Working with a lawyer can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. A good lawyer will make you feel comfortable and respected. The attorney-client relationship is important. It means that each party should be honest with the other, and work to share all necessary details of a case together. If you are honest with your lawyer and tell them everything they need to know, that is more information they can use to make informed decision during the case process - which benefits everyone involved. Remember, part of the attorney-client privilege is confidentiality. Anything confidential you tell your lawyer is protected, and they cannot share it with anyone.
Here are five things that your lawyer should know during your personal injury case. These are all things that can affect a lawyer's strategy during the personal injury claims process, and therefore should be discussed as soon as possible.
(1) Tell your lawyer about any previous injuries you've suffered. An insurance adjuster attempting to deny the claim might say that your current injuries are related to past injuries or incidents, not the most recent incident, so your lawyer needs to be able to dispute this.
(2) Tell your lawyer about your criminal history. Usually, any misdemeanors or felonies will not affect your case (unless they are related to driving) but they could come up during trial, as insurance company lawyers run background checks, and you need your lawyer to have all the information that opposing counsel has in order to be prepared.
(3) Tell your lawyer if you have filed for bankruptcy. If you file during your personal injury case, your settlement could become part of the bankruptcy estate (i.e. you won't get the money, your creditors will). But if you tell your lawyer, they can work with your bankruptcy lawyer to hopefully secure a portion for you.
(4) Tell your lawyer if you have filed or are about to file for divorce. If your spouse was supporting you after your injury, for example, they might be entitled to part of the damages you recover. In which case, the lawyer can ensure that they also receive fair compensation.
(5) Tell your lawyer if you have suffered any injuries SINCE your collision. Opposing counsel might try to claim that you are attempting to secure compensation for injuries unrelated to the present claim you have filed. In which case, your lawyer will need to be able to dispute this.
Working with a lawyer can be extremely helpful during a personal injury case, because the claims process can be complicated. But a lawyer can only do so much without the full willing cooperation of the client. If you have a personal injury case, be sure to keep your lawyer updated as much as possible.
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