Personal Injury | April 27, 2021 by JOSHUA D. ANDERSON

When Should I Contact an Attorney?

If you suffer an injury in an accident, you might wonder when it might be time to contact a Bonney Lake personal injury attorney. It is never too soon to start the process and learn how you can best protect your rights. 

Accidents and injuries happen every day in Bonney Lake and the nearby areas.  Whether you are driving, cycling on a bike trail, or taking the boat out on the lake, you can suffer injuries, which can lead to physical, emotional, and financial difficulties.  It is common to wonder whether you should contact a Bonney Lake personal injury attorney to help protect your rights. 

You Suffered Injuries and Believe Someone Else was to Blame

If you fall in your home because you simply weren’t paying attention, the fall might be your own fault, and you wouldn’t have a legal claim.  In addition, if someone else caused a car accident that caused you some stress but no injuries, you wouldn’t have an injury claim. 

However, you should always contact a lawyer if the following are both true:

1. You think that one or more individuals or companies were responsible for causing your accident
2. You suffered injuries and losses due to the accident, which might include medical bills and lost income

If you are unsure what caused your accident, but suspect that someone else was at fault, you should allow an injury lawyer to evaluate your rights and options. 

How Long Do You Have?

When you are dealing with the aftermath of an injury, you need to attend medical appointments, make arrangements for childcare and other everyday tasks, and rest as much as possible in many situations.  The last thing you want to deal with is finding an attorney and initiating your claim.  However, as your bills pile up, you shouldn’t put off contacting a personal injury lawyer. 

In Washington State, there is a three-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits. If you fail to file a lawsuit within this timeframe, you could have your case dismissed.  While three years might seem like a long time, there are different steps your lawyer can take before litigation is ever initiated.  Some steps include:

1. Gathering evidence
2. Preparing and filing the necessary insurance claims
3. Negotiating with insurance companies

Litigation is only needed if you cannot reach a settlement directly with the insurance company, and your attorney will want to complete the insurance claims process before filing a case in civil court.  For this reason, you should never wait too long to start the process with an attorney.

In addition, waiting to call an attorney might mean that evidence can be harder to gather.  Memories of witnesses fade, video footage gets deleted, and physical evidence can get lost.  The longer you wait, the greater chance there might be for evidence to get harder to collect, which can weaken your case. 

Consult with a Bonney Lake Personal Injury Attorney Today

Once you call an attorney, you will be able to continue focusing on your injuries and physical recovery, and we handle every step of the insurance and legal process.  Our team at Anderson Law, PLLC, is dedicated to each and every client and claim, and we can assess the best course of action in your case.  Call (253) 862-1811 or contact us online for a case evaluation today. 

The information contained on this website is intended for informational purposes only, and is not legal advice. Nothing in this website establishes an attorney-client relationship between us. Different facts can dramatically affect a legal opinion. You should consult an attorney for legal advice that pertains to your personal situation.