If you’ve been a victim of an auto accident, chances are you spent the first few days attending to physical injuries and repairing your car. Contacting a lawyer may be the last thing on your list of stressful things to tackle, but a lawyer may actually make your life easier. In most cases, you have a decent amount of time to contact a lawyer if you so choose, but it’s in your best interest to have a lawyer by your side sooner rather than later.
Understanding the Statute of Limitations
You may be interested in filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to pay for physical or property damages. However, from the time the accident occurs, the clock starts ticking. The amount of time you have to file a lawsuit varies from state to state, but on average, you have about 2 to 3 years to file a personal injury claim or a property damage claim.
If your accident involved a government employee or vehicle, or if your state’s dram shop laws are applicable to your accident, your statute of limitations will be even shorter. Your case will be dismissed if you file outside of this timeline, so having a knowledgeable lawyer who understands your situation will help ensure you file your claim in a timely manner.
Building a Strong Case
If you want a solid case, you should give your lawyer as much time to prepare it as possible. Over time, witness testimonies can waver, integral details can be forgotten, and evidence can go missing, thereby weakening your claim. Additionally, insurance companies may be suspicious of your claim if you file close to the end of your statute of limitations. They may question whether your injuries or damage to your vehicle are from a more recent accident, and you’ll be forced to provide extra evidence to corroborate your claim.
Finding the Right Lawyer
A lawyer’s expert knowledge will not only help you figure out exactly what types of compensation you can acquire and will help protect you against insurance companies that want to deny your claims; they can also ensure you get the appropriate medical care. If you sustained serious injuries, medical bills can quickly become overwhelming, and you might not be able to afford the months it may take for your claim to be processed. Experienced car accident lawyers can help put a hold on bills and put pressure on insurance companies to pay out so that there’s no lapse in healthcare.
Don’t risk your compensation by waiting too long to contact a car accident lawyer, like a lawyer from Therman Law Offices, LTD after a car accident, seek out legal counsel today and find out what your options are.