How To Help Your Orange County Personal Injury Lawyer Win Your Case

Most lawsuits in the United States involve personal injury, including car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, and product liability. However, if you have been injured because of someone’s negligence, there are several things you can do to help your personal injury attorney try to win your case. Read below to learn more, and contact our Orange County personal injury attorney at Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C., for more information.

Tell Your Attorney The Truth

Suppose you are in a car accident in Orange County near Disneyland Park or Knott Berry Farm. Someone turned left in front of your SUV, and you T-boned them. It sounds like it was the other driver’s fault. What if you were speeding and 25% responsible for the accident?

You can still recover compensation in a lawsuit if you are partially at fault, but do not be tempted to hide the truth from your attorney. The truth will be exposed during the police investigation and lawsuit discovery. Therefore, it is always best to be honest with your attorney. Give them all the facts, so they are ready for any weak parts of the case.

Save All Accident-Related Documents

You should save all documents that are related to the accident. These include the police report; photos of your injuries and the vehicles; contact information from witnesses; medical bills, and notes on when you received medical treatments. Your attorney will gather most of these documents but you can save time by gathering them yourself.

Also, think about writing or videoing a personal injury journal. This can help describe the pain you are in as you recover. In addition, the journal may be used by your injury attorney during settlement negotiations.

Do Not Guess

If asked about the accident, you should stick to the truth. While you should not admit fault, always tell the truth.

For instance, if you are unsure how fast you were going when the car hit you, ask your attorney whether to simply say you do not know. The insurance company will use anything you say that is inaccurate against you. It may be an innocent mistake, but the other side will try to portray it as you being reckless at worst or untruthful at best.

Do Not Speak To Their Insurance Company

The insurance company for the liable party may attempt to contact you after the accident, even on the same day. They are not interested in your well-being. They often want potential claimants to sign a quick settlement agreement before they hire an Orange County personal injury attorney. The insurance company knows the odds are a lawyer will almost always argue for more money than if a potential claimant does not have a lawyer. Hiring an attorney will mean that if the insurance company keeps calling you, you could simply tell them you hired a lawyer, and they need to talk to your attorney.

Avoid Social Media

It is understandable to want to tell people about what happened to you. However, you should not post about the accident or case on social media. The insurance company might watch you closely after the incident, including monitoring your social media feeds.

Posting about your accident and injuries can be twisted and used against you. If you even post about going for a walk, the insurance company may attempt to argue you are not hurt. Ask your attorney whether it might be a good idea to take a break from social media until the case is over.

Respond To Your Attorney

It is a common complaint when an attorney does not respond to a client’s calls or emails. It goes the other way, too. If your attorney calls or emails for information, do your best to get back to them the same day.

On a related note, if your attorney files a personal injury lawsuit, the defendant will send interrogatories, or written questions, to your lawyer. The lawyer’s office will probably send those questions to you. Answering the interrogatories promptly and giving your attorney the necessary information is vital. The case could be compromised or even dismissed if you do not provide the correct information on time.

Whether To Take A Settlement If Your Attorney Recommends It

The vast majority of personal injury cases end in a settlement. It is often not worth the risk and expense of going to trial – for either side. If your attorney recommends you settle for a certain amount, strongly consider it. But if your lawyer says you should go to trial, you should probably follow their recommendation. They are more familiar with accident cases and the law than most people.

Act Quickly

California has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims. This is the length of time you have since the accident to file a lawsuit. This may sound like plenty of time, but it can go by fast. Maybe you thought your truck accident injuries would heal independently, and they did not after a year.

Give your attorney as much time as possible to build a strong case. If the claim must be thrown together at the last minute, it will be more difficult to prevail.

Make A Good Impression

If you must go to court, make the best possible impression. Dress well, be polite, and tell the truth. Juries make decisions based on the facts and how you look and act. Your attorney will advise you on how to look and act if you need to appear in court.

See Your Doctor And Keep Your Medical Appointments

One of the most critical parts of getting a large settlement in a lawsuit is having your doctor on your side. The professional opinion of a doctor is essential to winning a case. In addition, you need your doctor to describe the severity of your injuries and how they are related to the accident.

The courts see doctors as expert witnesses. Therefore, their testimony is critical to the success of potential claims.

Speak To An Orange County Personal Injury Attorney Today

Were you injured in a car accident in Orange County on Beach Boulevard, Ortega Highway, or Laguna Canyon Road? You might need a personal injury attorney if the other driver caused the accident. Orange County personal injury attorneys at Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C. can help. Please contact our SOCAL personal injury lawyers at (888) 883-6588 for a complimentary consultation.