Personal injuries can occur from workplace accidents, road accidents, or other unforeseen events. No matter the cause, they can lead to life-altering consequences. The victim has to deal with emotional distress, physical pain, and extreme financial burdens. It’s important to react quickly.

There are several reasons to take prompt legal action in personal injury cases. For one, victims who take action quickly have a higher chance of getting better settlements. This is especially true when you have a lawyer representing you in court; in fact, you can expect a 3.5% larger settlement with a lawyer.

Prompt action not only maximizes the chance of fair compensation, but also helps preserve evidence and ensure compliance with statutes of limitation. Here’s more about why it makes sense to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Preserving Evidence

Prompt action secures evidence such as surveillance camera footage, debris, or skid marks. Unnecessary delays can lead to its loss or render it vulnerable to challenges in court. Even witness testimonies are better collected early when memories are still fresh. Testimonies given after a delay are less reliable and their credibility is reduced. 

It means that collecting and securing evidence without delay is of great importance, and that is when an experienced personal attorney like Jeffrey Weiskopf from Weiskopf Law Firm can help manage things. Experienced attorneys move faster and waste no time to secure and document every piece of evidence they can.

Meeting Statutory Deadlines

It’s also important to be proactive after an accident, as every state has a statute of limitations. It means there’s a limit to how long you can wait to file a lawsuit. Regardless of merits, cases are dismissed once time is up. 

This implies that you need legal assistance to understand these requirements in your state. For instance, in California, victims have two years to make a claim, although circumstances can make this period longer or shorter. On the other hand, you have up to three years to take legal action after a personal injury if you’re in New York. Be sure to work with a legal expert to ensure your case meets the statutory deadlines. 

Maximizing Potential Compensation

Delays in claiming can also impact compensation settlements. This is not just about what you get from the guilty party, but also about what you end up getting from your insurance company. The longer you wait, the higher the chances of your insurance companies offering less or dismissing claims completely.

Better Negotiating Potential

When you file early, your legal representatives will be better positioned to turn the verdict in your favor. Filing promptly signals a commitment to pursuing the case, which compels the opposing parties to take the matter seriously and offer meaningful settlements. 

Working with the right attorney is vital here to negotiate with the other party. They employ different tactics to help you get the compensation you deserve. Remember, half of the personal injury cases involving a car accident are settled in 14 months. You can get it settled early if you work with the right attorney who navigates negotiations with all parties involved.

Accessing Medical Expertise

Promptly filing your personal injury case has its medical benefits as well.  This gives your attorneys time to work directly with expert medical professionals to establish the long-term impact of your injury. This ensures compensation reflects your injury’s true extent and will meet future needs. 

Reducing Stress and Burden

Experts are of the view that it becomes more stressful if you wait long enough to take legal action against the guilty party. Having an attorney by your side to file your case early works great for lowering the stress and anxiety involved in the legal proceedings. 

Endnote

Taking legal action right after you face an accident is vital, and so is having an attorney by your side. Those with an expert gathering evidence, managing communication with insurance companies, and negotiating settlements are likely to experience greater peace of mind.