Right after your injury, you might not be thinking of filing a personal injury claim—you’re focused on getting better, paying for your medical expenses, and trying to get your life back to normal.
But when it comes time to file a claim, there are a few steps you have to go through first to give you the best chance at success.
What should I do immediately after an accident?
If you’re hurt in an accident, the very first thing you should do is take care of your health. But assuming you’ve already done so, there are a few other steps you should take care of to give your injury claim a higher chance of success:
Collect evidence—such as photographs—that show who caused the accident and how it happened
Write down every single thing that has happened to you as a result of your accident, from medical bills to hospital visits to lost wages
Get the names and contact information of witnesses
Take notes about any conversations you have with people regarding your accident
Inform those responsible that you intend to file a personal injury/property damage claim against them
How long do I have to notify someone that I’m filing a claim against them?
In most cases, there’s no time limit on informing the person responsible for your accident that you intend to file a personal injury claim against them. However, there are a couple reasons why you should inform them as quickly as possible.
First of all, taking care of things ahead of time can help account for unforeseen circumstances down the line. Second of all, informing the other person in advance means the other person can’t argue that you waited too long to tell them about your injuries.
Is there a time limit to file my lawsuit?
Settling a personal injury case can be a time-consuming process. There are laws called “statutes of limitations” that set a maximum amount of time in which you’re able to bring specific types of lawsuits. If that time limit expires, you may be barred from bringing suit to recover damages for your injuries.
In California, the statute of limitations for most types of personal injury lawsuits is two years between the date of your injury and the date you file a lawsuit. Claims against a government agency have just six months.
What’s Next?
There’s only so much you can do on your own. Insurance companies are absolute pros when it comes to bullying and intimidating you, making you feel hopeless, and offering you a small fraction of what you really deserve. Those who choose to represent their own cases usually walk away with a pittance, typically nowhere near the monetary value their case is worth.
Hiring the right personal injury attorney gives your case a fighting chance. Your lawyer will make sure your case is processed on time, everything is done by the book, and will give you a voice against the insurance company.
Our firm provides consultations at no charge, requires no type of fee until we win your case, and helps cover all of your medical bills while we work to build your case. Get in touch right away, check out our locations all over the Inland Empire and let’s get to work.
