There is no precise moment when an injured party should hire a personal injury lawyer. However, having legal representation on your side to advocate for you early on—preferably as soon as possible after the accident—is a very good idea.
We recommend talking to a Long Island personal injury lawyer about your accident and injuries as soon as you are 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.
In This Article
Reading time: 5 minutes
- How Will Hiring an Attorney Early Benefit My Case?
- How to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
- 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?
There are several advantages to taking action immediately:We Will Be Able to Comply With the Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
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. Some cases have additional deadlines, and they could be much shorter. If your injury involves a government agency, for example, you have 90 days from the date of the accident 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 serve the notice right away. It is best to take advantage of a free case review with our firm so that you know exactly what deadlines you are facing and what your best options for legal action are.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
We Ensure You Understand How Much Your Case Might Be Worth
Most accident 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 expenses to date
- Future medical treatment and surgeries
- Missed work
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Diminished quality of life
We Provide Access to Personal Injury Experts
We often work with medical experts, accident reconstruction experts, economists, life care planners, and other experts to develop the strongest case possible on your behalf. 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 need time 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
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. An attorney’s support makes an enormous difference in your physical and emotional recovery. In addition, our team works for a contingency fee, so you will not pay upfront fees. Instead, you pay from the money we recover for you.For a free legal consultation, call (516) 932-0400
How to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
Your first step should be to contact our office and request a free consultation. Once you have explained your circumstances to a member of our team, we will walk you through the next steps, including an in-person meeting with one of our lawyers. If you are satisfied with what you hear, we will provide you with a contract. If the injuries are so severe that the injured person is unable to reach out on their own behalf, a family member or friend should contact a lawyer for them. Once you hire a law firm, you will have an advocate on your side who understands the system and knows what to expect at every stage.Take Legal Action as Soon as Your Injuries Allow
Waiting too long to hire an attorney 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
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
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 are prepared to meet with people on Long Island or elsewhere in the New York metropolitan area. Contact us today for a free consultation about when and why you should hire a personal injury attorney from our firm.Call or text (516) 932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form