Why Quick Action Is So Important In A Minnesota Personal Injury Case

Life can get hectic in the wake of a personal injury accident, and we understand why it may be second nature to focus solely on your health and your family in the immediate aftermath. With that said, it’s also very important that you find time to look into starting the injury claim process, because time is of the essence. Working quickly to manage your injury claim can not only help you earn compensation, but it can also lead to a bigger award. In today’s blog, we explain why it’s so important to pursue compensation quickly following a personal injury accident.

Don’t Put Off Filing An Injury Claim

There are a number of reasons why you’ll want to get the ball rolling on your personal injury claim shortly after the accident. Here’s why, and some tips on how you can make it easier for you to start the claims process.

Statute Of Limitations – For starters, Minnesota has a statute of limitations when it comes to personal injury claims. You have two years from the date of your injury to file a claim. That may seem like plenty of time, but waiting months or longer to start the claim can hurt your chances for a few reasons that we’ll touch on below. Regardless of those reasons, the law states that you only have two years to bring a claim.

Memory Fades – You may think that you have a great memory, but your recollection of events will fade over time, as will the memory of anybody who witnessed the accident. If you wait six months to reach out to a witness for a statement, odds are their statement will be much less helpful than if your attorney had collected it hours or days after the accident. If you accidentally misremember something, or the stories don’t add up, it can limit your claim or lead to a complete denial.

Evidence Is Lost – It’s also much harder to collect evidence in regards to the incident if you wait. Obviously getting medical attention takes precedence if you suffered severe injuries, but if you can wait, try to document the scene. Take pictures of the scene of the accident and your injuries, and get the contact information of any witnesses. If it’s possible that a camera recorded part or all of the incident, have your lawyer reach out to these businesses quickly before the footage is lost, destroyed or recorded over.

Waiting Raises Red Flags – If you wait to seek medical attention or file a claim, it’s going to send up some red flags with the insurance company. They’ll wonder if your injuries are as bad as you say, or they may even suggest that you were injured in a different manner than you claim. Don’t give them grounds to question the legitimacy of your claim. Acting quickly and getting proper medical attention right away can make sure that the beginning stages of your claim are in order.

It Will Help Your Attorney – Finally, working quickly will also make it easier on your attorney to develop a strong case and in turn help you get the most amount of money for your case. If your lawyer is trying to piece together a claim from months ago, it’s not going to be easy to develop a bulletproof case. We don’t mind working hard for our clients, but you’re only hurting yourself if your decision to delay the pursuit of a claim makes it harder for your attorney to build a strong case.

You’ll want to act quickly when collecting evidence and submitting a claim, but after that, you’ll want to take your time reviewing any settlement offers. You may be interested in putting an end to your injury claim, but that does not mean that you should rush into a bad settlement. Jumping at the first offer can severely limit your earnings potential. Work quickly at the beginning, but then take things slow once your strong claim has been submitted.

For more information, or for help starting a personal injury claim, reach out to Dean and the team at Margolis Law Firm today at (952) 230-2700.