Do I Need to File My Personal Injury Claim at a Specific Time?

Personal Injury Attorney Bristol, TN

If you or a loved one has recently been involved in an accident, you are likely overwhelmed by its aftermath. A personal injury attorney Bristol, TN residents count on, like The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, can help.  There are few things in life more jarring than going about your business only to suddenly find yourself injured, ill or facing property damage as the result of another’s reckless, negligent or intentional behavior.

You may be so shell-shocked by the accident that you are hesitant to explore legal options until you have gathered your bearings. This is a perfectly normal and understandable response to the stresses of an accident. However, it is important to understand that the longer you wait to consult with an personal injury attorney in Bristol, TN, the more limited your legal options may be. Statutory limitations related to filing claims as well as the ways in which claims are impacted by the passage of time may affect your ability to file a successful suit. You may still be unsure about whether you want to file a legal claim. That is perfectly okay. But it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as you can so that you can make an informed decision either way.

Statutes of Limitation

Different jurisdictions impose various statutes of limitation that apply to both civil actions and criminal charges. These legal restrictions essentially limit the amount of time a victim has to file a case. When an individual seeks to file a personal injury claim, he or she may have a specific number of weeks, months or perhaps years before the statute of limitations runs out. But it is important to file personal injury claims relatively quickly, regardless of whether these statutes apply to your situation and in your jurisdiction. Why? Because timing affects the potential effectiveness of claims in more ways than one.

Evidentiary Concerns

If you have ever watched a forensics-focused drama on television, you are familiar with the idea that evidence is generally more reliable when it is assembled immediately after an accident occurs. You are also likely aware that the availability of certain evidence can diminish as time passes. It is therefore critically important that Bristol, TN personal injury attorneys representing accident victims are given the opportunity to gather evidence as quickly as possible. Even if an accident victim does not ultimately opt to file a claim, gathering necessary evidence quickly helps to preserve a victim’s options until he or she makes a decision about the potential case in question.

Legal Assistance Is Available

If you or a loved one has been harmed as a result of another’s action or inaction, please consider reaching out to an experienced personal injury attorney serving Bristol, TN as soon as you can. Your legal options may become limited as time passes. In addition, it may become more difficult to present a strong legal case when evidence becomes either compromised or unavailable over time.

Acting quickly in the wake of an accident can be a stressful pursuit. However, scheduling a consultation sooner rather than later will allow you the peace of mind that comes with informed decision-making. You may ultimately decide that filing a personal injury claim is not the healthiest choice for you and your family at this point in time. But speaking with a personal injury attorney Bristol, TN trusts before you make your decision will help to ensure that you do not eventually regret exploring your legal options while they remain available.  Reach out to The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt today, we are waiting to help you!