If you were hurt in an accident and are working with a personal injury lawyer to file your insurance claim or lawsuit, you want to have a successful relationship with your personal injury lawyer. This relationship should be based on mutual respect and trust. You should be able to speak freely with your lawyer, ask questions when you have them, and engage in a beneficial exchange of information.
Boca Raton personal injury lawyers often accept clients on a no-fee-unless-we-win policy, which lets you start building a relationship right away. They can help you build a compelling case for financial recovery and negotiate on your behalf. Your personal injury case has a time limit, so consider working with a lawyer sooner rather than later.
Successful Attorney-Client Relationships Require Open, Honest Communication
The key to an effective relationship with a personal injury lawyer is frank and honest communication. From your initial consultation with a law firm until your case is resolved with a settlement or verdict, mutual honesty will keep your case moving towards a successful outcome. To foster good and effective communication:
- Be prepared to answer questions succinctly
- Avoid guessing when providing responses
- Consult your attorney before saying or signing anything
- Allow your lawyer to speak on your behalf
A relationship with your attorney can be difficult to maintain if the lawyer and the at-fault party’s insurance company are telling you different things and if you are saying different things to each of them. Let your lawyer handle all verbal, written, and electronic forms of communication.
Be Respectful of Your Personal Injury Attorney’s Time and Resources
The sooner you speak to a lawyer, the better they are able to investigate your claim and obtain critical information and interview witnesses while their memories are vivid. One way you can maintain a good working relationship with your lawyer is by:
- Making and keeping all case-related legal appointments
- Keeping medical appointments until your doctor releases you
- Respond to requests for information as promptly as possible
- Provide your lawyer with any case-related correspondence
A personal injury lawyer is your advocate. They can champion your case best when they have all the information they need. Failing to provide all the details and information your lawyer needs can stall your personal injury claim or lead to a smaller settlement offer than you deserve.
Tell Your Personal Injury Lawyer Everything—Good and Bad—About Your Case
Many factors of your case will affect your compensation, including any allegations the at-fault party makes about your role in causing or contributing to the accident. According to Florida Statutes § 768.81, these contributory negligence laws could diminish your financial recovery.
Since fault and financial liability are defined in percentages, your lawyer needs as much information about the accident as possible. Accurate information can help them accurately define your actions and fight for a fair distribution of fault. This, in turn, allows them to build a strong defense against any accusations leveraged against you.
Do Not Let Any Information About Your Accident Catch Your Lawyer by Surprise
You will not be barred from receiving compensation after an accident even if you contributed to it (for example, if you failed to signal a turn and another driver rear-ended you). Your contribution to the collision could decrease, but not eliminate, your financial compensation.
Tell your lawyer about the entire sequence of events that led to the accident, including your role in it. Having this information upfront lets them build an accurate claim and fight for maximum compensation for you and your family. Your police report and other official reports will include notes and diagrams that help your legal team substantiate your case.
Do Not Embellish the Types and Amounts of Your Recoverable Damages
Some forms of financial recovery after an accidental injury are non-financial and could be hard to assess and substantiate on your own. These include damages like physical pain and suffering and mental and emotional trauma.
Your lawyer will clarify how these intangible damages are assessed. They will also clarify the methods used to define their monetary value. Overexaggerating the toll your injuries take on your life and lifestyle can make it difficult for your lawyer to assess.
Your Personal Injury Lawyer Will Also Document Your Economic Damages
The economic damages you can recover are more readily documented with bills, receipts, etc. Your lawyer will ask questions about these damages, including:
- How long were you unable to work due to your injuries?
- What medical treatment did you receive and for how long?
- What property was damaged or destroyed in the accident?
- How did your injuries impact your life and lifestyle?
The at-fault party’s insurance company will demand proof of the damages listed in your compensation request, and the discovery process will require representatives from both sides to share information. Your responses to the questions above will help your lawyer accurately assess and document your compensation request.
Successful Legal Representation Means Clarifying Personal Injury Laws
How your lawyer handles your case and the compensation you can request is defined by the state’s statute of limitations for personal injury accident claims and insurance laws. Your lawyer will comply with Florida laws regarding:
- The personal injury statute of limitations
- Damage caps that apply to certain claims
- Notification requirements in certain cases
Your lawyer is bound by all the laws that govern your claim. Avoid asking for concessions they cannot make, such as a longer time to file your lawsuit or a settlement number that far exceeds the documentable value of your case. Doing so can only lead to frustration and stress.
Get Started Building Your Successful Lawyer-Client Relationship Immediately
If you or a loved one was hurt in an accident, our law firm will help you get the fair compensation you need to start putting your life back together. We have outlined the keys to building a successful relationship with your personal injury lawyer. We also clarify all of the benefits our legal representation will bring to your case.
Get started today with a no-cost, no-obligation case review. Contact our consultation team at Ged Lawyers to get yours today.
