After 25+ years of representing personal injury victims in Colorado, I’ve seen too many people settle with insurance companies before understanding what their case is truly worth. And once you sign that release form? It’s over. There’s no going back, even if you later discover you have injuries that need surgery or long-term care.
If you’ve been in an accident, especially in Denver or anywhere else in Colorado, I urge you: Do not accept an insurance settlement until you talk to a local personal injury lawyer. Here’s why.
Let me be blunt: insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Their goal is to close claims quickly and cheaply to increase their bottom line—not to make you whole again.
“In many cases, the first offer is just a fraction of what the victim is actually owed,” says Scott O’Sullivan. “I’ve had clients come to me after being offered $5,000, when their case was worth ten times that.”
Here in Colorado, insurance companies often contact accident victims within 24–48 hours of a crash. They might sound friendly. They may even promise to take care of everything. But remember: anything you say can be used to reduce your claim.
A common tactic by insurers is to push for a fast settlement—before you’ve had time to fully assess your injuries.
It can take weeks or even months for symptoms to appear, especially with soft tissue injuries, TBIs (traumatic brain injuries), or internal damage. We’ve handled cases where clients felt “fine” right after the crash, only to later need surgery or suffer from chronic pain.
“I once had a client who accepted a $7,500 offer for what she thought was a simple neck strain,” says Scott. “A month later, her MRI showed a disc herniation that required surgery. But it was too late—she had already signed the release.”
In Colorado, personal injury victims are entitled to economic damages (like medical bills, lost wages, rehab) and non-economic damages (like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life). But insurance companies often focus only on the former.
They may cover your ER visit and car damage, but leave out your future medical costs, physical therapy, or the way the injury has affected your job, family, and day-to-day life.
“When we take a case, we calculate everything—including what your recovery will cost down the road,” explains Scott. “That’s where the real value lies. And it’s what insurers hope you’ll overlook.”
When you accept a settlement, you sign a legal release that prevents you from making any future claims related to the accident—even if new information comes to light.
And in Colorado, where the law allows for comparative negligence (meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault), some insurers try to use your own words to pin more blame on you.
“We’ve seen insurance companies in Colorado try to argue that a cyclist was 51% at fault just for being on the road,” Scott says. “Without an attorney to push back, victims end up with nothing.”
At The O’Sullivan Law Firm, we’ve seen this story too many times:
Don’t let a low-ball offer or quick settlement be your story.
When you call The O’Sullivan Law Firm, you speak directly with a lawyer—not a paralegal or call center. We walk you through your options and give you a free, no-pressure consultation. If you hire us, we don’t get paid unless you do. And we never rush cases just to close them. Your health and future come first.
“This is your one shot at justice,” says Scott. “Don’t trade it away for a quick check.”
If you’ve been contacted by insurance after a crash in Colorado, here are a few warning signs that it’s time to talk to a lawyer:
If you’ve experienced any of the above, pause and call a qualified attorney. We can review your situation and tell you if the offer is fair—no strings attached.
Settling with insurance might seem like the fastest way to move on—but for many victims, it ends up being the costliest mistake they make.
You only get one chance to get this right. Let us help.
Call or text 303-388-5304 for free advice today. You owe us nothing unless we win your case.
