If you have recently suffered a personal injury, you know how scary and overwhelming it can feel. The physical effects can be very unpleasant to deal with. To make matters worse, if you are like most of us, navigating the legal system and knowing what to expect from your personal injury case can be very confusing!
Stay off social media! That means Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. Don’t post photographs of yourself dancing if you’re claiming an injured back! Don’t tell anyone you went water skiing when you claim to have hurt your foot. Just stay off the internet and say as little as possible online instead.
If you lost income as a result of your injuries, you will need proof for court. Speak with your employer and ask them to give you a statement that outlines how much money you earn and how many days of work you missed because of what happened to you. Depending on whether you earn an hourly wage or not, your income tax return could also be valuable documentation to bring with you.
When fighting a personal injury case, a lawyer will have many curve balls thrown at him. That means that only a lawyer with an extensive history in the field of personal injury law will be able to be successful at trial. Look for a lawyer with lots of experience behind him.
Compare personal injury lawyers. There are plenty of personal injury lawyers out there but unfortunately some of them are sharks. Contact your local Better Business Bureau and always check online for customer reviews. Typically though, the best way to find a good personal injury lawyer is through word of mouth.
Don’t pay any money up front to a personal injury lawyer. A reputable personal injury lawyer will not require any money up front; in most cases they will offer a free consultation prior to taking your case. During this consultation be sure to ask them about exactly what you will be charged (whether it’s a flat fee or an hourly rate), and if they offer some sort of payment plan.
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Consider using the local bar association to help you find a quality personal injury lawyer. Some do a wonderful job of screening out attorneys that do not have the experience that you are looking for or the qualifications that you need. Talk with the association about your needs and ask about what their screening process is like.
If you are considering hiring an attorney, set up a consultation first. Generally, this consultation should be free, but make sure you clarify this point before you head into the meeting. If a fee is involved, it is likely that lawyer will charge other fees as well, like a retainer, and you may want to move on as a result.
If you are in pain after an accident, be very vocal about it and never try to hold the feelings in. This is not a good idea because it will give the other party leverage during a lawsuit. They will argue that you never said that you were injured at the time of the accident.
Ask your friends and family for personal injury lawyer referrals. There are countless personal injury lawyers out there, due to the large amount of money that they can make, but that does not mean that they are all good. If you do not already have a lawyer in mind you should seek the help of those that you know and trust.
Ask any questions you have of your lawyer. Ask about what may surprise you, how long it’ll be, and what you should expect. You need to have a thorough understanding of what is going to transpire throughout your case, so ask questions.
If you’re currently going through a personal injury lawsuit, it is important to keep all doctor’s appointments and keep records of all documentations. You have to prove you are injured and trying to get better, in order to prevail and get your money. A lack of this proof makes you look like nothing more than a scam artist, attempting to get over on an insurance company or on the court.
Suffering a personal injury is never a pleasant experience. While you cannot change what has happened to you, you nevertheless can educate yourself on the important facts about personal injury law to make your legal experience as tolerable and seamless as possible. You have been through enough already, after all!