The Importance of Legal Representation for Personal Injury Victims in Philadelphia

Two common mistakes people make after they’ve been injured as the result of someone else’s negligence are: (1) they think they don’t need a lawyer so they try to handle the case themselves; or (2) they know they need a lawyer and they call the first law firm phone number they see on a bus sign without doing any research.

First, you’ve heard the saying “A person who represents himself has a fool for a client.” Legal rules and procedures – especially in Philadelphia – are complex. Navigating them is challenging enough for lawyers who have gone through the rigors of law school. But if you have no formal legal training and you attempt to handle your personal injury matter on your own, there is hardly any likelihood that you will achieve an optimal result.

Second, there are many personal injury lawyers in Philadelphia. But there aren’t many personal injury attorneys in Philadelphia who can represent you well and secure a successful outcome for your case. Below are reasons you need to find an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer to represent you in your case.

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO FILE THE LAWSUIT IN TIME

In every personal injury case, time is of the essence. If your Philadelphia personal injury lawyer does not act efficiently and swiftly, you could lose the opportunity to file a lawsuit at all! You need to hire an experienced attorney who appreciates the time-sensitive nature of your personal injury claim.

Pennsylvania law allows you two years from when you knew or should have known that your injury was the result of the defendants’ negligence. In the case of a deceased party, Pennsylvania law allows you two years from the official death date to file a wrongful death personal injury lawsuit. There are some additional exceptional rules that only experienced personal injury lawyers know, which is why it’s crucial to hire one to investigate your case.

YOU’LL BE ABLE TO RETAIN CRUCIAL EVIDENCE BEFORE THE DEFENDANT DESTROYS IT

An experienced personal injury attorney knows what actions must be taken early in the process such as ordering medical records; reviewing police reports; and collecting witness statements, photographs, and videos. The presence or absence of these crucial forms of evidence could determine whether your lawsuit is successful or not.

If you were injured in a slip and fall, your premises liability attorney might collect building records, weather history, janitorial schedules, etc. If you were injured in a car accident, your accident attorney might gather auto mechanic invoices, cell phone records, and the defendants’ driving records. 

And remember: Much of the critical evidence is in the possession of the defendant and if those items aren’t requested early in the process, the defendant could destroy them.

Thus, you need a Philadelphia personal injury attorney to preserve any and all necessary evidence.

YOUR LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS IS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY

With each case, an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney becomes more and more capable because they learn something new every time. And not only do you want an attorney who has tried many personal injury cases, but you want an attorney who has tried many negligence cases successfully. So, it’s not just experience, per se, that matters – success rate is important as well. Ask the attorney you’re thinking of hiring about their record. If they don’t have a good answer, you’ve been given all the information you need. Find a better lawyer.

A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER WILL HIRE THE RIGHT (AND BEST) EXPERTS

In many cases, a personal injury lawsuit is complicated and requires expert review and analysis. Your personal injury lawyer in Philadelphia has access to the best experts in the country. They will ensure that the most appropriate and qualified experts review your case. And they will ensure that those experts write a detailed and comprehensive report to bolster your claim in court. 

To find an experienced personal injury attorney in Philadelphia to represent you in your personal injury case, contact the attorneys at VSCP Law.