The holiday season should be a time when you are making memories with family and friends. But accidents can happen during this joyful season, especially because so many people are on the road for traveling and holiday visits. If you or a loved one is injured in a holiday accident, when is the right time to call a personal injury attorney?
Even though business hours often change during this time of year, it doesn’t mean that you should put off your legal consultation. The earlier you talk to a personal injury attorney, the better!
Higher Risk of Accidents During the Holiday Season
The truth is that there is often a higher risk of personal injury or accidents during this time of year. People are out of their normal routines and participating in activities that are different than usual. Since so many people are off work and moving around, there is a higher risk of accidents – these incidents can happen when you least expect them.
Examples of accidents during the holiday season include:
- Car accidents
- Slip and falls
- Pedestrian accidents
- Truck accidents
- Defective product injuries
- Medical malpractice
- And more
People are often distracted by everything happening during the holidays, which can increase the risk of an accident. Additionally, people are often trying to get to their destinations quickly, which can also make it more likely that an accident will occur.
Even if you are proactive about safety, you are always at risk due to other people around you. For example, you might plan extra time for a road trip to avoid the need for driving too fast. But if other drivers aren’t taking the same care, then you could end up a victim of another person’s negligence.
Holiday Accident? Next Steps to Follow
If you are the unfortunate victim of a holiday accident, then there are a few next steps you should follow. Don’t wait until the holidays are over! Prompt action is essential to protect your interests and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Here are a few essential steps you should follow immediately after the accident:
- Seek Medical Care: Hospitals and emergency responders are available 24/7, even during the holidays. It’s important that you seek medical care without delay. Even if you think the injuries are minor, it’s still important to document these injuries and determine a clear diagnosis. These medical documents can be crucial for your personal injury case in the future.
- Collect Related Evidence: Traffic, weather, and other factors can change the accident scene. Be prompt in gathering evidence when possible. For example, pull out your phone to take photos and videos of the scene. This fresh evidence can be used in legal proceedings to help establish fault in the accident. Involve your personal injury attorney as soon as possible to help with gathering and organizing relevant evidence for your case. Witness statements can be more challenging to collect since people are busy with holiday plans, which is why it’s important that you act fast.
- Consider Deadlines and Statute of Limitations: If you have been delaying a previous personal injury case, then it might be necessary for you to file your claim as soon as possible. Talk to your personal injury attorney about the statute of limitations so that you don’t miss a deadline and forfeit potential compensation for your injuries. Additionally, insurance companies often have deadlines that need to be met.
- Contact All Insurance Companies: Not only do you need to reach out to the insurance company of the person at fault, but it’s also important to contact any other insurance providers that might be involved (including your own insurance company, even if you are a victim in the situation). Holiday hours can limit the opportunity to talk to an insurance representative. Your personal injury attorney can help you navigate these conversations and negotiations. Never take an insurance settlement without talking to an attorney first.
Timing Matters for Personal Injury Claims
The truth is that the services of a personal injury attorney can be helpful at any point in your timeline. But the ideal time to bring an attorney onto your team is as soon as possible. When you call an attorney right after the accident, you will receive personalized advice and recommendations to ensure you are building the best case possible.
Your attorney can assist every step of the way, from collecting evidence to finalizing the payout you will receive. This process is critical to ensure the most optimal outcome so you don’t miss out on possible compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Starting the Process During the Holidays
Even though everyone is spending more time with their families during the holiday season, it doesn’t mean that you should delay important decisions relating to an accident. Your decision to consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible can have a domino effect on your case in the future.
Timing is of the essence, especially when you need to preserve evidence and gather medical documentation. It’s also essential to consider legal deadlines and how they might impact your filing.
An experienced personal injury attorney can offer information about the steps you must be taking right now, as well as details that can wait until after the holiday season is over. By designing a customized legal strategy, you can have confidence knowing that your rights and interests are being protected at all times. You deserve to have an advocate who can help you navigate the challenges as smoothly as possible.
Call a Personal Injury Attorney Right Away
If you are involved in a holiday accident, then the best thing you can do is call a personal injury attorney right away. Even though it’s the holiday season, you still have access to legal professionals who can help you navigate this situation.
Reach out to Wormington & Bollinger to learn more about the ways that we can help with your personal injury case. We are just a phone call away, contact us today.