We frequently receive phone calls from prospective clients who attempted to handle their own personal injury claim. These people often preface their comments with statements like:

“I just wanted the repairs to my car made.”

“I thought when they said my car was totaled that they would offer me enough to pay it off.”

“The insurance company didn’t even offer me enough to pay my medical bills.”

There are certain things you need to do after an accident. One of them is to contact a lawyer. Most people don’t like to think about a lawsuit and wait until they feel it’s absolutely necessary to talk to an attorney. This is almost always a mistake, especially since most personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations and work on a contingent fee basis.

Here are the top 3 reasons you need a personal injury attorney immediately after you’ve been injured:

1. Preservation of Physical Evidence. Physical evidence can be altered or destroyed if not documented. The longer you wait to take action, the more likely that key evidence that could support your case is harder to document. A personal injury lawyer will work to preserve evidence that may help your recovery.

2. Preservation of Recollections. We’re all human and our memories fade. Your memory and ability to recall events is often the most important evidence in a personal injury action. A personal injury lawyer will help you document the details of your injury and will know which facts are critical to your case.

3. Statutes of Limitation. There are many specialty statutes of limitations that may bar your claim from being brought. For example, claims against a Missouri city for injuries caused by a defect in a sidewalk require written notice to the mayor within 90 days of the event. Certain claims against the federal government may be governed by the Federal Tort Claims Act, which again may shorten the time to file suit. An experienced personal injury attorney will know the deadlines that apply and work with you to preserve your claim.

Have you made any of these mistakes? Contact us today to discuss your situation.