If you're pursuing a personal injury case, you want to make sure you are prepared to win your case. Even the most experienced attorney still needs your help to win.
Keep reading to learn how to successfully prepare for personal injury cases.
Get Medical Treatment For Personal Injury Cases
You must seek medical attention for any injuries immediately after your accident. Make sure you tell the medical staff about any unusual sensations or pains that you felt after your accident. You will need to tell your doctor about all of your symptoms so your injuries can be properly treated and diagnosed.
It's best to have your medical condition accurately and promptly documented in medical reports right after your accident. You should make sure to fill and take any medication prescribed to you and make sure you follow any discharge instructions. If your symptoms get worse, you will need to get follow-up medical care.
Keep All The Evidence
You'll want to keep as much evidence as possible. For example, if you slipped on a fruit at a restaurant, you'll want to freeze and keep that piece of fruit you slipped on. You'll also want to keep the shoes you were wearing when you fell, as well as any ripped or blood-soaked garments.
These items can help properly and graphically show how bad this accident really was. You will also want to hold onto any durable medical supplies you used to treat your injuries. Be sure to take note of any surveillance cameras so your attorney can locate that video.
Be Prepared At The Initial Consultation
You'll want to make sure that you are organized when you go see your attorney. Make sure you have all the documents that relate to your case which include medical treatment, accident, and police reports.
You will also need to have the names and contact information for any possible witnesses and defendants. As well as anything said by the witnesses and defendants at the time of the accident. You might also need the makes, models and license plates if it was a car accident.
You will also need the names of all doctors who treated and your hospital discharge paperwork. Make sure you are ready to give a detailed description of the events that happened before, during, and after your accident. If you're worried you won't be able to remember everything, write it out before your meeting.
Take Pictures
It's crucial that you take photos of all visible injuries, shoes, and clothes that you are wearing. You will also want shots of any medical supplies used on you like wheelchairs, canes, crutches, splints, casts or braces. Photo document as much of the accident as you can, and bring these photographs when you meet your attorney.
Follow Through With Medical Treatment
If you need additional medication, or follow-up appointments like physical therapy, MRIs, or surgery, make sure to do this. It's important to get the follow-up treatment recommended to you not only for your recovery but also for your case.
Keep Your Attorneys Informed
You'll want to keep your attorneys updated immediately if your medical treatment or condition changes. These changes might change the strength of your legal claim. Make sure you keep your lawyer up to date on how these injuries have affected your work, lifestyle and mental health.
For example, has your lack of activity because of the accident has caused you to gain weight? Or is the financial stress of it all leading to depression and anxiety? Make sure you are completely transparent and honest with your lawyer about how your accident has affected your life.
Social Media
It might be recommended that you don't use social media after your accident. Often defendants have misrepresented social media posts, messages, and images which could end up minimizing your very real injuries. For example, they could show a picture of you in running shoes, and suggest that you are running, even if you're not.
Your best bet is to keep your social media accounts private and limit your posts to items you wouldn't mind showing insurance companies, the defendants, and the jury that is deciding your case.
Be Truthful And Accurate With Your Attorney
Don't be scared to be totally honest. Your case doesn't need to be perfect. Attorneys can best do their job if they are completely aware of both the strengths and weaknesses surrounding your case. If they know all the issues, then they are in the best position to minimize the impact these issues might have on your case.
Your lawyer also cannot share any confidential information you tell him or her unless you give permission. This is why it's key that you are as accurate as possible in how you talk to your lawyer so they can properly prepare for your case.
Keep Track Of Financial Losses
If you find yourself earning less because of your injuries, you'll want to document that. Keep track of you pay stubs, tax returns, W2 and 1099 forms before and after your accident.
This way you can clearly show how the accident has affected your finances. You should also keep track of all of your out of pocket expenses from your medical treatments.
Make Yourself Available
The trial testimony of the plaintiff and deposition are the most important parts of building your case. As the plaintiff, you are the most important member of your litigation team.
In most situations, no one will know the pain and suffering more than you. Which is why it's key that you make yourself as available as possible to your attorney.
Get Ready For Your Trial Today
Now that you know what you should have ready for personal injury cases, start getting ready for your attorney today. Make sure you are totally transparent with your attorney and have all the evidence you need to make your attorney's job as easy as possible. For more legal advice, or if you're in the Gahanna, Ohio area, then contact us today!
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