When Should You Make a Personal Injury Claim?
If you’ve sustained injuries in an accident caused by another party’s negligence, you may be eligible to pursue damages for financial losses you incurred as a result of your injuries. According to the Journal of Air Law and Commerce, “compensatory damages are awarded for past and future loss, and on a special and general basis.”
But the longer you wait to file a claim, the more difficult it may become to prove your case.
According to the Ontario Limitations Act, injured accident victims have only two years from the date of the accident to submit a personal injury claim against the responsible party. If you have sustained serious injuries resulting in significant financial losses, but miss the two-year filing deadline, you may no longer be eligible to pursue legal action against the responsible party.
While you focus on your physical recovery, the assistance of a personal injury lawyer may allow you to prepare and submit your claim within the required period of time.
What to Do After an Accident
The first few steps after an accident can be critical to the success of your personal injury claim. First and foremost, seeking medical treatment should be your top priority after an accident. Even if you do not believe that you are injured, a doctor’s examination may identify serious injuries you may not have even felt yet. Seeking immediate medical treatment may also provide you with documentation verifying that your injuries were caused by your accident, which may be useful in future legal action if required.
If it is possible to do so, recording the contact information of any eyewitnesses to the accident, taking photos of the scene, and procuring a copy of the accident report from responding law enforcement officers may help your personal injury lawyer build a thorough case.
Your lawyer may also conduct their own investigation following your accident. They may conduct interviews with expert witnesses, revisit the scene of the accident to collect further evidence, and communicate with all parties involved on your behalf.
If You Are Unsure About Your Case, Speak with a Lawyer
In the aftermath of an accident, it can be difficult to know who was responsible. In some cases, you may feel that your own clumsiness or negligence were to blame for your accident.
But unless you have all the facts about the circumstances that may have contributed to your accident, you won’t know for certain who is at fault.
If you are uncertain whether you may be entitled to recover damages following your accident, Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to provide you with useful assistance or advice. Call Preszler Injury Lawyers today at 1-800-JUSTICE for a free, initial case review.
