+1-716-855-3761
·
Contact@lotempiopc.com
·
Mon - Fri 9A-5P
+1-716-855-3761
·
Contact@lotempiopc.com
·
Mon - Fri 9A-5P

Why Time Is of the Essence When Calling a Car Accident Attorney

Why Time Is of the Essence When Calling a Car Accident AttorneyThere’s always a lot to in the wake of a wreck, from securing alternative transportation to repairing the damage. It’s so easy to get caught up in the minutia, in fact, that victims often forget to take care of themselves.

Regardless of the circumstances, though, your first priority following an accident should be your health. Even if you feel relatively fine, you should schedule a comprehensive evaluation as soon as possible.

It’s not uncommon for shock and adrenaline to mask troublesome symptoms. What’s more, some impact injuries may not manifest any signs for days or even weeks after they occur.

Once your condition stabilizes, the next priority should be your financial security. By putting together a strong personal injury claim, you may be able to hold all reckless or negligent parties accountable for their conduct.

To give your claim the best chance of success, it’s advisable to call a car accident attorney as soon as you can. Here are some of the biggest reasons why:

Critical Evidence May Not Be Available Indefinitely

In order to prove fault for the collision in which you were hurt, you may need to act fast. There’s a good chance at least some of the strongest evidence is time-sensitive.

Eyewitness testimony becomes increasingly less reliable, for example. And if the incident was captured on film by a dash camera in the vicinity or a surveillance system overlooking the scene, the owner of the footage is not obligated to preserve it. What’s more, motor carriers are only obligated to retain their truckers’ logs for six months.

The Opposing Party May Prove Uncooperative

Although most personal injury claims are settled, there’s always the chance that yours ends up in court. If the opposing party disputes liability, refuses to acknowledge the extent of your damages, or is otherwise uncooperative, proceeding to trial may be the only way to pursue the compensation you deserve. Since every state has enacted various statutes of limitations under tort law, however, you’ll have a limited amount of time to do so.

In New York, for example, the standard filing deadline for personal injury suits founded on negligence is three years. If the defendant intentionally set out to harm the plaintiff, though, the deadline is shortened to just one year. And if you intend to take legal action on behalf of a deceased loved one, your family has only two years to file the wrongful death suit.

Because there are a number of exceptions to these deadlines, it’s wise to consult an attorney as soon as possible. If it turns out a government agency is to blame for the accident, for example, you’ll have just 90 days to file a Notice of Claim, and then you’ll have one year and 90 days to file the actual lawsuit.

Call 716-855-3761 to Discuss Your Case with a New York Car Accident Lawyer

If you were hurt in a motor-vehicle collision through no fault of your own, contact LoTempio P.C. Law Group as soon as possible. We’ll help you gather the evidence needed to prove liability and damages against all responsible parties. Call 716-855-3761 or use our Online Contact Form to set up a free consultation with a car accident attorney in New York.

Related Posts

Leave a Reply