If you have been in a car accident in Ontario, CA, and are planning to pursue compensation for your injuries, you might be wondering how much time you have to do so. In California, you have two years to sue a private party due to an injury or fatality following a car crash or other injury-causing accidents. If you are suing a government agency, you only have six months to do so. However, it may take time to collect evidence from the accident you use for supporting a strong court argument. If you are not sure how to move forward with the process, you should hire an Ontario, CA personal injury lawyer. A great attorney will investigate the crash and help you build a case. The following are reasons you must contact a lawyer and retain their legal services as soon as possible after a car accident:
It’s Free to Have an Initial Consultation with Them
Your initial consultation with an injury attorney will focus on case evaluation, which will cost only your time, not money. Your attorney will ask you to talk about the crash and they can talk about state law and its applicability to your case. Because there is no obligation, it’s up to you to hire them or not. If you think the lawyer is a good fit for you and they think you will be a great client for them and they can help your case, you can talk about representation.
You May Hurt Your Case Unknowingly
If you do not have enough knowledge of the law and the way insurance claims work, you might do or say something that will hurt your claim during the two-year timeframe. For instance, you could create social media posts that indicate you are not as seriously injured as you claimed. Also, you might not be able to communicate with your doctor correctly, downplaying your true condition or reducing your limitations. Unfortunately, what you tell your doctor can end up in your medical records.
It Takes Time to Investigate Your Case
Building insurance claims and lawsuits require facts. An attorney can build your case by thoroughly and completely investigating your case, looking into why, how, and who was involved. It may be necessary to engage outside experts to review your lawyer’s findings and provide them with their opinions on who should be held responsible for the crash.
More complex accidents can take more time to investigate. In addition, your lawyer needs a comprehensive medical history that details your personal injuries and their impact on you. They will send you to medical professionals to know your limitations and their case.
