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There are multiple occasions when contacting a personal injury lawyer can be extremely beneficial. Acting quickly and choosing the right legal representation after an accident is crucial to help meet deadlines, understand your case’s validity, gather evidence to support your case, and more. Having an experienced lawyer on your side can greatly improve your case’s chance of success.
With over 40 years of experience helping clients seek the compensation they are owed from injuries and damages, George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers is ready to fight for you in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. Request a free case review to help you understand your legal options, or call us today!
Immediately After You’ve Been In an Accident
Your first priority after an accident is to resolve immediate danger and address any injuries that may have been sustained. Call 911 at the scene of the accident and focus on ensuring the well-being of everyone involved. Even if your injuries aren’t immediately obvious or apparent, you should seek medical attention. Injuries such as whiplash or internal bleeding may not present symptoms right away but can cause complications if not attended to by a physician. After the accident is secured by the proper authorities and you have been evaluated by medical professionals, you should reach out to an attorney at your earliest convenience.
Legal representation in the early stages after an accident can help you preserve evidence, gather witness statements, prepare your claim, and more. While it’s never too early to reach out to an accident attorney, it can be too late.
If You’ve Suffered Serious Injuries
Suffering an injury after an accident can be incredibly taxing on your well-being. It can be hard to think about the legal process while you are trying to recover and manage mounting medical expenses, potential long-term care needs, and time off work, which can lead to a loss of income. An experienced attorney can help ease your legal burdens and seek compensation that accurately reflects the severity of your injuries and their impact on your daily life.
When Insurance Companies Are Involved
While insurance companies should act in good faith to resolve a personal injury claim, they are for-profit businesses with a goal to make money, not to make friends. Additionally, dealing with insurance companies can be a hassle even when you haven’t been involved in an accident. Negotiating with an insurance company can be difficult after an accident because they often try to present low-ball settlements or get the case dismissed entirely. With a lawyer on your side who is experienced in negotiating with insurance companies, your interests will be better protected.
When It’s Not Clear Who’s at Fault
Determining who is at fault for an accident is an incredibly important part of your case, and the answer can affect your potential compensation. In some instances, who is liable for an accident seems obvious, such as in cases where an individual was found to be driving under the influence. However, in many situations, determining who is responsible is a complex process.
Gathering evidence on who is at fault for an accident is important in states like South Carolina and Georgia, which follow the doctrine of comparative negligence. In these states, a court assigns a percentage of fault to the parties involved in the accident. For example, if the court finds that the defendant was 70% at fault and the plaintiff was 30% at fault, the plaintiff can only recover 70% of the damages. Under comparative negligence, if you are found to be 50% or more responsible for the accident, you may be completely barred from receiving compensation.
North Carolina follows the doctrine of contributory negligence, which means that if you are even 1% at fault for an accident, you cannot claim compensation from the other parties, even if they are 99% responsible. This means that it is even more important to contact a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer to gather evidence, strengthen your case, and defend your rights.
If You’re Unsure About Your Claim’s Value
Seeking recovery for the damages and injuries you incurred can lessen the financial impact of your injury, but it can be difficult to determine and keep track of the maximum compensation you are entitled to. Understanding the actual value of your claim can be challenging without legal experience. An attorney can evaluate your case and consider all factors that may influence your claim’s amount, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed
Between recovering from your injuries and seeking legal compensation, feeling overwhelmed after an accident is perfectly normal. However, you don’t have to take on the legal burden on your own. Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer can help alleviate the stress of having to navigate the legal process. Your lawyer can handle your case’s complexities and communications, allowing you to focus more on healing and getting your life back on track.
When Time Is Running Out
The statute of limitations, or the time limit on filing personal injury claims, varies from state to state and even from case to case. You could risk losing the right to seek compensation if you file a case after the statute of limitations deadline. This is another reason why consulting with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident or injury is crucial, as a skilled attorney can help you understand the specific deadlines that may apply to your case.
How Do I Contact a Lawyer Near Me?
The best time for contacting a personal injury lawyer is now. George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers fights for the injured and disabled every day. We have resolved over 50,000 cases over four decades, and we have the experience necessary to fight for your rights and seek the maximum compensation you deserve.
We offer a free case review to help you understand your legal rights and case circumstances. The sooner you call, the sooner we can get started with building your case and helping you on your road to recovery. Call us today!