Should I Call a Lawyer Immediately After a Car Wreck?
Should I Call a Lawyer Immediately After a Car Wreck?
Should I Call a Lawyer Immediately After a Car Wreck?
This is a common question that runs through many people’s minds after a car accident - when is it time to call a lawyer? Should you call a lawyer right away or wait for a few weeks or months? The answer depends on your situation, but generally speaking, it is never too early to get an experienced Montgomery car accident attorney involved in your car accident claim.
Get Medical Treatment First
First and foremost, your priority following a crash should always be your health and getting the medical attention you need. If you suffered injuries - even if you think they are minor - undergo a medical evaluation at the emergency room, urgent care, or your physician’s office. A prompt diagnosis not only can help with your overall prognosis, but also with a future insurance claim or lawsuit.
If your treatment is intensive or you are in the hospital, you might need to just focus on your recovery. Treatment for serious injuries can be overwhelming, and your family might need to adjust to you being injured. When your health is in a stable place, contacting a lawyer should be your next priority.
When Insurance Adjusters Start Calling
Shortly after an accident, the insurance company of the at-fault party might start calling you - even before you begin the claim process. It is important not to give the insurance adjuster too much information, especially when it comes to your injuries and what happened in the car wreck. Instead, provide them with your basic identifying information, and then politely inform them that you will have your lawyer call them to answer any further questions.
Calling a car accident lawyer to handle insurance communications can improve the insurance process and, often, the outcome of your claim. Too many injured accident victims say things that can later jeopardize their claims, often without even realizing it. When the insurance adjusters start calling, it’s time to call an attorney for help.
Time Limits for Legal Claims
Every state has its own time limits for filing an injury lawsuit after a car accident, and this statute of limitations in Alabama is two years from the date of the injury, with very limited exceptions. Two years might seem like you have plenty of time, so you might put off contacting a lawyer, thinking there is no rush. However, consider the following:
- Before you will file a lawsuit, your attorney will need to go through the entire insurance claim process, which can take a significant amount of time.
- Evidence can disappear or weaken quickly following a crash, as the memories of witnesses might fade, surveillance video might be erased, and more.
The sooner you get a lawyer involved, the more confident you can be they can build a strong case and have plenty of time against the statute of limitations.
Contact a Montgomery Car Accident Lawyer for the Help You Need
The Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr., handles car accident cases and other injury claims in the Montgomery area. If you or someone you love has been injured, we can help. Call 334-398-8408 or contact us online for a free case evaluation today.
No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. These recoveries and testimonials are not an indication of future results. Every case is different, and regardless of what friends, family, or other individuals may say about what a case is worth, each case must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances as they apply to the law. The valuation of a case depends on the facts, the injuries, the jurisdiction, the venue, the witnesses, the parties, and the testimony, among other factors. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
The Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr. serves Montgomery County, Pike County, Elmore County, Autauga County, the River Region of Alabama and throughout the State of Alabama, including Montgomery, Troy, Wetumpka Prattville, Selma and Tuskegee. No attorney-client relationship is established by requesting a consultation or emailing Attorney Richard F. Matthews, Jr.. Information submitted in such communication is not privileged and may be subject to disclosure.
