If you or your loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you should immediately get in touch with a car accident attorney to schedule an appointment to discuss what happened.
It is not often recognized, but if you want to file a claim for financial compensation after a car accident, you have a limited time to do so. If you miss the deadline, you may lose out on money.
Those who delay filing a car accident claim lose their right to seek compensation after an accident. To reduce this risk, Legal Giant can link you up with an experienced Lansing car accident lawyer who will help you with your case.
A lawyer will make the legal process easy to enable you to focus on resuming your everyday life.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident?
After a car accident, the insurance provider will have a team of investigators, claims adjusters, and attorneys who will build a case against paying you. They aim to offer you the least possible settlement for your personal injury claim.
Because they will develop their case immediately after the accident, you should also contact a car accident attorney. You have a better chance of collecting compensation for your damages if you have an experienced attorney to offer legal advice and assistance.
But there are specific measures you should take after an accident to protect your rights. In order of importance:
Call the police
Call law enforcement officers to report the accident and inform them if there are any casualties.
The responding officers will speak with everyone involved in the accident and document the road condition, time and date of the incident, and weather conditions (if they had any influence on the collision).
These facts are recorded in the police report, which will help your attorney understand how the accident occurred. It is also important to request a copy of the police report from the police officer who responds to your call and share it with your Lansing car accident lawyer.
Gather evidence at the scene of the accident
Taking pictures or videos of the scene of the accident is crucial. You can also take photos of your injuries, the point of impact on the vehicles involved, skid marks, and any debris at the site.
You may also gather witness testimony and ask for their contact information.
These images and witness testimonies will serve as evidence for your personal injury claim. Additionally, request contact and insurance details from everyone involved in your collision.
Get medical treatment
If an accident results in injuries, paramedics may offer emergency treatment. It is a good idea to consult a doctor, even if your injuries look minor.
Some injuries, like soft tissue injuries and concussions, do not appear immediately and can worsen if not treated on time.
Adhere to your physician’s directions about prescriptions, examinations, and follow-up treatment.
Besides, you can use your medical records, bills, or prescription charges after treatment as proof of damages caused by your car accident.
Consult an attorney
A car accident attorney can assist with your personal injury claims. You should consult a car accident lawyer before filing your claim, especially accepting a settlement from the insurance company.
Give your attorney all the information you have already collected regarding the collision, including the police report, any photos you have taken, and the names and contact information of everyone involved.
To assess the value of your personal injury claim, your lawyer can look over your medical bills, records, and medication prices.
A knowledgeable car accident attorney can advise you on how to respond to any inquiries from an insurance adjuster if they contact you to get more details about your claim to avoid unintentionally hurting your case.
How Long Should You Wait to Contact a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
If you have been involved in a car accident, contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. There are several reasons for this.
First, critical evidence may be lost or destroyed if your case investigation is delayed.
By dealing with the insurance provider directly, you risk unintentionally admitting fault for the accident, which might jeopardize your chance of receiving compensation for your losses.
Additionally, the insurance company may fail to negotiate a settlement with you. That leaves you with the option of filing a lawsuit which is another lengthy process. A skilled Lansing car accident attorney can work with you to build a strong case.
Personal injury claims are also subject to statutes of limitations. That means delaying filing your claim might prevent you from being awarded compensation.
The benefit of hiring a lawyer is that there are no upfront costs. Most car accident attorneys take our personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis. This implies that you only pay them after they successfully recover your compensation.
What Is the Statute of Limitation for Car Accidents in Lansing?
The “statute of limitations” is a legal term used in American courts. Apart from the limit on filing motor vehicle accident claims, there are limitations to informing your insurance provider about the accident.
In Lansing and the rest of Michigan, car accident victims have up to three years to file a lawsuit. That means a victim has three years, counting from the date of the accident, to get in touch with a car accident attorney, initiate the claims procedure, and start the compensation-seeking process.
This policy may be extended under unique circumstances, but such extensions are uncommon. This is why it is best to contact a Lansing car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Furthermore, it could be easier to gather evidence and build a solid claim when you call a lawyer earlier since the accident details would be fresh in your mind.
How Can a Lansing Car Accident Lawyer Help?
Once you get in touch with your accident attorney, they will competently handle the following tasks:
- Collect the evidence you need to support your claim
- Secure expert witnesses to attest to the details of your claim
- Create accident simulations to support your claim
- Handle the correspondence with the insurance provider
- Communicate with the insurance provider on your behalf
- Negotiate with the insurance provider for a fair settlement
- Guide you through the claims process and assist you in making decisions that are best for you.
Contact a Lansing Car Accident Attorney
Have you been involved in a car accident in Lansing? Hire an experienced Lansing car accident attorney to get you the compensation you deserve.
Car accident claims and lawsuits are more complex than you think. For this reason, you need to speak to a lawyer and learn about your legal options.
At Legal Giant, we can connect you with an experienced local car accident attorney to fight for you. We have a network of top-rated attorneys who fight aggressively to ensure you get justice.
Contact us today for a free evaluation of your case.
