When Should You Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you or a loved one recently suffered an injury in a car accident, slip and fall, or another incident, you might wonder when to talk to a personal injury lawyer. The answer is generally: as soon as possible. There can be various reasons why you should contact an attorney immediately after suffering a personal injury, such as:

A lawyer can gather time-sensitive evidence
The time to file your claim or lawsuit could be severely limited
Your attorney can prevent you from leaving money on the table

Protect your best interests by speaking to us immediately if you suffer a significant injury and a lot of money is at stake. Morgan & Morgan’s determined injury lawyers could help you recover damages such as medical bills, income loss, pain and anguish, and more. Get started now and schedule a free case evaluation to discover your options.

Why Contacting a Lawyer Promptly Can Help Your Case

A lawyer can protect your legal rights immediately and help you build a case against the responsible party. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can get to work right away and:

Determine Whether You Have a Legal Case

If an avoidable accident or incident turns your life upside down, you might wonder whether you have a claim against the responsible person, business, or public entity. Morgan & Morgan offers free consultations that allow you to learn about your legal rights and understand your options, such as filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit.

Handle the Insurance Company

Some personal injury victims only seek legal advice when they run into problems trying to recover the settlement they need. However, by then, they may have already made crucial mistakes that could compromise or even sink a valid claim. In the days after your accident, the insurance company may make a lowball settlement offer in the hope that you will accept. If you sign an agreement too early, you could leave a lot of money on the table.

In contrast, if you have an attorney by your side from day one, they will ensure to fight for the total value of your claim and prevent you from signing any settlement offers that are not in your best interests. Moreover, an attorney can handle all communication and negotiation with the insurer, so you do not say or do something the insurance company might twist and use to deny your claim.

Gather Evidence to Prove Your Claim

If you are significantly injured, you may not be able to gather the critical evidence required to prove your personal injury case. With a seasoned attorney and legal team by your side, you do not have to worry about anything other than your health and recovery. Our personal injury lawyers can gather and organize the evidence needed, which can include:

Photographs of the accident scene
Witness accounts
Accident reports
Traffic or surveillance camera footage
Medical reports proving your injuries

Find Out Who Is Liable for Your Damages

Not all personal injury accidents and incidents are clear-cut. While a dangerous driver may be responsible for your car crash, you could also have a case against a car manufacturer or repair shop, for example. Knowing all liable parties in your claim can open up several avenues for pursuing compensation.

Our attorneys can work with professional investigators who will leave no stone unturned to determine who is responsible for the accident leading to your injuries.

File Your Case on Time

Victims cannot file personal injury lawsuits indefinitely. The statute of limitations in your state sets the deadline for filing a case. Depending on where you live, you may have only one year to file a lawsuit. However, certain facts of your case may require filing additional paperwork at short notice, such as when you have a case against a local government entity.

If you miss a crucial filing deadline, you may never receive compensation. Your claim may get thrown out by the court, no matter how strong your case is. A seasoned attorney knows the rules and regulations in your state and can ensure to file all relevant paperwork correctly and on time.

Common Personal Injury Claims

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unintentional injuries resulted in 97.9 million emergency room visits in 2018 alone. However, not all accidental injuries qualify for a personal injury claim. Another must have caused your injuries, whether a corporation, individual, or government agency. Personal injury claims we commonly see in our practice include the following:

Car accidents
Slips and falls
Medical malpractice
Defective products or medications
Assault and attacks
Work injuries
Dog bites
Nursing home abuse and neglect
Medical malpractice
Defamation and slander
Boating and aviation accidents

Compensation for Personal Injuries

Talking to a personal injury lawyer early on in your claim could help you recover adequate compensation for your injuries and monetary losses. Damages you could receive with a successful personal injury claim will depend on the facts of your case and can include:

Healthcare expenses and future medical costs
Lost income and future loss of wages
Pain and anguish
Property damage
Emotional trauma
Reduced life enjoyment
Disability
Miscellaneous expenses due to the accident

FAQ

How to Maximize Your Personal Injury Settlement?

