The decision to contact an attorney following an accident about a potentially personal injury claim may seem daunting, but the benefits of contacting an attorney sooner rather than later can increase the chances of a successful lawsuit.
Most people may feel their insurance company will help them get the funds they need to cover medical costs, lost wages, and more, but unfortunately that’s not always the case. However, insurance companies are also balancing other factors like paying out smaller sums, avoiding liability, and keeping their overhead costs low. The insurance company may not be able to fully compensate an accident victim past the initial damage to their vehicle and with current and possible future medical bills.
Instead, the sooner a person contact an attorney, the better a person’s chances are for recovering the money necessary. An attorney will probably direct the person to go to the doctor as quickly as possible, if the person didn’t go right after the accident. This will help set a base line for potential long-term symptoms and problems. Additionally, even small bruises and aches should be documented as they may be signs of bigger problems to come. Sometimes, it may be appropriate to meet with specialists to make sure these injuries are properly taken care of and documented.
Next, an attorney will tell the person what they should and should not say about the accident. Opposing counsel can use things like social media posts to try to undermine a case. An attorney will help the person decide what’s appropriate to say, which may mean not talking about the case while it is ongoing.
An attorney can also help get an accident-scene investigator to the scene and interview witnesses to document the accident. The more evidence and documentation, the better the chances of recovering. Also, an attorney may call in experts in other areas such as engineers or mechanics in case there is a manufacturing defect that caused the accident.
The Takeaway: Contacting an attorney as quickly as possible can help increase your chances of recovering after an accident. While it may be tempting to let the insurance company handle the claim, a lawsuit could mean a better overall compensation.
– The Litigation Team
Ethan | Mark | Chris
The Allen Firm, PC 181 S. Graham Street | Stephenville, Texas 76401 Ph: 254.965.3185 | Fax: 254.965.6539