In today’s world, there is a lot of information available online about how to handle your own personal injury claim. From books and websites to TV ads, people are bombarded with all kinds of guidance on how to deal with their car accident injuries.
While many people think that they can successfully work through a very serious injury to their person, they do not realize that handling such a case can be extremely difficult. It is usually best to leave the process in the hands of those who have experience and training in these types of cases.
One common question people ask themselves before hiring an attorney after a car accident is: Do I need legal representation?
The answer is yes.
Let us explain why.
What should I do after a car accident?
If you have been injured in a car accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention for any immediate injuries. This can help determine the extent of your injuries and how your treatment needs to begin.
If you are not immediately hurt, you can proceed to step two and return to this step once you leave the scene of the accident.
The second step is to take pictures of any damage caused by the car accident. Try not to move or touch anything at this point.
If there are individuals involved who would like to leave the scene before pictures can be taken, you should ask them to remain until everything has been documented.
The third thing that should be done immediately after a car accident is for every person involved to write down their contact information.
This includes the driver, passengers, witnesses of the accident, and any police officers on the scene.
Make sure that you request a copy of the police report.
Finally, you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately after the car accident.
A personal injury lawyer will be able to advise you of your rights and assist with any necessary documentation that you need to prove your claim.
When should you hire an attorney after a car accident?
As with any legal situation, it is important to have a lawyer’s advice when going through a personal injury claim.
Their experience and background in this area will help them to determine what can be done with your case.
It does not matter how much medical evidence you have or how good you are at documenting the accident scene. You are less likely to get the result you want without an experienced lawyer on your side.
Hire an attorney as soon as possible after a car accident. They can help you determine the necessary evidence, deal with insurance companies, and take some stress off of you while you focus on healing.
Should I hire a lawyer for an accident that wasn’t my fault?
Yes, you will need a lawyer regardless of who was at fault.
If the other party was blatantly at fault for the accident, you may assume that it will be easy to collect damages. But it won’t be.
Their insurance company will not be happy to pay your compensation, regardless of their client’s fault. So, they will look for fault in you that can reduce their expense through comparative fault laws in Florida.
Without a lawyer’s protection, an insurance company can easily shift some of the blame to you.
When should you hire a lawyer after a car accident-related wrongful death?
If you have lost a loved one due to a car accident and it was not their fault, consider hiring an attorney. A wrongful death claim has its own set of legal issues that need to be taken into account.
Wrongful death cases are more complex than most people realize and need to be handled carefully. Emotional family members are not in the right state to manage complex legal issues. They need time to grieve properly without having to worry about their financial future and a legal battle.
A car accident attorney will handle these challenging details for you so you can focus on coming together as a family to mourn.
At Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, we do not charge our clients until we win. That means that you don’t have to pay anything out of pocket and reduce your already limited funds.
Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims
There is a specific amount of time you have to file a car accident claim.
This period of time is called the statute of limitations. These are laws that control how long someone can take to bring forth a case or claim against another party.
Each state has its own set of regulations and statutes of limitations when it comes to car accident cases. In Florida, you have two years from the date of the car accident to file your claim.
Within these two years, you need to file the claim. But you also need to substantiate it by collecting evidence and working with a car accident attorney.
Hire an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
If you are looking for help with your car accident claim, contact a Florida car accident lawyer at Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath. We have more than 50 years of combined experience and can ensure that you receive the maximum compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care.
Book your free consultation today.
