How Soon After a Car Accident Should I Hire an Attorney?
If you are involved in a minor fender-bender, you will likely be able to resolve the issue without hiring a lawyer. However, if the accident is more serious and you suffer a severe injury, the costs of a serious car accident will accumulate quickly, including medical bills, insurance fees, and the cost of repairing your vehicle. This can be highly stressful and overwhelming, particularly if your injuries prevent you from being able to return to work and earn an income. To recover the damages that you are entitled to, it is highly recommended that you contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Why Should I Hire a Lawyer Immediately Following a Car Accident?
If you decide to hire a car accident lawyer after being injured in a car accident, it is in your best interest to do so as soon as possible or within a day or two following the accident. There are several reasons why this is a good idea, including:
- Your lawyer will assist you with the claims process. Navigating the claims process after you have been injured in a car accident can be overwhelming. Having an experienced car accident lawyer on your side will alleviate some of that stress, knowing that every aspect of your case is being managed and that your legal rights are protected.
- Your lawyer will make sure you do not miss important deadlines. You will need to meet several deadlines as you navigate the claims process. For example, in Georgia, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is two years from the accident date. Depending on your insurance policy type, there may also be deadlines. For example, your policy may state that you must notify the insurer about the collision “promptly” or “as soon as possible.” If you miss any of these deadlines, it could hurt the outcome of your case.
- Your lawyer will help preserve evidence. You must prove that the other motorist was negligent to have a successful claim. To do this, you must collect as much evidence as possible from the accident scene. This may include photos of the damage to your vehicle and your injuries, debris, or skid marks on the road. Your lawyer will assist you with collecting key evidence as quickly as possible, particularly evidence that may only be available for a short time. For example, surveillance camera footage is often deleted after a certain period of time. Skid marks and debris can also disappear if rain, wind, and other road traffic wash them away or cause them to scatter. Your car accident lawyer may hire an accident reconstructionist to examine the accident scene and the evidence available to determine how the accident happened.
- Your lawyer may contact witnesses. Often, witnesses who saw the accident can provide valuable information about the events leading up to it and who was at fault. Your lawyer will contact witnesses as soon as possible to ensure their memories are still fresh when they provide their statements.
- Your lawyer may negotiate with the insurance company. Even if the other motorist was clearly at fault, insurance companies are for-profit organizations. They will resort to various tactics to avoid paying you the compensation you deserve, including delaying your case, which can increase the risk of missing the statute of limitations deadline. They may also offer an initial lump-sum payment that seems like a large amount of money. However, this rarely covers the total costs associated with your injuries, including future medical costs. Your lawyer will anticipate these tactics and negotiate the best possible settlement outcome.
- Your lawyer will fight for you to be compensated for lost wages. In addition to the physical injuries you suffered, you may also experience PTSD and other serious side effects that prevent you from being able to return to work for an extended period of time. In extreme cases, you may be unable to work permanently. Unfortunately, some employers withhold pay benefits while an employee is recovering from a car accident. This can be financially devastating, particularly if your injury has a lengthy recovery period. Your car accident lawyer will always protect your legal and financial rights.
- Your lawyer will seek the maximum financial compensation. If you suffered serious injuries, there are a range of damages that you may be entitled to, including all medical expenses associated with your injury, property damage, lost wages if you are unable to return to work, loss of future earning capacity, and the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of the accident. Your car accident lawyer will pursue the maximum financial compensation you deserve.
- You may not be responsible for any upfront costs. People often hesitate to hire a car accident lawyer because they fear it will be too expensive. However, most car accident lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means that they only get paid if you have a successful claim and they recover compensation for you. Not only does this eliminate the financial burden of paying upfront legal fees, but it also motivates your lawyer to negotiate the maximum settlement.
Our Springfield Car Accident Lawyers at Kicklighter Law Represent Victims of Car Accidents
If you have been injured in a car accident, it is highly recommended that you contact our Springfield car accident lawyers at Kicklighter Law as soon as possible. We will help you navigate every step of the claims process, address your questions and concerns, and ensure your legal rights are always protected. Call us today at 912-754-6003 or contact us online. Located in Springfield, Georgia, we serve clients in Effingham County, Savannah, and the surrounding areas.