If you’ve ever seen some of the commercials on television for car accident lawyers, you may think all lawyers are desperate to take any case they can find. That really isn’t true – at least for a reputable attorney. A good Henderson car crash lawyer is going to be careful about which cases they take and which cases they turn down. Part of this is because they don’t want to waste their time on a case that has no value. But they also don’t want to waste their clients’ time. If a case isn’t worth taking, they’d rather tell the client upfront rather than waste months of their time.
This is why car accident attorneys in Nevada screen cases by offering free initial consultations. This gives them a chance to review your case and give you an idea of what your case is worth. It also gives you a chance to ask any questions you may have. After hearing your story and reviewing your paperwork, your lawyer will have to decide if they want to take your case. Just like you have a choice as to whether you want to hire an injury lawyer, they have a choice in deciding whether to take your case.
When lawyers make these decisions, it’s not personal. It’s business. In fact, some clients use the same car accident lawyers over the years to handle their accident claims. They would rather have their lawyer be honest with them rather than promise them the moon. There are certain things that make certain cases meritless. If your case falls into any of these categories, there is a chance that the attorney you meet with may decline to accept your case. It’s a good idea to know what these things are before you meet with your lawyer for the first time.
Your Case May Be Outside the Nevada Statute of Limitations
You only have a certain amount of time to file a legal claim in Nevada. This is called the statute of limitations. Under Nevada law, you only have two (2) years to file a claim for personal injury. The two years starts on the day you have your car accident. If you wait too long to meet with a skilled Henderson car crash lawyer, they may not be able to file your claim. If you’re too close or beyond the statute of limitations period, no attorney will be able to help you.
Did You Suffer an Actual Injury?
In order to get you damages, your car accident lawyer in Henderson has to prove you were injured. If you didn’t suffer any actual injury, there’s nothing your lawyer will be able to do for you. Suppose you get into a car accident but sustain no damage to your car. Or, maybe you did but the defendant’s insurance already paid to get your car fixed. As for injuries, you had a few bumps and bruises, but the other driver’s policy already covered all of your medical bills. If you didn’t miss any time from work or suffer any long-term injuries, there may be nothing to sue for.
Did the Defendant Already Prove You Were at Fault?
There are times when both insurance companies agree that one driver was at fault. If your insurance company agrees that you were at fault, there’s nothing your lawyer can really do to help. Now, if there’s clear evidence that the other driver was at fault, your attorney may be able to help. But if the evidence is overwhelmingly against you, an attorney may be afraid to take your case.
Contact an Experienced Henderson Car Crash Lawyer and Schedule a Free Initial Consultation
If you or your loved one gets into a car accident, you may need a lawyer. Depending on how complicated your case is, you may be over your head trying to handle it yourself. That’s why it’s a good idea to meet with an experienced Henderson, Nevada accident injury attorney in our office and go over your case. They can look at the facts of your case and give you an idea of what it might be worth. Depending on your consultation, they may want to handle your case. Or, if they think your case isn’t really winnable, they may tell you they aren’t able to handle your case. Don’t take it personally. They’re trying to save you time and money.