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Rebuilding physical and emotional well-being after a car accident takes time and energy. You might lean towards putting off seeking legal counsel while you focus on your immediate concerns.
How you feel is only natural. Yet, if you don’t contact an attorney as soon as possible, you could lose your chance to claim compensation for the injuries suffered during your crash.
When is it too late to get a lawyer for a car accident? Gould Injury Law can let you know where your case stands, and we provide fast solutions for car accident victims. This blog post will also help you answer this question and secure an attorney in time.
Why Some People Hesitate to Get a Car Accident Lawyer
The potential obligation, the overall cost, and the emotional burdens of recovery could hold you back, but you will find an empathetic listening ear at Gould Injury Law. Our car accident attorneys can tell you what your case is worth.
We aim to secure maximum compensation for your personal injury lawsuit as fast as possible. So when you work with us, you can lay your worries to rest. You will be able to focus on recovering from your injuries while we pursue a successful outcome for your claim.
Yet, your apprehension is understandable. The following concerns might weigh on your mind.
Obligation
Some law firms use their consultations to pressure people into hiring them. At Gould Injury Law, though, the choice remains yours.
During appointments, our representatives will address your concerns. We can also explain how a personal injury claim works. There is no obligation to hire us, and this initial meeting is always free.
Money
Hiring a lawyer for a car accident is expensive. At least, that’s what you might have heard. You might be surprised to learn that our law firm charges accident victims nothing for legal representation unless your case is won.
During your free case review, we will tell you about our services. We will also answer your questions about how personal injury law applies to your claim.
If you hire us, our law firm will seek the maximum payout for your claim. Then, we take our legal expenses from your cash settlement.
This fee arrangement means you pay nothing upfront or out of pocket. You have nothing to lose, so why not call (888) WIN-FAST to schedule your appointment now? Our phone lines and online chat are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Injuries
Nothing is easy when you are hurting. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), auto collisions cause shock and affect the accident victims’ emotional and mental health.
For instance, during the healing process, you might notice these physical and psychological symptoms:
- Widespread and chronic aches and pains
- Dizziness or nausea
- Fatigue
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Poor concentration
- Double vision
- Loss of mobility
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety and stress
- Depression
- Anguish
- Fearfulness
- Sleep issues
- Recurring nightmares
- Reluctance or inability to drive again
The same website goes on to explain that accident trauma can impact drivers, passengers, and bystanders. Understandably, serious injuries can occupy your time and attention.
Many accident victims find relief from leaving legal problems in our experienced hands at Gould Injury Law. Our personal injury lawyers take fast, immediate legal action to pursue full compensation.
Grief
In 2022, there were some 238 Connecticut traffic fatalities. These terrible car accidents left behind many grieving relatives and friends.
The emotional toll of loss can overshadow the urgency of recovering damages. Yet, many family members soon realize the full extent of funeral expenses. Wrongful death benefits can ease the financial burden, but it often takes legal help to recover the total cost of the memorial service.
Time
Time often seems to pass quickly. After an accident, you might feel no urgency to secure a settlement offer.
Yet, you might soon discover that dealing with insurance adjusters is more complex than you anticipated. They might say that you don’t have enough evidence and give you a minimal period to find what you need. You could receive an unfair settlement or a rejected car accident claim if you are missing documentation.
Rather than leave the important details until the last, be proactive. Get the help you need to meet the legal deadlines specific to your case.
Hire a fast-working attorney to prepare a demand letter and collect physical evidence. If you have legal representation from the beginning, your car accident lawsuit could be settled faster and with less inconvenience to you.
Why is acting fast so essential in the State of Connecticut?
Meeting the Car Accident Claim Deadline in Connecticut
You have the right to pursue compensation from the responsible party. Yet, every state applies a time limit on car accident claims. In other words, if you don’t take immediate action, the other party could get away with paying nothing for your property damage and medical bills.
In Connecticut, this deadline is called the statute of limitations. The legal system sets these general rules in place:
- The accident victim (or relatives of a deceased accident victim) can only recover damages for injury to a person or property
- The damage must have been caused by someone else’s negligence, reckless, or wanton misconduct – or medical malpractice
- A 2-year time countdown begins on the day of the accident
When is it too late to get a lawyer for a car accident? Apart from rare exceptions, you cannot start a car accident case after the 2-year statute of limitations expires. A Gould Injury Law car accident attorney can tell you whether you still qualify to file your case during your free consultation with us.
How Time Affects Your Eligibility for Fast Compensation
Your attorney can help you determine who is responsible for your accident. In most car accident cases, the driver’s insurance company pays for damages. In the case of commercial trucks, their company is responsible for carrying liability insurance.
What if an uninsured or underinsured person caused the accident? Your lawyer can help you seek a fair settlement from your insurance company.
You could potentially receive accident damages including:
- Repair fees or the replacement cost of your vehicle
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death benefits
Insurance adjusters usually estimate property damage based on evidence at the accident scene. A personal injury attorney can double-check for accuracy.
Handling special circumstances
Some victims are the result of a state action. For instance, was the other vehicle involved a city bus, emergency response vehicle, or municipal-owned trucks or equipment? Special rules could apply to your case.
If so, an attorney can help you file a notice with the State of Connecticut Claims Commissioner. Generally, you must take action within 1 year of the date of the incident.
Preserving evidence
The faster you get a lawyer involved, the sooner your lawyer can start gathering proof to support your car accident claim. For instance, some law firms use the services of accident reconstruction experts.
These professionals look for indications, such as skid marks and debris at the original scene, to recreate the collision in order to prove that fault lies with other parties. If you wait too late, this important evidence could disappear forever.
Collecting a recorded statement is a reliable way to ensure witness testimony is fresh. These witness statements could be invaluable for a court trial. Your attorney can also share them with insurance companies.
Submitting documents
Each insurance company has its own internal deadlines. Your insurance policy will tell you how fast after an accident you need to submit your demand letter and present evidence like medical records and police statements to support your claim.
Beware: Insurance companies could deny your claim if you fail to submit paperwork on time. Our years of experience dealing with insurance companies allow us to work fast to ensure essential steps are taken on time.
Some insurance companies are unscrupulous. An insurance company might rush you to accept a settlement offer if they know your medical expenses will continue to rise.
Never sign a waiver releasing the other driver from liability without consulting an attorney. If you do, you could forfeit your right to claim compensation for your medical treatment and lost wages.
What if the at-fault driver’s insurance company refuses to pay your car accident-related medical bills? Our advice is to get a car accident lawyer fast. Contact Gould Injury Law to learn what you can do to get the settlement offer you deserve before the statute of limitations expires.
Getting Faster Compensation for Car Accidents
Car accidents are among the most traumatic experiences that a person can have. Surrounding yourself with people who care about you can support your healing.
Insurance companies should pay fairly for medical treatment and lost wages. Unfortunately, some seem more concerned with financial gain. Their stressful deadlines can leave you scrambling to collect evidence when you should be resting.
The professional advice of a lawyer can relieve your burdens. In many cases, a car accident attorney can get better and faster compensation for your personal injuries.
At Gould Injury Law, we have the expertise and resources to help you settle your claim fast. By acting quickly, we can preserve vital evidence. This step is necessary to resolve your claim before the statute of limitations prevents you from getting the money you need.
Would you like to talk to an accident lawyer about maximizing your compensation for your injuries? Schedule your free consultation with our law firm today. Call (888) WIN-FAST to learn what a fast-acting, experienced attorney can do for you.