When is it Time to Contact a Personal Injury Attorney?

Personal injuries can occur most unexpectedly and suddenly. Sometimes even a seemingly minor incident can cause injuries that can disrupt your life. It could render you unable to work and faced with substantial medical costs.

If your life has taken a turn for the worse due to someone else’s negligence, you may wonder whether to handle the other party’s insurer on your own or work with a personal injury lawyer. Many accident victims ponder on the answer to this question.

When to Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer

After an accident, many victims are initially unsure about seeking legal assistance. You may be able to manage an accident claim without legal counsel if you were involved in a minor fender bender with another vehicle and did not sustain any injuries.

In such cases, you should be able to handle the insurer by yourself to get your vehicle repaired. However, it is vital to consult an experienced attorney if you sustained serious injuries or the other party’s insurance company disputes your claim. It is crucial to understand your legal options to be able to make an educated decision.

A majority of accident victims are not familiar with the claims process. By virtue of their work, insurance adjusters are skilled negotiators. Working with a trusted attorney can help ensure the protection of your rights. An attorney with experience in handling insurance companies can offer you reliable guidance on your claim’s value and prevent an insurer from giving you the short end of the stick.

You should not be responsible for medical expenses for injuries caused by the recklessness of another driver. The inability to seek legal counsel after a serious incident may cost you additional money and time.

By hiring a knowledgeable attorney to investigate your case, you will find yourself on the path to physical recovery much sooner.

Dealing with Insurance Companies

After your accident, a representative from an insurance company may contact you in a bid to settle your insurance claim quickly. Remember that the insurance adjuster’s top priority is to settle the claim at the lowest possible amount.

The adjuster may attempt to shift the blame for the incident, minimize your injuries, or offer a lowball settlement to absolve themselves of liability. In comparison to what the case is actually worth, they may present a low settlement offer. They know that you will not be entitled to any further payment if you accept this offer.

If you provide any statements to the insurance adjuster, be mindful that they may be used against you. Thus, it is essential to consult a personal injury lawyer before making any statements or signing any paperwork.

When Accident Investigations Are Inadequate

A comprehensive accident investigation is vital to proving how you sustained injuries and who is to blame for the incident. Sadly, law enforcement and insurance companies after often limited in the number of resources or amount of time they can devote to investigating your claim.

The skilled personal injury lawyers at Burge & Burge conduct an independent accident investigation and reconstruct how the incident occurred. Our top-notch lawyers can subpoena witnesses, acquire camera footage, and reveal hidden evidence to prove your case.

Statute of Limitations Governed Time Limits

It may take time to investigate an accident, identify the potentially guilty party (or parties), and negotiate with insurers on the settlement figure. Sometimes you may not even understand the full scale of your injuries or any residual disabilities until months or years after the incident occurred.

However, there is a time limit on filing your personal injury claim in Arkansas, and you must file your claim within the time limits dictated by the Statute of Limitations.

Personal Injury

Under Alabama law, the victim must file a personal injury claim within two years of the injury date in most cases. This time window includes claims for particular injuries that may have occurred in a car crash or other events involving negligence.

Wrongful Death

According to Alabama law, most wrongful death suits must be filed within a period of two years following the victim’s death. In these types of cases, the state only allows the victim’s family to sue for punitive damages.

In some exceptional cases, the statute of limitations time limit can be extended. The intricacies of the Alabama statute of limitations are well-understood by our attorneys, who can guide you effectively through the process.

Why it is Vital to Move Quickly with Your Personal Injury Claim

The statute of limitations is a critical aspect to keep in mind. Still, it is not the only reason to move fast and consult a personal injury lawyer after your accident. Such claims are always more straightforward when they are fresh in the injury victims’ and witnesses’ minds, and it is possible to obtain other physical evidence.

If you or someone you love has sustained injuries in an Alabama accident or event due to the recklessness of another, consult our dedicated personal injury attorneys as soon as possible. To schedule a free consultation and case review with a member of our legal team, call Burge & Burge today at 205-251-9000 or contact us online.