people feel uncomfortable filing a claim against a friend or family member's insurance company, but the reality is that is what insurance policies are for. Plus, you deserve compensation to aid with your recovery.

Even minor injuries can result in expensive medical bills. If your injuries are severe enough, you may not be able to return to work immediately or at all, so you will require compensation that covers your lost wages. Plus, you may require physical and/or mental therapy, which can be ongoing and costly.

Under Colorado law, you may be able to recover:

• Economic damages: This will cover your medical costs, rehabilitation, loss of income, and diminished earning capacity.
• Non-economic damages: These damages compensate you for the impairment of a normal lifestyle, mental anguish, and physical pain and suffering.

If the at-fault driver was uninsured or under insured, we will pursue all alternatives, including recovering compensation from the driver of the vehicle in which you were riding, or collecting from your own automobile insurance provider.

For clients who do not have adequate health insurance, our office can work with physicians to determine whether they will provide care for you on a lien basis. This means the medical bills will be held by the physician and paid out of settlement proceeds.

Send us a message online or call (970) 292-7171 to schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys. For our clients' convenience, we have offices in Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, Montrose, and Aspen.

Are you reeling from your passenger accident and need someone to turn to for legal counsel? We offer a free consultation in which we can review the facts of your passenger injury case and recommend the best steps to take. The initial consultation comes with no obligation, so the decision to work with our Veritas attorneys is entirely up to you. If you do choose to partner with us for your injured passenger case, we promise to provide personalized and compassionate representation with the goal of winning you the maximum compensation possible. Even if your injuries result in permanent, life-altering consequences, we will set you up for life.