Did you know that there is an expiration on your right to file a personal injury claim? In the state of Texas you have two (2) years before the statute of limitations runs out, and this timeline may be shortened depending on the specific circumstances of the event. For example, per the Texas Tort Claims Act, claims against Texas government agencies must occur six (6) months. If you have been hit by a city bus or injured by other government property, it’s extra important to contact a personal injury lawyer quickly!
As a top personal injury lawyer in Texas, we often are asked about the timing of making a claim and retaining our legal services. To help answer this question, we’ve compiled a list of six ideal times to contact a personal injury lawyer.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, because accidents vary widely in their causes, locations and instigating events, and we can’t predict every possibility of accident and injury. Still, we hope these guidelines are helpful, and of course, we are always here 24/7/365 by phone call, text, over the web, or by direct message on our social media channels to answer your specific questions and get you the help you need!
The most ideal time to contact a personal injury lawyer for assistance is as soon as the accident has occurred. This is particularly helpful for a couple of reasons.
First, there is no disruption or complication to the series of events from the time of the accident. Your attorney will have been in lockstep with you, with the benefit of knowing the timeline and incident details from almost the very beginning. The more time that passes between the accident and your call to the injury attorney, the more likely it is that critical information may be lost or misplaced, witnesses will forget events or be out of reach, and that medical treatment may become complicated.
Second, sometimes people can be their own worst enemy in the process of an insurance claim. Before you get too far into a battle with the insurance adjuster, and perhaps complicate the process by saying the wrong thing on a recorded line (they use these tricky tactics!), or getting frustrated and emotional (understandable but ultimately unhelpful!), let the experts take control of the situation. The skilled negotiators at Thompson Law have handled thousands of cases, so they know just the tact to take and the strategies to use for the most effective and efficient results.
A few examples where immediate attorney consultation benefits you:
One of the most important indicators that you need to contact a personal injury lawyer is that you have an injury! Whether you left directly from the scene of the accident in an ambulance to the ER or if you experienced delayed onset of your symptoms hours, days, or even weeks later – be sure to seek treatment as soon as you suspect you have an injury from your accident.
Nothing is more important than your safety, recovery, and well-being after an incident like motor vehicle collision or workplace slip and fall. Even if your injuries seem minor or your symptoms aren’t obvious, you owe yourself the time and care to protect your best possible health. Personal injury firms can consult about your options for pursuing just compensation to cover the expenses of medical bills, treatment costs, lost work or decreased earning potential, and general damages for your pain and suffering.
Documenting the scene after an accident is critically important. Taking photos of the damage and injuries, documenting the identification of any vehicles and drivers, and exchanging contact information with witnesses and those involved all provide important information for your attorney to understand the eventfully. In addition, obtaining a police report provides a statement of the accident events from a credible authority, so we recommend getting a police report for any accident, and especially accidents where people were hurt.
Once you have received a police report is a great time to contact a personal injury lawyer. Having this authorized authority document is extremely important to your attorney as they build a complete and credible file for your claim and case. This documentation provides a starting point for your legal team to begin issuing demands to at-fault parties, gathering statements from witnesses, and describing the specific events that you suffered.
Insurance adjusters are famous for their tactics to avoid, delay, prolong, and complicate the claims process – that is, if they aren’t outright denying your claim altogether! It can be intensely frustrating to hear little to no update and then be faced with a long-overdue follow-up question that shows no progress or being issued an unexplained denial.
On the other hand, perhaps the insurance company isn’t ignoring you – they’re inundating you with complicated requests, demands of your time and attention or generally badgering you into being so frustrated you walk away.
The paperwork, phone calls, and demands for statements can really add up! The stress of answering these inquiries and the requirement to be available at a moment’s notice for calls and emails is unfair and frustrating. Beat the adjusters at their own game by getting Thompson Law on your side! With the help of your personal injury team, you know that you are protected by fierce negotiators and litigators who excel at pushing back on insurance company nonsense.
If you were hit by a commercial vehicle driver, it is especially important to contact a personal injury lawyer. There can be particular challenges for commercial vehicle cases, whether it be an 18-wheeler, Uber, or other delivery truck. These vehicles are often owned or protected by large companies that have teams and processes in place to protect themselves in the event of accidents. They also typically have more robust insurance policies and provider relationships that are extremely difficult to face as an individual negotiating on behalf of yourself.
Our Texas truck accident attorneys have seen it all when it comes to erroneous and negligent behavior from commercial vehicles. Whether you had an encounter with a fatigued or drowsy driver, a delivery driver rushing to make an impossible schedule or an overloaded 18-wheeler, truck wreck lawyers and other commercial vehicle accident attorneys know how to draft demands and negotiate for every penny you deserve for your injuries, damages, pain, and suffering.
Being hit by an uninsured driver can be particularly infuriating. Not only have you been inconvenienced, had your car damaged, and likely been hurt, but now the responsibility of managing the claim process falls to you and your own uninsured motorist policy!
Too many drivers didn’t follow the law and obtain the legally mandated minimum auto insurance coverage in their state. Working with an injury attorney after collisions with these drivers helps ensure a fair outcome so that you receive your maximum compensation without being penalized for accessing your own policy coverage after an incident that wasn’t your fault.
Plus, retaining an expert injury attorney means that you get your time and freedom back after the accident. Leave the hard work of dealing with the insurance company to your dedicated legal team.
The sooner you reach out to an injury attorney after your injurious accident, the better your chances of a smooth and efficient claim and case process. Contact a personal injury lawyer with questions about personal injury damages, as it also comes with no risk to you. Thompson Law offers free consultations and works on a contingency fee basis. This means a couple of important things for you.
With free consultations, there is no risk at all in calling our legal experts for an opinion on your situation. If you are uncertain whether your accident warrants attorney intervention, do yourself the favor of calling a specialist for their advice!
A contingency fee structure means that you do not pay one penny unless and until Thompson Law wins for you. This means you will not receive surprise charges or hidden fees. And, you won’t owe any money for legal services until your case is won and your settlement check has arrived.
If you have been involved in an accident and aren’t certain of your need for legal protection, reimbursement, or deserved punitive damages, reach out to Thompson Law today. Our helpful and knowledgeable experts are standing by ready to take your call, answer your questions, and take the burden of the aftermath of the accident off your shoulders.
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Thompson Law receives an attorney fee and you pay no legal fees as our client unless we pay you. Thompson Law has 350 years of combined experience in legal representation and has won over $1.8 billion dollars in cash settlements for our clients. We master the art of managing client cases with empathy, compassion, respect and, of course, prodigious skill. Contact us today for a free, risk-free consultation to discuss your accident and your options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an auto accident. If you have been injured in an accident, call now to get the help you need.
