By: Adam Smestad, Black Blink & Associates, 719-328-1616
One of the most common things I hear from potential clients is:
“I don’t think my injuries are serious enough to justify hiring a lawyer.”
Sometimes it’s persistent neck pain, or soreness in your shoulder or back, or even a headache that started a few days after the crash.
Often people brush these symptoms off as minor inconveniences, and don’t consider their legal rights relating to these issues.
Or they feel guilty even considering a personal injury claim because they are not looking to “get rich.”
The truth is, that’s not what personal injury law is about.
It’s about your rights.
You Don’t Have to Be Seriously Injured to Have a Valid Claim
Under Colorado law, if someone else’s negligence causes injury to your person or property, you have the right to seek compensation for the damages you suffer.
The law does not say your injury must require surgery.
The law does not say you must have broken bones.
The law does not say you must be permanently disabled.
If another driver’s negligence caused you physical injury, you may have a claim.
The real question is not whether your injury is “bad enough.”
The question is whether someone else’s carelessness caused harm.
Minor Injuries Don’t Always Stay Minor
One reason I encourage people to take even seemingly minor injuries seriously is because many injuries evolve over time.
Adrenaline is powerful. After a crash, your body is focused on survival. It is very common for people to walk away from an accident thinking they are fine, only to develop symptoms hours or days later.
Symptoms like:
- Neck pain.
- Back pain.
- Headaches.
- Numbness or tingling.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Reduced range of motion.
What feels like a minor ache today can become a much bigger problem in the weeks that follow.
I’ve seen people who initially declined treatment because they “felt okay” later discover they had injuries requiring months of care, even surgery.
You Paid for These Rights
Most Colorado drivers carry insurance because the law requires it.
You paid premiums. The at-fault driver paid premiums. And these exact situations are why you are paying those premiums – to be compensated for injuries, even “minor” ones.
Making a legitimate claim is not taking advantage of the system.
It is using the system as it was intended.
It’s Not About Getting Rich
While there is certainly the possibility that a personal injury claim can result in life-changing settlement – it happens every day – the reality is that the law is not intended on making someone rich after an injury. It’s about making them whole again.
Just because you may not have a life-changing injury doesn’t mean the claim lacks value.
If someone else’s negligence caused you pain, medical bills, lost time from work, or inconvenience, Colorado law allows you to seek compensation for those losses.
You should not have to absorb those costs simply because you’re trying to be tough or because your injuries are not catastrophic.
At Least Learn Your Options
Before deciding your injuries are “too minor,” make sure you understand your rights.
A brief consultation can help you understand:
- what your claim may be worth,
- what insurance coverage is available,
- whether additional treatment may be needed,
- and whether there are deadlines that could affect your rights.
The biggest mistake I see is not people pursuing claims that are too small.
It’s people waiting too long because they assumed their injuries weren’t important.
Sometimes they were.
And by the time they realized it, valuable evidence and legal rights had already been lost.
If you have questions about a Colorado injury claim, we’re happy to talk through your situation and help you understand your options. Call Black, Blink, & Associates LLC at 719-694-0578 now for a free consultation.