When to Contact a Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyer

July 19, 2024

Accidents are an everyday occurrence in Lafayette, where 3,315 car crashes were reported in 2022, along with numerous construction accidents and slip and falls. Incidents such as these could inflict punishing injuries demanding extensive treatment that few Lafayette residents could afford on their own.  Fortunately, compensation may be available if you pursue a personal injury case, though your chances of success could increase dramatically with skilled legal assistance.  How long can you wait before seeking out an attorney?  Join us as we explain when to contact a Lafayette personal injury lawyer. 

You Have a Narrow Window to Take Action 

So when should you contact a Lafayette personal injury lawyer?  Right away!  The truth is that you have a narrow window to take action in any personal injury case, not least because of the Statute of Limitations, which is the time allotted by law to file suit or resolve a claim.  For example, the Statute for most Lafayette car accident cases is two years from the date of the collision (with some exceptions), though it could be significantly shorter in cases against government bodies, with additional conditions that may be imposed by Indiana’s Tort Claims Act.  Failure to satisfy every deadline and requirement could bar you from full economic recovery.   

Aside from statutory concerns, you could be at a serious disadvantage compared to the at-fault parties and their insurance companies, who could begin gathering information and mounting a defense within hours of the accident in question. 

In contrast, you are probably unfamiliar with what goes into a personal injury case, and the case won’t just stand still so you can get your bearings.  Consequently, evidence may be lost before it can be secured, and defects may be remedied before they can be documented.  This could make it very hard to identify all of the individuals and entities who may have been responsible for your injuries, much less prove that they were legally and financially liable for them.    

And if you can’t compellingly convey a defendant’s liability, a veteran insurance adjuster could settle your claim for pennies on the dollar or even deny it altogether, leaving you with little recourse when you may already be struggling to stay afloat. 

How a Lafayette Personal Injury Attorney Can Make a Difference 

This is where a Lafayette personal injury attorney can make a difference.  This may be your first personal injury case, but it won’t be the first for a seasoned lawyer, who will be far more adept at dealing with the tactics and objections of insurance companies.  And the sooner you reach out to that lawyer, the sooner he or she can get down to business. 

Once retained, your attorney will launch a comprehensive investigation into the causes of your accident and everyone culpable for it within the time permitted by law.  After tracking down all of the defendants, your lawyer will establish valid claims against them by sending them formal notification in writing and alerting their insurers.  If the need arises, a lawsuit could be filed as well in a court with the power to issue a binding judgment.  

Next, your attorney will amass the materials that best demonstrate the guilt of the defendants and the totality of your damages, whether short-term, long-term, monetary, or non-monetary, including your: 

• Past, present, and future medical bills 

• Lost income 

• Reduced earning capacity 

• Pain and suffering 

• Mental and emotional anguish 

• Diminished quality of living 

• Mobility restrictions 

• Loss of consortium 

• Punitive and wrongful death damages (if relevant) 

When confronted with an airtight personal injury case, a sensible adjuster can be convinced to tender a fair settlement instead of risking a worse verdict at trial.  It is a key reason why personal injury plaintiffs with lawyers receive 3.5 times more on average than personal injury plaintiffs without them. 

While personal injury cases are frequently brought to a conclusion outside of the courtroom, a battle-tested litigator will become even more indispensable if a trial is necessary.  Plaintiffs who represent themselves in court lose about 96 percent of their cases, whereas plaintiffs with professional representation win more often than not, which could allow them to acquire sufficient funds to get their lives back on track. 

As you can see, working with a Lafayette personal injury attorney can give you the upper hand, so consider getting in touch with one as quickly as possible. 

Getting Justice for the Innocent Victims of Negligence 

Hensley Legal Group has been getting justice for the innocent victims of negligence for more than 25 years.  If you have been hurt in the Lafayette area, our accomplished Lafayette personal injury lawyers can help you explore your legal options. 

To schedule a free consultation with a dedicated Lafayette personal injury attorney, please call or text us at (317) 472-3333, chat with us online, or fill out our contact form at your earliest convenience.