I was injured in an accident. When should I talk to a lawyer?

Posted August 18, 2023

  • I was injured in an accident. When should I talk to a lawyer?

Getting injured in a car accident or slipping and falling on a property are both examples of personal injury matters that can be very disruptive to one’s life. From needing time off from work, to paying expensive medical bills and recovering from your injuries, there is a lot of stress that comes with these types of accidents. One common question is: when should I contact a lawyer if I am considering legal action? The short answer is – as soon as possible! There are several reasons why a lawyer should be consulted sooner rather than later:

  1. Preservation of Evidence – When an injury occurs, it is vital to obtain and preserve as much evidence as possible. By contacting an attorney early, your lawyer can begin gathering evidence for your case, which can further strengthen your claim. Plus, an experienced attorney will likely know where evidence is located and how to obtain it. Some of this evidence includes photos, videos, incident reports, and records such as medical or police reports.
  2. Statute of Limitations – In New Jersey, personal injury manners are subjected to statutes of limitations, which means after a certain amount of time, you will not be allowed to bring a case forward. The statute of limitations depends on how you were injured (whether it was a result of negligence, a defective product, etc.) and the clock starts ticking when you get injured, not when you obtain an attorney. Involving a personal injury lawyer early on allows for more time to prepare a case which helps avoid the statute of limitations. Typically, you have two years from the date of the accident to file suit.
  3. Legal Guidance – Speaking with an attorney as soon as possible allows you and your lawyer to walk through all your options together, which affords you time to make the right decisions. In personal injury cases, timing is everything, so why not maximize that time by starting early?
  4. Peace of Mind: Dealing with the aftermath of an injury can be overwhelming, both physically and emotionally. Having an attorney handle the legal aspects of your case allows you to focus on your recovery and well-being. You can have peace of mind knowing that your legal rights are being protected while you focus on more important issues.

Getting injured is a stressful and a potentially life-altering experience, but you do not have to go through it alone! At Florio Perrucci, our personal injury practice group works diligently to advocate for our clients and to reach a fair and just outcome. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

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