Written by Award-Winning Lawyer Lawrence S. Lapidus
When you have been injured in an accident caused by someone else, it is best to report your personal injury claim as soon as possible. There are several reasons why three of which are:
- Your insurance company may not cover your injuries if you wait too long.
- Your state may have a statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits.
- You could be inadvertently decreasing your settlement offer amount from the insurance company.
There is no set amount of time set by law for when you should report your claim, but the sooner you do it, the better, ideally within a few days following your injury. However, if you do wait longer, we may still be able to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your personal injury lawyers in DC or Maryland at The Lapidus Law Firm so we can get started immediately.
What Happens When You Decide to Pursue Your Injury Claim?
Pursuing your personal injury claim begins with contacting your chosen personal injury attorney. You should schedule a consultation that should be free with no obligation to choose a lawyer to represent you. It is very important that you feel confident and comfortable with your attorney. You do not need any added stress during the time when you should be focusing on healing, so getting a skilled, experienced lawyer is paramount to the not only the legal aspects of your case, but for your own health as well-being too.
Your lawyer will begin communicating with the insurance company and after you have completed your medical treatment, submit a formal claim on your behalf, called a ‘Demand for Settlement” or a “Settlement Package”. In response to this “Demand”. the insurance adjusters will either offer a settlement or will deny your claim. There are also circumstances however, where the adjusters simply ignores the claim, which is not the norm, but does occasionally happen because of coverage issues.
One of the options you have if your offer is not fair is the option to seek compensation in court proceedings. When a case goes to court, a lawyer with experience who knows the applicable law and legal procedures is exactly what you will need. Getting a skilled lawyer can also mean the difference between a favorable settlement or no settlement at all.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer to File My Claim in Court?
Legal proceedings are complex, involving case law going back since our county became a nation by establishing state and national constitutions. Federal laws often apply to court selection and to the distribution of money at the conclusion of a case. In addition, all courts have many applicable court rules governing procedural law, including most importantly, the law of evidence, which determines what facts a jury is allowed to consider. Representing yourself in court would be like operating on yourself without anesthesia.
Personal Injury Lawyer in DC and Maryland
If you have been injured in an accident, call your personal injury lawyers here at The Lapidus Law Firm at (202) 785-5111. We are here for you, and it is our mission to help injured people gain compensation due to the wrongs of others. Call us ! We can help !