After an accident, most injured Floridians focus on what seems most important—their health, recovery, and the emotional toll of the situation. It’s perfectly natural not to think about legalities right away. However, you must call an attorney as soon as possible, especially if you have serious needs that require a significant settlement or personal injury judgment. If you are wondering if you should call an attorney sooner rather than later, this article will educate you on the importance of acting quickly – for your best interest and to maximize future compensation.
Why You Should Call an Attorney Immediately After an Accident
Accidents are always unexpected. Whether it’s a car accident, a slip and fall, or any other unfortunate incident, the immediate aftermath is usually chaotic and significant enough to alter your everyday life.
But after a personal injury, timing is everything. Acting quickly can be the difference between a successful claim and losing out on compensation entirely. Some of the most important reasons for promptly reaching out to a Florida personal injury team include:
Immediate Medical Care and Documentation: Attorneys often have networks of trusted doctors and medical providers who can assist injured parties by diagnosing and treating injuries, including those that might not be immediately obvious. In addition, medical assistance documentation is often the most critical piece of evidence used to determine compensation. You never want to take chances by forgoing medical attention or failing to document it properly, and attorneys can help in both ways.
Preserving Vital Evidence: Medical documentation is key, but so are other forms of evidence that bolster your case. Over time, evidence can be lost or corrupted. Accident sites are cleaned up, and witnesses either forget details or become unavailable after long periods. A personal injury attorney will begin preserving evidence from the moment they take your case and use it to build a convincing argument in your favor later.
Avoiding Costly Mistakes: Opposing parties often use details from innocent everyday activities posted online to reduce their liability and rob injured Floridians of their rightful compensation. The insurance company could use posting about the accident on social media to downplay your injuries, and once the cat is out of the bag, you may not be able to alter your story. An experienced Florida attorney will advise you on what to avoid doing and what you can share with friends and family.
Starting the Process Before the Statute of Limitations Expires: In Florida, personal injury cases have a statute of limitations two years after the accident date. Building a solid personal injury case requires significant investigation and evidence gathering, and waiting too long risks losing your right to sue entirely. This is one of the most compelling reasons to call an attorney in a timely manner.
Maximizing Compensation: The sooner you call an attorney, the better your chances of recovering the maximum compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Early involvement allows your attorney to gather the most comprehensive evidence possible and engage with you over time to truly understand your needs and injuries.
If you’ve been injured in Florida, taking precious time out of your recovery to call an attorney might not seem important. But, if you ever plan to fight for compensation through a personal injury case, a relatively brief consultation and legal agreement early on will allow attorneys to work on your behalf to secure the maximum compensation on your behalf. Contact Probinsky & Cole today to speak to our team and learn how our Florida personal injury attorneys can help you after your accident.
Probinsky and Cole have offices in Sarasota, Orlando, and Brandon (Tampa).