How Do I Get the Most Compensation for a Car Accident?

Working with car crash compensation lawyers can significantly improve your chances of a fair settlement. Still, it is just as important to understand the process and know what steps you can take to maximize your recovery.

There can often be a difference between how much someone should recover for their damages and how much they actually receive. They could have accepted a deal from an insurance company too quickly, underestimated the full value of their damages, or overlooked any number of other factors that ended up affecting their claim.

What matters most is understanding your rights, how compensation is calculated, and what it takes to negotiate effectively with insurance companies. With this information, you can decide whether to take your claim on yourself or work with an experienced and resourceful Denver car accident attorney who will pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.

The award-winning attorneys at Burg Simpson have recovered over $2 billion for our clients. Call us today at 303-792-5595 or contact us online to get started with a FREE case evaluation to discuss the details of your claim. Our car crash compensation lawyers serve clients in Denver, Englewood, and throughout Colorado.

How Much Are Most Car Accident Settlements?

Every car accident settlement is different. There is no standard amount that they are worth. Instead, each case needs to be examined independently to determine how much compensation an accident victim should receive.

As such, averages are not very helpful. A car accident resulting in minor injuries may be worth $10,000, while an accident involving a more serious injury, such as a spinal cord injury, could be worth millions of dollars.

How Do You Calculate Fair Compensation?

What matters is that you understand how compensation is calculated. Your settlement should reflect the impact of the accident and your injuries on your life. Factors that must be considered include:

• Medical expenses (past & future)
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property damage
• Out-of-pocket costs
• Pain & suffering
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Permanent disability or impairment
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

We strongly recommend speaking with car crash compensation lawyers about the details of the accident and its effect on your life to make sure you are pursuing the maximum compensation available to you.

What Is the Maximum You Can Sue for After a Car Accident?

In Colorado, there is no cap on the amount you can recover for economic damages, which include medical bills, lost income, property damage, etc. However, your total recovery may still be limited by the amount of available insurance coverage.

Non-economic damages (e.g., pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life) are subject to statutory caps under Colorado law. For claims filed before January 1, 2025, damages were generally capped at $250,000, but could be increased to $500,000 with “clear and convincing evidence.” For claims filed on or after, the cap has been increased to $1,500,000, with adjustments for inflation beginning January 1, 2028, and every 2 years after. 

Wrongful death claims have a separate cap of $2,125,000 for filings on or after January 1, 2025, which will also be adjusted for inflation beginning in 2028.

Punitive damages are also capped in Colorado and are only awarded in rare cases involving “willful and wanton conduct.” They cannot exceed an amount equal to the economic damages awarded, though the court may decide to increase them up to 3 times that in cases of repeated or continued misconduct.

Read More: How Much Can Someone Sue for a Car Accident in Colorado?

How to Get the Most Compensation from a Car Accident

Maximizing your compensation starts with making sure you take some important steps immediately following the accident. These include:

• Receiving immediate medical attention: If you delay, it may make it harder to prove the connection between the accident and your injuries. It may also make your injuries seem less serious.
• Collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses: Proving how the other party was responsible is key to establishing liability. That starts with gathering good information and, if possible, speaking with others who saw the accident take place.
• Never accepting a low-ball settlement offer: If the insurance company knows you have a strong claim, they are more likely to offer a settlement; however, this initial offer tends to be far less than what you actually deserve. Before accepting a settlement, you should first make sure you understand the total cost of your damages.
• Be cautious with insurance company requests: Insurance companies will try to find inconsistencies in your claim in an effort to discredit you. To do so, they may ask for a recorded statement or access to your medical records. Do not comply with these requests. Instead, have an attorney handle communications on your behalf.

We highly recommend working with experienced car crash compensation lawyers who can guide you through the process, handle the heavy lifting, and make sure you pursue the full compensation you need and deserve for your damages.

Is It Worth It to Hire Car Crash Compensation Lawyers?

While it may seem feasible to handle your claim on your own, doing so can be far more difficult than you realize, unless the accident involved only minor damages.

The reasons for this are:

• The stakes are high; this is your only chance to recover the compensation you need and deserve for your damages.
• Insurance companies will often put up a strong defense, especially in high-value claims.
• The process requires significant work, and you should be focused on getting better.

No law states you must work with an attorney, but a good one can help maximize your compensation by:

• Preparing your claim, including collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, recruiting experts to testify on your behalf, and more
• Calculating the full amount of compensation you deserve and thoroughly documenting the reasoning for it
• Handling all communication with insurance companies and negotiating a fair settlement offer
• Taking your claim to court if the insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith

The assistance and support you receive will put you in a strong position.

What Are Most Lawyer Fees for a Car Crash?

Most personal injury lawyers charge on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only bill clients if and when they recover compensation on their behalf. If they do recover compensation, their fees are typically a percentage of the total amount (usually around 30-40%).

Make sure you discuss these details with any attorney you meet with to ensure they follow a similar structure. If they require payment for a consultation or bill you before recovering compensation, we recommend going with someone else.

How Can the Attorneys at Burg Simpson Help?

At Burg Simpson, we have been representing accident victims for more than 45 years. This experience gives us the knowledge, resources, and confidence to provide our clients with the legal guidance they need and deserve.

We handle car accident claims from investigation to litigation or settlement, always staying focused on how we can maximize our clients’ compensation to ensure they are treated fairly and their rights are fully protected.

Unfortunately, insurance companies are not on your side. Our goal is to hold them accountable while making the process as simple as possible for you.

Contact Our Car Crash Compensation Lawyers Today!

If you have been involved in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, time is of the essence. The quicker we can begin investigating and building your claim, the better our chance of presenting the strongest case possible.

Contact Burg Simpson online today or call us at 303-792-5595 to schedule your FREE consultation. Our car crash compensation lawyers are here to fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve.