You’ve hired a personal injury attorney to pursue a settlement for your accident. Now all you have to do is sit back and wait for your lawyer to drop a check into your lap. Right?
Wrong. You’re part of your lawyer’s team and there are things you can do to help secure the settlement you deserve. Here’s how you can help.
Keep excellent records. Take photos of the accident scene and any injuries you suffered. Carefully store all of your medical bills and documents. Do all you can to provide contact information for witnesses or others who could help your case. Put all of your paperwork in a file devoted only to your case. This will make it easier for your attorney and create fewer hassles for you. You can minimize stress by staying organized through the process.
Sign and accept nothing. Lawyers for the defendant might do all they can to get you to sign documents stating that there was no injury. They may offer you a ridiculously small sum to settle without legal action. It’s money now rather than having to wait for a more generous settlement, so it’s tempting. But accepting money and signing documents now will may hinder the opportunity to secure a fair settlement. Your attorney is there to guide you through these decisions.
Keep a lid on your case. The things you tell other people about your injury or your legal case can be twisted by lawyers not acting in your best interest. The less said, the better. This is especially true concerning your social media presence, which is more public than you think.
Make and keep all medical appointments. Will a jury consider you seriously injured if you blow off most of your appointments with doctors or therapists? If your physical or mental health doesn’t seem serious to you, it won’t seem that way to those who can decide your fate. So keep all appointments, even if you feel fine at the moment.
Be patient. This is the hardest tip of all to follow. The legal system isn’t known for its speed. That’s why it might be tempting to accept a small settlement now from the defendant’s attorney. Keep in mind: if a lawyer quickly offers you money to end a case, it may mean he/she knows you can settle for much more later. Discuss any settlement offer with your attorney. Waiting is sometimes the smartest thing you can do.
In short, just remember that you’re an integral part of your lawyer’s team.
When you see yourself as part of the fight for what you deserve, you’ll always recognize the importance of collecting documents, keeping medical appointments and taking other steps to advance your case. At Campbell & Associates our personal injury attorneys work with our clients to help achieve a desirable outcome. Searching for a personal injury attorney, call 704.333.0885 and schedule a free consult with a personal injury attorney in Charlotte, Rock Hill, Gastonia, Hickory or Monroe, NC today.
