Vinod Iyer | Wheat Ridge Personal Injury

• Colorado Bar Association | Member
• Nebraska State Bar Association | Member
• American Bar Association | Member
• Colorado Trial Lawyers Association | Member

My client was injured in a motor vehicle collision. My client proceeded straight through a green light and collided with a vehicle taking a left turn into a shopping complex. The collision caused both vehicles to hit a third vehicle taking a turn out of the shopping complex.The driver taking the left turn claimed that my client was in a right turn only lane and had his right signal on. My client claimed this was untrue. The third person disagreed with my client and took the side of the other driver. The police cited my client with improper use of a turn signal and cited the other driver with failure to yield right away. The insurance company denied liability for the claim. We filed a law suit and the case proceeded to litigation. The defense continued to deny liability and offered nothing on the case. That is, until I took the deposition of both the witness and the defendant driver. In the deposition of the witness, she admitted on the record that she was unsure of what actually happened. She believed my driver to be at fault, but due to her age and the time from the accident, she could not accurately remember where my client was and, in fact, made several admissions damaging the other driver's case. Subsequently, I took the deposition of the defendant driver. I was able to get several admissions damaging his case - including the very important fact that he could not remember my client's vehicle was pulling a very large trailer behind his vehicle. Based on the timing of the turn, he would have run into my client's trailer had my client turned right instead of going straight (assuming it was true he had his blinker on in the right lane). He also admitted my client did in fact had the right of way and it was incumbent upon him to wait for my client to pass through the intersection. Subsequently, the insurance company made a significant jump in their offer at mediation and the case was successfully resolved.

It took some creativity and lots of work. It boils down to treating everyone you meet with courtesy and respect, and following through on your promises and commitments. This goes for interactions with clients, providers, and just any business really. Due to our adherence to our word, we have received a lot of support and help which has allowed us to flourish.

Clients should look for a lawyer that is very knowledgeable about their area of practice, can explain the law and process clearly, and has good communication with the clients. Many areas of law have grown more specialized with more pit falls that can trip up the inexperienced lawyer. Further, in many cases, a client may speak with their lawyer once at the consultation and then never see them again. At FWI we maintain constant contact with our clients and are quick to respond to their questions and concerns.

It is very important to know new developments in the area of law you practice, this includes new strategies the defense may try and implement. It is also important to now the providers your client goes to and to know they are trustworthy and competent. It is important to know doctors that the defense uses to cut down on settlements and damages and how to work around those arguments. Through our extensive experience, FWI is fully aware of these issues and that knowledge has provided invaluable in advocating for our clients.

I provide honest feedback. If there are problem areas in the case, I will address them head on. I walk the potential client through the law, the arguments we will most likely encounter, the process of the claim and, most importantly, I set realistic expectations.

In general, how the injury occurred, documentation of what happened (such as a police report if one exists), the injuries sustained, the treatment already had and still needed, whether the client has missed work etc. Basically, how the injury happened and how their life has been impacted.

At FWI we try to break down the formal barriers between lawyers and clients. We don't wear suits in the office (though we do at court and mediation of course). We are more relaxed wth our clients and get to know them so we can better tell their story. We don't treat clients like case numbers, we treat them like people and friends.

The most rewarding thing is to see clients in rough spots after an injury, and then seeing them better with their life back at the end of the case. Getting a client fully compensated for their losses.

I enjoy playing guitar in my cover band, playing with my dog, going to the gym, and taking Krav Maga classes.

Yes, I am a member of the Colorado Bar Association and the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association.