Is it Ever Too Late to Hire an Attorney After Getting Injured in a Crash?

After an accident, victims often do not know what to do. When it comes to filing a claim, they may follow the insurance company’s directions. Unfortunately, this often means holding off on calling an attorney.

The insurance company knows that attorneys will fight for full compensation. Thus, they will try and persuade injury victims to go through the process alone. By the time you realize the insurance company steered you wrong, it may be too late to hire a lawyer.

Fortunately, there may still be some hope to have your claim approved so you can recover the compensation you need. Call our New Jersey car accident attorneys today to learn more about your legal options. The consultation is free and there are no upfront fees.

Why Should I Call a Lawyer  After a New Jersey Car Crash?

Accident victims often wonder whether they need a lawyer to handle a car accident claim, especially in New Jersey where they can file a claim with their own insurance company first.

It is important to remember that the insurance company is not on your side. They want to pay out as few claims as possible.

Working with an attorney has proved beneficial to many accident victims because:

• Insurance companies are more willing to negotiate with a lawyer
• Lawyers can file a lawsuit if the insurance company is uncooperative

An attorney’s investigation is usually more thorough. Attorneys will investigate:

• Liability – including if there is more than one liable party
• Damages – the full extent of your damages, including future damages and pain and suffering
• Insurance – the limits on the liable party’s insurance policy

Having an attorney on your side can also allow you to focus on your injuries. Our attorneys can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.

Why Is it a Bad Idea To Wait Too Long to Call a Lawyer After a Crash?

Waiting too long to call a lawyer after a crash is a bad idea for several reasons.

First, the insurance company is likely to use this against you. They do this by tricking accident victims into either accepting a lowball settlement offer or admitting on the record they are not hurt.

There is also a time limit to file a lawsuit after a crash. In New Jersey, that time limit is two years. The insurance company may delay paying out your claim for an extended period. If this happens, you may need to file a lawsuit to get them to comply.

However, if you wait too long to work with an attorney, the statute of limitations may pass, which means you cannot file a lawsuit. Your attorney also needs time to build a case, so even if you contact him or her before the statute of limitations out, he or she may be unable to help.

Another reason waiting to call a lawyer is a bad idea is because some of the evidence from the claim may spoil. For example, if the at-fault party has a piece of evidence that would help your claim, a lawyer can send a letter of spoliation to prevent the destruction of the evidence.

It is generally a good idea to call an attorney as soon as possible. This helps to prevent problems that may arise while filing a claim for compensation. If a problem does come up, your attorney may be able to handle it for you.

WHY DO ACCIDENT VICTIMS DECIDE NOT TO CALL A LAWYER?

Accident victims often hesitate to call a lawyer for one of the following reasons:

• They think it will cost too much money
• They do not think their injuries are serious
• They do not think they have a valid case

These are all common misconceptions about working with an attorney and injury claims.

At the Lynch Law Firm, PC, our attorneys work on contingency. This means we do not get paid unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront fees, and we offer a free consultation. You do not pay for our services out of pocket.

If you were in an accident, you most likely suffered some injuries. This means you need to get to a doctor to determine the extent of those injuries. This will cost money, and if you were not at fault for the crash, you should not have to pay those medical bills yourself. Even though your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance should cover these costs, your damages may exceed the policy limits. You need an attorney who can help you file a claim with the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.

Can a Lawyer Still Help Me If I Wait Too Long To Call?

There are some instances when it may not be too late to call a lawyer.

If the statute of limitations has not run out, an attorney may still be able to help you. The same goes if you have not signed a settlement agreement.

You may never know if a lawyer may be unable to help unless you contact them to find out.

Call Our Law Firm Today To Discuss Your Situation

It would be in your best interest to call an attorney immediately after a crash. Our attorneys can provide a free consultation to determine the validity of your claim. We can also discuss your legal options.

From there, our attorneys are ready to investigate your claim. This means determining the extent of your damages and who is liable.

Time is of the essence. Call today. Ph.: (800) 518-0508