If you have been injured in a slip and fall or auto accident, our Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers may be able to represent you in a lawsuit. The first step you should take in filing a personal injury claim is to look after your health. Once you are ready, you can begin the filing process to receive compensation for your injuries. Consider these commonly asked questions about the first steps in a personal injury claim.

What Happens After an Accident Resulting in Injury?

Once you have looked after your own health, you should begin the process of organizing a personal injury lawsuit. There is no right order in which these steps have to be taken. If you are filing a claim against the government or a governmental agency, the steps themselves will vary. One of the first steps you should take is to collect evidence that clearly shows who the responsible party in the accident was, including photographs. Once this is done, you should write down all that you remember about the accident. This account should includes such things as medical bills, alternate transportation costs, hospital visits and lost work and wages. You should get the names and contact information from any witnesses who may have seen the accident. You should also speak to any others involved in the accident and take detailed notes of the conversation. Finally, you should tell those you plan on filing a claim against that you will be filing a lawsuit. Our Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers may be able to help you with this often intimidating step.

How Long Can a Claimant Wait to Notify Another Person of an Intended Lawsuit?

There is no set limit on how long you can wait to file a lawsuit against an individual or any non-governmental entity. However, you should still alert them as soon as possible. By letting them know quickly, you can increase your chances of resolving the claim sooner. It is important to remember that even if you let someone know that you intend to file a lawsuit, you are not bound to file one. By giving proper notice, you are protecting your rights and preventing the other party from arguing that you waited too long to inform them that you were injured as a result of the accident. When you notify the other parties involved, you are ensuring that you are able to proceed at your own rate rather than someone else’s.

Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Lawsuit?

Personal injury settlements are often time-consuming. Failing to file a claim within a reasonable amount of time after the accident can mean that you are unable to receive compensation. Statutes of limitations laws dictate the maximum time you have to file a claim for certain types of accidents. Once you pass this time, you are likely unable to bring any lawsuit related to the accident to court in the future. It is important to know your state’s statute of limitations so you do not miss it.

How Soon Can You File a Claim Against the Government for a Personal Injury?

There are stricter rules and regulations when it comes to filing a claim against the government for an injury. If you need to file a claim against any government agency or employee, there is a limited window of time in which you must file. Depending on your type of claim and your state, this period could be anywhere from 30 days to an entire year. If you have not filed by these deadlines, you may not be able to recover any compensation for your damaged property or injuries in the future.

Free Legal Help and Advisement

Settling a claim from slip and fall injuries or a car accident on your own is possible, but it is generally not advisable. Most defendants choose to hire an attorney, which means that you could have to represent yourself against a legal team. To preserve your rights, it is generally advisable to ask an experienced attorney to review your claim. An attorney can review your case and tell you its strengths and weaknesses as well as provide representation for you. From attending meetings with the other party’s legal teams to preparing you for court, there are a variety of services an experienced lawyer has to offer.

Contact Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyers

Call the Law Offices of Neal S. Axe LLC today at (866) 414-3380 to work with Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers you can trust.