The aftermath of a car accident can bring about unpleasant events. It’s hard to stay calm with many crucial issues related to the accident to deal with, such as insurance claims and potential legal implications. You also need ample time to rest and recover from any physical or mental trauma involved. While it’s not a legal requirement to have an Orlando accident attorney/lawyer, it’s a necessity that will help you ease the burden of going it alone. An experienced attorney will represent you in case of a lawsuit and provide you with expert guidance on dealing with insurance-related complications.
Your decision to hire an attorney is entirely up to you. It’s within your rights to hire one anytime during the course of following up your injury lawsuit or insurance claim. However, if you’re planning to hire one, it’s best to do so in the shortest time frame possible – even better during the day of the accident. An attorney will significantly improve your chances of getting the best outcome by gathering all relevant evidence to use in insurance negotiations or injury lawsuits involving damages. Below are some of the things you should always note;
- Depending on the nature of your accident, you may be entitled to various types of insurance claims.
- Initial consultation with most lawyers is free, hence no risk of commitment.
- Insurance companies never have your best interests at heart.
- Time is of the essence.
This article will provide you with some plausible reasons why you should hire an attorney as soon as you can after a car accident in Florida. Read on to learn more.
Evidence collection and preservation
Some vital evidence from accident scenes fades out quickly and must be documented promptly. For instance, tire skid marks will disappear over time. Other roadway evidence like car parts may be cleared off or taken away by malicious at-fault drivers being sued to make it difficult for the victim to prove the case. The most effective way to safeguard crucial evidence is by promptly collecting and storing them. Some relevant solutions may involve taking pictorial or video evidence of the accident scene from various angles and keeping them safe. Experienced lawyers know this, and they will advise you accordingly to preserve them.
Meeting legal deadlines
Guidance from an experienced attorney will come in handy, particularly if you’re not privy to the statute of limitations in your state. Many deadlines could jeopardize your case if not followed. They vary from state to state. For instance, under Florida statutes section 95.11, accident victims must file a lawsuit within 4 years from the date the accident occurred. A civil court will not hear a case filed after this period.
Other pertinent deadlines involve seeking medical attention. Florida Statute 627.736 gives an accident victim up to 14 days to seek medical attention for injuries sustained. Failure to do so may cause an insurance company to deny your accident claim.
Getting testimonies from accident witnesses
Accident witnesses play a crucial role in strengthening a personal injury case. However, if they are not approached in time, memories of their accounts may fade, and some may lose interest. An attorney can help capture their testimonies as affidavits quickly before their memory or motivation dwindles.
They will help you deal with insurance companies.
Many accident claims never reach trial and are settled in out-of-court settlements. This might make some people disregard having an attorney and going by themselves. However, this isn’t the case and has led to many accident victims being shortchanged and getting far lower claim settlements than their actual worth or even losing the claim altogether. Insurance companies exploit victims without extensive legal knowledge by exploiting various legal loopholes and getting them in weaker negotiating positions. Having a well-versed attorney will ensure no such missteps occur.
They can help you get Full and fair insurance claims.
Adverse injuries sustained after a car accident may negatively impact many areas of a victim’s life. It may lead to considerable associated costs such as loss of income or wages, medical expenses that may continue long after the accident, and more. An attorney with experience dealing in personal injury cases will know how to maximize the potential claim settlement.
The bottom line is that having an expert attorney by your side after an accident means that your best interests will be represented at every crucial step of your case. An attorney will work on your behalf and update you on all essential details of your case while you rest and recover from the accident. They will be best placed to mitigate any defenses raised by the opposing side as they are well-versed in all procedural rules and relevant laws affecting your case.