Accident Lawyer Near Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center

Were you hospitalized after an accident caused by someone else’s negligence? Our accident lawyers near Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center in Salida can help. Jason Levy and Brian Bradford have over 30 years of collective experience practicing injury law in Colorado, and they know how important it is to be accessible and responsive to new clients. With this passion for helping others, Jason and Brian are available to speak with you after hours, and are willing to visit you at home or in the hospital, or via video conference. Their goal is to learn about your case as soon as possible so you can start gaining confidence and reducing stress about the injury claim or legal process.

Hiring a personal injury lawyer from our firm can make it easier for you to focus on getting the treatment you need without having to worry about legal matters or filing a case before the deadline expires. Call Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, at (303) 543-1000 today. All of our initial conferences are free, and you only pay us if we win your case for you.

Why Hire Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, if You Are Being Treated at Heart of the Rockies?

Jason Levy and Brian Bradford are experienced and successful injury attorneys who have spent decades protecting injury victims throughout Colorado. Jason and Brian enjoy spending time outdoors in places like Salida and Chaffee County and are therefore familiar with the kinds of environments and circumstances that can lead to catastrophic accidents in the area, including:

• Outdoor activities like rafting, snowboarding, skiing, biking, hiking, and kayaking
• Tourists who bring more traffic to the area at certain times of year
• Commercial traffic passing through Highway 50 and Chaffee County
• Hazardous road conditions, such as dust storms in summer, blizzards and avalanches in winter, and wildlife

Not only are Jason and Brian familiar with Chaffee County’s mountain communities—including Salida, Buena Vista, Nathrop, Howard and Poncha Springs—we have also successfully represented Heart of the Rockies patients before. Unfortunately, if you are receiving medical treatment at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center, it means that you are likely seriously injured and can therefore benefit from an experienced and aggressive team of injury attorneys.

And Jason and Brian know the local legal system. We can explain to you how the legal process works and what tasks we can take care of as you finish your hospital stay and/or recuperate at home. Beyond listening to you and “triaging” your urgent questions about “what to do next?” services that we commonly offer include the following:

• Investigating your accident by collecting evidence like Salida Police Department or Colorado State Patrol reports, your medical records from Heart of the Rockies and other facilities, eyewitness testimony, and depositions (if necessary)
• Keeping you updated on our progress throughout your case, giving you ample opportunities to ask questions and get advice
• Confronting the at-fault party and their representatives on your behalf so you do not need to speak to them directly or by yourself
• Negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurer for a fair settlement and taking your case to trial at Chaffee Combined Court or whichever court has jurisdiction over your case

If I Hire Cook, Bradford & Levy, Do I Need to Pay Anything Up Front?

The answer is NO! Like most personal injury lawyers, we will represent you on a “contingency fee” basis, which means that we ONLY get paid at the end of your case IF we successfully resolve your case for you. With a contingency fee arrangement, the cost of hiring a lawyer stays the same regardless of how long and how complex your case is. To be clear, if you hire our firm, you will pay nothing up front. At the end of your case we get an agreed upon percentage of the gross amount of money that we are able to recover for you. We typically charge 1/3 of the gross recovery if we can resolve your case without a lawsuit or 40% if we have to file suit and extensively litigate your case.

Call Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, for a free case review today and pay nothing unless we win. You can reach us at (303) 543-1000.

Can I Recover My Medical Expenses From Heart of the Rockies Medical Center if I was Hurt in a Crash That was Not My Fault?

Absolutely. Colorado injury law is clear that you are entitled to recover your past (and future) medical bills if they were caused by a negligent or at-fault driver from a crash. If we prove your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, that person or company will be liable for your accident-related medical bills and other losses. Examples of negligence include the following:

• You booked a trip with a local excursion provider, like Wilderness Expeditions. The provider failed to give you adequate safety instructions, leading to your injury.
• As you drove into town on US-50, you were sideswiped by a driver who failed to signal or check their surroundings before attempting to change lanes.
• You slipped and fell inside a Salida restaurant due to a liquid spill that had not been cleaned up properly or promptly.

Filing a claim or lawsuit against these or other parties could allow you to recover money for:

• The medical bills from your stay at Heart of the Rockies
• Any future medical treatments you will need from this facility or others
• The destruction of personal property, such as a motor vehicle
• Your temporary or permanent inability to earn as much money as you did before
• Physical pain and other symptoms associated with your injuries
• Emotional trauma associated with the accident itself or the difficulty of dealing with your serious injuries
• Physical impairment like disabling injuries that temporarily or permanently affect your mobility or range of motion

What if My Loved One Passed Away After an Accident?

If your loved one passed away despite the care and treatment received at Heart of the Rockies, please accept our condolences for your loss. The wrongful death lawyers at Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, can pursue compensation on your behalf, including:

• Final medical expenses from Heart of the Rockies or elsewhere
• Funeral expenses
• Economic losses due to that person’s death an inability to provide financially
• Your loss of companionship

Wrongful death laws in Colorado can be somewhat complex, especially in terms of who can sue for wrongful death and when. You should not have to worry about these matters as you mourn your loved one. Allow our injury attorneys to assess your situation and take appropriate action on your behalf.

