Medical malpractice, dog bites, construction and traffic accidents all happen on a regular basis in the United States. According to the numbers provided by the National Center for Statistics (a department within the CDC), over 30 million people are injured every year across the country. Of these, around 2 million require hospitalization, and more than 160,000 are fatal. Furthermore, statistics from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that there are more than 5.5 million car accidents each year, which leads to around 3 million injuries and 40,000 fatalities.
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you have a personal injury lawsuit on your hands, you have to be aware that these cases can be extremely complex. This will probably a very stressful time in your life, and it might be tempting to focus on simply getting through each day. However, despite the lack of energy, you have to get an experienced lawyer to handle your lawsuit. Now, in order to be thoroughly prepared, your lawyer will need every little detail you can remember about your injury, in addition to any personal information.
Provide Your Lawyer with Your Medical History
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Your lawyer has to know about any previous injury you suffered in the last couple of years. For instance, one of the first things an insurance adjuster might say is that your current injuries are related to your past accidents in an attempt to deny your claims. Therefore, your lawyer has to be completely informed, in case he needs to dispute this. Thankfully, there are law firms, such as Bordaslaw, that will help you gather all of your medical records, and even set up an additional examination if needed.
Inform Him about Your Financial Situation
When it comes to personal injuries, many people lose their job in the months following the accident. If this happens to you, and you have to file for bankruptcy, tell your lawyer instantly. If you file for bankruptcy during the case, you might the money even after you settle, because that money will become a part of your estate. But, if you notify your lawyer about this on time, they may be able to team up with your bankruptcy lawyer and secure a part of the settlement for you.
Talk about Your Criminal History
While any misdemeanors or felonies will probably not affect anything, if your case goes to court, any legal problems you might have had in the past may be brought up during the trial. The insurance company will certainly check your criminal background, and they will use anything they can to try to discredit you. So, it’s vital for your lawyer to have all of the information about your past activities that the opposing council has, so that they can be fully prepared.
Supply All Requested Documents on Time
Chances are, you will have to fill out a number of forms, and provide your lawyer with medical and insurance documents every few weeks. In order to help him meet any filing deadlines, you have to provide every document in a timely fashion. The legal process will take long enough, so you don’t need to add to it by taking extra time to provide the requested details about your accident.
Conclusion
While around 95% of personal injury cases are settled out of court, you also have to be aware that around 90% of cases that make it to the courtroom end up losing. In most cases this happens due to lack of preparation and negotiation. Apparently, most people in the United States assume that negotiations happen rather quickly, but the reality is quite different. These negotiations can sometimes last for more than a few months, and if you want to reach a suitable settlement, you have to be patient, and more importantly – cooperate with your lawyer and present them with as much information as you can.
