An injured victim shoud NOT wait to contact an Attorney after their auto accident. Uncertainty may be one of the feelings a victim experiences after a car accident.
For instance, a car accident victim may be uncertain about whether they can file a claim for compensation. They may be uncertain about the severity of their injuries. They may think about contacting a lawyer, but they may be uncertain about how a lawyer can assist them. They may be uncertain about the cost of seeking such assistance.
The foregoing is some of the reasons auto accident as well as other accident victims often wait to seek legal assistance. We discuss the reasons in greater detail below and why accident victims should strongly consider contacting an experienced Personal Injury attorney as soon as possible.
Personal Injury attorneys can assist the victim in seeking full compensation for their injuries and damages. Normally, accident clients do not pay upfront fees and costs while the attorney is working on their claims.
If a person is injured in a car crash and needs to go to the hospital to get treatment, it is likely they have a valid claim. This is particularly true in Florida, which is a no-fault state. That means an accident victim can seek compensation from their own insurance policy for medical bills and some other expenses, regardless of fault for the crash.
A person may be uncertain if the other driver can be held liable for the crash. However, it is difficult to be certain without discussing the incident with an experienced attorney. One should not rely on their initial assumptions about the matter or what the at-fault driver or his or her insurance company may say.
If one needs significant compensation, their no-fault coverage may not be sufficient. Consequently, said individual may need to file a claim against the liability insurance carrier of the at-fault driver.
An injury might be much worse than one realizes. Even if the injury appears serious, a person may not realize just how costly the injury can be to treat. Damages are not just medical bills. An accident victim may be unable to work while recovering. Ultimately, said individual may never be able to return to work in the same type of job.
Many times, an injury has a psychological component. Some victims experienced post-traumatic stress disorder. If the injury creates physical limitations, these can cause emotional distress.
No matter what one may think or what insurance companies may express, they are not concerned with providing all the compensation the victim may need. If the injury turns out to be more serious than first realized, and one agrees to an early settlement with the insurance company, said individual may be left footing the bill for additional medical costs and other damages.
Experienced Personal Injury attorneys are prepared to evaluate accident claims and determine all the compensation one may be entitled to receive. Attorneys are prepared to aggressively pursue compensation and usually have the resources and experience to take the subject case to court if the insurance company denies or short-changes the claim.
Many injury victims do not know about all the services an attorney provide for them throughout the legal process. Essentially, an attorney can deal with the legal process on behalf of the accident victim. Accordingly, the lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company, investigate the crash, gather evidence, file legal documents, and take the case to court if necessary.
These services free up the accident victim to focus on medical treatment and healing. While some victims may not make a full recovery, the goal is to make the best medical recovery possible. An accident victim does not need the added burden of filing an insurance claim.
An initial consultation with a Personal Injury attorney to discuss their accident case is usually FREE. Attorneys can explain their fees in the consultation so the client will know what to expect.
Crash victims may make false assumptions about the cost of hiring an attorney. They may think hiring a lawyer for a car crash or accident claim is like hiring a lawyer for other types of matters.
However, Personal Injury attorneys work on contingency, i.e., a percentage of the recovery. What this means is that a client does not pay up front. The attorney does not get paid unless the victim or client receives compensation.
If one waits to contact a lawyer, such delay could hurt one’s chances of recovering full compensation. There are many reasons for the foregoing. An example, over time your memory of the incident can fade. A person could forget crucial details, which makes it harder to build a strong and compelling case. For a car accident in Florida, medical treatment for injuries sustained in the said accident must begin within fourteen (14) days of the subject accident or one’s own auto insurance carrier may deny PIP or other first party benefits (not paying medical bills or wage loss incurred) thereby reducing the recovery for the claim.
An individual may speak with the insurance company representative while waiting and may be tempted or even encouraged to accept a lowball settlement offer. An accident victim could say something to the insurance company that could be used against them. An innocent party may have admitted fault or downplayed their injuries.
An attorney can give a victim of an accident tips on protecting their claim. If one waits to contact a lawyer, they will not have the benefit of these tips. An unrepresented party may do things that hurts their case, such as skipping medical appointments or waiting to seek treatment.
Waiting could also make it harder on the attorney. There are deadlines for reporting, seeking medical treatment as well a Notice Requirements depending on the defendant or responsible third party and a statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims in a Florida court. That means if a lawsuit is not filed within the subject timeframe from the date of the accident, an innocent victim may be barred from doing so and from recovering rightful compensation.
An accident case may not make it to court, but it is important to be prepared for that. The possibility of a lawsuit often causes insurance companies to offer more compensation. The insurance company is only going to be concerned about a potential lawsuit if an experienced personal injury attorney is involved.
If you are injured in an accident, car or otherwise, promptly call the attorneys at CASERTA & SPIRITI for a free consultation of your potential case.