“Call today! Don’t wait!” If you’ve ever seen an ad for a personal injury attorney, you’ve probably noticed a tone of urgency. But is it really so important to contact an attorney immediately after an accident? Peter Briskin of Fishbeyn & Briskin, P.C. in New York and New Jersey, says that timing is everything. Here are just a few reasons you should reach out to an attorney right away if you’re injured in an accident.
Prompt Investigation
When you consult an attorney about your accident, he will launch a complete investigation. This investigation is an essential part of determining whether someone else is legally liable for your injury. In the event that your case goes to trial, the evidence gathered during the investigation will be important.
“In any personal injury case, a prompt and thorough investigation is really critical,” says Briskin. “And in order to conduct a proper investigation, you need to know what to look for. The person who knows what to look for is the attorney.”
According to Briskin, investigations vary widely based on the details of the case, but it’s important under any circumstances to gather evidence while it’s fresh in your mind and before conditions change. In a premises liability case, for example (a case where you’re injured on someone else’s property), it may be necessary to find an engineer to complete an inspection of the accident site. Having that inspection completed quickly is extremely important. “The condition that caused the accident could be remedied or changed literally within days,” says Briskin. “You need to gather evidence while conditions are the same as they were when the accident occurred. Delaying is never a good idea. You can always decide later not to file suit.”
Fresh Memories
When you’re involved in an accident, remembering details even moments later is difficult. Remembering details several weeks or months later is nearly impossible. As part of the investigation into your injury, you will be asked questions about the circumstances surrounding your accident. If other people were present at the time you were injured, they will be interviewed as well. Because it’s critical that every piece of evidence in your case is as accurate and complete as possible, capturing details while they’re fresh in everyone’s minds is critical.
Prompt Reimbursement
Being injured in an accident can become expensive quickly. From doctor bills to lost wages, the costs associated with an injury can be surprisingly high. In some cases, though, you may be entitled to insurance money to help with your medical bills. Some homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies have what’s called a “MedPay” provision. This provision includes coverage for some of the medical expenses (usually $5,000 to $10,000) of anyone who is injured on the covered property. This can be especially important if you don’t have health insurance or if your own insurance refuses to pay for your injury because it was caused by someone else. Your personal injury attorney will help you sort out the insurance issues associated with your claim so that you’ll be better able to handle medical bills as they start coming in.
Completing the investigation and getting your case into court takes time, so in order to ensure that you’re reimbursed promptly, you need to get the process started as early as possible. “No one wants to wait several years to receive payment for their injuries,” says Briskin. “You need to get the process moving right away so that you don’t find yourself in a major financial bind.”
Furthermore, in every state, there is a limit to how long after an accident you can wait before filing suit. In New York, says Briskin, you have three years. In New Jersey, the limit is two years. If you don’t pursue a claim within this time frame, you’ve lost your chance at recovering any of the costs associated with your accident.
According to Briskin, contacting an attorney immediately after an accident is simply an opportunity to be “safe rather than sorry.” He says, “No one is going to force you to file suit. But in order to protect your rights, you definitely want to have someone on your side to gather the necessary evidence in case you decide to pursue the case.”
This article is for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this article as a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances, and you should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. Publication of this article and your receipt of this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.
