Virtually every civil lawsuit in America is judged on two issues –

If you are the victim of a car accident or fall, you should consult with a lawyer IMMEDIATELY (or at least as quickly as possible).  Why?

The first is the determination of who is at fault for the dispute; and the second is determining the appropriate remedy – in the injury setting, this is determining the damages – compensation for the injury.

It is imperative that you hire an attorney as quickly as possible to both improve you chances of determining that another party is at fault. Also, by hiring an attorney immediately, you improve your chances of demonstrating the true value of your damages.

As it relates to liability (or fault), a delay in hiring your attorney can lead to the loss of evidence. Video – whether in a store or at an intersection on the road – can significantly improve your chances of demonstrating fault in a case. Similarly, an investigation at the scene of an accident – documenting tire marks; gouge marks; debris on the road; etc. – can be critical to reconstructing the scene for your benefit.  Also, finding witnesses, filing police reports, and otherwise capturing scenes before they change can be critical in proving your case. So, if you want to have the best chance to win, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

As it relates to damages, the sooner you document your injury, the better.  Also, the more accurately you report your injuries, and the closer in time to the incident, the more likely you are to be believed. You can imagine the difference between a car accident in which a person is removed from the vehicle by Fire Rescue and taken to the hospital, on the one hand, and the victim of an accident who leaves the scene of the accident, waits a month, and then goes for treatment by a doctor. This, of course, is not to say that you should seek treatment that is excessive, or different from what you reasonably need. But, for many people, they do not get treatment because they are confused as to what they should do, do not know their rights, can’t afford treatment, or just go about their business hoping that the condition will improve.  Knowing your rights, of course, beats not knowing them.

So if you need advice, call a lawyer today.