Getting into an accident can change your life in substantial ways. Whether you broke a hip slipping on a wet floor or sustained spinal damage in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation.
If you’re considering filing a personal injury claim against the responsible party, you’re going to need to hire an accident attorney in Tennessee.
How do you know if filing a claim is the way to go? What are the signs that you should contact a Memphis accident attorney to get your case underway?
Read on for the top five signs that it’s time to start finding a lawyer who can handle your personal injury claim.
1. Your Accident Was Preventable
In order to file a personal injury claim, you will need to establish legal negligence. As a legal term, negligence is an action or inaction committed by the defense that caused a foreseeable injury. For example, texting while driving is legally negligent because that distraction from the road can cause a foreseeable accident.
2. You’ve Sustained Serious Injuries
Not all negligent behaviors warrant legal action. You must show that the negligent behavior in question (i.e. texting while driving) caused an accident that left you seriously injured. Serious injuries can include broken bones, brain trauma, internal bleeding, amputated limbs, and more.
3. You’re Facing Financial Strain
Personal injury claims are, ultimately, a pursuit of financial justice. When filing a personal injury claim after an accident, you will need to declare the damages (amount of money) that you are demanding from the defense. That means that you will need to demonstrate that your injuries have led to financial strain in the form of medical bills, lost income, and more.
4. Your Day-to-Day Life Has Changed
You can also include what are called non-economic damages in a personal injury claim. Because these damages are harder to quantify, it will take an experienced accident attorney to help you establish an amount of money that reflects these life changes. Non-economic damages can include things like pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, and more.
5. Your Accident Happened Less Than a Year Ago
Tennessee has a shorter statute of limitations on personal injury claims than most states. You will have one year from the time of the accident to file your personal injury claim against the at-fault party. That means that you should begin your search for an experienced accident attorney as soon as possible.
Hire an Accident Attorney in Memphis Today
If these five signs sound familiar to you, it’s time to hire an accident attorney in Memphis, Tennessee. Any time you’re considering filing a personal injury claim, consult an attorney, first. Having legal representation can make a huge difference to the outcome of your case.
Ready to talk to an accident attorney about your accident? Contact us today to schedule a free consultation so that you can tell us more about your case and we can help you determine the best next steps.