How Soon Should I Hire a Personal Injury Attorney After an Accident?

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If you were recently hurt in some kind of accident, you probably have your hands full. Unanticipated injuries can add a slew of tasks to an already lengthy to-do list, from attending doctor’s appointments to arranging for coverage at work. In other words, seeking legal counsel probably isn’t a top priority.

As long as you weren’t wholly to blame for the incident, though, it’s wise to call an attorney right away. Should you have grounds for a personal injury claim, you’ll want to enlist help from a strategic professional as soon as possible. Let’s take a look at three of the most important reasons why:

1. Valuable Evidence May Not Be Available Indefinitely

Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, some of the strongest evidence you’ll need to prove liability may be time-sensitive. For example, if you slipped and fell at a place of business, the security footage of the incident may be overwritten in a matter of weeks. Likewise, if you were hurt in a motor-vehicle collision, the same might apply to any dash cam recordings of the wreck.

It’s also worth noting that eyewitness testimony becomes a lot less reliable over time. If much of your case hinges on statements from those who saw what happened, you’ll want to reach out to them as soon as possible.

2. The Insurance Adjuster May Try to Manipulate You

As soon as the liable party’s carrier learns of the accident, an insurance adjuster will probably reach out and request a recorded statement. Since insurance adjusters know how to manipulate claimants, it’s advisable to refer all such correspondence to your legal team. And if you’ve already hired a personal injury lawyer, you can.

3. The Opposing Party May Not Be Cooperative

When it comes to personal injury suits, every state has firm filing deadlines. Called statutes of limitations, these deadlines aim to protect both plaintiffs and defendants. Plaintiffs are encouraged to take action while critical evidence is still available, and defendants don’t have to worry about being held accountable for alleged wrongdoings that can no longer be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

In Michigan, the typical statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is three years. There are a number of exceptions to this deadline, however, that can shorten it considerably.

Since there’s no guarantee that your claim will be settled, it’s wise to call an attorney as soon as your condition stabilizes so you can commence the proceedings right away. If you do end up having to file a formal lawsuit and you attempt to do so after the applicable deadline has passed, the judge will likely dismiss your case.

Discuss Your Case with a Personal Injury Attorney in Detroit

At Seva Law Firm, we understand all the stress that comes with sustaining unanticipated injuries. If you were seriously hurt because another party was reckless, negligent, or intentionally malicious, we’ll help you gather the evidence needed to hold them accountable. Call (248) 385-5704 or complete the Contact Form on our website to set up a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Detroit.