No one hires a personal injury lawyer hoping that they’ll lose their case. Lawsuits can be lengthy, emotionally difficult, and stressful for clients as well as attorneys. Naturally, both you and your lawyer want to present the best case possible—and get a fair outcome.
Clients and attorneys can have a difficult time communicating clearly. Whether they have different expectations of each other’s role in the case, fail to provide information or simply don’t understand the other’s style, this can be a frustrating situation. Here are some tips to help you work with your personal injury lawyer, to get the best results possible.
- Interview several attorneys before choosing one. When you’re looking for a lawyer, remember to choose the best one for you, not just the person who’s considered the “best” personal injury attorney in your area. You want someone with a great trial record and experience handling your type of case, but also someone who makes you feel comfortable and confident in your case.
- Discuss communication and expectations at the outset. If you get most of your courtroom knowledge from police procedurals and pop culture, the realities of a lawsuit may surprise you. Make sure that you understand the timeline, when and how your attorney will contact you and what’s required of you. This should eliminate any confusion or miscommunications later.
- Provide all information about the case—even if it’s bad. Sometimes clients hold back information, records or other evidence that they think makes them look bad. You need to share everything with your attorney, even if it works against you. Let your lawyer decide how to handle it. The last thing you want is for the defense to surprise you both.
- Inform your attorney about any new developments or changes. Did you move to a new home? Have you gotten a new diagnosis from your doctor? Did you change your phone number? Make sure you keep your lawyer up to date.
- Ask questions when you don’t understand something. Finally, don’t hesitate to speak up and ask questions of your lawyer. A good attorney should be skilled in explaining complex legal concepts to laypeople. After all, that’s part of their job as a trial litigant. If you don’t understand their explanation or reasoning, ask for clarification. Your lawyer should be happy to communicate what’s happening and why.
Talk to an Ohio Personal Injury Lawyer Today
I want all of my clients to feel comfortable and confident in their cases. When you’ve been harmed due to someone else’s negligence, I’ll Make Them Pay!® You may be able to recover damages for your medical bills, lost wages and other costs. Call me today at 877.944.4373 for a consultation.