how soon to get attorney after accident

by Sonny Auer 7 min read

Any delay in contacting a lawyer can have a detrimental effect on your personal injury case, so you should contact a lawyer as soon as you can after an accident.

Full Answer

How long after an accident should you call a lawyer?

In law, it is not often there is a simple, unequivocal answer to a question, but when it comes to how long after an accident you should wait to call an attorney, there is no gray area: Find a lawyer as soon as you can. There are many reasons this is the case, including:

How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit?

For instance, in many states you must file your lawsuit within two years of your car accident, or you'll lose the right to take the matter to court. An attorney will also be able to inform you about any special exceptions to the statute of limitations—for minors, for example.

Why should I hire a lawyer after a car accident?

If you're injured in a car accident, then hiring a lawyer will almost always ensure a much better settlement. Hiring a personal injury attorney to represent you after a car accident means you will have a professional working for you -- one who is extremely knowledgeable about the relevant laws and procedural rules that may affect your case.

How much recovery should I expect a lawyer to take?

Enjuris tip: If a lawyer takes one-third of your recovery, then they'll need to improve your expected results by more than 50% to justify hiring them. If a lawyer takes one-third of your recovery, then they'll need to improve your expectedresults by more than 50% to justify hiring them.

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Can you see a doctor if you have an accident?

There are many alternatives. First, make it clear to your doctor’s staff that there has been an accident, and your need for care is urgent. If they are still unable to book an appointment, there are other options for seeing a doctor. There are many urgent care clinics in Southern California.

Can a car accident cause a headache?

Headache — Headaches are a common symptom to experience after a car accident. They are often harmless and resolve on their own after a couple of days. Sometimes, however, a headache is a symptom of a much more severe medical condition. Blood clots in the brain, injuries to the neck or head, and serious concussions can all be signaled by headaches.

What should I do after an accident?

It is likely that you are in a state of shock following an auto accident, but it is imperative that you try to calm yourself down and think logically. To avoid becoming fined, your first task should be calling local authorities to report the accident.

Should I go to the doctor after an accident?

Once you’ve documented the accident and followed our car accident checklist, you should seek medical care for your injuries. Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s in your best interest to have a doctor examine you to ensure your minor injuries aren’t actually severe (ex: concussion, whiplash, neck injury, back injury ).

When do you need a lawyer for an accident?

Most people don’t know the process for obtaining a car accident attorney following an accident. How soon should I hire an attorney? When do I need an attorney? If the accident involved a serious injury that required ambulance transport, you should consult with a lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options.

Nevada Statute of Limitations For Accident Injuries

Depending on the background of your injury, Nevada typically provides up to two years following an accident injury to file a claim. If you file past the two-year deadline, you will not be able to file a claim to recover compensation.

Contact Our Law Firm

If you or a loved one have been injured, don’t hesitate to contact The Injury Firm | Las Vegas to discuss your case in a free consultation. You may be eligible to collect compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

How much money do you need to settle a lawsuit without counsel?

For example, if you're expecting a $100,000 settlement without the benefit of counsel, a lawyer would need to get you more than $150,000 to make it worth the bother. Believe it or not, most attorneys give honest opinions on whether or not it would be worth your while to hire an attorney or take any easy settlement.

Do you have to have counsel in small claims court?

You're certainly entitled to have counsel present to protect your rights in small claims court . The law firm, however, is likely going to expect a fee for their services rather than working on contingency, since the expected recovery would be very small. It depends on the situation.

Can you file a personal injury claim if you have no injuries?

Generally, if no people were hurt, or there was no damage ( no broken bones or potentially lingering injuries that cause you to miss more than a couple days of work), then it may not be worthwhile pursuing a personal injury claim. Just be careful making this judgment of “no injuries” yourself.

Do insurance companies do their jobs?

In a lot of instances, insurance companies do in fact do their jobs as expected. There are definitely situations where you'd want an attorney to be involved, but there are also times when obtaining counsel is simply overkill. Let's take a look at some of the cases where you may NOT need to hire an attorney after an accident.

How long do you have to file a lawsuit after a car accident?

For instance, in many states you must file your lawsuit within two years of your car accident or be forever prohibited from filing your lawsuit. An attorney will also be able to inform you about any special exceptions to the statute of limitations -- for minors, for example.

What does it mean to hire a personal injury attorney after a car accident?

Hiring a personal injury attorney to represent you after a car accident means you will have a professional working for you -- one who is extremely knowledgeable about the relevant laws and procedural rules that may affect your case.

How can an attorney help you in a car accident?

Perhaps the most important way an attorney can help you with your car accident case is by being your advocate. This means that your attorney acts on your behalf and for your benefit throughout the entire claims process (negotiating with the automobile insurance company) and even in court if a lawsuit becomes necessary. He or she will be your champion before the judge, jury and other attorneys, making sure that your side of the story is heard and that you are compensated for all of your losses.

Can an attorney file a lawsuit?

Your attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf and will know how best to mitigate any possible defenses raised by the other side. In addition, once your case gets under way, your lawyer will play an invaluable role in preparing your case for trial -- and even going to trial if your case doesn't settle.

Do you need an attorney for a car accident?

Usually, car accidents in volving serious or long-term injuries require an attorney to get the most desirable outcome.

Can an attorney do a car accident settlement?

After you have been in a car accident, taking on this time-consuming work may be the last thing you want to do, assuming you're able. An attorney can do it all for you.

You Should Contact an Attorney as Soon as Possible

In law, it is not often there is a simple, unequivocal answer to a question, but when it comes to how long after an accident you should wait to call an attorney, there is no gray area: Find a lawyer as soon as you can. There are many reasons this is the case, including:

Call Page Law to Retain a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney Today

Any delay in contacting a lawyer can have a detrimental effect on your personal injury case, so you should contact a lawyer as soon as you can after an accident. To schedule a free consultation with a St. Louis car accident lawyer, call Page Law today at 314-322-8515 or contact us online.

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