A car accident can lead to significant injuries that may make it hard to live a normal life. It is also possible that an accident can cause property damage that may make it more expensive to get to work or school. Therefore, it is important that you get legal representation as soon as possible after a crash occurs.
There May Be a Statute of Limitations in Your Case
The most important reason to hire a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident is that there may be a deadline to file a lawsuit. Your attorney will know about this deadline and may take action to preserve your rights. It is important to understand that filing a lawsuit does not mean that a case can’t be settled through mediation or other means. It simply keeps the option of litigation open should settlement talks not resolve the matter to your satisfaction.
You Could Be Offered a Settlement
It is not uncommon for an insurance company or another party liable for damages in a car accident to offer an immediate settlement. The idea is that you will panic and accept a low offer just to put the case behind you. However, by working with an attorney, you can fully analyze a settlement offer to determine if it best meets your needs.
Start and End Your Case Faster
The sooner that you seek out legal representation, the sooner that you can start to negotiate a fair settlement in your accident case. In some matters, the other side won’t take you seriously or show you respect unless you have an attorney. Therefore, hiring legal counsel can provide motivation for parties to start working to close the case in good faith and in a timely manner.
The Other Side Will Have an Attorney
You can be sure that the insurance company for the person who hurt you will have an attorney. The same is true for any government agencies or automakers implicated in a crash. Therefore, you should hire an attorney quickly to level the playing field and increase the odds of obtaining a favorable outcome in your motor vehicle accident case.
If you are looking to get the compensation that you may be entitled to in a personal injury case, be sure to hire an attorney. The sooner that you hire legal counsel, the easier it will be to evaluate settlement offers or otherwise handle situations that could impact your personal injury case.
About the Author: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to college at The Ohio State University where she studied communications. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her husky Snowball. You can find her on Twitter at @LizzieWeakley and on Facebook at facebook.com/lizzie.weakley.
