Following a Car Accident, When Should You Contact a Lawyer?

A car accident is stressful! But don’t make it worse by not contacting an expert attorney right away.

You might feel very stressed and have a to-do list that is miles long after being involved in a car accident. However, the first thing you should do is get in touch with a seasoned auto accident lawyer. The good news is that they can help reduce your stress during this trying time and handle a lot of your post-accident to-do list.

Some people wonder if hiring a lawyer is really necessary. Insurance companies can be challenging, even if your case appears to be straightforward. To guarantee you receive full compensation for your car accident claim, you should always seek legal assistance.

Why, then, should you get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible?

The Statute of Limitations

Personal injury cases, including claims arising from auto accidents, are subject to statutes of limitations in each state. A strict deadline exists under the statute of limitations. Most states have a statute of limitations that ranges from one to four years starting from the accident date. The time frame can, however, occasionally be “tolled” or paused, for instance if the claim involves a minor child.

It’s imperative that you speak with a knowledgeable auto accident lawyer right away.

Safeguarding Your Rights

Sad to say, insurance companies are not in the business of defending your rights. Since they are in business to make money, protecting the rights of injured claimants frequently conflicts with that goal. However, when you retain a skilled auto accident lawyer, it is their responsibility to uphold your legal rights.

For instance, they will represent you in communications with the insurance provider. As a result, you won’t be able to give them information, such as medical records for prior injuries, to which they are not legally entitled and which could give them the upper hand. Additionally, they might distort your words to depict the accident in a different light than it actually was.

Capitalize on Claim Value

The sooner you speak with a car accident attorney, the more you can do to increase the value of your claim. It is common practice for insurance adjusters to get in touch with accident victims right away, before they become aware of the true worth of their claim, and most likely, before they have spoken with an attorney.

You won’t know how much your claim is really worth, so if they can catch you now, you’ll probably be willing to accept whatever they might offer. An experienced auto accident lawyer will be aware of the full value of your claim and will not consent to a settlement for less unless you, the client, specifically instruct them to do so.

An Experienced Car Accident Attorney is Just a Phone Call Away

Your life may be changed forever if you were in a car accident. But you don’t have to accept what has happened by doing nothing. Instead, you can get the legal and medical attention you need. Taking these actions won’t turn back time. However, they will give you the best chance of being fully and fairly compensated for your losses. To learn more about how Cunnane Law can assist you, get in touch with our knowledgeable car accident lawyer right away.

Note: This information was provided not for any specific claim and is written in broad and general terms and may not be the right path to follow for a particular claim or case. This information is not intended to create an attorney client relationship. It is always best to receive direct legal counsel for your legal issues. It is never too early to call the attorney, but it can be too late.