You have been seriously injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault. The insurance company is offering a ridiculously small settlement offer. Your friends are telling you to sue. You just wish it will all go away. How long do you have to wait until you file a personal injury lawsuit? Well, for a personal injury lawsuit in Jacksonville and in many other places in the United States, you only have a year from the time of your injury.
However, local and state laws can differ on the statute of limitations. By the time you read this, the law in your neck of the woods such as Jacksonville, Florida may have changed. This is why it’s best to consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as you can to make sure you know when to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Do You Even Have a Case?
When you get hurt in an accident, the best thing to do is get medical attention right away. Worry about gathering evidence later. If you have a friend that wasn’t hurt, ask him or her to take pictures of the accident scene and your own bodily injuries. In our legal system, it’s all about submitting proof to back up your claims or accusations. Photos help give you this proof. Other things you can gather for proof include:
- Statements from witnesses to your accident
- Copies of police reports, especially if it was an auto accident
- Copies of your medical records to show that you were hurt badly enough that you could not work
- If you were hurt on the job, get a copy of your company’s safety policies.
Finding the Right Personal Injury Attorney
Perhaps you think that you can file a personal injury lawsuit on your own. Think again. The legal system is so complicated that you will wind up being taken advantage of by your opponent, especially if that opponent is an insurance company or the business you work for. In the long run, you will save money and peace of mind by hiring the best personal injury attorney that you can find.
Your attorney will ultimately decide whether you have a case or if a lawsuit would benefit you. Your attorney may know of ways other than a lawsuit, such as mediation, in order for you to get the compensation you deserve. It’s best to interview at least three attorneys to see which one you get on with best. Never hire an attorney without first having a face-to-face initial consultation with him or her. In this way:
- You’ll get to know the lawyer’s personality and see if you can tolerate it.
- You’ll find out how well the lawyer can communicate.
- You’ll get access to the lawyer’s professional knowledge of local, state and federal law so you know what options you have.
About Initial Consultations
Although a free initial consultation is becoming an industry standard, not all personal injury attorneys offer free initial consultations. After all, you are taking up their valuable time. Attorneys that charge for initial consultations are not necessarily any better than one that has free consultations. Just make sure you know their policy before you go to the appointment.
Bring all of the proof, paperwork and photos, with you to the initial consultation. This will help the attorney determine if you have a case and how he or she should go about representing you. Avoid lawyers who make outlandish promises, such as you will win millions of dollars. The only thing good personal injury lawyers will promise is that they will do their best for you.