We Represent Heart of the Rockies Patients Injured in Many Kinds of Accidents

The Emergency/Trauma Department at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center is a Level IV trauma center that provides 24/7 care to people with severe or life-threatening injuries. These services may be necessary when someone, either a local or a tourist, is injured in a:

• Car accident: Even if you drive carefully, this will not necessarily protect you from drivers who do not yield, stop, slow down, or signal when necessary.
• Bike accident: Four bicyclists in Chaffee County were involved in accidents in 2023, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Bike accidents may occur on the road or on bike trails like Tenderfoot Hill.
• Sports-related accident: When you rent equipment or work with a company to engage in any outdoor activity, that company must warn you of possible hazards and ensure all the equipment used is well-maintained and in good condition.
• Slip and fall accident: Whether you are at an indoor facility like Salida Hot Springs, a park like Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, or anywhere else, the property owner owed it to you to keep their premises safe.

Our legal team is familiar with these types of accidents and more. We also know that the liable parties in each of these cases—drivers, property owners, company owners, and so on—will likely be covered by an insurance company that may be reluctant to pay what you deserve.

You do not have to deal with the insurance company by yourself. Let Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, protect your rights by:

• Speaking with the insurer and all other parties on your behalf
• Keeping in touch with the insurer to make sure your case is on track and not being delayed unnecessarily
• Working with the insurer to address any potential problems, such as an alleged lack of evidence

You May Still Get Compensation if the Accident Was Partly Your Fault

It is a common concern after an accident: what happens if I was also partly to blame for the crash? For example, maybe you were slightly speeding on your way back from riding the Monarch Trail, or perhaps you were not wearing appropriate footwear when you fell on an icy patch on a walkway at outside of one of Salida’s shops or restaurants. What should you do in these situations?

In Colorado, our legal system recognizes that accidents are not always black and white. This is where the concept of comparative negligence comes into play. Under this rule, you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident, as long as your fault is less than 50 percent.

Here is how it works:

• If a court or an insurance adjuster determines that you were, say, 20 percent responsible for the accident, the total amount of compensation you are entitled to will be reduced by that percentage. For example, if your total damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.) are assessed at $100,000, you would be eligible to recover $80,000 (80 percent of $100,000).
• If your degree of fault is found to be 50 percent or more, you will be barred from recovering any compensation for your injuries.

Why Is This Important for Your Claim?

Insurance companies will often try to argue that you were partially or fully at fault for the accident to reduce or deny your claim. This is where legal representation can come in.

At Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, we can thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your accident, gather evidence to demonstrate the other party's negligence, and vigorously defend you against unfair accusations of fault. We work to ensure that your degree of fault, if any, is accurately assessed and that your right to compensation is protected.

If you have been injured in an accident in Salida, Buena Vista or elsewhere in Chaffee County and are concerned about whether your own actions might affect your ability to receive compensation, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We can help you understand your rights and options under the law.

What Should You Do After Receiving Treatment at Heart of the Rockies?

By receiving treatment at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center, you have already taken the most crucial step for your well-being: addressing your immediate health needs. Now, as you begin to heal, it is important to take steps to protect your legal rights.

Here are some actions you should consider after an accident:

• Continue Following Your Doctor’s Advice: Your health remains paramount. Ensure you attend all follow-up appointments, adhere to your prescribed treatment plan, and document any ongoing symptoms or new medical needs. This record is vital for your recovery and any potential legal claim.
• Gather Information and Evidence (If Possible and Safe): While you were likely focused on your health immediately after the accident, please share with us any material you managed to collect at the scene, including photos, witness information, and the at-fault party’s information.
• Avoid Making Public Statements About the Accident: Be cautious about what you say to anyone other than your legal counsel and medical providers. Avoid posting details about the accident or your injuries on social media. Even seemingly innocent comments can be taken out of context and used against you by the insurance company.
• Be Wary of Contact From the Other Party's Insurance Company: It is common for the at-fault party's insurance adjuster to reach out soon after an accident. While they may seem friendly, remember that their priority is to minimize the insurance company's payout. Avoid giving detailed statements about the accident or your injuries without first consulting with us. You are not obligated to speak with them directly.
• Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer: Engaging our team as soon as possible after receiving initial treatment can benefit your case. We can start taking steps towards getting the damages you deserve.

At Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, we understand the challenges you face after an accident and while recovering from life-altering injuries. We are ready to provide you with personalized guidance and protection from the insurance companies. Our firm is proud to say that we have never represented an insurance company and never will. Our sole purpose is to protect people like you.

Can You Start a Legal Action While Still Getting Medical Treatment?

It is a good idea to start learning about your rights and legal options as soon as you can after an accident, even if you have not yet completed treatment. Call Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, at (303) 543-1000 for more information. We can come visit you at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center or anywhere else in Salida, Buena Vista or Chaffee County to guide you through the next steps.

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