Most people who are filing a personal injury claim are doing so for the first time. They generally have many questions, including how the process works and how long it takes. You can get a general idea by reading on. You can also contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation based on your own specific case.
In Some Cases It Can Take Years to Complete a Personal Injury Claim
All cases are different but it is important to know that some cases can take years to be resolved. It all depends on what the insurance company is willing to offer, how quickly your wounds heal, and a variety of other factors that
Right Away: See a Doctor
The first step is always to get medical care. If you were seriously injured then you should have called 911 or at least gone to the emergency room. If you did not get care right away, then you should visit your doctor or urgent care clinic as soon as possible. You should then document all medical bills, visits, and instructions.
Within the First Few Days: Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
You do not need to call a personal injury attorney from your hospital bed, but you should call them as soon as it is reasonably safe to do so. Once an attorney has heard your side of the story in a free consultation, they can advise you on your best legal options. Hiring an attorney right away is important because it gives us the best chance of finding all the available evidence. Weeks later, it might be difficult to get witnesses to remember exactly what happened.
Months After the Accident: Reach Maximum Medical Improvement
If you have a strong case, you should expect that the insurance company will start offering you a settlement right away. This is because they want you to take as little as possible. They want you to take a settlement before you have talked to an attorney and before you have achieved maximum medical improvement. If you have not yet reached this point then you will not be able to determine your true long-term costs and damages.
Within the First Two Years: File Your Lawsuit
In almost all cases, you will have two years from the date of the accident to file your claim or lawsuit. There are a few exceptions. For example, if the defendant in the case is a government entity then you have just six months. If your case involves property damage but no injuries, then you have three years to file.
It is not surprise that this can be a complicated situation. That is why you need an experienced attorney on your side. You will find that in The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker. Call us now at 800-333-0000 and let us handle this care for you.
