A personal injury case doesn’t always have to be a lengthy, agonizing process. Though much of the process may be beyond your ability to affect, following these best practices can give you and your attorney the leverage necessary to bring your case to a speedy settlement, in or out of court.
- Retain an attorney immediately
The sooner you get an attorney’s assistance, the faster your case will resolve. It’s very easy for a mistake here and a misstep there to become a major impediment to your settlement, even if your case seems open and shut by any reasonable standard. Get an attorney to help you as soon as possible. - Document everything
Facts matter, but provable facts matter far more. Make sure you take note of every single thing directly or indirectly affected by your injury: medical costs, missed work, emotional pain, physical pain, doctor’s appointments, time spent in court – everything. Thorough documentation can give you immense leverage. - Do everything by the book
Go to all of your doctor’s appointments, show up on time to every associated meeting, stay polite with everyone at all times, and present your best possible face everywhere. You also need to make sure you sign every line, dot every I, and cross every T on any paperwork. Each mistake is a setback. - Eliminate potential character attacks
Clean up your social media of anything embarrassing or suggestive of a risk taking personality. You shouldn’t be on trial during a personal injury case, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be. Get rid of any potential character attacks before they happen, and skip that ugly part of the process. - Educate yourself on your case
The better you stay informed on your case, the less time you’re going to waste with unnecessary efforts, mistakes and so on. If you don’t understand something, look it up or ask your attorney — or both. Stay informed, but also trust the expert; it’s enough to know what you should be doing. You shouldn’t try to second guess your attorney unless something seems very wrong.
Follow these five tips, and while your case may not resolve quickly, these actions will certainly help it come along smoothly. If you’re involved in an accident and are looking for the help of a professional attorney, contact Parnall Law Firm in Albuquerque to get the immediate and comprehensive help you deserve.
