Services from Bradford Pelton

Motor Vehicle Accident

Having a motor vehicle accident of any type can be a real nightmare. In a moment, your life can become a world of confusion involving medical expenses and insurance issues that you are expected to deal with all while suffering physical limitations of the injury. Even though the accident may not have been your fault, many times you will face difficulties with the adverse driver and their insurance company over property damage, doctors' bills and loss of income. The following outlines some crucial information regarding your rights, entitlements and how the insurance company will handle your claim:

Motorcycle Accident

Going for a ride on a motorcycle can be a lot of fun. However, even under the best of circumstances, a motorcycle is a very dangerous vehicle to operate. Unfortunately, due to driver negligence, poor road conditions, bad weather or mechanical malfunctions, many accidents do occur. As a result, the rider may have to file suit against another driver or even the motorcycle manufacturer to cover medical expenses, permanent disability compensation or lost wages.

Truck and Trailer Accident

Annually, the majority of traffic accidents resulting in the loss of human life involve trucks and trailers. Even though there are many laws in place governing the safe operations of these commercial vehicles on the road, unfortunately there are still a variety of dangerous factors in place:

Trucks

  • Overtired drivers
  • Imbalanced or overweight payload
  • Jackknifing

Trailers

  • Untrained drivers
  • Slower brake times
  • Roll-over's

To file a suit in an accident involving a truck or trailer driver, the evidence required must be much more detailed, usually includes testimony from a variety of experts and is generally a very extensive process. I can help you cut through the red tape to work for a fair and timely result for you.

Liability

If the accident was the fault of the other driver, you should collect the name of his/her insurance company, claim and/or policy number. A copy of your police report is the best way to locate this information and can be obtained from the main office of the DMV. If you have MedPay on your own insurance policy, your medical bills need to be submitted for payment to you own insurance company. You will be responsible for payment of your medical bills up to your policy limit.

The Pursuit of your Legal Rights

If you are injured in an auto accident due to the fault of another driver, you are entitled to pursue a claim for bodily injury against that driver and their insurance company. This includes seeking compensation for your medical bills, damages for pain and suffering, inconvenience, emotional stress, impairment of the quality of life, physical impairment disfigurement, and loss of wages and/or other forms of income.

Please Note: You have exactly three years from the date of your accident to settle your claim with the other drives and their insurance company or file a lawsuit. Failure to settle or file suit by this date will result in the total loss of your legal rights.

Medical Treatment & Bills

You will want to seek immediate and appropriate medical care for your injuries. You will want to keep close track of all medical bills incurred as a result of the accident. If you hire me, for example, I will gather and submit alls bills for the ambulance, emergency room, physical therapy, and any other medical services.

Settlements

Upon completion of your medical care, our office will submit all copies of your medical records, medical bills, and all other related accident documentation. I will organize these documents and provide a comprehensive legal analysis to the other driver and their insurance company. I will discuss my evaluation of the value of your claim and will obtain your authority and approval before I resolve your claim.

Fees and Costs

You have the option of hiring me as your lawyer on a contingency or on an hourly fee bases. At our initial consultation, I will fully discuss the costs and fees of your individual situation. When you hire me, I will provide you with a copy of our written fee and cost agreement. So there will be NO surprises, nothing will be done without your knowledge, permission, and prior approval.

You will not be required to put any money down and any costs advanced by my office will be addressed at the time of your final settlement.

 

Premises and Slip & Fall Liability

Premise liability law protects individuals who have been injured due to the negligence or willful disregard of the property owner where the incident took place.

There are several categories of falls that are eligible for compensation from the property owner, including but not limited to:

  • Slip-and-fall - insufficient warning of a slippery or wet walking surface
  • Trip-and-fall - an object blocked the way with no safety barrier or warning of its presence
  • Step-and-fall - a hole or other uneven aspect to the area, causing you to lose your balance
  • Stump-and-fall - a protrusion causes you to stop short and fall

If your injury falls into or sounds like one of these categories listed above, please contact me. I will evaluate your incident and establish if you should pursue a premises liability claim. I will work hard to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve and help you return you to a healthy, normal way of life, for yourself and your loved ones as soon as possible.

Workers’ Compensation

You're at your job, making an honest living for you and your family, and you get injured. Suddenly everything changes. Not only are you suffering the physical pain and discomfort, but you may also be treated poorly and harassed by co-workers, or even fired. Here are some pertinent things you should be aware of when you have an accident at work:

Legal Rights

You are entitled to pursue the following benefits, including:

  • Payment of authorized medical care which is reasonable, necessary and related to your on the job injury;
  • Payment for the period of time that a doctor has taken you off of work for the injury;
  • Payment of authorized prescriptions related to the injury;
  • Payment of authorized mileage traveled to obtain medical care; and
  • Permanent impairment and disfigurement benefits if applicable.

Please Note: You have a right to reopen your claim for up to 6 years after the date of the accident or 2 years from the last medical care if you experience a worsening in condition.

Medical Treatment & Bills

Your employer and/or their insurer will send you to a doctor or doctors of their choosing for medical care. Payment of your medical bills is only covered under workers' compensation authorized providers. If you feel the medical care you are receiving is inadequate, and it often is in workers' compensation cases, you have the right to request a change of physician.

Settlements

Workers' Compensation benefits for Permanent Impairment are limited by statute in Colorado. Workers' Compensation does not compensate you for your pain, suffering or inconvenience. Retraining is no longer a required benefit in Workers' Compensation cases. When settling your case, your employer's insurer will consider any permanent impairment, future medical expenses, the right to reopen your case, and other factors. No attempts to settle your claim will be attempted by me without your prior knowledge, permission, and authority.

Fees and Costs

You have the option of hiring me as your lawyer on a contingency or on an hourly fee bases. At our initial consultation, I will fully discuss the costs and fees of your individual situation. This fee applies to all contested benefits and settlements. I will not assert a fee on uncontested lost wages, mileage reimbursement, prescription reimbursement, or medical benefits

When you hire me, I will provide you with a copy of our written fee and cost agreement. So there will be NO surprises, nothing will be done without your knowledge, permission, and prior approval.

You will not be required to put any money down and any costs advanced by my office will be addressed at the time of your final settlement.