A: Typically, a client will have three years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury claim. However, this is not always the case. You should speak to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible so you don’t risk losing precious time.

A: It can be very beneficial to you to consult an attorney immediately following the incident. You’ll receive professional guidance regarding the following steps, timelines, and what to expect from insurance companies.

A: Many people choose to pursue their injury claims without professional legal representation. This can present issues, however, if they aren’t familiar with claims and the legal system.

How so? Well, insurance companies make money by limiting the financial reimbursement to injury victims. Their representatives have a lot of experience and training in how to minimize what they pay out. Victims who represent themselves, and aren’t educated on these matters, could end up thousands of dollars short of compensation for medical expenses.

A: When injury lawyers “establish negligence” in a case, they’re establishing proof that the opposing party was negligent, and that this negligence caused the accident in question.

A: Some clients are under the impression that they cannot pursue compensation if they share a fault in the incident that led to their injury or situation. This is not the case unless they are found to be 50% or more at fault for the incident.

Courts will determine what percentage of fault each party in the case is responsible for and determine damages based on that percentage. For example, if you are found to be at 20% fault for the accident, you can still generally obtain compensation, but at 20% less than the total damages awarded.