One crucial way to maximize your settlement is by working with an experienced attorney from day one, who can help you navigate the legal process efficiently and handle all aspects of your claim. Other steps you can take to maximize your recovery include the following:

Seek medical advice as soon as possible to document your injuries
Attend all doctor’s appointments and follow your treatment plan
Determine the worth of your claim
Reject lowball settlement offers
File a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires in your state
Refrain from posting any details of your accident or legal case on social media
Respond promptly to any requests from your attorney

How to Know When to Work With a Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you recently experienced a fender bender with minor car damage and no injuries, you could probably handle your insurance claim on your own. However, working with a qualified personal injury attorney is critical for recovering adequate compensation when your entire future is at stake. Strongly consider hiring an attorney when:

You suffered severe or disabling injuries
There are high medical bills and other damages
You will require extensive future medical and rehabilitation therapies
You may never work again
The case involves complex technical or scientific issues, such as medical malpractice or a product liability claim
The insurance company denied or minimized your claim
A loved one died from a personal injury

Why Hire Morgan & Morgan?

At Morgan & Morgan, we never settle for less because we want our clients to receive an adequate settlement to pay their bills and avoid financial hardship. Some law firms never go to court and instead accept insurers’ low settlement offers so they can avoid a potentially lengthy, demanding, and expensive trial.

Not Morgan & Morgan. We fight for justice, no matter how long it takes and how tough the fight may be. Our tenacious personal injury lawyers are ready to go to trial and fight for the maximum possible compensation for you.

The Fee Is Free

While many injury attorneys work on contingency, some charge clients for legal expenses upfront, which can be expensive. At Morgan & Morgan, we know that money can be tight when you are injured and out of work. Therefore, we never charge clients a dime out of their own pocket. We only get paid if we win and you receive compensation, as our fee is a percentage of your recovery.

Size Matters

Over the years, Morgan & Morgan recovered more than $13 billion in damages for the injured. We have an army of over 800 highly motivated lawyers and countless passionate legal team members ready to work hard for you and your loved ones. We never shy away from taking on big bullies and powerful corporations to obtain what our clients deserve.

You Are Like Family to Us

We have dedicated our lives to protecting the people and not the powerful. During the most challenging times in your life, you need a personal injury law firm that understands what you are going through and knows how to fight for the best outcome. To date, we have helped over 300,000 families recover what they deserve. You can trust us to fight hard for your family too.

What Should I Do When Getting Injured?

Knowing what to do when you are hurt can be vital for your health and your legal case. The most critical step for your health is seeking medical advice as soon as possible so a doctor can diagnose your injuries and begin treatment immediately. Even if you feel fine, seek medical advice. Many common accident injuries, such as head and brain injuries, can have a delayed onset and non-specific symptoms. Receiving medical help will also help you document your injuries which can be critical for recovering an adequate settlement.

After seeking medical advice, consider protecting your legal rights. Contact our personal injury lawyers to determine your options and the next best steps. If another caused your injury, you could be entitled to comprehensive compensation.

Will I Receive Damages if I Am Partly to Blame for an Accident?

In most states, you may receive compensation even if you have some fault in your accident. However, you would generally not receive the total value of your damages. Compensation will typically be reduced by your degree of responsibility. Since getting what you deserve can be tricky if you are partially responsible for an accident, consider working with a tenacious personal injury lawyer who can argue your case.

How Do I Pay My Bills While Waiting for a Settlement?

Injured individuals may face astronomical medical bills and significant income losses. Even if another is responsible for your injuries, it can take months to receive a settlement check. Here are some ideas on how you could bridge the time until you receive compensation:

Medical Expenses

Medical expenses can stack up quickly, especially if you suffer a severe or permanent injury. If you have private health insurance, your insurer should cover some or all of your bills minus your deductible. You are then responsible for reimbursing your insurer when you receive a settlement. If you lack private health insurance, ask your medical provider whether you can take advantage of a payment plan or defer payments until you receive compensation.

Wage Losses

If you are off work for a significant amount of time, the loss of income can be crippling and make it hard to manage daily life. In the short term, you could ask your employer if you could use up any sick days and vacation allowances. If you suffered an injury in a car crash, your insurer might cover some of your lost wages. If your accident leaves you permanently disabled, you could be entitled to Social Security disability benefits.

Talk to Morgan & Morgan Today

We know firsthand that injured victims and families have a lot on their plate and can face many obstacles in their fight for adequate compensation. However, the sooner you contact us, the sooner we can take some weight off your shoulders and take charge of your compensation claim.

Morgan & Morgan is here to listen to your concerns and answer your questions. If you or a loved one recently suffered an injury and believe you might have a claim, please get in touch. Our personal injury lawyers want to help you get back on your feet physically and financially. Contact us today to find out how we can help.