Coping with the aftermath of a motor vehicle collision is always stressful. Even if your injuries are not life-threatening, you may have to miss work while you recover. In addition, if your car sustained minor damage, you may have to find alternative transportation until it is repaired.

With so much to do after an accident, it’s tempting to put off your consultation with a personal injury attorney. Unfortunately, the more time that passes between your crash and the subsequent investigation, the more difficult it is to recover fair compensation.

Let’s take a look at the reasons to call an attorney after a car accident:

1. Critical evidence may not be available indefinitely.

For your claim to be successful, you must be able to prove both liability and damages. Much of the evidence your attorney will use to support your claim could eventually become altered, destroyed, or unavailable. For example, trucking companies are only required to retain black box data for six months, and if a surveillance camera captured your collision—the footage could be erased within days of the crash.

2. The insurance adjuster might coerce you into making a costly error.

Insurance adjusters are not above using unethical strategies to get claimants to jeopardize their cases inadvertently. For example, they might try to coerce you into giving a recorded statement or accepting a low settlement. If you hire a seasoned car accident attorney from the start, your legal team will handle all correspondence with the insurance adjuster on your behalf.

3. There are strict deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits.

In the state of Indiana, car accident victims typically have two years from the date of the incident to file a formal lawsuit against the parties liable for their injuries. This may seem like a considerable amount of time, but it can pass quickly. And, several months are usually needed to investigate a case and negotiate for a settlement.

If you want to file a claim against a political subdivision, you must submit a Tort Claims Notice within 180 days of the accident. For claims against the state, the deadline is 270 days.

Discuss Your Case with a Car Accident Attorney in Lafayette

If you were hurt in a motor vehicle collision and are ready to discuss the case with a personal injury lawyer, turn to Ball Eggleston. Our strategic legal team has recovered more than $200 million for accident victims and their surviving loved ones.

If you cannot come to us, we will come to you. Call (765) 742-9046 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free case evaluation with a car accident lawyer in Lafayette.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.

Ball Eggleston—a Lafayette, Indiana law firm—is located at 201 Main Street, Suite 810 P.O. Box 1535 Lafayette, IN 47902. Contact Ball Eggleston by phone at (765) 742-9046, by fax at (765) 742-1966, or by email at info@ball-law.com. For additional information, find Ball Eggleston online at www.ball-law.com.

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Disclaimer: The content of this blog is intended to be general and informational in nature. It is advertising material and is not intended to be, nor is it, legal advice to or for any particular person, case, or circumstance. Each situation is different, and you should consult an attorney if you have any questions about your situation.