Ways You Can Help Your Attorney During Your Personal Injury Case
After suffering injuries due to the negligence of another party, you want to ensure you do everything you can to maximize your compensation. A vital part of maximizing your compensation in a personal injury case is retaining the services of an attorney, the right attorney. Even hiring a skilled and dedicated personal injury attorney to help you with your claim is not enough. To increase your chances of recovering the payment you deserve, you and your attorney need to work together as a team.
During your injury case, there are several things you can do as a client to be a good team member. The following are some things you can do to help your attorney during your injury case.
Share Your Whole Story
The first thing you can do to help your attorney during your personal injury case is to share your whole story. For your attorney to effectively represent you, they need to understand everything about how you sustained your injuries. For this reason, it is vital for you to keep a record of everything you can remember about the incident that led to your injuries. If, for instance, you were injured in a car accident, you should write down or do:
- Log the date and time of the accident
- The location of the accident
- The weather conditions
- What actions the other driver took before the accident
- What actions you took before the accident (if you took any actions)
- Keep all paperwork the police gave you
- Take and keep all photos and videos
Be Transparent With Your Attorney
When telling your story to your attorney, always be honest. While your attorney cannot share the details of your case with other parties because of the attorney-client privilege rule, your attorney needs to be able to handle issues if they come up. You do not want the other side to have facts they can use against you that your attorney does not know about. That can adversely affect the outcome of your case.
Keep Your Doctor’s Appointments and Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
If you miss your doctor’s appointments and/or fail to follow your doctor’s orders, you will give the other side something they can use against you. Missing your doctor’s appointments and/or failing to follow your doctor’s orders can result in the at-fault party’s insurance company arguing that you were not seriously injured. If this argument comes up, it might cost you money.
Maintain Confidentiality
You should avoid discussing your personal injury case with anyone other than your attorney. If, for example, an insurance adjuster wants to discuss your claim with you, ask them to speak to your attorney. Do not discuss your injuries with anyone who is not your attorney or doctor. Even conversations about your claim and/or injuries with friends and family members should be avoided just as conversations on social media should be avoided. The things you say to an insurance adjuster, a friend, a family member or online can be used against you.
Respond Promptly to Your Attorney
Throughout your injury case, your attorney will require information from you. Now and then, your attorney will require you to sign documents. If your attorney asks you for information or to sign a document, ensure you respond promptly.
If, for example, your attorney asks you for information that you cannot seem to find, do not remain silent. Instead, reach out to your attorney and ask if there is an alternative. That way, your case does not come to a standstill.
Be Cooperative During the Discovery Process
If, for example, there are disagreements about who is to blame for your injuries and damages, you might need to take your case to court. If your injury case goes to court, you’ll be allowed to collect evidence from the defense side, and the defense side will be allowed to collect evidence from you. This is what is referred to as “discovery.” You may be required to provide documents or answer questions during the discovery process. If you want your case to proceed, you will need to cooperate during the discovery phase. You will need to answer questions and/or provide the documents required.
Fortunately, if the other side plans on asking you questions in a deposition, your attorney will prepare you ahead of time for the kind of questions you may be asked. Your attorney will also be with you during your deposition.
Contact a Naples Personal Injury Attorney
If you’ve been hurt in Florida due to the negligence of another party and need an attorney to represent you, contact the skilled and dedicated Naples personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.
Source:
law.cornell.edu/wex/discovery
