When Do I Call an Erie Personal Injury Attorney?

Attorney Grant Travis | Travis Law Firm | Personal Injury Attorney, DUI Defense Attorney, Criminal Defense Attorney | Serving Erie, Crawford, Warren & all of Northwestern PA | Call the Travis Law Firm at 814-277-2222 today!

If you are injured through no fault of your own, you may be wondering what you should do next. How do you recover compensation for your losses? Do you need to file an insurance claim? Should you file a personal injury lawsuit? When should you call an Erie personal injury attorney? Our Erie personal injury attorney discusses some of these questions and other questions in this article.

In this article we discuss:

  • What Is A Personal Injury Claim?
  • Four Reasons To Contact A Personal Injury Lawyer Now
  • What Can A Personal Injury Lawyer Do For You?

What Is A Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury claim may arise when you are injured by another person, company, or entity. In most cases, the injury is caused by an accident that is not your fault.  However, you might still recover some compensation even if you are partially at fault for the accident that caused your injury. We discuss proving fault and liability in the section below entitled “The other party is denying liability for your injuries.”

Common examples of incidents that might give rise to a personal injury claim include:
  • Car Accidents
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Wrongful Death Claims
  • Workers’ Compensation Claims
  • Truck Accidents
  • Boating Accident
  • Medical Malpractice Claims
  • Nursing Home Abuse
  • Premises Liability Claims
  • Slip and Fall Accidents
  • Dog Bite Injuries
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Drunk Driving Accidents
  • Bicycle Accidents

When you are injured in an accident, it can be difficult to know where to turn. Insurance adjusters may pressure you to deal directly with the insurance company to settle your claim. However, that may not be in your best interest. Our Erie personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation so that you can learn about your legal rights and your options to recover compensation from a trusted, experienced attorney who is on your side.

Four Reasons To Contact A Personal Injury Lawyer Now

There are many reasons why you may want to consult with an Erie personal injury attorney. In this article, we will discuss four of the most important reasons to call our office now for your free consultation.

You are overwhelmed and do not know where to turn.

The days and weeks following an accidental injury can be extremely difficult. While you are dealing with the realization that you suffered an injury, you are also dealing with doctor’s visits, medical bills, loss of income, property damage claims, and taking care of your family. It can be too much to handle. Allowing our legal team to handle your claim takes a great weight off your shoulders. You can focus on getting better while we protect your rights and deal with the legal matters required to file an accident claim.

Your injuries are serious, or you are not getting any better.

Some accidents result in severe or traumatic injuries. The losses and damages caused by severe injuries can be significant. While you are recovering and focusing on how your injury will impact your future, the insurance company is searching for any reason to deny your claim or undervalue your claim. An attorney protects you from unfair insurance tactics used when you are most vulnerable.

For example, an insurance adjuster may pressure you to provide a written or recorded statement. The adjuster may pressure you to sign a medical records release. He may even tell you that he cannot process your claim until you complete these steps.

You are not legally required to sign a medical release or provide a statement to file an insurance claim. The insurance company is searching for information it can use against you, so it tries to get you to admit something in a statement that it might use to deny your insurance claim. It wants to comb through your entire medical history searching for prior injuries or conditions it can claim is the primary cause of your current condition.

An Erie personal injury attorney protects you from these potential land mines in a personal injury case. You may be required to make a statement or provide medical records at a later time. However, your attorney will determine when and under what circumstances statements and records are submitted to the insurance provider.

The other party is denying liability for your injuries.

You must prove that the other party caused the incident that resulted in your injuries and damages before you can recover compensation for your insurance claim. In a few cases, the cause of the accident is clear, and an insurance company will accept liability.

However, if the insurance provider denies liability for the claim, you must provide clear and convincing evidence that the other party is responsible for causing the accident. An Erie personal injury attorney understands all the legal elements involved in proving fault and liability under Pennsylvania’s personal injury laws.

You have deadlines to file claims.

Claims related to personal injuries and wrongful deaths must be filed within a specific period after the injury. If you do not file a personal injury lawsuit before the deadline, you typically lose your right to recover compensation from the party responsible for your injuries. Pennsylvania’s Statute of Limitations sets the deadline for filing personal injury claims.  In many cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit.

However, the two-year limitation does not apply in all cases.  Several exceptions modify the time to file a claim. For instance, if a government entity or government employee is involved, you may be required to file a notice of claim within just a few months to protect your right to file a lawsuit. In the case of a minor, the time to file may be extended in certain cases.

Because the factors in your case may modify the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit, it is best to contact an Erie personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident or injury.

What Can A Personal Injury Lawyer Do For You?

A personal injury attorney in Erie can help you as you navigate the complex process of filing a personal injury claim or insurance claim. There are many things that the attorney does to protect your best interests and fight for maximum compensation for your claim.

Our Erie legal team handles all aspects of your personal injury claim for you including, but not limited to:

  • Provide compassionate and trusted guidance, support, and advice throughout your case.
  • Obtain and review copies of police reports and accident reports
  • File notice of claim and notice of representation with the insurance company
  • Handle all communication with the insurance company and other parties
  • Investigate the accident scene to gather evidence proving fault and liability
  • Interview and obtain statements from eyewitnesses.
  • Obtain and review medical records. We also work closely with your doctors to obtain a prognosis for future damages.
  • Gather evidence to prove financial damages, such as evidence of lost income, medical expenses, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Work with expert witnesses to prove fault and damages, including medical experts, economists, and accident reconstructionists.
  • Prepare and forward a detailed settlement demand package to the insurance company and handle all negotiations for a settlement.
  • File a personal injury lawsuit and take the case to trial, if necessary.

Contact an Erie Personal Injury Lawyer for a Free Case Review

Contact The Travis Law Firm at (800) 401-2066 to request a free legal consultation with our Erie personal injury lawyer.