One of the biggest worries of a serious accident victim is a lack of income. Many people are unable to work at all, and this significantly impacts their ability to support their families. Even those who are able to work need time off for doctor’s visits, treatment, and rehabilitation. As financial matters deteriorate, it is important to contact an experienced accident attorney quickly to protect your rights.
All lawsuits must be filed within a relatively short period of time, known as the statute of limitations. In California, most cases for personal injury, such as car accident cases, must be filed within two years. One of the most important things a good personal injury attorney does is to make sure your lawsuit is filed within this two-year period. Failing to meet this critical deadline can bar your case completely.
But filing is not instantaneous. Before a lawsuit is filed, your attorney will want to review some records, such as the accident report and your medical records. He or she may also want to obtain copies of important evidence, such as any videos and witness statements. This investigation is important because your attorney will want to bring the lawsuit against all parties that may have played a part in the accident that caused your injury.
After the lawsuit is filed, your attorney will work with you to obtain the highest amount of money damages possible under the circumstances of your case. This often takes time, and it is important not to rush this process.
Several factors may affect how long it takes to finish your lawsuit. First, your lawyer will want to make sure your medical condition is the best it is going to be. This is called “maximum medical improvement” (MMI). Your attorney will usually advise waiting until you reach MMI so that all of your medical costs, as well as any future effects on your body, can be determined. Obviously, it takes longer to reach MMI if your injuries are more severe. Also, some types of injuries are inherently worse than others, requiring extensive surgeries and treatments.
The nature of the accident will also affect the amount of time it takes to complete your lawsuit. Some cases are relatively clear, while others are complicated, requiring the lawyers to obtain significant evidence from each other and to sort out what happened and who was responsible.
Bad accidents often take longer, as well. Not only do the injuries tend to be worse, but the attorneys and insurance companies involved will want to make sure their case investigations are thorough. It is important to be patient during this process. Once your case is settled or goes to trial, you cannot go back and bring another lawsuit. For this reason, it’s important that you make sure your recovery is adequate to cover your loss of income, pain and suffering and any future medical procedures or bills. You also want to make sure that you are compensated for any future effects on your quality of life.
You can rely on the San Francisco personal injury attorneys at Alexander Law Group, LLP to guide you through the difficult time that follows a serious accident. We are here for our clients and will passionately seek appropriate compensation for you as the result of your injuries or those of your loved ones. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
