How to Work with an Attorney on Your Personal Injury Claim
A personal injury can turn your life upside down. Doctor appointments, calls with insurance companies, and time off work can leave you feeling swamped.
“You do not need to handle the legal aspects by yourself. A skilled New Jersey lawyer can bring order and understanding when everything else seems chaotic” says William J. Garces, a personal injury attorney from GGL Injury Lawyers. Here is how to collaborate well with a lawyer on your personal injury case.
Understand the Different Types of Personal Injury Claims
There are many different law cases that fall under the umbrella of personal injury cases in New Jersey. Most personal injury claims stem from motor vehicle accidents, but there are also claims related to slip and fall accidents, workplace incidents, dog bites, and more.
Personal injury claims arising from healthcare negligence cases (i.e. medical malpractice) are different from product liability cases in which a person is injured as a result of using a faulty product. Each case is different, and knowing the type of claim you have helps your lawyer develop a plan of action. There are time frames that impose deadlines on the document submission process, as well as the parties that may be held responsible.
Take the Right Steps Immediately After the Accident
There are important things to do right after you’re injured, such as getting medical care, even if you feel you only have minor injuries. Having records for your treatment helps you recover, and the records will be useful for your claim.
You should collect evidence while it is still fresh. Getting pictures of the accident scene and collecting the contact information of witness are also helpful. The evidence helps prove your version of the incident.
When you have enough evidence, report the incident to the related personnel. Report car accidents to the police and the insurance company. For slip and fall accidents, report the accident to the owner or manager of the premises.
Know the Role Your Attorney Plays in the Case
There may be insurance issues and complications with liability that require your attorney’s assistance. Your attorney engages in each of these challenges by using a combination of case law, medical reports, and expert testimony to support your claim.
Your attorney takes care of communication with insurance companies and the opposing attorney, so you will not create a problem for your case by careless or improper comments. Your attorney will also take care of the other important dates, like the New Jersey statute of limitations.
Representation by your attorney will change the insurance company’s negotiation position.
Understand What it Takes to Find an Ideal Attorney
In the state of New Jersey, there may be many lawyers to choose from, but there will not be many that specialize in personal injury. That is why it is important to specialize.
When you find an attorney that specializes in personal injury, you will find that it may give one attorney a sharper edge than other attorneys, especially in negotiating.
Determine how you like to be kept informed. You will find out their style and if it a good match when you schedule a free consultation.
Stay Actively Involved Throughout the Legal Process
Even with a good lawyer on your case, your level of involvement can encourage ongoing case progress. Lawyers cannot work in a vacuum. Saying when something occurred can give context to how treatment is going, and when things happen that can potentially influence what your case is even about, you should let your lawyer know.
You should call and/or email your lawyer to update them on changes you experience to your medical condition, job, and/or living situation. All of these things affect your case and can be important details during the negotiations or during preparation for the case before it goes to trial.
Progress on your case depends on your lawyer and your involvement. This means returning calls in a timely manner, sending documents promptly, and following up on referrals your lawyer gives you.
Wrapping Up
Having a good lawyer on your personal injury case is good, but you also have to be involved as a client and vary your involvement to encourage communication and trust. The legal process, in general, is filled with delays, but the more you’re involved, the more progress your lawyer can make to fulfill your case objectives.
