When to Call an Attorney About a Personal Injury Case

Accidents happen in countless ways and can leave victims with life-changing injuries. Navigating medical bills, insurance procedures, and the legal complexities of a personal injury case that follow is never easy, especially when you or a loved one has experienced severe harm. 

Having knowledgeable personal injury attorneys on your side to protect your rights can make all the difference. The Morgan Law Group has been helping victims of accidents for over 25 years. And in this guide, we help you have a clearer idea of when to contact a personal injury attorney, the benefits of legal representation, and what to do before and during a consultation to ensure you are prepared to pursue a personal injury claim.

1. You Have Limited Time to File a Claim

Time is of the essence in personal injury cases, primarily due to the statute of limitations. This limits how long you can file a lawsuit. 

Depending on the state in which the accident occurred – be it Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, or Texas – the window to file can vary significantly. In some jurisdictions, you may have as little as one year from the date of the accident, while others allow two or more years. 

When you contact a personal injury attorney soon after your accident, they can ensure that the paperwork and evidence are compiled promptly. This includes gathering witness statements while memories are fresh and preserving crucial evidence that might otherwise be lost.

Each of the mentioned states may impose additional notice or filing deadlines for specific situations, such as claims against government entities or claims involving minors. Failing to file your claim before the statute of limitations expires almost always means forfeiting your right to seek compensation.

2. You Have Serious Injuries or Permanent Disability

Major injuries that require extensive medical treatment often entail high costs, ongoing therapies, and potential lifestyle adjustments. If you are facing long-term injuries or significant rehabilitation, you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to ensure you recover enough compensation to cover both your current needs and foreseeable future expenses.

Serious injuries often include expensive surgeries, extended hospital stays, and the need for in-home care or modifications to your living space. A skilled attorney will factor all these into your claim and work with medical and financial experts to arrive at an accurate assessment of your damages.

3. Unclear Liability in the Accident

Sometimes, determining who was at fault for an accident is not straightforward. Liability might be contested by multiple parties, or there might be conflicting accounts of what happened. Consulting a personal injury attorney can help in investigating the case and uncovering the truth.

Attorneys have resources to thoroughly investigate accidents, including reconstructing events and hiring expert witnesses who can clarify the causes of a crash, slip-and-fall, or other incident. If multiple parties appear responsible, your attorney can help attribute fault proportionally, ensuring that you pursue compensation from the correct parties. This is especially important in states with shared-fault or comparative negligence rules.

4. You Have Insurance Claim Disputes

Insurance companies might deny legitimate claims or offer a settlement that is too low to cover your losses. When this happens, consulting a personal injury attorney is crucial to protect your rights.

If your claim was denied or undervalued, an attorney can review the denial reasons, negotiate with the insurer, and gather evidence to support the validity of your claim. In extreme cases, insurers operate in bad faith, refusing to pay out valid claims without a reasonable basis or delaying claims unnecessarily. A personal injury attorney can identify these practices and hold insurers accountable.

5. Uninsured or Underinsured At-Fault Party

Unfortunately, some at-fault parties may not carry liability insurance, or their coverage may be insufficient to fully compensate you for damages. When this occurs, contacting a personal injury attorney can help you explore alternative avenues for recovery.

In auto accidents, your personal policy may include underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage, which can fill in the gap. An attorney can analyze your policy and the at-fault party’s coverage to ensure you maximize available compensation.

Sometimes, an at-fault person’s personal assets or other liable entities (such as an employer or property owner) may be legally pursued. An attorney will know the most strategic way to proceed.

6. It Involves a Government Entity

Personal injury claims against a government entity (like a city, county, or state) often involve special regulations and shorter deadlines for filing notice of claims. Every state will have its own statutory requirements about giving government bodies advance notice before a lawsuit can proceed.

Failing to comply with government notification timelines can invalidate your claim entirely. Calling a personal injury attorney who understands how to handle government claims can be the key to preserving your right to compensation.

