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Been in an Auto Accident? Take These Steps

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 17:54:42 GMT

Summertime and road trips go hand-in-hand, but not every day is picture-perfect out on the road.

Automotive accidents happen every day, but they don’t always happen to us. Despite all you’ve learned to stay safe on the roads, it can be easy to forget what to do when accidents do happen.

Whether it’s a collision, theft, vandalism, or Mother Nature (i.e. hail damage), it’s important to stay calm and treat the safety of yourself and others as first priority. If anyone involved is hurt or in need of assistance, make sure to call for emergency medical services if needed.

Before filing a claim, the following information is vital to write down and exchange at the scene of an auto accident:

Name
Phone number
Driver License number
License Plate number
Address
Insurance Provider and Policy Number
Photos of the incident itself, from multiple angles. This includes vehicles, damages, and license plates.

Now, it’s important not to admit fault and only tell your account of the incident to law enforcement and the insurance representative with which you’ll file a claim. If you’re driving someone else’s vehicle, be it a friend’s, parent’s, partner’s, or employer’s, their information should also be shared with law enforcement and the other drivers involved in the accident.

This information gives insurance companies a more detailed look at the incident, beyond a police report, and may help you get more money out of your claim. Insurance companies are, historically, less likely to offer exactly what damages actually cost. An insurer may question whether you were at fault or require more documentation than you’d expect, to pay out what you really need to restore your vehicle, your health, and in many cases, lost wages.

What many drivers forget is that it’s important to take down the names and numbers of witnesses who were not operating vehicles but may have seen the incident occur. Though eyewitnesses are often inexact in their accounts, they can provide key information to law enforcement and corroborate information set forth by the drivers involved. Not only can reinforced accounts help law enforcement officers to prevent future auto accidents in the future, but they can also increase your chances of winning a settlement and avoiding costs you shouldn’t be responsible for in the first place.

Law enforcement agencies can also provide copies of police reports filed for your particular incident, in case you’re looking to settle a claim.

If you’ve been injured in an accident or simply want to pursue a settlement for damages, medical bills, and other costs incurred, it’s beneficial to seek the advice of a licensed attorney in your area. Navigating insurance and claims isn’t a feat to tackle on your own, and the help of an experienced attorney at law can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in out-of-pocket costs.

Call Andrew T Brake, PC if you’ve been in an auto accident and make sure you’re getting the aid, assistance, and cash, you deserve.

What to Know After Being Injured in a Biking Accident

Thu, 13 May 2021 17:56:40 GMT

Cycling accidents with cars are scary — cyclists are inevitably more likely to be harmed in a car accident compared to the driver. Luckily, most bicycle accidents are mild and do not require legal attention, but if you are in a car accident it is important to stay calm and ensure you are physically and legally protected. Consequently, this article will share three things you should know after being injured in a biking accident.

Wait for the Police

The first thing to do is wait for the police to arrive, immediately after a cycling accident. Waiting for the police to arrive will allow you to be present and explain your involvement in the accident, as the police file their report. If you leave the accident scene it will make it significantly more difficult for you to identify the at-fault driver, and build a legal case. We encourage you to do everything you can to have your side of the story represented in the police report.

Document Everything

Documenting your experience is important. Make mental notes about the accident — where did it occur — weather conditions — road traffic — how it happened. Record all of these mental notes as soon as you have access to writing materials.

We encourage you to seek medical attention for your injuries, even if they are small. A lawyer will be able to use the fact you sought medical attention as proof that you were injured, and your medical record will document the extent of those injuries. It is also smart to photograph your injuries as additional documentation.

Seek Professional Legal Advice

Automobile accidents that involve a cyclist can lead to complex legal questions. For this reason, it is smart to seek professional legal advice. Consult a personal injury lawyer who understands bicycling or has handled bike accident cases in the past.  Andrew T Brake, PC  is equipped to handle your case. We encourage you to work with our team of professionals.

To schedule an appointment with our team of professionals at Andrew T Brake, PC , call today. As a small, local law firm, Andrew T Brake, PC is capable of giving specific advice that meets the specific needs of your legal case. We look forward to working with you.

Have you or someone you know been in a cycling accident? If so, what did you do? Let us know in the comments below, we want to hear from you!

Thank your for reading our blog at Andrew T Brake, PC .

The Importance of Statute of Limitations

Thu, 13 May 2021 17:53:16 GMT

After an accident, there are many actions to take. Depending on your health, your first line of action may be to see your doctor. Perhaps, your car is totaled and your focus is on finding transportation. Regardless of where your priorities lie, it’s common for people to contact a lawyer later rather than sooner. Unfortunately, this can be problematic because of the statute of limitations. Consequently, this blog will aim to explain the importance of limitations.

Purpose

Statutes of limitations are intended to protect people from false claims, and poor record-keeping. When most statutes of limitation laws were first established, victims could create a legal case decades after the initial accident. This was problematic because files were often destroyed and witnesses hard to find. Statute of limitations intended to provide justice quickly, and within a reasonable time frame from which the accident occurred.

