It Takes 2: Contributing To Your Personal Injury Cause
If you are the victim of a careless driver, you may know that just counting on the insurance company to do the right thing could leave you missing several important forms of compensation. Insurance companies will seldom make an effort to compensate victims fairly and give them what they deserve, which is why it's so important to get the help of a personal injury attorney to stand by you during this time. Relying on your attorney is a given, but did you know that you have the power to improve your chances of personal injury success by your own actions? Read on to find out how.
Your attorney needs vital info to evaluate your case. Your case is only as good as the information you provide to your attorney. In the case of a car wreck, for instance, you may already have the needed info in the form of the accident or police report. Here, you can find the contact information for all parties, the insurance information and sometimes even the responding officer's take on how the accident happened.
You have probably already experienced some medical treatment, and there is likely much more to come. Medical care can be extremely expensive, even for minor accidents. This expense is covered by insurance, but the dollar amount of your medical care is still an important factor in any potential settlement, so keep up with it regardless of who is paying for it. Be sure to give your attorney a summary of your care, so far.
Understand that your attorney is bound by confidentiality. The attorney-client privilege covers every form of communication you can imagine between you and your attorney, so don't be afraid to speak up and be honest about not just the accident, but any past accidents, employment issues, criminal acts, traffic offenses and previous lawsuits. The other side has a big stake in not paying you anything for your claim, and they will do some background checking on you. Allow your attorney every chance to have a heads up on any issues.
Be careful with what you say: You can accidentally harm your case by your own actions, such as speaking about your accident on social media or to an insurance adjuster. That adjuster for the other side will be calling for a recorded statement, but you should refuse to speak to anyone about the accident without the guidance of your attorney. Allow your attorney to take care of the call, the offers and the negotiations for the settlement using their expertise and knowledge of exactly what type of monetary award you are entitled to receive for your injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
Speak to a personal injury attorney today for more information and assistance.