Personal injury claims can be complex. While hiring the right personal injury lawyer is essential, even the best legal representation will struggle to overcome a lack of client cooperation.
Proper lawyer-client cooperation ensures that all necessary information is considered and that important deadlines are met to enable informed legal decisions. It’s not easy to win when going toe-to-toe with insurance companies that don’t want to pay out much — if anything. But a lawyer can, if you don’t self-sabotage, develop a strategy that gets you the compensation you deserve.
Keep reading to see four ways cooperating with your attorney during a personal injury claim will help, rather than hinder, your odds of a successful outcome.
- Provide Complete and Accurate Information
It’s vital to provide your personal injury attorney with complete and up-to-date information right from the start. This includes information concerning the circumstances of the incident, personal injuries, medical attention sought, and even dealings with insurance companies.
Incomplete or erroneous information can hamper your personal injury lawyer’s preparation process and lead to mistakes that would not otherwise occur.
Lawyers need factual information to determine liability, damages, and possible objections. Even seemingly trivial details may be important for a case. Giving a clear and honest explanation about your situation is one of the best ways to work with your lawyer.
- Ensure Consistent and Timely Communication
Timely communication is critical in a personal injury claim. Proactively attending to requests for documents, signatures, or additional information will help keep things moving. Poor communication may lead to snail-paced negotiations or missed deadlines.
You can also benefit by informing your lawyer about any updates, including new diagnoses, expenses, or communications from insurers. Going this route will help your lawyer pivot, if necessary, to ensure you have the strongest case possible.
- Stay Organized and Document Relevant Information
Personal injury cases may require a lot of paperwork — including hospital records, medical bills, accident reports, photographs, and correspondence. This information, if kept organized, can make case preparation much easier for your attorney.
Keeping an organized record of events and associated costs will work in your favor. Again, that’s why you need to be upfront and accurate with any information you give your lawyer. Even if you don’t think something is relevant, it’s a good idea to run it by your lawyer anyway, just in case.
- Understand the Process and Manage Expectations
Personal injury cases can drag on for longer than you might think. The key here is to be prepared for the possible delay and ensure the lawyer-client working relationship remains productive. Your lawyer will take the lead, but you both need to be on the same page.
Your lawyer will advise you to continue any required medical appointments or physiotherapy and to avoid doing anything that could jeopardize your personal injury claim.
If you have questions, reach out to your lawyer. It’s a good idea to find out even before retaining the services of a legal professional who will be tasked with getting back to you. Some lawyers do so personally, while others have support staff whom they use to communicate with clients. Even if your lawyer’s assistant is the primary go-between, you’ll want to know that you can speak to your legal representative directly should the need arise. It could be a long cause, so keeping the line of communication open can be a major difference-maker.
Having a good working relationship with your attorney during the personal injury claims process is key. It’s not just something that’s nice to have — it’s something you must have. A good personal injury lawyer will help you obtain the compensation you need for medical treatment, lost salary, pain and suffering, and future medical needs.
If you and your lawyer are on the same page, that dynamic will boost your odds of success so you can move forward with your life.