Were you injured in an accident? Do you believe that the accident was the result of negligence? You may be able to get compensation for your injuries by filing a personal injury claim.
Many people assume that personal injury claims are straightforward and therefore easy to win. They are often surprised to find their claims denied because of simple oversights or mistakes made during the filing of the claim. In addition, insurance companies use the deny, delay, defend model to try to eliminate or minimize any payouts, so it helps to have a lawyer who understands those tactics and can combat them.
When You Should Hire a Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in an accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Your next step should be to seek the assistance of an experienced accident attorney like Mark Panzavecchia. If you think there is no rush and that you don’t need to retain a lawyer just yet, consider the following factors:
- The statute of limitations: Laws in the states of New York and Florida as well as all other states limit the time within which a legal matter can be pursued. A personal injury claim cannot be pursued after the expiration of the statute of limitations. The length of time allowed for pursuing personal injury claims differs from one state to the next. Seeking the assistance of an attorney early will help to ensure that you file your claim before the statute of limitations expires.
- Evidence can be lost or destroyed: The evidence gathered at the scene of the accident is vital in proving liability and showing the extent of damages. If you take too long to retain a lawyer to represent you, you may lose on crucial evidence.
Your lawyer will guide you on the evidence required for your claim. He will even help you with gathering the evidence required to file a strong claim. He will ensure crucial evidence is collected and preserved including photos, witness information, physical evidence from the scene and medical reports. However, even the best lawyer is only as good as the evidence he has to work with. This makes it all the more important that you retain a lawyer as soon as possible after your injury.
- Avoid common mistakes: Many people attempt to file personal injury claims on their own. Many find they are unsuccessful or are awarded much less than their claims were worth. Hiring a lawyer early in the process ensures that you get started right and avoid many of the pitfalls that are likely to befall the inexperienced.
- Peace of mind: Filing a personal injury claim on your own can be stressful. You not only have to deal with the trauma of your injuries but also navigate the complexities of the legal system in order to obtain compensation. Having a professional lawyer handling the claim can greatly ease the burden and give you peace of mind.
If you have been seriously injured in an accident in New York or Florida, please contact attorney Mark Panzavecchia for a free claim evaluation today.