How to Stay on Top of Your Case After You Hire a Lawyer
Hiring a South Carolina personal injury attorney after suffering serious harm because of the actions of another is one of the smartest things that you can do. While working with a lawyer does not guarantee a settlement, it does significantly improve your chances of recovering compensation for your losses.
One of the benefits of hiring a lawyer is that an attorney will handle the bulk of your case for you– your attorney will organize all documents and evidence, depose witnesses, send demand letters, negotiate on your behalf, and more. However, this does not mean that you can check out of the process and just let your lawyer handle things. It is very important that you remain an active participant in your case and stay informed of all developments.
For those who have been injured and are already working with a personal injury lawyer, here are some tips and to-dos when it comes to staying on top of your case. Staying on top of your case helps both you and your personal injury lawyer.
Provide Your Attorney with Requested Information
One of the best ways that you can participate in your case and help your South Carolina injury lawyer effectively do their job is to provide your attorney with requested information in a timely manner. This includes answering all of your attorney’s questions and supplying documents when needed. You attorney will likely request a lot from you, ranging from medical records to personal details about your life, so be prepared.
Ask Questions
One thing that many clients struggle with is knowing what to ask of their personal injury lawyer, and when it is okay to ask questions. If at anytime during your personal injury case you don’t understand something, want to know more about any facet of your case, or have a concern about your case’s progress, ask your attorney! Part of your South Carolina personal injury lawyer’s job is to provide you with clarity when there are things that you don’t understand, and to competently provide you with answers to even your toughest legal questions.
Follow Up Routinely
Even if you do not have a specific question, following up with your lawyer on a weekly or bi-monthly basis is a great idea. Emailing can be easier and less cumbersome than is placing a phone call, and can be a great way to get in touch with your lawyer when you or they are busy. Emails should be concise and to the point, but there is no problem with sending frequent emails to see how your case is coming along.
Maintain Discretion
One way that you can help your South Carolina personal injury lawyer and your case, and show that you are committed to the outcome of your case, is to maintain discretion until your case is settled. This means:
- Refraining from discussing your case with anyone other than your lawyer and immediate family members; and
- Limiting your social media use (or suspending your accounts temporarily).
The importance of doing these two things cannot be stressed enough – all things that you post on the internet are public and can be used against you, and discussing your case may damage your ability to secure a positive outcome. Even talking about your case with your family should be done with the utmost discretion.
Follow a Prescribed Treatment Plan
Finally, while you may not be able to decipher legal precedent or cross-examine witnesses, you can do something very important for the outcome of your case: follow your prescribed treatment plan. If you seek medical care for your injuries and your doctor tells you that in order to heal, you need to follow a prescribed treatment plan, do it. If you do not follow your doctor’s orders, or if you miss doctor’s appointments routinely, you are giving the other side ammunition that can be used against you. Not attending doctor’s appointments or not following a treatment regimen implies that you are not as injured as you say you are, and therefore may not deserve the compensation amount you are requesting.
Learn More About the Personal Injury Claim Process Today
If you are injured in South Carolina and have questions about filing a personal injury claim and what your role throughout the process may look like, contact our patient South Carolina personal injury attorneys at the offices of Peake & Fowler today. A consultation with our attorneys and staff is free, and is a great opportunity to learn more and ask questions. Contact our office today at (803) 788-4370.
