Why Should You Hire A Lawyer Right After An Accident?

If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence—whether in a car accident, slip and fall, incident involving a defective product, or construction site accident—you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and related losses, like lost wages and medical expenses. However, strict time limits, often two years from the accident date, apply to filing claims, so acting quickly is essential.

This post explores the key reasons why hiring a lawyer as soon as possible can greatly improve your chances of securing fair compensation for your injuries.

1. Time-Sensitive Evidence Collection

Hiring a lawyer promptly allows for the timely gathering and preservation of evidence, which is often critical to building a strong claim. Evidence can be time-sensitive, as witnesses may become unavailable, surveillance footage may be erased, and memories fade over time. A lawyer will know which types of evidence could support your claim—such as police reports, traffic or security camera footage, and even black box data from vehicles—and can work swiftly to collect it.

While you may be aware of some evidence, like your own dashcam footage, an experienced lawyer can identify additional valuable sources that might otherwise be overlooked. Early action by a lawyer ensures crucial evidence is preserved before it's lost.

2. Understanding and Meeting Legal Deadlines

In the legal system, the timeframe within which you must file a lawsuit is called the "limitation period." Missing this deadline typically results in your claim being dismissed, with no option to reopen it. In many regions, the limitation period for personal injury cases is two years, but exceptions do exist and can shorten the timeline to as little as six months or one year for specific cases.

A lawyer will inform you of the limitation period specific to your type of claim and ensure that all deadlines are met. By consulting a lawyer early on, you significantly reduce the risk of missing this critical deadline and give your legal team ample time to develop a strong case.

3. Avoiding Early Settlement Traps

After an accident, the at-fault party’s insurance company may contact you with a quick settlement offer. While the initial amount may seem appealing, especially if you're facing immediate expenses, these early offers are often much lower than the true value of your claim. Once you accept an offer, you generally cannot renegotiate, even if you later discover that your injury is more serious than initially thought.

By hiring a lawyer early, you’ll have professional guidance on the value of your claim. A lawyer will handle communications with the insurance company, negotiate on your behalf, and ensure that any settlement offer reflects the full extent of your injuries, future medical expenses, and other losses. This prevents you from settling prematurely and ensures you have the resources needed for a full recovery.

Car Accident Lawyer Toronto

The best time to hire a lawyer is as soon as you’re aware of a potential claim. Acting early allows your lawyer to collect valuable evidence, ensures all legal deadlines are met, and protects you from accepting a premature settlement offer. If you've recently suffered an injury, consult a personal injury lawyer to help secure the compensation you deserve

**Please note that the contents of this blog should not be relied upon as legal advice or medical advice, but only for information and reference purposes. You should always follow the advice of your doctors and treatment providers with respect to your diagnoses and what health and medical steps you should take to best recover. If you wish to obtain legal advice, please contact our office and arrange for a free consultation with one of our lawyers.**