subject: Don't Rush Your Injury Claim Or It Could Cost You [print this page] It's understandable that after being hurt in a car accident many people want to find help as fast as they can. When you have to pay medical bills and you're losing wages you may feel that time is of the essence, but don't let the pressure get to you. Being too quick to file your claim can actually be counterproductive as any good attorney will tell you. Rushing to file your injury claim can may cause you to fall well short of the amount you actually need to help pay your medical bills and replace lost wages. When thinking about how soon to file your injury claim, remember these two important things.
1.Think Ahead
Injuries and medical treatments don't happen all at once. The injuries from your car accident may require extended treatment. It is also impossible to foresee complications that may occur months after the accident. A quick settlement probably won't provide the help you'll need with medical bills down the road.
Secondary injuries that may not occur right away must also be taken into account. These injuries may also arise from medical procedures. These could cause devastating problems even years after the accident. You must be sure that your injuries have been thoroughly diagnosed and treated. It is important to make sure you've at least looked up some information from a qualified and experienced attorney before settling a claim.
2.Statute of Limitations
A statute of limitations is the amount of time an accident victim has to file their claim on an injury settlement. These time periods are different from case to case depending on many variables including who was involved in the accident, where it occurred and what type of claim it is. Generally, though, the statute of limitations is five years. However, there are exceptions. Children, for example, do not have their statutes of limitations begin until they are 18. Conversely, medical malpractice claims have a much shorter window of opportunity. Be sure to consult a car accident attorney when in doubt.
When the statute of limitations is up the lawsuit is prevented, so be careful about taking too long to file your suit. Waiting until your statute is about to expire might cause you to miss filing your case at the opportune time. Once the statute runs out, you probably do not have the right to pursue your case any further.
by: Jim Brown
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