The legal system can be complex and confusing. That’s why it is essential to make the right decisions when you file a personal injury lawsuit.
Unfortunately, not all mistakes are avoidable, especially in the realm of personal injury law. If you need legal representation, here are a few common pitfalls and mistakes you should avoid at all costs.
Missing the Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is a law that requires you to file your injury lawsuit within a certain period of time. If you miss this deadline, the other party can argue that your case should be dismissed because it was filed too late.
According to Investopedia, the US federal law has a statute of limitations of 5 years. It is unless a specific legal language for offenses stretches beyond that time.
If your case has been sitting around for so long that it might be considered too old under these rules, we recommend contacting an experienced attorney immediately. They may be able to extend the deadline by pointing out specific facts related to how long ago the accident occurred or explaining why you took longer than usual before hiring an attorney.
In the case of the Tylenol Lawsuit, which is a class action lawsuit, there are two statutes of rules – one for criminal charges and another for civil charges. The criminal statute of limitations is three years from the date of discovery. The civil statute of limitations is one year from the date of discovery.
For the uninitiated, Tylenol is one of the most popular painkillers on the market. It’s been around for decades, and millions of people use it to relieve pain. But in recent years, there have been a number of concerns about Tylenol and its potential to cause autism and ADHD symptoms in children.
Recent studies have shown that the consumption of Tylenol by women during pregnancy can result in autism and ADHD in their children. That, in turn, has prompted many parents to file a class-action Tylenol lawsuit against the drug’s manufacturers.
Failing to Document Every Detail
Documenting your injuries is a crucial part of the process. It’ll help you prove the extent of damage caused by the accident. Also, it’ll ensure that you have all the evidence necessary for a successful lawsuit.
Keep a journal of your symptoms as they develop over time. Besides documenting what happened at the accident scene, record how long it took for your injuries to subside after treatment. Get copies of medical records from every facility where you sought help.
Ask each person who treated you for their name and contact information so that they can verify their involvement with your case later on if needed.
In addition to maintaining a written record of these details, take pictures whenever possible. It’s especially crucial if there are visible bruises or other marks left behind by an accident or its aftermath.
Not Retaining a Personal Injury Attorney
According to IBISWorld, there are 60,670 personal injury lawyers and attorneys businesses in the US in 2022, and not hiring one would be a mistake. When choosing a personal injury lawyer, look for someone with experience handling similar cases.
You should also ensure that they have strong connections with medical experts, insurance companies, and other professionals involved in the case. You should contact several lawyers before deciding who suits you best.
Accepting a Settlement Before Getting Medical Treatment and Evaluation
It will help if you take the time to get adequate medical treatment before settling your case. Depending on your injury, you may need to see several different doctors and therapists over weeks or even months.
It’s only natural to want a quick settlement when you’ve been hurt in an accident. You don’t want the hassle or expense of going through court proceedings against someone who injured you. But rushing into a settlement without proper medical care could cost you more money in the long run.
Failing to Return Phone Calls to Your Attorney
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, only 3 to 4% of personal injury cases go to trial. You can be assured that personal injury attorneys are busy. Not returning phone calls to your attorney on time is one of the top mistakes you can make when filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Your attorney will be busy and may only have the time to call you back if you call in first. If you don’t return their calls, your attorney will assume that you are not interested in their services, which could result in them dropping your case altogether.
It’s crucial for clients with pending lawsuits to keep their lawyers informed about what’s going on in their lives. It’ll help lawyers best represent them through all phases of litigation. By returning phone calls promptly and providing regular updates on deadlines, clients demonstrate that they are invested in finding an outcome that benefits both parties equally, not just themselves.
Conclusion
Filing a personal injury lawsuit takes time and patience. If you or someone you know has been injured, it’s crucial to understand what to expect next in the legal battle interpol blue notice.
We hope this article gave you some helpful insight into the world of personal injury lawsuits so that if you face something similar in the future, you know what steps to take beforehand.