Statue of limitation laws are intended to make personal injury cases faster and more efficient, but it’s easy for some cases to fall through the cracks. The best way to ensure your case is addressed is through early engagement.

Early Engagement

As mentioned, contacting a lawyer is likely not the first thing on your mind after an accident. While you should absolutely address your medical needs before seeking counsel, early legal engagement is the best way to ensure your case is addressed within the statute of limitations, Simply filing your case with an attorney will help keep your case relevant, and open.

Exceptions

In certain cases, the statute of limitations is flexible. Children and disabled people normally do not fall within the statute of limitations. Further, if injuries or health complications arise much later you still may have a case. Even if you believe your personal injury case is no longer relevant or within the statute of limitations, it’s smart to work with a lawyer. Find out what your options are with Andrew T Brake, PC

Work with Andrew T Brake, PC , discover what your legal options are and how they are impacted by the statute of limitation laws. Andrew T. Brake, P.C. is a full-service law firm, addressing nearly any legal problem you may have. Work with a team of experienced, qualified professionals at Andrew T. Brake, P.C. You can reach us by phone. We look forward to working with you and pursuing the justice and representation you deserve.

Thank you for reading our blog at Andrew T Brake, PC .

4 Things You Should do Before Consulting with Andrew T. Brake, P.C.

Thu, 13 May 2021 17:50:42 GMT

Andrew T Brake, PC provides a number of legal services to our clients. Since 1983, we have been representing residents in the greater Denver, Colorado area. Break Law offers a number of services to our clients: we have experience with personal injury law , medical malpractice , business law , defective products, wrongful death, insurance claims, auto accidents, and more. We are capable of representation in most legal cases. When facing a legal dilemma it is always a wise idea to contact a lawyer, but we encourage you to do four key things before consulting with Andrew T Brake, PC

Get Organized

We encourage all of our clients to get organized before consulting with our team of lawyers. Write down and outline your legal problem, along with any questions you may have. Having your case’s details in order will help Andrew T Brake, PC know how to proceed with your specific case. Further, it allows us more time to develop our argument and position, rather than wading through unnecessary paperwork.

Disclose All Information

It’s crucial that our clients are honest with us about their legal problems. While it can be difficult it’s important to disclose all information to your lawyer, regardless of your case. Attorney-client privilege keeps all communication between us confidential. Andrew T Brake, PC cannot disclose any of our conversations without your permission.

Keep Your Own Records

While Andrew T Brake, PC will keep a detailed record of your casework, we encourage you to do the same. Ensure you keep your own records for easy referral. We encourage you to ask for copies of all letters and documents prepared for your case. This is no trouble for us.

Bring All Documents

Bring all documents and prior casework to your first consultation with Andrew T. Brake, P.C. Our team of lawyers will be able to explain the purpose of your ticket and legal documents, easily when we have all of the original paperwork.

Before Consulting with Andrew T Brake, PC , get organized, be prepared to disclose all relevant case information, keep detailed records, and bring all of your prior case documentation. If you do these four things, the legal process will go much smoother with our team of professionals. For over 30 years, Andrew T Brake, PC has been dedicated to providing people with fair, just legal representation. In this time we have established ourselves as a premier law firm in the greater Denver, Colorado, area. Brake Law is a full-service law firm, addressing nearly any legal problem you may have. Work with a team of experienced, qualified professionals at Andrew T Brake, PC You can reach us by phone. We look forward to working with you and pursuing the justice and representation you deserve.

Thank you for reading our blog at Andrew T Brake, PC

Do I Have a Case?

Thu, 13 May 2021 17:27:56 GMT

First, legal issues are highly individualized – that’s why it’s important to contact an Aurora personal injury lawyer and explain the specifics of your situation. That’s the only sure way to determine if you have a case or not.

What is a Party?

Generally, people file lawsuits against another party if they have been injured (physically, emotionally or financially) as a result of that party’s actions.

A “party” can be:

An individual
A group
A company
A government

The point of a lawsuit is to seek financial compensation from that party – be it restitution for medical expenses, damages, lost wages or even compensation for emotional and/or physical suffering and trauma.

Negligence

Personal injury law is also known as tort law. Usually, you have a case if you have been injured as the result of some other party’s negligence. Negligence is the failure to act as a reasonable and careful person would under the same or similar circumstances. An example of negligence would be someone not stopping at a stop sign due to not paying attention to the signs on the side of the road.

Negligence is important in personal injury cases because it must be proven in order to win the case. If you accidentally leave your oven on and the resulting fire burns down your house, you probably don’t have a case. If, however, your oven has a manufacturing defect, or the instruction manual contained errors, or the oven was improperly installed by a professional, and that results in a house fire, then you probably do have a case.

These are simple examples to give you a general idea of what constitutes a legitimate claim. Some areas of law, such as employment discrimination and medical malpractice, are much more technical and complicated.

Only a qualified lawyer can determine if your specific situation warrants legal action. That’s why it’s important to set up a consultation as soon as possible.