When looking for a personal injury lawyer, you always want the best. But did you know that the lawyers have expectations, too? They want good clients that they know they can defend and represent.
There is an assumption among clients that injury lawyers are desperate for clients. However, this is not true. Lawyers decline clients who do not meet their expectations all the time.
So what makes a good client? Personal injury cases are complicated, and for the lawyer to get you the compensation you deserve, you must be cooperative. Injury lawyers will have different expectations, but the bottom line is, a good client will do whatever it takes to ensure a smooth case. Below are things you can do to help your lawyer help you.
What Makes an Excellent Personal Injury Client?
1. Tell Your Whole Story as It Is
The first thing an injury attorney in Irvine will want to hear from you is how the accident happened. Some clients withhold information because they feel like it will not be great for the case or make them look bad. Your lawyer expects the truth and nothing but the truth for them to help you.
The attorney-client privilege protects conversations between an attorney and client, so you have nothing to fear. The information you consider omitting could be the only missing bit to help your lawyer win the case.
2. Effective Communication
Communication is the backbone of all relationships. For effective communication to happen, both parties must be involved. If you expect your lawyer to answer all your calls, please grant them the same favor.
It is frustrating when a lawyer keeps calling you to clarify something, but you never pick up or return their calls. Ignoring your lawyer’s call because you are getting your afternoon power nap does not only slow down the case, but impacts your case negatively. If the lawyer has other clients, he will attend to the available ones first.
3. Do Not Share the Details of Your Case with Anyone
Information is power in the legal field. What you say can be used against you in court. That said, resist any temptation to discuss your case with your family or friends. Insurance companies will go to any lengths to sabotage your case, so be wary of who you talk to.
What’s more, avoid updating your social media while the case is ongoing. If you’re claiming severe injuries, the defendants can use an innocent photo of you having fun with your friends to say that you are healthy enough to go out and have fun, reducing your claim’s value.
4. Attend All Your Doctor’s Appointments
If you skip doctor’s appointments, it means that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. To make it easy for your injury attorney, never miss an appointment and do as your doctor says.
Other than proving the injuries, make recovery your priority. Since you hired a reputable lawyer, let them deal with the insurance adjusters and the court, as you focus on feeling better.
5. Ask Questions
You can only help your lawyer with the case if you have the correct information. Therefore, make it a habit to ask what you do not understand. If anything about the process concerns you, do not assume that the lawyer is always right. Bring it up. This is your case, and you should participate fully.
Do Not Always Blame the Lawyer
Clients have high expectations for their lawyers and fail to play their part. If the case is not going as expected, ask yourself what you are not doing right before blaming your lawyer. If you follow the five basic guidelines above and specific requests from your lawyer, you will be helping yourself towards a fair settlement.
