Time is of the Essence: How Long Should You Wait Before Getting an Auto Attorney?

Each year, about 2 million drivers experience permanent injuries from an auto accident. An auto attorney can help these injured people seek compensation. The money awarded them will go towards their ongoing medical treatment and any lost ability to earn on their own. 

Everyone advises to hire an attorney, but when is the right time to seek one out? Follow this guide to determine when you should seek legal representation after your accident injury. 

Immediately After the Accident 

When you experience an accident, the first thing you should do is make sure everyone is ok. If there’s anyone who needs immediate medical treatment, this takes priority. 

The next step is to alert the authorities. They will respond and help regulate traffic, speak with witnesses, and create a record of what happened. 

After the Accident 

Once you leave the scene, you should notify your insurance company. Do not admit or accept fault. Simply provide them with the information on the police report or a copy of the police report. 

Your next step is to seek out a local lawyer to represent you. Legal representation is crucial if you’re the one at fault, the injuries are extensive, the damage to the car is great, or it’s disputed who is at fault. 

It’s best to seek out an attorney as soon as possible. Many states have laws about when you need to seek medical treatment after the accident. Your attorney can advise you of these laws to ensure you can make a claim for your medical expenses. 

You should also speak with more than one attorney before deciding which one to hire. This can take time but is an essential step in the process. You want to find an attorney that you feel comfortable and confident with. 

Filing Your Claim 

If there are no injuries, you may have a bit more time to seek legal representation. However, there are limits on how long you can wait before filing a claim.

These are called statutes of limitations. You need to file your claim before this deadline, or you’re barred from recovery.

It’s also best to hire an attorney sooner and let them deal with the insurance companies. They have more experience and can help streamline the process.

When you wait, you risk missing out on opportunities to recover that you may not have known about. For example, there may be certain types of losses that you experienced and didn’t know you could make a claim for. 

If you waited to hire an attorney until well into the mediation process, it might be too late to backtrack and ask for compensation. 

Contact an Auto Attorney Today 

If you’ve recently experienced an accident, it’s best to seek out an auto attorney as soon as possible. This will ensure the lawyer begins representation at the beginning of your claim. That way, you have the greatest opportunity for recovery and the most options. 

Browse the business section of our blog for more useful advice. 

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