When you are involved in a personal injury case, you will likely be working with your attorney for a very long time. For this reason, it's important to have a great working relationship with your lawyer and know what to expect.
Communication
Communicating with your lawyer is an important part of fighting your personal injury case. Some lawyers prefer communicating through email and other forms of digital communication, while others prefer to have an old-fashioned phone call. You may also communicate quite a bit with your lawyer's staff. Keep the lawyer informed about matters pertinent to your case such as any trips you have made to medical specialists. If a relevant insurance provider contacts you about your case, inform your lawyer and ask about which steps you should take.
What Your Personal Injury Attorney Will Do
While some personal injury attorneys will represent you in court, the majority of personal injury cases end up settling out of court. Your attorney will gather necessary documents, photographs, and witness statements. They will contact any relevant insurance providers and attorneys to begin the negotiation process. If you need to enter into mediation and arbitration, your attorney will explain the process and represent you.
Your attorney will inform you of the next steps you must take with your case. This is not only necessary so you can make the right decisions personally but also so you can feel calmer about the direction your case is heading. If you have any questions, your attorney must answer them and explain any aspects of your case that you do not understand. You will also be able to make better decisions.
Another one of your personal injury attorney's jobs is to give you an opinion of how much they believe your case is worth. This is crucial because knowing how much your case is worth will help you determine whether you should pursue your case. Also, knowing how much your case is worth can help you avoid accepting a settlement that is far too low.
Your Settlement Goals
The type of settlement you reach will be based on the conversation you have with your lawyer and your own goals. You may wish to reach a settlement as quickly as possible at the lowest upfront cost. You may simply attempt to win a higher amount than what the insurance provider offered you. Or you may seek the highest amount no matter how long it takes. All of this will be based on your own personal goals and the opinion of your personal injury lawyer.
For more information, reach out to a personal injury lawyer.
