what an attorney needs to know for personal injury

by Grady Wisozk 6 min read

What Your Personal Injury Attorney Needs to Know First of all, your attorney will need to know your side of what happened to cause the accident. You should also detail anything you were doing at the time of the accident and anyone you spoke to after the accident.

Full Answer

Is it worth it to hire a personal injury lawyer?

What Your Personal Injury Attorney Needs to Know First of all, your attorney will need to know your side of what happened to cause the accident. You should also detail anything you were doing at the time of the accident and anyone you spoke to after the accident.

Who is the best personal injury lawyer?

Your personal injury lawyer will need to know whether or not your job pays “off the books” so that they can determine how to recover your lost wages. If your job pays “off the books,” recovering your lost wages will be difficult for your attorney. Health Insurance or Medicare

Do you need to hire a personal injury attorney?

The following are some things your personal injury attorney ought to know: Previous injuries you may have suffered in an accident If you have previously suffered injuries in an accident or if you have a pre-existing condition that may have been aggravated by the accident, it is important to let your attorney know about these injuries at the initial consultation.

Should you hire a personal injury lawyer?

While your personal injury client is in treatment, it is imperative for him to understand that if he has a subsequent injury, for better or worse, he must tell his treating doctors about the incident, and to let you know. Every adjuster will have access to a claims index.

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Why do you need a recorded statement from an adjuster?

Most adjusters will tell you that they need a recorded statement from your client to firm up liability or to assess credibility. Providing a recorded statement rarely results in a finding in your favor on liability, nor will the adjuster fall in love with your client over the phone and offer more money.

Why should a case be valued by some multiplier of a client's specials?

The idea that a case should be valued by some multiplier of a client's specials favors the insurance company when the plaintiff's personal injury attorney looks at raw data and is influenced by it, especially when accident attorneys do not do the things they need to do to win cases and maximize the settlement offer.

Do insurance companies call you back after you have obtained service?

In some personal injury accident cases, the carrier will call you back after you have obtained service on the defendant and increase their offer now that your case is in suit. It is good to keep track of which insurance companies do increase offers post suit and which do not.

Is a physical therapist your buddy?

The Physical Therapist Is Not Your Buddy. Tell your personal injury clients that their physical therapists are not their friends, counsel or confidants. It is important that the client tell the health care provider everything necessary to provide proper care and treatment.

Can a defense attorney subpoena a doctor's file?

Defense attorneys will always subpoena a doctor's file, which usually includes all correspondence. Asking a doctor an opinion on causal connection is one thing, but telling the doctor what you need him to say is another. Another request by attorneys that I have seen in the past is a request to change a report.

When did the injury occur?

Knowing what date the injury occurred is an important piece of information in any personal injury case. This can include the date of an accident or the date the injury was discovered by a medical professional.

How much has this accident cost you?

Your personal injury attorney will want to know if you’ve missed work due to your injury, received medical care, or incurred any other costs as a result of the accident.

Were you at work?

Your attorney needs to know which party may be liable for your injury before moving forward with a case. Was your injury caused by faulty equipment at your job or because of unsafe conditions? If you were injured at work, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

Where were you injured?

When you file a personal injury case, you must establish who is at fault. Knowing where the injury took place will help your lawyer do just that.

Have you been contacted by anyone related to your injury?

After your injury, did anyone involved call to check up on you and see if you’re OK? Have any insurance companies reached out offering a settlement? Were the police involved in any way? Sometimes when a person is injured at someone’s home, at a place of business, or in a car accident, others involved will contact the injured party.

What should I consider before hiring a personal injury attorney?

Accessibility is perhaps another crucial factor you need to consider before hiring a personal injury attorney for your case. Many people out there complain that they hardly discuss their cases with the attorneys they hire. Therefore, make sure that you avoid the attorneys who have limited communication with you.

Why is it important to find a personal injury attorney?

This is the reason why it’s important to find a personal injury attorney so that you can receive good guidance on the insurance claim process.

Why is it important to document severe injuries?

One of the reasons is that victims with severe injuries require higher financial damages. Therefore, there is a need to carefully document these damages so that you can receive for the medical bills, lost income, and other financial losses incurred after the accident.

How to find a good personal injury attorney?

Another way you can use to find a good personal injury attorney is to check what their previous clients say about the services they offer. Remember that the court proceedings and the pressure of dealing with some insurance companies can bring bad experiences. However, there are some personal injury attorneys who have the reputation of bringing successful outcomes. This should be your basis when it comes to choosing the right personal injury attorney to handle your case. If you know some of the previous clients, then try to contact them to know their experiences.

What does it mean when you seek the services of a personal injury?

Ideally, if you seek the services of a personal injury, it means you have been injured. You may be going for therapy treatments and doctor’s visits to help you return to the previous self. As a result, there are good chances that you can be too busy to handle the legal process yourself.

Can a personal injury attorney handle a court case?

For any person who has been in the courtroom, perhaps they know that the courtroom proceedings can be formal and confusing.fortunately, if you decide to find an experienced attorney, they can handle the whole litigation process on your behalf. Even if for some reason you need to appear in the court of law as a witness, the personal injury attorney can ensure that you prepare well for your appearance.

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Medical History and Previous Injuries

Previous Insurance Claims

  • Your attorney will also need to know if you’ve made prior insurance claims for accidents and injuries. There’s nothing wrong with pursuing multiple legitimate personal injury claims, but you don’t want your attorney to be caught off guard if the opposition brings previous filings to light. In the worst-case scenario, failing to disclose crucial information could result in your case being di…
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Criminal Background

  • Previous insurance claims and injuries aren’t the only things the opposition will examine as you pursue your case — they’ll look into your criminal history as well. Remember, they’re looking for evidence that supports a lower payout or a total dismissal of your case, and painting victims as untrustworthy people because of a criminal background is a common tactic. If you’ve ever been …
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Bankruptcy

  • As you can probably guess by this point, your personal injury attorney needs to know everything about your life that could become relevant in the case, and your financial circumstances are certainly no exception. If you’ve declared bankruptcy, there’s a chance that some, or all, of the damages awarded could be considered assets and taken by credito...
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Plans to Divorce

  • First and foremost, any hard feelings between you and your spouse could affect your case if they’re called to testify. You and your attorney could mount a defense, of course, but your time would be better spent on offense. Your case could also be affected by the cause of your divorce. If your spouse has decided to leave you because of your injury, for instance, then your attorney …
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