There is no precise moment when an injured party should contact a lawyer and hire legal representation. However, having an attorney on your side to advocate for you early on—preferably as soon as possible after the accident—is a good idea. We will handle your case, protect your rights, and work to maximize your recovery while you focus on healing and your health.
Talk to a Long Island personal injury lawyer about your accident and injuries as soon as able to do so. Acting quickly is crucial. There are strict legal deadlines and procedural steps you will need to follow, and missing them could jeopardize your case.
- How Will Hiring an Attorney Early Benefit My Case?
- A Lawyer Will Provide Peace of Mind While You Recover
- Take Legal Action as Soon as Your Injuries Allow
- Talk to Our Personal Injury Team Today for Free
How Will Hiring an Attorney Early Benefit My Case?
As personal injury lawyers on Long Island and in New York, we recommend that victims or their families contact us as soon as their injuries are stable and they are able to make the call. If the severity of injuries is so great that the injured person cannot reach out, but either does want legal representation or does not have the cognitive ability to communicate that they want legal representation, a family member or friend should contact a lawyer on the injured person’s behalf. There are several ways our team will benefit their case as they heal:
Time Is Limited to Take Legal Action
Under New York Civil Practice Laws & Rules § 214, state law sets a strict deadline for filing a lawsuit. Missing this deadline could bar you from recovering compensation. However, some cases have additional deadlines to act, and they could be much shorter.
If your injury involves a government agency, for example, you have an extremely limited time to file a Notice of Claim under General Municipal Law § 50-e. This requires your attorney to investigate the case facts, collect evidence, draft a notice that complies with the applicable laws, and file the claim right away.
We Will Work to Preserve All Crucial Evidence
Not all evidence will last until you heal and begin focusing on your insurance claim or legal case. Accident scenes change, witnesses leave the area, and businesses erase video footage. A personal injury attorney from our team will act quickly to preserve the evidence in your case before it disappears. This could include taking actions like the following:
- Obtaining police reports or other records
- Surveying the scene where the injuries occurred
- Interviewing witnesses before memories fade
- Sending preservation letters to those involved, requiring them to hold on to crucial evidence
We Identify and Avoid Insurance Company Pitfalls
Insurance adjusters are not on your side. They work to minimize your claim and pay you as little as possible. Anything you say to them could be used against you later. Some common mistakes include:
- Giving recorded statements without consulting a lawyer
- Accepting early settlement offers
- Signing medical releases for your full range of medical records
- Saying things that minimize your injuries or damages
- Making statements that they will use as an admission of fault
Our personal injury lawyers will communicate with insurers on your behalf, protect your rights, and make sure you do not settle for less than is appropriate based on your costs and losses.
We Ensure You Understand How Much Your Case Might Be Worth
Most injured victims have no idea what their case is worth. One of our personal injury attorneys will evaluate your economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical care to date
- Future medical treatment and surgeries
- Missed work
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Diminished quality of life
Your attorney will understand how to document your losses, present them persuasively, and negotiate for appropriate compensation.
We Provide Access to Personal Injury Experts
We often work with medical experts, accident reconstructionists, and others to develop a strong case. These experts could be critical if the insurance company tries to downplay the severity of your injuries or blame you for the accident.
We Will Prepare for the Possibility of Litigation From the Start
While many personal injury cases settle out of court, some require litigation. Filing a lawsuit, engaging in discovery, and taking depositions all take time, experience, and a strong legal strategy. Trust your attorney to:
- Identify and name all responsible parties
- Investigate fault and liability
- Gather strong evidence to support your claim
- Build a compelling legal narrative
For a free legal consultation, call (516) 932-0400
A Lawyer Will Provide Peace of Mind While You Recover
After an accident, your focus should be on healing, not dealing with paperwork, phone calls, or insurance red tape. Your attorney will manage all of these tasks while actively protecting your best interests. You have an advocate on your side who understands the system and knows what to expect.
You do not have to go through this process on your own. An attorney’s support makes an enormous difference in your physical and emotional recovery. Our team works based on contingency, so you will not pay upfront fees. Instead, you pay from the money we recover for you.
Take Legal Action as Soon as Your Injuries Allow
Waiting too long to hire an attorney to manage your injury case could significantly damage your chances of recovering appropriate compensation. Some issues that could arise include:
- Evidence disappearing or being lost
- Missing key deadlines
- Insurance companies harassing you
- Being tempted by lowball settlement offers
You do not want to lose money because you waited too long. If your injuries allow you to make the call, reach out to talk to us. The sooner we learn about the situation you now face, the more time we have to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
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Talk to Our Personal Injury Team Today for Free
At Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., we have worked with injured parties since 1991. We have almost a century of combined experience with accident cases and meet with people on Long Island or elsewhere in the New York metropolitan area. Contact us today for a free consultation about why you should hire a personal injury lawyer from our firm.
Call or text (516) 932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form