If you’ve been through a car accident and the injuries were way too much for you to recover. But after seeking proper medical attention, now that you’re back with limited mobility, you may wonder if it’s worth waiting to file a settlement claim. Here’s what you need to know about the risks of waiting.
Why you should file a claim immediately
If you’ve been in a car accident, you may wonder if you should file a claim immediately or wait to see how things play out. While both approaches have pros and cons, filing a claim as soon as possible is generally advisable.
The sooner you file a claim, the sooner you can start receiving benefits from your insurance company. This can be important if you need to cover medical expenses or repairs to your vehicle.
Additionally, filing a claim right away can help preserve evidence that may be important to your case. For example, if you wait too long to file a police report, the other driver may have left the scene, and it will be harder to get information about what happened.
What can happen if you wait
For one, the statute of limitations for filing a claim could expire, and you would miss your chance to get any compensation. Additionally, evidence from the accident scene could disappear, and witnesses’ memories could fade, making it more difficult to prove your case.
And finally, if you wait too long to seek medical treatment, insurance companies may argue that your injuries are unrelated to the accident. So if you’ve been in a car accident, it’s best to consult an experienced personal injury law firm, like The Bruning Law Firm, as soon as possible.
The statute of limitations
The statute of limitations specifies how long you have to file a claim after an accident. The two-year statute of limitations for auto accidents is the norm in most states. If you were in a car accident, you must file a claim two years from the accident date. If you do not file a claim within this time frame, you will likely be unable to collect any compensation for your injuries.
There are some exceptions to the general rule. For example, if the other driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident, you may have a longer period to file a claim. Additionally, if you are filing a claim against a government entity, you may have a shorter period to file.
When to speak with an attorney
You should consider speaking with an attorney after a car accident a few key times. If you were injured in the accident, it is important to seek medical attention and speak with an attorney to ensure you file your claim within the appropriate time frame. If the other driver was at fault and their insurance company was not cooperating, an attorney can help you navigate the process and negotiate a fair settlement.
Additionally, if your car was damaged and you cannot agree with the other driver or their insurance company about repairs, an attorney can help. It is important to remember that every situation is different, so even if none of the above apply to you, there may still be other times when it makes sense to speak with an attorney.
How an attorney can help
Hiring an attorney may seem like an unnecessary expense when you are trying to recover from a car accident. You may be worried about the cost or think you can handle the insurance claim independently. However, many risks are associated with waiting to hire an attorney or handling the claim yourself.
An attorney can help you by investigating the accident and gathering evidence to support your claim. They will also negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and ensure that you receive the full compensation to which you are entitled. Without an attorney, you may be disadvantaged when dealing with the insurance company and its team of adjusters and lawyers.
Conclusion
Your car accident settlement claim is important. Don’t wait to file it. The risks of waiting to file a car accident settlement claim are great. If you wait too long, you may miss the deadline and forfeit your right to compensation. You also risk having your case thrown out if you wait too long to file.
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