Why Personal Injury Lawyers Don't Rush Their Clients

When a personal injury lawyer submits a claim or files a lawsuit on behalf of a client, it's often after months or even years of work. For the clients of personal injury attorneys, that can feel extremely slow. If you're planning to retain the help of a personal injury attorney, you have a right to know why they'll likely want to avoid rushing through things. Take a look at why a slow pace is almost always favored.

Time Is Usually on Your Side

Most jurisdictions have statutes that allow injury claims to be filed within two to three years of an incident. That gives most plaintiffs a fair amount of time to put their claims together.

In some cases, such as ones involving exposure to toxic chemicals, there may be carve-outs in the law. These may either allow unlimited time to bring claims, or they'll only start the clock once the plaintiff becomes aware they've been exposed. Claims involving sexual assaults frequently work this way, too. However, it's always wise to contact a personal injury attorney to confirm what the rules are where you live.

Documenting Medical Issues Often Takes Time

Suppose someone suffered a spinal injury. In this scenario, the damage done could involve injuries to muscles, nerves, vertebrae, or even the spinal cord. Diagnosing issues with the spine is rarely a simple job, and a doctor may have to perform exploratory surgery to determine the full extent of a person's injuries.

You're not going to get that kind of specialized surgery scheduled in a matter of a couple of weeks. Likewise, the doctor will need time to assemble a report. Your personal injury attorney will also need time to process the medical issues into a claim.

Waiting on Police Reports

Especially in cases with aggravating circumstances, you may need to wait for reports from the police. For example, a case involving a drunk driver might involve toxicology reports. Until the tox reports come back, a personal injury lawyer will want to hold up a claim.

Similarly, there may be an ongoing criminal case. To be clear, you can move ahead with a personal injury claim even while a criminal prosecution is in progress. However, a personal injury attorney would much prefer to have a criminal conviction to point to.

Your One Shot

When you settle a case or receive a judgment, that's all you're ever going to get in compensation for your injuries. It's important to maximize how much money you receive to pay for past, current, and future medical expenses.

For more information, reach out to a personal injury lawyer in your area.