Find out how waiting to call a personal injury attorney can hurt your case down the road.
Taking the steps to file any kind of legal claim is always a little tough, and personal injury cases are no exception. Whether you’re reluctant to get involved in a potentially lengthy court process or can’t help but feel like the accident was partly your fault, procrastinating about getting your formal claim started is a normal and common response to a stressful situation. The problem is that the longer you wait, the weaker your case can become.
Why Is Waiting to Call a Personal Injury Attorney a Bad Idea?
1. Legal Limitations
Although a lot depends on the nature of you case, personal injury lawsuits generally have shorter statutes of limitations – laws that determine the amount of time you have to file a claim – than criminal felonies. In other words, if you wait too long, you might be legally blocked from filing your claim altogether. You can learn more about time limits for personal injury cases in Wisconsin here.
2. Lack of Evidence
Without the guidance of a qualified personal injury attorney, collecting the right body of evidence can be difficult. For example, medical files need to show a strong connection to your accident injuries, while physical evidence should be detailed enough to back up every aspect of your story. Another issue is that evidence can get lost or accidentally destroyed over time, putting your entire case in jeopardy.
3. Inaccurate Memories
While you may never forget your accident completely, exact details can fade with time. What you were doing right before your accident, how the defendant was acting and what happened in the seconds after the altercation are all examples of memories that attorneys rely on to build successful cases.
Even if you think you have everything down exactly as it happened, are your witnesses as reliable? When witnesses play an important role in representing your side of the story, getting their statements while their memories are still fresh can be the key to winning.
4. No Resolution
It’s tough to move forward when you feel like someone else’s reckless actions have caused you emotional, physical, and financial hardships. Handing your case over to a qualified personal injury attorney can put you back in control of your life and help you get closure. Plus, when you act fast, you’re more likely to improve your chances of getting a quick and fair settlement.
Looking for a personal injury attorney? Contact HBO Law Firm directly or visit us online to learn more about our services in Neenah and Appleton, WI.