Hiring a personal injury lawyer can increase the chances of a successful court outcome. An experienced personal injury lawyer will help you navigate through the complex legal procedures. However, success in a case depends on an honest personal injury attorney-client relationship.
You must work together with the attorney and share important information relating to the case. Withholding any information can have a negative bearing on the case outcome. Here is a checklist of information that your personal injury attorney will need to know regarding the accident.
1. Medical Expenses
The cost of treating an injury can determine compensation in a personal injury case. You should report all expenses that you have incurred for treating injuries suffered in an accident. Your attorney will use this information to calculate the amount of compensation you can receive for your injuries. Current diagnosis and potential cost of continued or long term care can also factor into compensation and awards made, and thus it is important that detailed medical records are kept after an accident.
2. Loss of Income
Another important information that will influence a personal injury settlement amount is loss of income due to the injury. The court can award you compensation for any income lost due to missed work on account of the injury. This information can be used in court by the attorney to ensure that you get adequate compensation for your losses. This also applies to future wages or earnings that are lost due to permanent damage or injuries due to the accident.
3. Previous Injuries
You should also inform your attorney if you have suffered any injury previously. The opposing counsel can use this information to persuade the court to reduce the compensation amount. If you tell them about any injury that was sustained prior to the accident, your attorney can influence the court’s decision in your favor by showing that the injuries were worsened by the accident. Your attorney may also have more detailed research and or investigations to determine how the accident contributed to previous injuries and try to identify the accident’s cause in any worsening of those prior injuries.
4. Post-Accident Injuries
Apart from previous injuries, you should also inform your lawyer about injuries that you have sustained after an accident. The cost of treating injuries after an accident need to be separated from injuries sustained in the accident. This is important otherwise the opposing attorney can argue that your injury actually stems from the second accident. If you inform your lawyer about post-accident injuries, they use evidence to separate the injuries and provide a clear picture to the court about them resulting in less confusion and a clear line to the negligence and injuries in question.
5. Contact with a Third Party
Lastly, you should inform your attorney if anyone has contacted you to discuss any matter relating to the accident. Any written statements made to a third party should be forwarded to your lawyer. That being said, it’s recommended that you avoid making any statement to third parties without first consulting with your personal attorney. While many people do not retain the help of an attorney immediately, contact with opposing counsel and or insurance companies may have already happened. To avoid any detrimental surprises later in your case, be forthcoming with any correspondences that may have already occurred.
Personal accident lawsuits can be challenging as they involve gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and having knowledge of complex laws. That’s why it’s important that you only hire an experienced and reliable personal injury attorney.
If you were seriously injured by another, contact our attorneys for a free initial consultation. The attorneys at Sanford A. Kassel, APLC have been representing accident victims since 1981 and have the experience to protect your rights.
