If you have recently been involved in a car accident that resulted in injuries, you may be looking to hire an attorney. Car accident attorneys are important for securing a successful outcome for your case. Even though a reputable attorney has the experience and knowledge necessary to create a good case for their clients, there are specific things a client may do to help the attorney build a better auto accident case. Below are some of the ways you can help yourself by helping your attorney.
Give Your Attorney the Whole Story
It is always important to tell your lawyer the whole story about your accident and what led up to it. Any conversation you have with your attorney is protected by the law firm’s attorney-client privilege. Anything you say will be confidential. You can tell your lawyer the truth without fear of being judged or others finding out things you do not want them to know. Leaving out details regarding the event of your auto accident will not help your case. Oftentimes, people omit details because they are embarrassed or are afraid those details will make it look as if they are at fault.
The best auto accident attorneys will take all facts about your accident and present them in a way that the least flattering elements will have the minimum amount of negative impact. If your lawyer ends up finding out important details from the other lawyers, it can lead to devastating effects to your case. Leaving your attorney unprepared because of omitted details will leave them at a disadvantage when pleading your case. It is important to answer any questions your lawyer has about the accident truthfully.
Don’t Skip Doctor Appointments and Follow All Orders
Most people who hire accident attorneys do so because of injuries as a result of the accident. Because of this, getting treatment should be a top priority. If you do not attend doctor’s appointments or follow any of the recommendations your doctor suggests for therapy or treatment of your injuries, you could end up hurting your auto accident case significantly. If the other side finds out you were not following up on a doctor’s orders, they will argue that your injuries are not significant enough to warrant compensation for medical bills or treatment of your injuries.
Keep Information about Your Case under Wraps until Completed
Being involved in an auto accident can be traumatic for most people. When your accident is severe enough that car accident attorneys need to be involved, you may feel the need to speak about what is happening with your loved ones and friends. In order to help your attorney and your case, it is important to keep details about your lawsuit private from family, co-workers, and friends.
Insurance companies are notorious for trying to manipulate anything you say. They can turn specific things you say or do against you in order to try and reduce the amount of compensation you will get. Even though it may be hard not to discuss the details of your case in a private setting, it is most important not to mention anything online or on your social media accounts.
Take a Break From Social Media Sites
Another way you can make sure you’re helping your auto accident attorney prepare a solid case for you is by taking a break from social media. Anything you say in a tweet, post, or status update can reveal a lot about your state of mind and the severity of your injuries. If you are claiming serious injuries as a result of your auto accident, but then make a post online about doing an activity that you should not be able to do with the injuries you claim, the insurance company will be able to find those posts and use them against you in your case.
Insurance companies have no problem hiring private investigators to physically follow people trying to sue them for compensation. Knowing this should bring clarity about the fact that insurance companies can follow someone online even easier. Do not make the mistake of trying to rely on privacy settings in your social media accounts for protection. Accidents can still happen and you may end up posting something that harms your case. To avoid unnecessarily incriminating yourself or posting an update that has a negative impact on your case, avoid social media until your case has been completed.
Give Your Attorney All Requested Documents in a Timely Manner
While working on your case with your lawyer, they will periodically give you forms to fill out. It is important to return these forms and any medical and insurance documents to your car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Be sure that all forms are filled out completely and accurately and return them in a timely manner to keep your court case progressing. If you do not meet your deadlines with your lawyer, they will not be able to keep up with the filing deadline they need to meet. The legal process for auto accident cases is naturally long enough. You do not want to make it take longer for failing to provide the requested documents and information your lawyer requested after your car accident.
Stay Patient
Building a case after an auto accident can take a lot of time. Your attorney will need to collect various types of information such as statements from witnesses, police reports, and medical records. Additionally, it will take time to get confirmation of your injuries from various medical evaluations. Time will pass while you are attending your doctor’s appointments and healing. Most insurance companies will take their time on the case before they settle on a payment. Never make the assumption you will get paid compensation in a timely manner.
Ask Questions
Never be afraid to ask your lawyer any questions you may have. If you don’t quite understand something about your case, have your attorney explain it to you. It is important for you to understand the status of your auto accident case and what you should be expecting along the way. It is, after all, your case. The more you understand, the easier it will be for you to participate and help your lawyer build you a successful case.
Listen to Your Lawyer
Your attorney has the necessary knowledge and experience to pursue compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering. For this reason, it is important to listen and follow all requests your lawyer may make of you. Full cooperation with your attorney will ensure the best possible outcome of your case after your auto accident.