Further, government entities and public employees enjoy certain immunities, which can complicate matters. A knowledgeable attorney can guide you through these exceptions and help ensure that any potential claims are filed properly.

What to Do Before Contacting a Personal Injury Attorney

Before contacting a personal injury attorney, gather as much relevant information as you can. Although the attorney will help obtain additional evidence, your initial preparedness can expedite the case review.

• Collect Evidence: Retain any photos of the accident scene, property damage, and injuries. Save documents like medical records, bills, police reports, and insurance correspondence.
• List Witnesses: Write down the names and contact information of any witnesses. If you haven’t, try to locate potential witnesses early because memories fade, and people move.
• Keep a Record of Expenses: Document every expense related to your injury. This includes medications, treatment costs, transportation to medical appointments, and any assistive devices.
• Track Your Recovery: Keep a journal of how your injuries affect your day-to-day life, including pain levels, therapy sessions, and any limitations on normal activities. This helps demonstrate how the accident changed your quality of life.
• Avoid Admitting Fault or Signing Anything: Do not provide recorded statements to insurers or sign settlement offers before consulting a personal injury attorney. Statements can be misconstrued, and settlement offers are often lower than what you might deserve.

Taking these few key steps before consulting a personal injury attorney can streamline the legal process. This preparation ensures you’re ready to discuss your case, saving time and helping you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Benefits of Having a Personal Injury Attorney in a Case

Having a personal injury attorney can be a game-changer when you’re seeking compensation for accident-related losses.

1. Skilled Legal Guidance

A personal injury attorney is trained to handle these nuances, ensuring that all relevant filing procedures are followed properly and on time. By contacting a personal injury attorney right after your accident, you can receive clarification about your rights, the applicable laws, and the steps needed to secure maximum compensation.

2. Negotiation Power

When you are in the process of contacting a personal injury attorney, you gain a valuable advocate who is familiar with insurer tactics and can negotiate on your behalf. Having skilled representation can prevent you from accepting a settlement that undervalues your injuries or leaves you responsible for out-of-pocket expenses that should have been covered.

3. Comprehensive Case Assessment

An experienced personal injury law firm knows how to examine every detail of your accident and injuries. This can involve collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, consulting expert opinions, and reviewing all medical and financial records to estimate your current and future losses.

4. Reducing Stress

Adding complex legal matters can become overwhelming and detrimental to your recovery. When you enlist the help of personal injury attorneys, they shoulder much of the burden – from handling paperwork to communicating with adjusters – so you can focus on healing.

Overall, having an attorney ensures you have an advocate who understands your rights, fights for your best interests, and strives to secure the full compensation you deserve after an accident.

What Happens in a Personal Injury Cases Consultation 

When you attend your first meeting (initial consultation) with a personal injury attorney, here’s what you can expect:

• Case Evaluation: The attorney will review the facts of your accident, the extent of your injuries, and any supporting documentation. This allows them to provide a preliminary assessment regarding your claim’s validity and approximate value.
• Explanation of Legal Process: During this session, the attorney will break down how a personal injury case typically progresses in your jurisdiction. They will discuss key steps like filing legal documents, discovery, settlement negotiations, and trial (if necessary).
• Discussion of Fee Arrangements: Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means you only pay attorney fees if you recover compensation. The standard percentage often varies, so it is essential to have a clear understanding of these terms before officially hiring the attorney.
• Open Dialogue: This is also the time to raise any questions or concerns. You might ask about the attorney’s experience with cases like yours, anticipated timelines, potential hurdles, or what evidence may still need to be gathered.
• No Obligation to Proceed: The initial consultation does not obligate you to move forward with that attorney. However, if you feel comfortable with their approach, you can sign a representation agreement to formalize the relationship.

Whether you’re in Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, or anywhere across the nation, our personal injury attorneys can help guide you every step of the way. The Morgan Law Group is committed to protecting your best interests and helping you secure justice and peace of mind.

Call us today at (800) 551-0554 or fill out our online form to schedule your free case evaluation.