If you live in Boulder, a small city, you know the streets here can get busy, even though it’s not a giant city. The roads are packed during morning and evening rush hours. A lot of people bike everywhere, and you see cars mixed with bikes and buses all the time.
When there’s snow or ice in winter, even the careful drivers sometimes slide at intersections. So, accidents are not rare here. It’s more like, every year, families here are dealing with car wrecks and then the stress of fighting with insurance companies about what is fair.
You know, insurance companies don’t really care that Boulder has unique roads or that the driver might be from Denver or Texas or somewhere else. They just want to close the case and pay as little as possible. That’s why a lot of people say it’s smart to get the best Boulder personal injury attorney if the claim gets complicated.
How Claims Work in Boulder, Colorado
Car accidents are the most common reason people file claims in Colorado, and in Boulder especially. In 2022, nearly three dozen people died in car accidents just in Boulder County. Add to that almost 19,000 incidents in the last ten years, and you can see how many people deal with claims here.
When you file a claim, you need to know what kind of insurance the other driver has. Do they have liability coverage? Do they even have insurance at all? You must collect their info at the scene, or else you’re stuck later.
In Colorado, you can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. You can also use your own insurance if you have MedPay, uninsured motorist, or underinsured motorist coverage. That way, even if the other driver has no insurance or not enough, you’re not left paying out of pocket.
Navigating the Insurance Claims Process After an Accident
If you find yourself having to face the insurance process in Boulder, you need to keep the following in mind:
Understand Colorado’s At-Fault System
Colorado is an at-fault state. That means whoever caused the accident pays. Their insurance covers the damages. However, the coverage has limits. Colorado drivers only must carry $25,000 for each person injured, $50,000 total per crash, and $15,000 for property damage.
If your hospital bills are $80,000, but the driver only had the minimum coverage, their insurance stops at $25,000. That’s it. Unless you have underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy, you’re stuck. This is why insurance claims in Boulder can get so frustrating.
How to Deal with the Adjuster
After you file, the insurance company assigns an adjuster. Their job is to save the company money, not to help you. They may call you and ask for a recorded statement. Be careful. They’re trained to get you to say things that make your case weaker.
For example, if you say you feel fine now on the phone, they’ll use that to argue your injuries aren’t serious. If they ask about medical history and you mention a past injury, they might blame your pain on that instead of the crash.
That’s why you should only give them the basics and stick to the truth.
How to Negotiate with the Insurance Company
Negotiating is basically pushing back politely with proof. You don’t need to yell or argue. You just say, “Here are my medical records, here’s proof of lost work, and here’s why your offer isn’t enough.”
If they offer $17,000 and your real losses are $35,000, you don’t have to accept. You keep showing your proof and rejecting until they move closer. Sometimes they won’t, and that’s when you think about getting legal help.
When to Call a Lawyer
If the claim is small, you can probably handle it yourself. But if it’s serious, that’s when it helps to have a lawyer. Especially in Boulder, where cases sometimes involve out-of-state drivers or complex bike-and-car crashes.
A lawyer knows how to negotiate better, how to file lawsuits if needed, and how to stop adjusters from intimidating you. And if the insurance company is acting in bad faith, for example, delaying on purpose or denying without reason, a lawyer can even sue them for that.
Common Mistakes People Make
A lot of Boulder drivers mess up their claims without even realizing it. The biggest mistakes are:
- Waiting too long to see a doctor.
- Giving a recorded statement too soon.
- Accepting the first settlement offer.
- Not telling their own insurance company.
- Posting about the accident on Instagram or Facebook.
Key Takeaways
- At-Fault System: The person who caused the accident pays, but their insurance might not cover all your costs.
- Insurance Minimums: Colorado drivers only need basic coverage, which might not be enough to cover your medical bills if they’re high.
- Be Careful with Adjusters: Insurance adjusters aim to save money, so be careful what you say. Stick to the basics.
- Know When to Get a Lawyer: If the accident is serious or if insurance is being difficult, get a lawyer to help you navigate the process.
